LEGAL SERVICE
COMMISSION
1
OUR MISSION
The mission of the Legal Service Commission
is to maintain a dedicated corps of officers
with integrity and ability to staff the Judiciary,
the Attorney-General’s Chambers and
the Legal Service departments of various Ministries
and other arms of Government.
2
LEGAL SERVICE
COMMISSION
Contents
02
Foreword by the President,
Legal Service Commission
06
Leadership
14
Towards Organisational Excellence
26
Advancing the Rule of Law
92
Milestone Programmes
96
Pride in Service
1
Chief Justice
SUNDARESH MENON
President,
Legal Service Commission
2
FOREWORD by
THE PRESIDENT,
LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION
One of the hallmarks of the Legal Service
Commission has been its commitment to
the effort to bring out the best in every
Legal Service Officer (“LSO”) and to
provide the ecosystem within which each
LSO may strive for and achieve their
highest potential. Among the very best
embodiments of this mission in action is
Justice Chao Hick Tin.
for LSOs to continue to serve our nation
with utmost dedication and distinction in
a multitude of important roles and at key
institutions. The Legal Service presents an
increasingly broad range of opportunities
for this and the following brief review
provides a snapshot of what is possible.
On the domestic front, important steps
were taken to increase access to justice. In
April 2017, the State Courts established
the Employment Claims Tribunals to
provide litigants with simple, expeditious
and affordable processes for resolving
salary-related disputes. In July 2017, the
Family Justice Courts (“FJC”) introduced
the Integrated Family Application System.
This is a comprehensive end-to-end
system for family protection and
maintenance that enables parties to file
their applications online through
community partners, thus facilitating
access to essential court services. That
same month, the Attorney-General’s
Chambers (“AGC”) launched the new
Singapore Statutes Online website, which
was substantially redesigned with a view
to making laws more intelligible to
laypersons and improving accessibility to
Singapore’s legislation.
Justice Chao formally retired in 2017
following 50 remarkable years of public
service, during which time he served
with distinction in some of the highest
positions within the Singapore legal
establishment. These included key
Constitutional appointments as the
Attorney-General (“AG”) and Vice
President of the Court of Appeal. On his
retirement in September 2017, Justice
Chao was accorded a rare Valedictory
Reference to honour his dedication and
immense contributions to the Legal
Service, the Judiciary, the legal services
sector and our nation, and to inspire
a younger generation of LSOs and
lawyers to follow in his footsteps.
Luminaries such as Justice Chao, in whose
steps we follow, provide the inspiration
3
On the international front, the AGC
advanced Singapore’s interests by
providing critical legal advice and support
to agencies in bilateral negotiations on key
agreements and on the Comprehensive
and Progressive Agreement for the
Trans-Pacific Partnership. The AGC was
also a key member of the inter-agency
team which prepared Singapore’s legal
case on Malaysia’s two applications to
revise and interpret the International
Court of Justice’s judgment concerning
the sovereignty over Pedra Branca,
Middle Rocks and South Ledge. Both
applications were eventually discontinued
by Malaysia.
Constitutional
appointments
were
made by Government at the AGC.
Mr Lucien Wong was appointed the
AG while Mr Lionel Yee and Mr Hri
Kumar Nair were appointed Deputy
Attorneys-General.
The second was in the area of training and
professional development. The Singapore
Judicial College (“the SJC”) augmented its
extensive suite of training programmes by
introducing a new masterclass and judicial
resilience series to cater to the needs of
our Judges. The SJC has also established
itself as a regional and international
hub for judicial training through its
many international programmes, which
boast an impressive outreach. The State
Courts, in collaboration with the Lee
Kuan Yew School of Public Policy,
conducted the inaugural run of the
Executive Leadership Programme for
Court and Tribunal Administrators to
equip court and tribunal administrators
with key leadership, court governance
and administration skills. At the AGC,
the AGC Academy was restructured as
a separate division that is staffed by a
full-time team of LSOs. The Academy
has been developing a structured
curriculum to deepen and broaden the
professional, leadership and management
skills of LSOs across the AGC’s different
practice areas and the various legal
departments under the Legal Branch.
In August 2017, the FJC hosted the
meeting of the 2nd International Advisory
Council where leading global thought
leaders in the field of family law and
justice deliberated developments, ideas
and innovations in this important area.
These discussions have catalysed studies
into potential reforms in various areas,
including child maintenance and the
division of matrimonial assets.
Looking ahead, the Legal Service
Commission put in place various measures
in 2017 to prepare and equip the Legal
Service for the challenges of the future.
The first was in the area of leadership
renewal. Justice Debbie Ong was
appointed the Presiding Judge of the
FJC. Mr Kwek Mean Luck assumed
the position of Solicitor-General while
Ms Mavis Chionh was appointed
Second Solicitor-General. Three key
The third was in the strategic leveraging
of technology to further enhance
the effectiveness of LSOs. The AGC
4
continued its development of key systems
and process transformation projects
under the umbrella of Project SPACE
(Smarter Processes in A Collaborative
Environment). This was done in tandem
with the conceptualisation of the
Intelligent Workspace, an enterprise level
IT platform, which offers the potential
for horizontal integration with systems
used by other key stakeholders that
include the home team agencies and the
courts. The AGC also established a new
Legal Technology and Innovation Office
that focuses on developing the alliance
of legal and tech services with a view to
future-proofing the AGC.
This, coupled with refinements in 2017
to the frameworks for the selection of
new recruits and the re-employment of
LSOs, will ensure that the Legal Service
continues to nurture and maintain a
dedicated pool of professionally excellent
officers with both depth and breadth of
expertise in all areas of practice.
It has been a busy year and the Legal
Service continues to strive to provide the
best training and development of lawyers
in Singapore. In closing, I set out these
words from Justice Chao:
The fifty years that I have spent in the
Public Service have undoubtedly been a
most enriching, exciting and rewarding
journey, even though it is a journey that
has had its ups and downs. Of course, there
were times when dispensing justice in a
case seemed difficult or elusive. Still … we
always have to do our level best.
The fourth was through the refinement of
our human resource frameworks. In May
2017, we reviewed and further refined our
posting framework and institutionalised
an annual and systematic posting
framework for all LSOs. This is to
ensure that the postings of all LSOs are
undertaken in a way that is beneficial
to both the Legal Service and the LSOs’
professional and career development.
Under the terms of the Annual
Systematic Posting Exercise decided
by the Chief Justice and the AG, LSOs
may either be identified (by the Legal
Service Posting Panel) or apply to be
considered for possible re-posting. The
Posting Panel, chaired by Justice Lee
Seiu Kin (a Member of the Legal Service
Commission and the Special Personnel
Boards), reviews the applications and
submits recommendations to the Chief
Justice, the AG and the Personnel Boards.
Justice Chao’s career began in 1967,
two years after independence, and in
the course of its long arc, he has seen
Singapore move past the pangs of its birth
and the anxieties of its teenage years,
before settling into a mature adulthood.
Throughout this time, the Legal Service
Commission and LSOs have always been
there, regardless of the magnitude of the
challenge or the difficulty of the task, to
attend to her needs. As we look ahead to
the future, may Justice Chao’s example
inspire us all to always give our best for
our nation and people, and to strive to
bring justice to all according to the law.
5
Leadership
6
leadership
LEGAL SERVICE
COMMISSION
The Legal Service Commission
(“LSC”) is constituted under Part IX
of the Constitution of the Republic
of Singapore (“Constitution”). Article
111(1) of the Constitution mandates
that there shall be an LSC whose
jurisdiction shall extend to all officers
in the Singapore Legal Service (“Legal
Service”).
Member(s), based on the following
arrangements:
(i) at least one but not more than
two persons nominated by the
Chief Justice;
(ii) at least one but not more than
two persons nominated by the
Chairman of the PSC; and
The LSC has the duty, under Article
111(3), to appoint, confirm, emplace
on the permanent establishment,
promote, transfer, dismiss and exercise
disciplinary control over officers in the
Legal Service.
(iii) at least one but not more than
two persons nominated by the
Prime Minister.
The Chief Justice/President of the
LSC, recorded his deep appreciation
to Mr V K Rajah, who completed his
term on 13 January 2017, after having
served with distinction as a Member
from 1 November 2007. The Chief
Justice / President of the LSC also
welcomed Mr Adrian Chan who was
appointed on 1 February 2017 and
Judge of Appeal Steven Chong who
was re-appointed on 25 June 2017.
Article 111(2) and Article 111(2A) of
the Constitution provide that the LSC
shall consist of:
(a) the Chief Justice, as President;
(b) the Attorney-General;
(c) the Chairman of the Public Service
Commission (“PSC”); and
The LSC comprised, as at 31
December 2017, Chief Justice
Sundaresh Menon as President; and
the Attorney-General Mr Lucien
Wong Yuen Kuai, the Chairman of the
PSC Mr Eddie Teo, Judge of Appeal
Andrew Phang, Judge of Appeal Steven
(d) at least three but not more than
six other Members, each of whom
shall be appointed by the President
of Singapore if he, acting in his
discretion, concurs with the advice
of the person nominating the
7
Legal Service
Special Personnel Boards
In 2017, the LSC deliberated and
decided on matters concerning the
Legal Service including the award of
the Performance Bonuses, the Variable
Increments, the Legal Professional
Allowance, the Long-Term Incentive
and the Legal Service scheme-specific
remuneration components to Legal
Service Officers (“LSOs”) at and above
the “threshold” grade of Superscale
Grade 2; the suitability of LSOs for
promotion to Superscale Grade 2 and
above; and the implementation and
refinement of various human resource
functions and frameworks in the Legal
Service.
Article 111AA of the Constitution
provides for the establishment of one or
more personnel boards to exercise all or
any of the powers and functions of the
LSC under Article 111 over LSOs. The
powers and functions of the LSC are
devolved to the Personnel Boards, save
for the power to dismiss and exercise
disciplinary control over LSOs and all
powers of the LSC in relation to LSOs
of and above the “threshold” grade of
Superscale Grade 2, including the power
to nominate officers for appointment or
promotion to that grade.
In 2017, the Legal Service Special
Personnel Boards continued to
exercise the powers and functions
of appointment, confirmation,
emplacement on the permanent
establishment,
promotion
and
remuneration, and transfers to and
from the Legal Service Scheme of
Service over all LSOs below Superscale
Grade 2, and the re-postings of
LSOs within the respective Branches.
8
leadership
Chong, Justice Lee Seiu Kin, Mr Lee
Tzu Yang, Mr Gautam Banerjee and
Mr Adrian Chan as Members.
(Left to Right) Front Row:
Mr Lucien Wong Yuen Kuai (Attorney-General),
Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon (President, LSC),
Mr Eddie Teo (Chairman, PSC)
(Left to Right) Back Row:
Mr Adrian Chan,
Mr Lee Tzu Yang,
Justice Steven Chong,
Justice Andrew Phang,
Justice Lee Seiu Kin,
Mr Gautam Banerjee
9
leadership
Legal Service Commission
(Left to Right):
Justice Lee Seiu Kin,
Justice Andrew Phang,
Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon
(Chairman, Judicial Branch Special Personnel Board),
Justice Steven Chong
The Legal Service Judicial Branch
Special Personnel Board continued to
have jurisdiction over all LSOs below
Superscale Grade 2 who were posted at
the departments in the Judicial Branch.
The Legal Service Judicial Branch
Special Personnel Board comprised, as
at 31 December 2017, Chief Justice
Sundaresh Menon as Chairman; and
Judge of Appeal Andrew Phang, Judge
of Appeal Steven Chong and Justice Lee
Seiu Kin as Members.
10
leadership
Legal Service Judicial Branch
Special Personnel Board
(Left to Right):
Mr Lionel Yee Woon Chin (Deputy Attorney-General),
Mr Lucien Wong Yuen Kuai (Attorney-General),
Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon
(Chairman, Legal Branch Special Personnel Board),
Justice Lee Seiu Kin
The Legal Service Legal Branch
Special Personnel Board continued to
have jurisdiction over all LSOs below
Superscale Grade 2 who were deployed/
posted/seconded at the departments in
the Legal Branch. The Legal Service
Legal Branch Special Personnel Board
comprised, as at 31 December 2017,
Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon as
Chairman; and the Attorney-General
Mr Lucien Wong Yuen Kuai, Justice
Lee Seiu Kin and Deputy AttorneyGeneral Mr Lionel Yee Woon Chin as
Members.
11
leadership
Legal Service Legal Branch
Special Personnel Board
The Legal Service Talent Development
Scheme (“TDS”) is the principal
source for the renewal of leadership
in the Legal Service. It was formally
institutionalised in 2006 and reviewed
in 2012. It underpins the succession
planning framework in the Legal
Service.
Chairman; and the Attorney-General
Mr Lucien Wong Yuen Kuai, Judge of
Appeal Andrew Phang, Judge of Appeal
Steven Chong, Justice Lee Seiu Kin, Mr
Lee Tzu Yang and Mr Gautam Banerjee
as Members. The composition is to
reiterate the importance that the Legal
Service places on the development of
scarce talent. The LSOs in the TDS are
specifically identified and put though
various postings and “key-testing
positions” to stretch them. They are
also identified or nominated to attend
specific management programmes to
hone their leadership skills.
The Legal Service Talent Development
Committee (“TDC”) is chaired by
the President of the LSC, Chief
Justice Sundaresh Menon. The TDC
comprised, as at 31 December 2017,
Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon as
12
leadership
SUCCESSION PLANNING
AND TALENT DEVELOPMENT
(Left to Right) Front Row:
Mr Lucien Wong Yuen Kuai (Attorney-General),
Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon
(Chairman, Talent Development Committee/Succession Planning Committee),
Justice Andrew Phang
(Left to Right) Back Row:
Mr Gautam Banerjee,
Justice Steven Chong,
Justice Lee Seiu Kin,
Mr Lee Tzu Yang
13
leadership
The Talent Development Committee /
Succession Planning Committee
Towards
Organisational
Excellence
14
Recruitment
appointment to the Legal Service as an
LSO. The possible confirmation of the
offer of the conditional appointment
as an LSO will be reviewed on the
candidate’s full or successful completion
of the law programme and being awarded
the requisite qualification. Those from
an approved overseas university would
also be required to have passed the Part
A of the Singapore Bar Examinations.
The general criteria for possible
appointment to the Singapore Legal
Service (“Legal Service”) as a Legal
Service Officer (“LSO”) are that the
applicant should have graduated with a
law degree from the National University
of Singapore (“NUS”), the Singapore
Management University (“SMU”) or
an approved overseas university (and
have passed the Graduate Diploma
in Singapore Law or the Part A of the
Singapore Bar Examinations).
The principal eligibility criterion for
possible shortlisting for an interview
for the Enhanced two-year Justices’
Law Clerk (“JLC”) Programme is a
very strong First Class Honours (or
the equivalent) for the undergraduate
law programme from the NUS or
the SMU or an approved overseas
university, or a JD programme from
the SMU or an approved overseas
university. Successful candidates will
be initially deployed at the AGC to
complete the Part B of the Singapore
Bar Examinations before being
re-deployed to the JLC pool.
Law undergraduates from the NUS,
the SMU or an approved overseas
university and those studying for
a Doctor of Jurisprudence (“JD”)
programme at the SMU or an
approved overseas university who have
successfully completed at least their
second year of study may apply to be
interviewed for the possible offer of
conditional appointment as an LSO.
The candidates who are interviewed
may be required to undergo an
internship at the Attorney-General’s
Chambers (“AGC”) or a Legal Service
department. Those who perform
well at both the interview and the
internship may be offered conditional
The Legal Service conducted 18
recruitment exercises in 2017. A
summary of the application and
recruitment numbers is set out at
TABLE 1.
15
towards organisational excellence
RECRUITMENT AND
ESTABLISHMENT
Applicants
Interviewed
Selected
Appointed/Re-appointed
1
319
194
63
551
Including two LSOs who were re-employed on reaching the compulsory retirement age of 62 and 10 Public Service Commission
scholars who were interviewed prior to 2017 and joined the Legal Service in 2017.
A total of 319 applications for possible
appointment to the Legal Service were
received in 2017. Eighteen recruitment
exercises were held and 194 candidates
were interviewed. The 194 candidates
comprised 71 undergraduates, 107
fresh graduates or those who had
five years or less of relevant legal
work experience and 16 mid-career
candidates. Forty-six had a First Class
Honours (or the equivalent) and 72
had a Second Class Upper Honours (or
the equivalent).
A total of 55 LSOs were appointed/
re-appointed to the Legal Service in
2017.
Sixty-three candidates were selected
for possible appointment to the Legal
Service and 28 assumed appointment in
the same year. The remaining candidates
who accepted the offer of appointment
or conditional appointment are
expected to assume duty in the Legal
Service between 2018 and 2020.
Twenty-five LSOs who had been
appointed on contract were emplaced
on the permanent establishment in
2017. Four other LSOs who were
Public Service Commission (“PSC”)
scholars and had been appointed
on probation (of 18 months) were
confirmed in their appointment in the
same year. One officer was transferred
from the Management Executive
Scheme of Service to the Legal Service
Scheme of Service in 2017 and
appointed an LSO.
Emplacement on
the Permanent
Establishment/
Confirmation of
Appointment/
Transfer of Service
Twenty-five candidates who were
selected from the recruitment exercises
in 2013, 2014, 2015 or 2016 assumed
appointment in 2017. Two other LSOs
were re-employed on reaching the
compulsory retirement age of 62.
16
towards organisational excellence
TABLE 1: Recruitment
(as at 31 December 2017)
The Legal Service posting framework
is regularly reviewed to ensure that it
continues to play an integral part in
the training and development of LSOs
whilst meeting the manpower needs of
the Legal Service.
The posting framework was refined in
2017 and the Annual Systematic Posting
Exercise (“ASPE”) was introduced. The
objective of the refined framework
was to institutionalise an annual and
systematic posting framework to
review the re-postings of LSOs and
specifically which LSOs should be
re-posted either because they have spent
sufficient time in a department (and it
is beneficial, for their professional and
career development, to be exposed to
new areas of legal work in the Service)
or because there are strong reasons/
exigencies of service for re-posting
the LSOs.
A total of 53 LSOs (16 Superscale LSOs
and 37 Timescale LSOs) were re-posted
in 2017.
Secondments
A Legal Service Posting Panel chaired
by Justice Lee Seiu Kin was established
to drive the ASPE in 2017. The
Members comprised the Presiding
Judge of the State Courts, the Presiding
Judge of the Family Justice Courts, the
Registrar of the Supreme Court and the
Solicitor-General (with the SolicitorGeneral having oversight of all the LSOs
posted/seconded at the Ministries/
statutory boards/statutory bodies).
LSOs may be seconded to statutory
boards/statutory bodies to undertake
legal work; and/or Ministries to
undertake policy work in positions
usually assumed by Administrative
Officers. LSOs may also be seconded
to key institutions to undertake
specific functions and responsibilities.
A total of 49 LSOs were on
secondment in 2017. The details are
at TABLE 2.
17
towards organisational excellence
The operating framework, “Guiding
Principles” and the processes for
the ASPE were established and the
relevant information provided to all
Branch Heads/Heads of Department
(“HODs”) and LSOs.
LSOs were
invited to indicate their posting
preferences if they wished to be
considered for a possible re-posting.
All Branch Heads/HODs provided
recommendations on the LSOs in
their respective departments who
may/may not be considered for a
possible re-posting. The Posting Panel
considered the recommendations of the
Branch Heads/HODs. The Posting
Panel also reviewed all applications for
possible re-posting. It also identified
other suitable LSOs for possible
re-posting.
Postings
Department
Accounting and
Corporate Regulatory
Authority
Competition and
Consumer Commission
of Singapore
Economic Development
Board
Health Sciences
Authority
Inland Revenue
Authority of Singapore
Info-communications
Media Development
Authority
Intellectual Property
Office of Singapore
Land Transport
Authority
Ministry of Home
Affairs
Ministry of Law
Ministry of Social and
Family Development
Monetary Authority of
Singapore
National Environment
Agency
Singapore Land
Authority
Singapore Medical
Council
Supreme Court
(Singapore Judicial
College)
Total
No. of
Left Service
Re-posted
Commenced Extended
Continued
LSOs
after
after
Secondment Secondment Secondment
Seconded Secondment
Secondment
13
-
-
4
8
1
7
-
1
3
2
1
2
-
-
-
2
-
1
-
-
-
1
-
6
-
2
2
2
-
1
-
-
-
1
-
3
-
1
-
2
-
1
-
1
-
-
-
2
-
-
-
2
-
2
-
1
-
-
1
1
-
-
-
1
-
4
-
1
2
1
-
1
-
-
-
1
-
3
-
-
1
2
-
1
-
-
-
1
-
1
-
-
1
-
-
49
-
7
13
26
3
18
towards organisational excellence
TABLE 2: Secondments in 2017
Legal Service Outreach
Activities 2017
There were 662 establishment posts
in the Legal Service and 653 LSOs on
the posted strength as at 31 December
2017. The details are at TABLE 3.
The Legal Service participated in
various outreach programmes as part
of the effort to further raise the profile
of the Legal Service and generate
greater awareness and interest among
students to consider the study of law
as a viable option and a career with the
Legal Service.
TABLE 3: Establishment
(as at 31 December 2017)
Judicial Branch
Legal Branch
LSC Secretariat
Supernumerary Posts
Total
1
2
3
No. of
Posts
189
458
No. of
LSOs
1951
4482
15
10
662
653
The Legal Service participated in the
following programmes in 2017:
3
(a) the NUS Law Careers Fair;
Including six LSOs on re-employment contract.
Including two LSOs on re-employment contract.
Including an LSO on re-employment contract.
(b) the SMU Law Fair;
Attrition
(c) the Singapore Legal Forum
organised by the United Kingdom
Singapore Law Students’ Society;
A total of 23 LSOs (3.5%) resigned from
the Legal Service in 2017. The details
of the attrition in the Legal Service over
the last three years are at TABLE 4.
(d) the Junior College Law Programme
organised by the Singapore
Academy of Law (“SAL”);
TABLE 4: Attrition
(2015 – 2017)
Resignation
Retirement
Expiry of Contract
Transfer to
Another Scheme of
Service
Others
1
2
3
4
5
(e) careers fairs at various Junior
Colleges; and
2015 2016 2017
29
24
23
1
2
3
4
24
0
2
55
0
0
0
0
13
0
(f ) PSC Scholarships information
sessions for final year preuniversity students.
Three of these programmes were
targeted
at
undergraduates
in
scheduled universities locally and
abroad. These events allowed the Legal
Service to raise its visibility among the
Two of the LSOs who had retired on reaching the compulsory
retirement age of 62 were re-employed on contract.
Four LSOs who had retired on reaching the compulsory
retirement age of 62 and were re-employed on contract.
Demise in Service of one LSO.
Two LSOs who had retired on reaching the compulsory
retirement age of 62 and were re-employed on contract.
Including four LSOs who had left on the expiry of their
re-employment contract (at age 67).
19
towards organisational excellence
Establishment
A total of 17 Legal Service departments
hosted 118 interns in the 2017/2018
internship programme. The details are
at TABLE 5.
TABLE 5: Internship Programme
Legal Service Department/
No. of
Interns
hosted
Internship Programme
Legal Service Internship
Programme 2017/2018
Internships play an integral role in the
identification and early engagement
of suitable candidates for the Legal
Service. The Legal Service has since
2000 been offering internships to law
undergraduates and JD students (where
applicable) studying at the NUS,
the SMU and the approved overseas
universities. The internships continue
to serve as an important avenue for
law students to better understand the
work of LSOs in the Legal Service
and provide added clarity for those
considering a career with the Legal
Service on graduation.
20
Accounting and Corporate
Regulatory Authority
5
Attorney-General’s Chambers
34
Competition and Consumer
Commission of Singapore
4
Family Justice Courts
6
Insolvency and Public Trustee’s
Office
2
Intellectual Property Office
of Singapore
3
Legal Aid Bureau
30
Ministry of Culture,
Community and Youth
2
Ministry of Defence
2
Ministry of Health
1
Ministry of Home Affairs
2
Ministry of Law
7
Ministry of Manpower
4
Ministry of Social and Family
Development
3
Singapore Land Authority
2
State Courts: Senior Officers’
Law Clerk Programme
1
Supreme Court and State
Courts: Judicial Internship
Programme
10
TOTAL
118
towards organisational excellence
undergraduates. LSOs shared their
work experiences with students who
were keen to consider a career with the
Legal Service. Undergraduates were
also encouraged to apply for internships
at various Legal Service departments to
experience and gain first-hand exposure
to the varied work opportunities in the
Legal Service. The remaining outreach
activities were targeted at students in
junior colleges. These events provided
a platform for the Legal Service to raise
awareness of the Legal Service and the
legal profession among the graduating
student cohorts. LSOs who participated
at these events also took the opportunity
to share with the students the option of
studying law at the undergraduate level.
The JCLP concluded with a closing
ceremony on 1 December 2017.
Public Service
Commission Law
Scholars
The Legal Service participated in the
2017 Junior College Law Programme
(“JCLP”) organised by the SAL. The
objective of the JCLP is to stimulate
greater interest in law among junior
college and pre-university students to
enable them to make a more informed
choice when opting to study for a
university degree.
The Legal Service has, since 2007,
arranged for all PSC Scholars to meet
Member(s) of the LSC annually. One
of the main purposes is to anchor an
effective dialogue-framework between
Member(s) of the LSC and all scholars,
and to reiterate the importance
the LSC places on developing and
nurturing a continual pipeline of
young talent.
The 2017 JCLP was conducted from
20 November 2017 to 1 December
2017. It commenced with a twoday conference with speakers from
the private and public legal services
sectors (including the Legal Service)
sharing on various topics of law. The
students also visited the Parliament
House, the State Courts and
participated in a mock “Plead Guilty
Mention”. They also underwent a sixday Mentor Attachment Programme
where they were assigned to law firms
or a department in the Legal Service/
public sector.
The 2017 meeting was held on
14 August 2017. Justice Lee Seiu
Kin met 29 scholars. These included
four new scholars who were awarded
the PSC Scholarship (Legal Service)
in 2017 to study law at approved
universities.
The scholars were provided information/
updates on the developments in the
Legal Service. They also took the
opportunity to interact with their
mentors and fellow scholars.
A total of 70 students were assigned to
the Legal Service under the “Mentor
Attachment Scheme”: 27 at the
Attorney-General’s Chambers; 11 at
the Supreme Court; 14 at the State
Courts; nine at the Family Justice
Courts; seven at the Legal Aid Bureau;
and two at the Insolvency and Public
Trustee’s Office.
As part of the continuing efforts to
engage its scholars, the Legal Service
continued to keep them in the loop
on major events in the annual legal
calendar such as the Opening of the
Legal Year, the Legal Service National
21
towards organisational excellence
Singapore Academy of
Law Junior College Law
Programme: Mentor
Attachment Scheme
Programme (organised by the PSC),
during which they undertook either
a 4-week or a 6-week internship at
various Legal Service departments.
The internships offered the scholars
first-hand exposure to the work in the
Legal Service.
Scholars who had completed the
second year of their undergraduate
law programme also undertook
the PSC Scholars’ Mid-Course
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
The Legal Service performance
management framework is premised
on the tenets of meritocracy, fairness
and transparency.
their respective HODs/ROs engage
in reviews again in September/
October for the formal year-end
appraisal, ascertaining and establishing
new targets and goals for the
forthcoming year.
The annual refresher-workshops for
all HODs/Reporting Officers (“ROs”)
and LSOs reiterating and emphasising
the various facets of the Legal Service
performance management framework
were held in 2017. These workshops
were especially relevant for the LSOs
who were appointed to the Legal
Service in or after 2016 and who
would not have had the opportunity
to participate in preceding sessions.
To
enhance
the
performance
management process and improve
communication by the HODs
and ROs with their LSOs on their
work performance and potential,
information on the LSOs’ approved
Currently
Estimated
Potential,
performance grading, Performance
Bonus, Variable Increment, Legal
Professional
Allowance,
LongTerm Incentive and other specific
remuneration components (for work
done in 2017) were provided to
HODs for each of their individual
LSOs after the annual ranking and
promotion exercise. Conversely, the
LSOs were also provided data on their
own performance grading and the
maximum and the norm Performance
LSOs meet their respective HODs/
ROs for formal feedback discussions
during the Legal Service Mid-Year
Review to evaluate objectives and key
performance indicators that were set
at the conclusion of the preceding
year and to identify targeted training
and developmental needs for the
remainder of the year. The LSOs and
22
towards organisational excellence
Day Observance Ceremony and the
annual SAL lecture.
28 Timescale LSOs were promoted
into the Superscale grade. Another
105 Timescale LSOs were promoted
within the Timescale grades. The
Legal Service Promotion Ceremony
2017 was held at the Supreme Court
Auditorium on 29 March 2017
with the President and Members
of the LSC and the Legal Service
Special Personnel Boards gracing the
occasion and interacting with the
promoted LSOs and other officers at
the tea reception that followed the
event.
Promotions 2017
A total of 148 LSOs were promoted
to the next higher grade in the April
2017 Promotion Exercise. Fifteen
Superscale LSOs were promoted
within the Superscale grades and
REMUNERATION
The Legal Service remuneration
framework is guided by the overarching
principles of attracting, retaining
and rewarding LSOs in accordance
with their individual performance
and potential. The core tenet of the
market-driven framework continues to
be that the compensation should not
lead but be maintained relative to the
legal services sector in Singapore.
approved potential and performance
gradings. Eligible confirmed LSOs were
awarded the VI in April 2017. LSOs
who were on contract or probation
were considered and awarded the VI on
their respective incremental dates.
Performance Bonus
All LSOs were considered for the
possible award of a Performance Bonus
(“PB”) for work done in 2016. The
award of the PB continued to be based
on the LSOs’ approved performance
gradings. Eligible LSOs were awarded
a PB in March 2017 on the basis of
their approved performance gradings.
Annual Variable Increment
All LSOs were considered for the
possible award of an annual Variable
Increment (“VI”). The award of the
VI continued to be based on the LSOs’
23
towards organisational excellence
Bonus rates at the respective LSO
substantive grades to augment the
LSOs’ discussions with their HODs/
ROs on their performance and
potential areas for improvement.
Legal Professional
Allowance
The Long-Term Incentive (“LTI”)
framework continues to serve as a
retention tool to encourage suitable
LSOs to pursue a long-term career
with the Legal Service. Eligible LSOs
who fulfilled the payment/eligibility
criteria were paid the LTI in March
2017.
All LSOs were considered for the
possible payment of the Legal
Professional Allowance (“LPA”).
Eligible LSOs who satisfied the
payment/eligibility criteria were
paid the LPA in September 2017.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Continuing Education
Berkeley. Another LSO was awarded an
LSC Scholarship to study for a Master
of Science in Law and Finance at the
University of Oxford.
The Legal Service continues to place high
emphasis on the continuing education
of all LSOs and has available a suite of
milestone programmes to cater to LSOs’
training/development needs at different
stages of their career.
The Legal Service also nominates LSOs
for milestone programmes in leadership/
management. Five LSOs attended
such programmes in 2017. Two LSOs
each attended the Senior Management
Programme and the Governance and
Leadership Programme, respectively;
and one LSO attended the FIREfly
Leadership Development Programme.
Eligible LSOs may receive LSC
Scholarships to study for a Master
of Laws (“LLM”) at local or overseas
institutions. In 2017, six LSOs were
awarded LSC Scholarships to study
for an LLM. One LSO studied for an
LLM at the NUS; one in Australia at
the University of Melbourne; one in
the United Kingdom at the University
College London; and three in the
United States of America at Columbia
University, the New York University
and the University of California,
One LSO completed an attachment at
Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited in
2017 under the Legal Service Scheme for
Commercial Attachments to companies/
organisations.
24
towards organisational excellence
Long-Term Incentive
(c) sustaining the recruitment of both
mid-career candidates and fresh law
graduates to cater to the organic
growth in the staffing requirements
of specific Legal Service departments
and new niche areas;
The LSC Secretariat supports the LSC in
the discharge of its functions. The LSC
Secretariat is guided by the following
core values in carrying out its duties:
(a) attract, recruit and retain a fair share
of talent for the Legal Service;
(d) reviewing the spectrum of milestone
training programmes and list of
approved institutions and subjects;
(b) adopt a human capital system in
which each LSO is accorded the
opportunities to develop to the
fullest of his or her potential;
(e) creating new LSO posts and
re-grading existing LSO posts at
various Ministries, statutory boards/
statutory bodies and key institutions;
(c) empower each LSO to take charge of
his or her professional development;
(d) identify and distinguish potential and
performance through appropriate
mechanisms; and
(f ) seconding LSOs to Ministries,
statutory boards/statutory bodies and
other critical government agencies
to undertake specialist legal or
policy work or to perform specialist
functions; and
(e) be transparent, consistent and
innovative in people management.
The LSC Secretariat’s purview includes
recruitment and establishment, talent
development, performance management,
compensation, training and career
development, succession planning,
discipline and exit management.
(g) inaugurating an Annual Systematic
Posting Exercise to facilitate a more
structured and systematic posting
framework for LSOs.
The President and Members of the
LSC approved the re-appointment of
Mr Hamzah Moosa as the Secretary
of the LSC and the Chief of Staff of
the Legal Service for another year with
effect from 16 July 2017.
The LSC Secretariat undertook various
programmes in 2017, including:
(a) showcasing the wide range of career
options in the Legal Service through
a variety of platforms and outreach
programmes;
The President and Members of the
LSC also approved the re-appointment
of Mr Siva Shanmugam as the Deputy
Chief of Staff of the Legal Service
with effect from 1 November 2017 for
another year.
(b) augmenting the Legal Service
Internship Programme to allow more
students to encounter the array of
opportunities in the Legal Service;
25
towards organisational excellence
THE LEGAL SERVICE
COMMISSION SECRETARIAT
Advancing
The Rule of Law
26
THE JUDICIAL BRANCH
The Chief Justice presides over the
Judicial Branch of the Legal Service,
which is a key component of the
Singapore Judiciary. The LSOs in the
Judicial Branch serve in the Supreme
Court Registry, the Justices’ Law Clerks
(“JLC”) pool at the Supreme Court,
the Office of the Chief Justice at the
Supreme Court, the Singapore Judicial
College (“SJC”), the State Courts and
the Family Justice Courts (“FJC”).
The Supreme Court
The LSOs in the Supreme Court Registry
are supervised by the Registrar of the
Supreme Court, while the JLCs and the
Office of the Chief Justice come under
the direct oversight of the Chief Justice.
The LSOs in the State Courts and the FJC
are supervised by the Presiding Judge of
the State Courts and the Presiding Judge
of the FJC, respectively.
The registrars have a range of judicial
duties. In the exercise of their civil
jurisdiction, they hear a full range of
pre and post-trial applications in the
High Court, which run the gamut from
applications for discovery to applications
for summary judgment. They exercise
criminal jurisdiction when they sit
as District Judges and Magistrates to
Supreme Court Registry and
Justices’ Law Clerks
The Supreme Court Registry comprises
three divisions, one each for the Court
of Appeal, the High Court, and the
Singapore International Commercial
Court (“SICC”). Each divisional registry
is led by a Divisional Registrar, who in
turn reports directly to the Registrar.
27
advancing the rule of law
There were 653 Legal Service Officers (“LSOs”) in the Legal Service as at 31 December
2017. The LSOs play a critical role in the advancement of the rule of law and the
administration of justice in Singapore. The LSOs may serve in either of the two
Branches of the Legal Service - the Judicial Branch or the Legal Branch. A brief
overview of the work done by the LSOs in 2017 is set out in this chapter.
Apart from their judicial duties, the
registrars also play an active role in legal
and judicial reform and international
engagement. In 2017, the Supreme
Court Registry was involved in several
key strategic initiatives, such as the
Judicial Insolvency Network, the Civil
Justice Commission, and the Committee
for the Professional Training of Lawyers.
The registrars also play an active role in
professional discipline by supporting
the work of the disciplinary tribunals of
both the legal and medical professions.
As at 31 December 2017, there were 30
LSOs in the Supreme Court Registry
– the Registrar, the Deputy Registrar,
three Senior Assistant Registrars, and
25 Assistant Registrars – and 29 JLCs.
The registrars are supported in their work
by a capable team of registry officers,
and their professional development is
secured through their participation in
various training programmes which
are organised by the SJC as well as
conferences and talks (both held within
and outside of Singapore) that they are
encouraged to attend.
Vincent Hoong Seng Lei
Registrar
Supreme Court
28
advancing the rule of law
Also supporting the work of the
Supreme Court are JLCs, who assist
the Judges of the Supreme Court with
various aspects of their work. In their
two years with the Supreme Court,
each JLC will be assigned to two High
Court Judges/Judicial Commissioners
(each for a term of six months) in the
first year before moving on to clerk
for the Chief Justice and the Judges
of Appeal on a rotational basis in the
second year. During this time, the JLCs
are not only mentored by the Supreme
Court Bench, but are also afforded
ample opportunities for professional
development through the talks which
are organised under the auspices
of the JLC Continuing Education
Programme.
preside over committal hearings listed
in the High Court. Finally, they play
an active role in the management of
both civil and criminal cases by setting
appropriate timelines and giving
procedural directions to ensure the
expeditious disposal of matters.
Singapore Judicial College
The SJC serves the learning and
developmental needs of a professional
judges corps.
The Chief Executive (Office of the
Chief Justice) (“CE”) is the Accounting
Officer for the Supreme Court
and the FJC. The CE ensures the
implementation of a strong governance,
risk and compliance framework and
oversees the effective administrative
and operational matters in the Supreme
Court and the FJC. In addition, the CE
provides strategic policy support and
oversees strategic projects as directed
by the Chief Justice. The CE also
continues to oversee the promotional
and development work of the SICC.
In 2017, the SJC’s Local Wing conducted
37 continuing education and special
programmes for the local Bench. Notably,
the SJC launched the Masterclass series
conducted by our Supreme Court and
International Judges, leading local counsel
and eminent Queen’s Counsel, which
exposed judges to ‘best-in-class’ views on
contract law, admiralty law and crossborder insolvency. In the face of new
challenges and demands of judicial work,
the SJC also introduced judicial wellness
programmes into its curriculum.
In 2017, the CE led a multi-agency
effort in the successful establishment
of the inaugural Singapore-China
Legal and Judicial Roundtable, as well
as the signing of a Memorandum of
Understanding on legal and judicial
cooperation between the Supreme
Court of Singapore and the Supreme
People’s Court of the People’s Republic
of China.
The SJC’s International Wing continues
to offer flagship and signature training
programmes and lend technical assistance
to foreign judiciaries. The SJC conducted
13 international programmes, including its
inaugural leadership programme in court
governance, which focused on leading
implementations in judicial reforms,
case management, court technology and
dispute resolution, as well as excellence
in judicial administration. The SJC has
trained close to 1,000 foreign participants
across 70 jurisdictions to date.
As at 31 December 2017, there was one
LSO in the Office of the Chief Justice.
Juthika Ramanathan (Ms)
Chief Executive
Office of the Chief Justice
The SJC awarded grants to two new
Empirical Judicial Research projects in
2017. Such research sensitises judges to
empirical data and research to produce
innovative judicial policies and practices.
As at 31 December 2017, one LSO was
seconded to the SJC.
Paul Quan Kaih Shiuh
Executive Director
Singapore Judicial College
29
advancing the rule of law
Office Of The
Chief Justice
(Left to Right) Front Row:
Ms Cheng Pei Feng, Edwin San Ong Kyar, Ms Cornie Ng Teng Teng,
Ms Teh Hwee Hwee, Vincent Hoong Seng Lei (Registrar, Supreme Court),
Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, Ms Juthika Ramanathan (Chief Executive,
Office of the Chief Justice), Paul Quan Kaih Shiuh (Executive Director,
Singapore Judicial College), Christopher Tan Pheng Wee,
Ms Chong Chin Chin
(Left to Right) Second Row:
Ms Janice Wong Shi Hui, Jay Lee Yuxian, Paul Chan Wei Sern,
James Elisha Lee Han Leong, Ms Norine Tan Yan Ling, Ms Lim Sai Nei,
Ms Zeslene Mao Huijing, Ms Jean Chan Lay Koon, Ms Wong Baochen,
Elton Tan Xue Yang, Scott Tan Chun Wen, Ms Una Khng
(Left to Right) Back Row:
Ramu Miyapan, Justin Yeo Rong Wei, Teo Guan Kee, Jonathan Ng Pang Ern,
Navin Anand, Colin Seow Fu Hong, James Low Yunhui, Bryan Fang Hao Wen,
Paul Tan Wei Chean, Ms Li Yuen Ting
30
advancing the rule of law
Supreme Court Registry,
Office of the Chief Justice
and Singapore Judicial College
(Left to Right) Front Row:
Dennis Saw Teng Sheng, Ms Chua Xyn Yee, Ms Ho Jiayun,
Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, Ms Beverly Lim Kai Li,
Ms Sarah Siaw Ming Hui, Victor Leong Hoi Seng
(Left to Right) Second Row:
Ms Seah Ee Wei, Ms Eden Li Yiling, Ms Du Xuan,
Hairul Hakkim s/o Kuthibutheen, Ms Kang Jia Hui, Damien Chng Cheng Yee,
Samuel Koh Boon Hao, Chong Kee En, Daniel Ho Qi Rui, Ms Lu Yiwei,
Ms Alison See Ying Xiu
(Left to Right) Back Row:
Tan Zhi Xiang, Jonathan Kenric Trachsel, Tan Jun Hong,
Andre Soh Kheng Yau, Kenneth Wang Ye, Victor Yao Lida,
Sampson Lim Jie Hao, Tan Ee Kuan, Lester Ho Jun Yee, Reuben Ong Zhihao
31
advancing the rule of law
Justices’ Law Clerks
Courts initiative, a collaboration with the
Singapore After-Care Association.
2017 was a fulfilling year for the State
Courts, with various initiatives launched
to provide the public with meaningful
access to justice.
The State Courts also organised events that
drew strong international and domestic
participation. The inaugural Executive
Leadership Programme for Court and
Tribunal Administrators (“Programme”),
jointly organised with the Lee Kuan Yew
School of Public Policy, was held from
16 to 21 January 2017. Participants
included judges, senior registrars and
court and tribunal administrators from
Australia, Cameroon, Marshall Islands,
Myanmar, Serbia, the United Arab
Emirates and Singapore, and justice
reform specialists from the World Bank.
To empower court users in this digital age,
we launched Phase 2A of the Integrated
Criminal Case Filing and Management
System, providing accused persons
online access to their case files, allowing
them to submit applications online and
upload documents. The launch of the
first phase of the Community Justice and
Tribunals System enabled parties using
the Small Claims process to conduct
part of their cases online, including
filing claims, submitting documents and
e-negotiating settlements.
In conjunction with the Programme, the
State Courts launched the International
Framework for Court Excellence
(“IFCE”) State Courts of Singapore
Model, which refreshed the IFCE to
ensure its relevance to the State Courts.
The IFCE was first developed by a
consortium comprising the State Courts
and partners from Australia, Europe, and
the United States.
Court processes were also streamlined.
Small Claims Tribunals cases with no
complex legal issues are fast-tracked and
heard within 24 hours under the Short
Mediation and Hearing initiative. The
Employment Claims Tribunals launched
on 1 April 2017 adopt simplified
procedures and a judge-led approach in a
tribunal setting not involving lawyers for
statutory and contractual salary-related
claims. This provides parties with a speedy,
low-cost forum for employment disputes.
The Sentencing Conference 2017,
co-organised with the Singapore Academy
of Law, was held on 26 and 27 October
2017. More than 300 participants from
the United Kingdom, the United States
of America, Australia, New Zealand,
Myanmar and Singapore came together
to discuss sentencing, rehabilitation and
reintegration, with the aim of enhancing
the fairness and effectiveness of the
criminal justice system.
Court users were also supported in other
ways. Parties to motor accident and
personal injury claims can better evaluate
their legal positions following the launch
of the Practitioners’ Library - Assessment
of Damages: Personal Injuries and Fatal
Accidents (3rd edition) and the Electronic
Motor Accident Guide. On-site support
services will be provided to families of
offenders who have been sentenced with
the launch of the family-connect @ State
As at 31 December 2017, there were 84
LSOs in the State Courts.
Justice See Kee Oon
Presiding Judge
State Courts
32
advancing the rule of law
The State Courts
(Left to Right) Front Row:
James Leong Kui Yiu (Principal District Judge, Civil Justice Division),
Bala Reddy
(Principal District Judge, Community Justice and Tribunals Division),
Justice See Kee Oon (Presiding Judge of the State Courts),
Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon,
Ms Jennifer Marie (Deputy Presiding Judge of the State Courts),
Ms Thian Yee Sze (Principal District Judge, Centre for Dispute Resolution),
Victor Yeo Khee Eng
(Principal Director, Strategic Planning and Technology Division)
(Left to Right) Second Row:
Ms Laura Lau Chin Yui, Soh Tze Bian, Siva Shanmugam, Chay Yuen Fatt,
Luke Tan Loke Yong, Ms Ong Chin Rhu
(Left to Right) Back Row:
Ms Wong Peck, Ms Tan May Tee, Lim Wee Ming, Toh Yung Cheong,
Eddy Tham Tong Kong
33
advancing the rule of law
State Courts
Senior Management
34
advancing the rule of law
State Courts
(Left to Right) Second Row:
Ms Koh Jiaying, Ms Loh Lih Jeng, Ms Regina Lim Siew Mei, Ms Kamala Ponnampalam, Ms Salina Binte Ishak,
Ms Tan May Tee, Lim Wee Ming, Toh Yung Cheong, Eddy Tham Tong Kong, Peter Lo, Ms Fong King Man,
Lim Wen Juin, Ms Chee Min Ping, Ms Diana Haven Ho
(Left to Right) Third Row:
Ms Lynette Yap Beng Lyn, Ms Dorothy Ling Feng Mei, Ms Carol Ling Feng Yong, Ms Lee Li Choon,
Ms Janet Wang Lan Jee, Ms Constance Tay Woan Fen, Ms Josephine Kang Sin Wil, Ms Karolyn Gin Hoey Kum Hoong,
Terence Tay Wei Heng, Ms Georgina Lum Baoling, Ms Yan Jiakang, Ms Olivia Low Pei Sze, Mrs Brenda Tan,
Lim Tse Haw, Mathew Joseph, Ms Sarah Tan Yin Tze
(Left to Right) Fourth Row:
Patrick Tay Wei Sheng, Kessler Soh Boon Leng, Ng Cheng Thiam, Eugene Teo Weng Kuan, Ms Carolyn Woo Wai-Ling,
Ms Lorraine Ho Yi May, Kevin Kwek Tze Hern, Chua Wei Yuan, Shawn Ho Hsi Ming, Christopher Goh Eng Chiang,
Shaiffudin Bin Saruwan, Ronald Gwee Tiong Kee, Ms Jill Tan Li Ching, Ms Ong Luan Tze, Kenneth Yap Yew Choh
(Left to Right) Back Row:
Ms Kan Shuk Weng, Kenneth Choo Wing Kong, Koh Juay Kherng, Tan Jen Tse, Joseph Yeo Swee Teck, Seah Chi-Ling,
Ms Sandra Looi Ai Lin, Edgar Foo Mau Peng, John Ng, Wong Thai Chuan, Adam Nakhoda, Ow Yong Tuck Leong,
Prem Raj s/o Prabakaran, Chiah Kok Khun, Ms May Lucia Mesenas, Ms Jasbendar Kaur d/o Resham Singh
35
advancing the rule of law
(Left to Right) Front Row:
Luke Tan Loke Yong, Ms Laura Lau Chin Yui, Soh Tze Bian,
Victor Yeo Khee Eng (Principal Director, Strategic Planning and Technology Division),
James Leong Kui Yiu (Principal District Judge, Civil Justice Division),
Bala Reddy (Principal District Judge, Community Justice and Tribunals Division),
Justice See Kee Oon (Presiding Judge of the State Courts), Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon,
Ms Jennifer Marie (Deputy Presiding Judge of the State Courts),
Ms Thian Yee Sze (Principal District Judge, Centre for Dispute Resolution), Siva Shanmugam, Chay Yuen Fatt,
Ms Ong Chin Rhu, Ms Wong Peck
designated social agencies, electronic casemanagement, and electronic-generation
of Court Orders, Notices and statistical
reports.
In 2017, the FJC embarked on a number
of important initiatives to further support
children and parties caught in family
conflicts, and facilitate the harmonious
resolution of disputes.
The FJC has also contributed, as part
of a multi-disciplinary committee, to
the development of a proposed child
maintenance table to facilitate the
harmonious resolution of disputes.
Used as a judicial tool in determining
the quantum of child maintenance, the
table can provide objectivity and greater
consistency in the determination of
maintenance awards. It can also assist
parties by facilitating settlements.
Commencing court proceedings is
never easy. Victims of family violence
are particularly affected because of
the intimate nature of the distress. We
have sought to ease their anxieties by
establishing the Family Protection Centre
to assist family violence victims applying
for protection orders. The Centre provides
a more conducive environment, allowing
applicants to move along the various
stages of the application with ease, while
offering them privacy and assurance.
Parties have also been supported after
court orders have been made. Where
appropriate, by the agreement of parties,
Parenting Coordinators were appointed
to work directly with parents to facilitate
communication and assist in resolving
disagreements concerning custody and
access orders. In its pilot scheme last
year, lawyers were trained to take on the
role of Parenting Coordinators. Training
was extended this year to professionals
from the social science fields, expanding
the number and variety of expertise
of Parenting Coordinators available to
parents.
Case management is especially important
in family proceedings where parties are
also undergoing a difficult emotional
journey. Cases must be managed
sensitively and expeditiously to minimise
further distress. The FJC conducted a
pilot on the individual docketing
system where each case was managed
by a single judge from commencement
to final disposition. This ensured a good,
consistent, and fair control over all
matters related to the same case.
The first Presiding Judge of the FJC,
Justice Valerie Thean, had spearheaded
many initiatives. We will build on the
strong foundations for a robust family
justice system in the FJC.
The FJC also harnessed technology to
enhance access to justice and increase
efficiency in the processes. The FJC
launched the integrated Family
Application Management System
(“iFAMS”), a comprehensive end-toend system for applications for family
protection and maintenance. The iFAMS
covers aspects such as off-site preparation
and filing of applications from home or
As at 31 December 2017, there were 39
LSOs in the FJC.
Justice Debbie Ong Siew Ling (Ms)
Presiding Judge
Family Justice Courts
36
advancing the rule of law
The Family Justice Courts
(Left to Right) Front Row:
Ms Joyce Low Wei Lin, Muhammad Hidhir Bin Abdul Majid,
Judicial Commissioner Foo Tuat Yien, Justice Debbie Ong Siew Ling
(Presiding Judge of the Family Justice Courts), Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon,
Justice Valerie Thean Pik Yuen, Chia Wee Kiat, Ms Toh Wee San,
Kevin Ng Choong Yeong
(Left to Right) Second Row:
Ms Nicole Loh Wern Sze, Ms Shobha Gopalakrishnan Nair, Ms Yarni Loi Teck Yi,
Ms Jinny Tan Ai Ling, Ms Cassandra Felicia Cheong Pei Shan,
Ms Kathryn Thong Lijuan, Ms Michelle Claire Elias Solomon, Ms Jen Koh Geok,
Ms Christine Dorothy Lee Geok Kim, Darryl Soh Wen Yan
(Left to Right) Third Row:
Ms Wendy Yu Hui Sann, Ms Janice Chia Yong Yong, Ms Guy Bte Ghazali,
Ms Cheryl Koh Mei Chen, Ms Suzanne Chin Yew Ling, Ms Miranda Yeo Eng Joo,
Ms Lim Choi Ming, Ms Kimberly Scully, Ms Tan Shin Yi,
Ms Adriene Cheong Yen Lin
(Left to Right) Back Row:
Sheik Mustafa Abu Hassan, Wong Sheng Kwai, Lim Keng Yeow, Goh Zhuo Neng,
Colin Tan Boon Chwee, Jonathan Lee Zhongwei, Azmin Jailani, Wong Keen Onn,
Daniel Koh Poh Leong, Goh Kiat Yi
37
advancing the rule of law
Family Justice Courts
of laws, the AGC advises Government
on how to govern and advance its policy
objectives within the framework of the
rule of law. As the office of the Public
Prosecutor, the AGC is responsible
for administering even-handed and
fair criminal justice by conducting all
criminal prosecutions independently of
Government. The AGC also represents
Singapore at international negotiations
and dispute settlement proceedings, and
acts as the central authority for mutual
legal assistance in criminal matters and
extradition.
The Attorney-General heads the Legal
Branch. Legal Branch LSOs serve in the
Attorney-General’s Chambers (“AGC”),
departments of Ministries with LSO
positions, or statutory boards/statutory
bodies and key public institutions.
The Attorney-General’s
Chambers
The AGC is led by the AttorneyGeneral, with the Deputy AttorneysGeneral and Solicitors-General. As at
14 January 2017, Mr Lucien Wong
Yuen Kuai took office as AttorneyGeneral, with Deputy AttorneyGeneral Mr Lionel Yee Woon Chin,
Solicitor-General Mr Kwek Mean Luck
and Second Solicitor-General Ms Mavis
Chionh Sze Chyi. Mr Hri Kumar Nair
took office as Deputy Attorney-General
on 1 March 2017. Second SolicitorGeneral Ms Mavis Chionh Sze Chyi was
appointed as a Judicial Commissioner
of the High Court on 12 March 2018.
The Attorney-General is assisted by the
LSOs in the five legal divisions of the
AGC. These are the Criminal Justice
Division (“CJD”), the Financial and
Technology Crime Division (“FTCD”),
the International Affairs Division
(“IAD”), the Civil Division and the
Legislation Division (“LEGIS”). The
LSOs posted to the AGC Academy, the
Strategic Planning and Organisational
Excellence Office (“SPO”) and the
Legal Technology and Innovation office
(“LTIO”) also support the work of
the AGC.
The AGC performs a critical role in
advancing the rule of law. As the chief
legal advisor to Government and drafter
38
advancing the rule of law
THE LEGAL BRANCH
The Attorney-General’s
Office
The AGC Academy was restructured
as a standalone division from
1 July 2017 with a full-time team
to meet the increased demands for
cross-divisional, competency-based
training and knowledge management
across the AGC. Incorporating the
former Knowledge Management Unit
and Prosecution School, the AGC
Academy comprises four units: the
School of Legal Knowledge (“SLK”),
the School of Leadership and
Administration (“SLA”), the Knowledge
Management (“KM”) and the Secretariat.
The SPO assists the AGC’s Leadership
Team to identify and plan for strategic
organisational
opportunities
and
challenges. In 2017, the SPO focused
on engagement and organisational
transformation. The SPO deepened
employee and stakeholder engagement
efforts, and kick-started initiatives to
strengthen the leadership collective in the
AGC.
Low Siew Ling (Ms)
Senior Director
Strategic Planning and Organisational
Excellence Office
Attorney-General’s Chambers
The SLK provides training on substantive
law and cross-divisional legal skills,
complementing other Divisional training,
while the SLA looks into training on
leadership, managerial and administrative
skills. Training highlights in 2017 included
the expanded Professional Development
Programme and Lessons from the Lectern
series of knowledge-sharing by senior LSOs,
Queen’s Counsel and legal experts.
Legal Technology and
Innovation Office
The LTIO was set up in 2017 to raise
the AGC’s legal technology expertise and
to progress digital innovation within the
AGC. The LTIO aims to introduce new
and useful technologies into the AGC to
improve service delivery in a fast-changing
digital age.
The KM, which oversees the AGC’s crossdivisional KM libraries and processes,
launched the SG Cases Repository
database in 2017, and equipped officers
with timely legal updates such as
new International QuickNotes. The
Secretariat
provides
administrative
support for the AGC Academy’s learning
and knowledge management systems and
the implementation of cross-divisional
training and the KM’s initiatives.
As at 31 December 2017, there was one
LSO in the LTIO.
Lim How Khang
Deputy Director
Legal Technology and Innovation Office
Attorney-General’s Chambers
As at 31 December 2017, there were
four LSOs in the AGC Academy.
Hui Choon Kuen
Dean
AGC Academy
Attorney-General’s Chambers
39
advancing the rule of law
AGC Academy
(Left to Right) Front Row:
Leong Wing Tuck (Vice-Dean, AGC Academy),
Jeffrey Chan Wah Teck (Principal Senior Consultant),
Mr Kwek Mean Luck (Solicitor-General),
Mr Lionel Yee Woon Chin (Deputy Attorney-General),
Mr Lucien Wong Yuen Kuai (Attorney-General),
Mr Hri Kumar Nair (Deputy Attorney-General),
Charles Lim Aeng Cheng (Parliamentary Counsel [Special Projects] &
Chief Knowledge Officer), Hui Choon Kuen (Dean, AGC Academy)
(Left to Right) Back Row:
Ian Ernst Chai Yang, Ms Gay Hui Yi, Ms Sarah Lam Yan Xia,
Mrs Lim Su Ching, Ms Denise Wong Huiwen, Lim How Khang
40
advancing the rule of law
The Attorney-General’s Office
and sexual assault by penetration
offences.
The CJD is responsible for advancing
the public interest through a fair and
impartial policy in the prosecution of
offenders and providing sound advice to
Government on criminal issues.
(c) In Suventher Shanmugam v Public
Prosecutor [2017] 2 SLR 115, the
Prosecution assisted the Court of
Appeal to formulate sentencing
guidelines for the offence of
importing an amount of drugs just
below the capital threshold.
The CJD officers are deployed in one of
four specialist groups: (1) Crimes against
Person, Public Order and Related Crimes
Group; (2) Sex Crimes Group; (3)
Drug Offences, Serious, Organised and
Property Crimes Group; and (4) Selected
Litigation, Policy and Advisory Group.
(d) In Public Prosecutor v Sakthikanesh
s/o Chidambaram and other appeals
and another matter [2017] 5 SLR
707, the Prosecution successfully
appealed for an increase in the
sentences imposed on National
Service defaulters convicted of
remaining
outside
Singapore
without a valid exit permit. A
three-judge bench of the High
Court laid down a sentencing
framework for such offences
under the Enlistment Act.
In 2017, the CJD officers were actively
involved in developing and clarifying
important principles of criminal and
sentencing law, such as through the
initiation of prosecution appeals and
criminal references. Notable cases
included the following:
The CJD continues to make the
development of its officers a priority.
The CJD officers attended courses and
conferences in Singapore and overseas,
and participated in study visits and
attachments to leading foreign law
firms and prosecuting agencies in the
United States of America, the United
Kingdom, Australia, China and Hong
Kong.
(a) In Public Prosecutor v Yeo Ek Boon
Jeffrey and another matter [2017]
SGHC 306, the Prosecution
successfully sought an increase in
the sentence of an accused convicted
of assault on a police officer
under section 332 of the Penal
Code. A three-judge bench of the
High Court laid down important
sentencing guidelines for future
cases involving police officers and
other law enforcement officers.
As of 31 December 2017, there were
127 LSOs in the CJD.
(b) In Ng Kean Meng Terence v Public
Prosecutor [2017] 2 SLR 449 and
Pram Nair v Public Prosecutor
[2017] 2 SLR 1015, the Prosecution
assisted the Court of Appeal to clarify
the sentencing framework for rape
Kow Keng Siong
Chief Prosecutor
Criminal Justice Division
Attorney-General’s Chambers
41
advancing the rule of law
Criminal Justice Division
42
advancing the rule of law
Criminal Justice Division
(Left to Right) Second Row:
Mrs Shahla Iqbal, Ms Siti Adrianni Binte Marhain, Ms Yvonne Goh Qiu Ting, Ms Goh Yi Ling, Ms Grace Chua Zhu Ern,
Ms Esther Wong Mei-Yu, Ms Eunice Lau Su Hui, Ms Rachel Tan Jia Qi, Ms Sarah Shi Pei-Yi, Ms Chee Ee Ling,
Ms Charlene Tay Chia, Ms Manickamalar Kayalvizhi Pillay, Ms Li Yihong, Ms Jesintha d/o Veijayaratnam,
Ms Joanne Leong Wai Teng, Ms Marie Christina Koh Sok Kheng, Ms Tan Wen Hsien, Ms Stephanie Koh Wan Ling,
Ms Chew Xin Ying, Ms Sheryl Yeo Su Hui
(Left to Right) Back Row:
Andre Chong Wei Min, Raja Mohan s/o Krishnaraju, Ashraf Bin Hassan, Ng Yiwen, Winston Man Kah-Soon,
Quilindo Michael Zhi Cheng, Mark Yeo Kee Teng, Houston Tian Jin Johannus, Jotham Tay Zi Xun,
Kumaresan s/o Gohulabalan, Tan Wen Shan, Tang Shangjun, Dwayne Lum Wen Yi, Jason Chua Chuan Hwee,
Zhuo Wenzhao
43
advancing the rule of law
(Left to Right) Front Row:
Lee Sing Lit, Mohamed Faizal s/o Mohamed Abdul Kadir, Wong Kok Weng, Anandan s/o Bala, Han Ming Kuang,
David Khoo Kim Leng, Ms Lee Lit Cheng, Mr Kwek Mean Luck (Solicitor-General),
Mr Lionel Yee Woon Chin (Deputy Attorney-General), Mr Lucien Wong Yuen Kuai (Attorney-General),
Mr Hri Kumar Nair (Deputy Attorney-General), Kow Keng Siong (Chief Prosecutor), Ng Cheng Thiam,
Isaac Tan Choon Kiat, Francis Ng Yong Kiat, Lau Wing Yum, Mark Tay Swee Keng, Winston Cheng Howe Ming
44
advancing the rule of law
Criminal Justice Division
(Left to Right) Second Row:
Ms Amanda Sum Yun Qian, Ms Darshini Ramiah, Ms Rebecca Wong Pei Xian, Ms Shen Wanqin, Ms Tan Yanying,
Ms Shana Poon Jingjie, Ms Shenna Tjoa Kai-En, Ms Deborah Tang Pei Le, Ms Soh Weiqi, Ms Rimplejit Kaur,
Ms Theong Li Han, Ms April Phang Suet Fern, Ms Selene Yap Wan Ting, Ms Lim Shin Hui,
Ms Peggy Pao-Keerthi Pei Yu, Ms Esther Tang Jia Le, Ms Michelle Lu Wei Yi, Ms Ang Feng Qian
(Left to Right) Back Row:
John Lu Zhuoren, Chong Yong, Jaime Pang, Terence Chua Seng Leng, Kenny Yang Yong, Wong Woon Kwong,
Muhammad Zulhafni Bin Haji Zulkeflee, Bhajanvir Singh, Charleston Teo Wei Wen, Nicholas Wuan Kin Lek,
Chan Yi Cheng, Huang Jiahui, Senthilkumaran s/o Sabapathy, David Thomas Fong Crawshaw,
Mark Anand Jayaratnam, Lim Jian Yi, Chin Jincheng
45
advancing the rule of law
(Left to Right) Front Row:
Lee Sing Lit, Mohamed Faizal s/o Mohamed Abdul Kadir, Wong Kok Weng, Anandan s/o Bala, Han Ming Kuang,
David Khoo Kim Leng, Ms Lee Lit Cheng, Mr Kwek Mean Luck (Solicitor-General),
Mr Lionel Yee Woon Chin (Deputy Attorney-General), Mr Lucien Wong Yuen Kuai (Attorney-General),
Mr Hri Kumar Nair (Deputy Attorney-General), Kow Keng Siong (Chief Prosecutor), Ng Cheng Thiam,
Isaac Tan Choon Kiat, Francis Ng Yong Kiat, Lau Wing Yum, Mark Tay Swee Keng, Winston Cheng Howe Ming
technologically-sophisticated means
to target certain slot machines.
This allowed them to predict
outcomes of play. They racked
up winnings of almost $109,000.
All three offenders pleaded guilty
to offences of cheating at play under
the Casino Control Act, and were
sentenced to between 22 to 45 months’
imprisonment. The High Court laid
down a new sentencing framework
for these offences.
The FTCD prosecutes commercial,
corruption, cybercrime and casino
regulatory offences.
In 2017, some of the cases which were
dealt with included:
(a) Public Prosecutor v Toh Hock
Thiam and Others (DAC-9445022015 and Others) – Almost 1,300
counterfeit casino chips of very high
quality, with a face value of $1,000
each, were exchanged for cash at the
casino. More than 16 offenders were
involved. The mastermind and main
recruiter were sentenced to 88 and 60
months’ imprisonment, respectively.
Various runners received sentences
ranging from five to 22 months.
(d) Public Prosecutor v Leo Kah Woon
(DAC-931632-2016 and Others)
– This was the first prosecution
of an offence under section 6(1)
of the Computer Misuse and
Cybersecurity Act. A doctor
installed keystroke logging software
on his wife’s laptop without her
knowledge or permission. He did
so to intercept his wife’s personal
communications and used them
against her in divorce proceedings.
He was fined $13,000 (in default
six weeks’ imprisonment).
(b) Abdul Ghani Bin Tahir v Public
Prosecutor [2017] 4 SLR 1153 –
This was the first prosecution
of a company director for the
company’s money laundering offences
attributable to his neglect, and
his failure to exercise reasonable
diligence as a director. The offender
had incorporated the company in
the course of providing corporate
secretarial services. The High Court
established sentencing guidelines
and benchmarks in this case. The
total sentence was 12 months’
imprisonment, and a fine of $50,000
(in default 10 weeks’ imprisonment).
The FTCD also studied and proposed
legislative changes to amend the Penal
Code, and to introduce Deferred
Prosecution Agreements in Singapore.
The FTCD also coordinated with
other jurisdictions to reach a global
resolution in respect of corruption
offences committed overseas by a large
Singapore corporation.
As at 31 December 2017, there were 59
LSOs in the FTCD.
(c) Logachev Vladislav v Public
Prosecutor [2018] SGHC 12 –
The three offenders were Russian
nationals who were part of an
international syndicate that used
Tan Ken Hwee
Chief Prosecutor
Financial and Technology Crime Division
Attorney-General’s Chambers
46
advancing the rule of law
Financial and Technology
Crime Division
47
advancing the rule of law
Financial and Technology Crime Division
(Left to Right) Second Row:
Nicholas Khoo Tian Lun, Leong Weng Tat, Jordon Li Mingjie, Ms Ang Siok Chen, Ms Loh Hui-min,
Ms Victoria Ting Yue Xin, Ms Tan Pei Wei, Ms Cheng Yuxi, Ms Jasmin Kaur, Ms Tay Jingxi, Ms Lynn Tan Jin Ling,
Ms Stephanie Chew Xizhi, Ms Lee Ti-Ting, Ms Alexandria Shamini Joseph, Ms Magdalene Huang Xin’en,
Ms Ng Jean Ting, Ms Stacey Anne Fernandez, Ms Haniza Bte Mohammad Reeza Abnass
(Left to Right) Back Row:
Norman Yew Li Chuen, Vincent Ong Kit Liang, Thiagesh Sukumaran, Tow Chew Chi, Kenneth Chin Jiayang,
Suhas Malhotra, Kelvin Chong Yue Hua, Tan Weiming, Nicholas Tan Beng Leong, Kevin Yong Ee Wen, Foo Shi Hao,
Teo Yu Chou, Gregory Gan Wee Kiat, Jiang Ke-Yue
48
advancing the rule of law
(Left to Right) Front Row:
Hon Yi, Alan Loh Yong Kah, Peter Koy Su Hua, Gnanasihamani Kannan, Leong Wing Tuck,
Mr Kwek Mean Luck (Solicitor-General), Mr Lionel Yee Woon Chin (Deputy Attorney-General),
Mr Lucien Wong Yuen Kuai (Attorney-General), Mr Hri Kumar Nair (Deputy Attorney-General),
Tan Ken Hwee (Chief Prosecutor), Tan Kiat Pheng, Ivan Chua Boon Chwee, Christopher Ong Siu Jin,
Gordon Oh Chun Wei, Teo Guan Siew
In bilateral matters, the IAD was
extensively involved in the two cases filed
by Malaysia against Singapore before the
International Court of Justice relating
to Pedra Branca and South Ledge, took
part in negotiations for the Rapid Transit
System Link Agreement with Malaysia
and also advised on bilateral FTA
negotiations, including the Sri LankaSingapore FTA.
The IAD advances and protects
Singapore’s interest through international
law.
In 2017, the IAD advised Government
on a range of international law
issues, including human rights, the
environment, security, free trade
agreements (“FTA”) and investment
agreements, as well as matters relating to
diplomatic privileges and immunities.
In terms of engagement with
international bodies, the IAD participated
in presenting Singapore’s Fifth
Periodic Report at the 68 th Session
of the UN Committee on the
Elimination of Discrimination against
Women, supported the preparation of
Singapore’s Fourth and Fifth Periodic
Report to the UN Committee on the
Rights of the Child and supported
agencies in the visit by the Convention
on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Standing Committee to Singapore.
On the multilateral front, the IAD
supported agencies and represented
Singapore in negotiations:
(a) to develop the compliance mechanism
in the Paris Agreement on carbon
emissions during the 23rd Conference
of Parties to the United Nations
(“UN”) Climate Change Conference;
As the Central Authority for mutual legal
assistance matters, the IAD managed
numerous incoming and outgoing
requests for assistance. The IAD also
processed a number of extradition
requests from jurisdictions with which
Singapore has extradition arrangements.
(b) on FTAs, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement
for Trans-Pacific Partnership and
the
Regional
Comprehensive
Economic Partnership; and
(c) to expand air traffic rights including
Protocols to the ASEAN Air Services
Agreement, the Comprehensive
Agreement on ASEAN-EU Air
Transport, and the Singapore-Peru Air
Services Agreement.
In conjunction with the celebration for the
AGC’s 150th Anniversary, the IAD invited
Professor Vaughan Lowe QC to speak at
the annual International Law Speakers
Series on recent key developments in
international dispute settlement.
Two LSOs supported the Permanent
Representative of Singapore to the
UN when he co-facilitated the Ocean
Conference. One LSO supported the
Permanent Representative when he
chaired the Sixth Committee of the UN
General Assembly (“UNGA”). This was
the first time that Singapore chaired a
main committee at the UNGA.
As at 31 December 2017, there were 39
LSOs in the IAD.
Daphne Hong Fan Sin (Ms)
Director-General
International Affairs Division
Attorney-General’s Chambers
49
advancing the rule of law
International Affairs
Division
(Left to Right) Front Row:
Ms Davinia Filza Bte Abdul Aziz, Ong Chin Heng, Derek Loh Kong Yue,
Ms Danielle Yeow Ping Lin, Mr Kwek Mean Luck (Solicitor-General),
Mr Lionel Yee Woon Chin (Deputy Attorney-General),
Mr Lucien Wong Yuen Kuai (Attorney-General),
Mr Hri Kumar Nair (Deputy Attorney-General),
Ms Daphne Hong Fan Sin (Director-General), Marcus Song Ee Pin,
Sellakumaran s/o Sellamuthoo, Jason Tan Theng Kok
(Left to Right) Second Row:
Ms Seraphina Fong Mian Yi, Ms Yau Pui Man, Ms Kristi How Suqian,
Ms Ng Kexian, Ms Diane Tan Yi-Lui, Ms Ilona Tan Lin Yen, Ms Wong Li Ru,
Ms Deena Abdul Aziz Bajrai, Ms Zhang Hongchuan, Ms Tan Kim Ping,
Ms Jean Kua Zhizhen, Ms Allison Phua Su-Yun
(Left to Right) Back Row:
Kenneth Wong Weixiong, Edmund Wong Wei Jie, Ramasamy s/o Nachiappan,
Koh Mun Keong, David Low Quan Ming, Nathaniel Khng Yong-Ern,
Tan Soo Tet
50
advancing the rule of law
International Affairs Division
declarations that the appellants were
entitled to copies and unfettered
use of the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s
oral history transcripts.
The Civil Division (“Division”) plays a
vital role in protecting and advancing
Government’s interests. In 2017, the
Division advised Government on
several complex matters, ranging from
the Presidential Election 2017 to the
implementation of the National Trade
Platform. The Division also reviewed
documents relating to the licensing of
software and provision of cloud services
for the Whole-of-Government.
(d) Tan Cheng Bock v AttorneyGeneral ([2017] 5 SLR 424,
[2017] 2 SLR 850) (“Tan Cheng
Bock”) and Ravi s/o Madasamy
v Attorney-General & other
matters ([2017] 5 SLR 489)
(“M. Ravi”) – The AttorneyGeneral successfully resisted two
separate constitutional challenges
against the elected presidency. Both
matters were heard on an urgent
basis due to the then upcoming
Presidential Election 2017. In
Tan Cheng Bock, Parliament’s
decision to choose President Wee
Kim Wee’s last term of office as
the first term to be counted for
the purposes of deciding whether
the next presidential election was a
reserved election was challenged. In
M. Ravi, the plaintiff argued that
the reserved elections framework,
and the entire elected presidency
scheme itself, were unconstitutional.
Notable litigation matters handled by
the Division in 2017 included:
(a) Attorney-General
v
Eugene
Thuraisingam (HC/OS 581/2017)
– Eugene Thuraisingam, a lawyer,
published a poem on Facebook
alleging that Singapore’s judges
subordinated their judicial duty to
financial greed. He was fined $6,000
for contempt of court.
(b) Deepak Sharma v Law Society of
Singapore ([2017] 1 SLR 862) –
The Attorney-General participated
as guardian of the public interest
in a judicial review application
challenging the decision of a review
committee appointed under the
Legal Profession Act. This was
the first time the Court of Appeal
had to consider a complaint of
professional misconduct relating to
solicitors overclaiming party-andparty costs.
As part of its training and outreach
efforts, the Division again organised
the Public Procurement Conference.
Further, the Division continued to
offer local and overseas training
programmes for its officers.
As at 31 December 2017, there were 50
LSOs in the Division.
David Chong Gek Sian
Chief Counsel
Civil Division
Attorney-General’s Chambers
(c) Lee Wei Ling and another v
Attorney-General ([2017] 2 SLR
786) – The Attorney-General
successfully resisted the appeal for
51
advancing the rule of law
Civil Division
52
advancing the rule of law
Civil Division
(Left to Right) Second Row:
Ms Germaine Boey Yi Ling, Ms Vanessa Yeo Xue Ying, Ms Sarah Chua Xin Yi, Ms Carrie Zheng Yuan,
Ms Linda Esther Foo Hui Ling, Ms Elgina Chua Feng Yi, Ms Jocelyn Teo Meng Hui, Ms Amanda Tan Chek Yin,
Ms Joey Lim Zuo Yi, Ms Ruth Ng Yew Ching, Ms Hannah Cheng Xin Ying, Ms Elaine Liew Ling Wei, Ms Jessie Lim,
Ms May Ng, Ms Uni Khng, Ms Debra Lam Qian Yi
(Left to Right) Back Row:
Gordon Lim Wei Wen, Jeyendran s/o Jeyapal, Joel Chen Zhi’en, Sivakumar Ramasamy, Jasper Wong Chun Yin,
Leong Kit Yu, Ang Boon Kwan, Douglas Chi Qiyuan, Joshua Lai Zhiyang, Tan Sze Yao, Louis Ng Shi Zheng
53
advancing the rule of law
(Left to Right) Front Row:
David Lee Yeow Wee, Ms Toh Hwee Lian, Hui Choon Kuen, Mr Kwek Mean Luck (Solicitor-General),
Mr Lionel Yee Woon Chin (Deputy Attorney-General), Mr Lucien Wong Yuen Kuai (Attorney-General),
Mr Hri Kumar Nair (Deputy Attorney-General), David Chong Gek Sian (Chief Counsel), Ms Sia Aik Kor,
Khoo Boo Jin, Soh Kee Bun, Phua Wee Chuan
In July 2017, LEGIS organised the
Australasian Parliamentary Counsel’s
Committee IT Forum 2017 (“PCC
IT Forum”) and post-Forum drafting
workshop. The PCC IT Forum provided
a platform for delegates from the law
drafting offices of Australia (Federal
and State-level), New Zealand, Hong
Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei
to share their law drafting and publishing
advancements and challenges using
technology. This was the second time
the PCC IT Forum was held outside of
Australia.
LEGIS is Singapore’s central law drafting
office and keeper of the Singapore
statute book. It provides law drafting
and legislative consultancy services to all
public sector agencies and Town Councils,
and supports the rule of law by providing
free online public access to Singapore
legislation through the Singapore Statutes
Online (“SSO”) website. LEGIS supplies
legislation content to the Singapore
Academy of Law for its LawNet service.
In 2017, 50 Bills were drafted and
introduced in Parliament (a 25% increase
from 2016), of which one was an Urgent
Bill and two were Hybrid Bills requiring
Select Committees. The significant Bills
which Parliament had passed included the
Presidential Elections (Amendment) Act
2017, the Early Childhood Development
Centres Act 2017, the Stamp Duties
(Amendment) Act 2017 and the Public
Sector (Governance) Act 2018. LEGIS
published 808 pieces of subsidiary
legislation (4,508 pages) and rendered
2,007 pieces of advice outside of drafts.
LEGIS remains committed to assisting
its ASEAN counterparts. In November
2017, LEGIS conducted a two-day
legislative drafting workshop in Myanmar
under the auspices of the Memorandum
of Understanding between The Ministry
of Law of the Republic of Singapore
and The Union Attorney General’s
Office of the Republic of Myanmar
on the Singapore-Myanmar Integrated
Legal Exchange. LEGIS also travelled to
Laos to discuss the technical assistance
that LEGIS would provide to the Laos
Ministry of Justice in 2018.
LEGIS’ main achievement in 2017 was
the official launch of the new SSO
website on 15 December 2017. Work to
enhance the website started in 2014 as
part of the Plain Laws Understandable
by Singaporeans project. The new website
offers improved accessibility to Singapore’s
legislation, with easier navigation, features,
mobile device compatibility and facility
to support copying-and-pasting of text
without losing formatting.
As at 31 December 2017, there were 30
LSOs in LEGIS.
Owi Beng Ki (Mrs)
Deputy Solicitor-General and
Chief Legislative Counsel
Legislation Division
Attorney-General’s Chambers
54
advancing the rule of law
Legislation Division
(Left to Right) Front Row:
Mrs Joyce Chao Suling, Lee Chuan Huei,
Mr Kwek Mean Luck (Solicitor-General),
Mr Lionel Yee Woon Chin (Deputy Attorney-General),
Mr Lucien Wong Yuen Kuai (Attorney-General),
Mr Hri Kumar Nair (Deputy Attorney-General),
Mrs Owi Beng Ki (Deputy Solicitor-General & Chief Legislative Counsel),
Phang Hsiao Chung, Lim Jit Hee
(Left to Right) Second Row:
Stanley Kok Pin Chin, Ms Jaime Tey Su Fung, Ms Elizabeth Chua Ming Ying,
Ms Anne Goh Su Yee, Ms Gillian Hauw Hui Ying, Ms Wendy Chang Mun Lin,
Ms Lee Yean-Lin, Ms Esther Yee Swee Yoon, Ms Hung Ning Shing,
Ms Jeslyn Chionh Hui Qi, Leonard Goh Choon Hian
(Left to Right) Back Row:
Tay Li Hang, Chong Kah Wei, Makoto Hong Cheng, Ng Junyi, Fong Jing Heng,
Philip Ng Wuheng, Terence Ong, Sivabalan Thanabal, Chong Kah Kheng
55
advancing the rule of law
Legislation Division
and the Land Transport Authority. A
senior LSO usually assumes primary
responsibility for the administration
and management of these organisations
or departments.
Ministry of Defence
LSOs may be posted to Ministries as
representatives of the Attorney-General
to undertake an extensive range of
legal work. The current Ministries are:
Defence; Law; Home Affairs; Manpower;
Education; Health; Social and Family
Development; Communications and
Information; Culture, Community and
Youth; and National Development.
LSOs serving in these Ministries
provide legal advice, draft and vet legal
documents, and assist in the review
and drafting of legislation. They may
also be involved in the formulation of
policies, administration of finances and
personnel, prosecution work, and hold
leadership or management positions
within their respective ministries.
The Ministry of Defence (“MINDEF”)
Legal Services Department (“MLS”)
provides legal support to the MINDEF,
the Singapore Armed Forces (“SAF”)
and MINDEF-related organisations.
The MLS is helmed by the Director,
Legal Services, who is concurrently
appointed by the Armed Forces Council
as Director Legal Services, and Chief
Military Prosecutor of the SAF.
A pro bono legal assistance scheme
was initiated in 2017 to enhance the
military justice system. This MINDEFadministered and funded scheme allows
servicemen facing complex charges
to apply for legal representation by
external lawyers, and supplements
the Defending Officers (“DOs”) who
represent servicemen facing court
martial proceedings. To-date, the MLS
has trained more than 250 DOs in
practical court-based skills.
LSOs may also be posted to Legal Service
departments or seconded to statutory
boards/statutory bodies and key public
institutions. These include the Legal
Aid Bureau, the Insolvency and Public
Trustee’s Office, the Syariah Court,
the Commercial Affairs Department,
the Competition and Consumer
Commission
of
Singapore,
the
Accounting and Corporate Regulatory
Authority, the Intellectual Property
Office of Singapore, the Singapore Land
Authority, the Monetary Authority
of Singapore, the Office of the Public
Guardian, the Economic Development
Board, the Inland Revenue Authority of
Singapore, the National Environment
Agency, the Singapore Medical Council,
the Health Sciences Authority, the
Personal Data Protection Commission,
The MLS also worked closely with
the AGC on various sentencing
appeals involving National Service
(“NS”) defaulters, culminating in
Public Prosecutor v Sakthikanesh s/o
Chidambaram and other appeals and
another matter [2017] 5 SLR 707,
where the High Court reaffirmed the
universality principle of NS and the
deterrence principle, and set out an
enhanced sentencing framework. The
Court also affirmed that exceptional
NS performance and lack of substantial
connection to Singapore are generally
not relevant mitigating factors.
56
advancing the rule of law
Ministries, Legal
Service Departments
and Statutory Boards/
Statutory Bodies
Bug Bounty Programme, involving
264 white hats testing eight major
MINDEF Internet-facing systems.
The MLS assisted in the successful
negotiation of Finance and Development
Implementing Arrangements governing
the joint development of training areas
in Australia under the Comprehensive
Strategic Partnership.
As at 31 December 2017, there were six
LSOs in the MLS.
Teoh Ai Lin (Ms)
Director
Legal Services Department
Ministry of Defence &
Singapore Armed Forces
To support the MINDEF’s focus on
cybersecurity, the MLS advised the
Defence Cyber Organisation on the
execution of the MINDEF’s first
Ministry of Defence
(Left to Right) Front Row:
Ms Hee Mee Lin, Chan Wang Ho,
Ms Teoh Ai Lin (Director, Legal Services Department, MINDEF & SAF),
Ms Asanthi Mendis
(Left to Right) Back Row:
Paul Lie Yi Fang, Ms Ravneet Kaur, Ms Ho Su-Lyn, Ng Der Lim
57
advancing the rule of law
The MLS officers participated as
staff judge advocates in multilateral
military exercises, including Exercise
Suman Protector in Malaysia and
Exercise Cobra Gold in Thailand.
The MLS also introduced a
continuing legal training framework
for Operationally Ready National
Servicemen lawyers and organised
training workshops by foreign
legal experts, including “Rules of
Engagement” by Commander Ian
Park from the Royal Navy.
control and ownership of trusts. It also
oversaw the signing of a Host Country
Agreement between Government and
the Permanent Court of Arbitration
(“PCA”) to set up a PCA office in
Singapore. This PCA office augments
Singapore’s position as an international
hub for dispute resolution.
The Legal Group at the Ministry of Law
(“MinLaw”) plays a critical role in the
MinLaw’s mission to advance access to
justice, the rule of law, the economy and
society through policy, law and services.
The Legal Policy Division (“LPD”)
engages in substantive law reform in
civil, community-related, criminal and
family laws. It also oversees governance
and legal policy matters in Government
by ensuring that legislation reflects
sound legal policy principles. In 2017,
the LPD held a public consultation
on a major revision to the Criminal
Procedure Code in areas ranging from
the powers of investigators to the court’s
sentencing powers. The consultation
also considered measures to increase
protection for vulnerable victims of
child abuse and sexual offences during
investigative and court processes.
The LPD also reviewed civil justice
procedures and community-related laws
to strengthen access to justice.
The
Policy
Advisory
Division
(“PAD”) works with the MinLaw’s
Legal Industry Division, Professional
Services Programme Office, Land
Policy Division, Intellectual Property
Policy Division, and Community Legal
Services Division on the legal aspects of
policy formulation and implementation.
In 2017, the PAD delivered several
legislative reforms including the new
Mediation Act 2017 and its Rules, as
well as amendments to the Companies
Act and related subsidiary legislation to
enhance Singapore’s debt restructuring
framework. It also worked on reforms
to permit third-party funding in
international arbitration in Singapore
through enacting amendments to the
Civil Law Act and related regulations.
The International Legal Division
(“ILD”) advances Singapore’s interests
through developing a progressive
international legal policy framework
anchored on the rule of law. In 2017,
the ILD worked on amendments to
the Trustees Act to combat terrorist
financing and global tax evasion by
enhancing the transparency of the
As at 31 December 2017, there were 24
LSOs in the MinLaw.
Joan Janssen (Mrs)
Director-General
Legal Group
Ministry of Law
58
advancing the rule of law
Ministry of Law
(Left to Right) Front Row:
Ms Sarala Kumari d/o Subramaniam,
Ms Thian Yee Sze (Director-General, Legal Group, MinLaw [until 14 February 2018]),
Ms Tammy Low Wan Jun, Mrs Natalie Morris-Sharma
(Left to Right) Second Row:
Ms Wong Shiau Yin, Ms Parvathi Menon,
Ms Elsie Lee Yuejia, Ms Yap Jia Jun, Jeremy Yeo Shenglong, Koo Zhi Xuan,
Terence Tan Zhong Wei, Ms Larissa Lim Fen Ping,
Ms Sanjna Rai d/o Rajeshwar Rai, Ms Yap Cai Ping
(Left to Right) Back Row:
Stephen Yeo Zhi Yuan, Yeo Zhen Xiong,
Teh Joo Lin, Ms Fu Qui Jun,
Ms Crystal Tan Huiling, Senthil Dayalan
Not in Picture:
Mrs Joan Janssen (Director-General, Legal Group, MinLaw [wef 15 February 2018])
59
advancing the rule of law
Ministry of Law
representation. In 2017, the Bureau
had 11 VADLAs, two of whom
were Associate Professors from the
NUS Faculty of Law. The two Associate
Professors also helm the Clinical Legal
Education Programme, providing
law undergraduates with practical
experience through assisting their
professors with legal aid files.
The mission of the Legal Aid Bureau
(“the Bureau”) is to provide quality
legal aid and advice to persons of
limited means. The Bureau’s LSOs
represent aided persons in court and
provide legal advice to applicants on
a wide range of civil legal matters,
about half of which comprise family
law matters. The Bureau also provides
assistance with the drafting of legal
documents. In 2017, supported by
more than 300 Assigned Solicitors from
private practice who took on about a
third of the Bureau’s cases, the Bureau
handled about 9,600 applications for
legal aid, advice and assistance.
The Bureau has strong partnerships
with the Ministry of Social and Family
Development and various social
service organisations, including the
Centre for Providing Alternatives to
Violence (“PAVE”), which specialises
in helping persons dealing with family
violence. This enables the Bureau to
refer applicants with social service needs
to appropriate avenues of help. The
Bureau has enhanced its capability in
this area by developing a tool with PAVE
to aid the Bureau’s officers in screening
applicants for family violence and other
social problems, such as homelessness.
In 2017, the Bureau expanded its inhouse expertise in complex family law
and civil law cases through its Family
Law and Civil Law Practice Groups,
handling matters ranging from appeals
in the High Court, to contested probate
citation proceedings, to monetary claims.
As at 31 December 2017, there were 21
LSOs in the Bureau.
The Bureau also appoints non-practising
lawyers as Volunteer Assistant Directors
of Legal Aid (“VADLAs”) to provide
legal advice and sometimes legal
Lim Hui Min (Ms)
Director
Legal Aid Bureau
60
advancing the rule of law
Legal Aid Bureau
(Left to Right) Front Row:
Victor Lim See Wai, Sunari Kateni, Louis Agnelo D’Souza,
Ms Lim Hui Min (Director, LAB), Zheng Shaokai, Ms Suria Sidambaram
(Left to Right) Second Row:
Ms Maryam Hasanah Bte Rozlan, Ms Rachel Gan Ruixia, Ms Joan Pang Wei En,
Ms Beulah Li Sile, Ms Foo Fang Min, Ms Tan Jun Ya, Ms Lynda Lee Gek Huang
(Left to Right) Back Row:
Kho Qin Yao, Darren Chan Eng Jin, Adrian Gerald Woon Wei-Xin
61
advancing the rule of law
Legal Aid Bureau
The LSOs assisted in formulating the
Moneylenders (Amendment) Act,
which was passed on 8 January 2018.
This Act will better protect borrowers by
introducing an aggregate loan cap and
establishing a regulatory framework for
the Moneylenders Credit Bureau. The
Act also enhances the Registrar’s powers
to exclude unsavoury persons from the
industry, and requires moneylenders to
incorporate as companies and submit
annual audited accounts. In 2017,
Registrar’s Directions were issued to
curb abuses arising from “re-loans”,
which allowed moneylenders to charge
excessive fees.
The Insolvency and Public Trustee’s
Office (“IPTO”) is headed by the
Official Assignee, who is concurrently
the Public Trustee, Registrar of
Moneylenders, and Registrar of
Pawnbrokers. The LSOs in the IPTO
advise on legal issues that arise in
the administration of insolvencies
and trusts, and in the regulation of
moneylenders and pawnbrokers. The
LSOs also conduct civil litigation
matters before the High Court and
prosecutions in the State Courts.
Among the significant prosecutions
undertaken was Public Prosecutor v
Tan Kim Wah Steven (unreported).
Tan, the director of a licensed
moneylender, was convicted on 25 out
of 75 charges of recklessly furnishing
false information on the annual income
of borrowers. He was sentenced to a
total fine of $187,500 (in default 50
weeks’ imprisonment).
In 2017, the LSOs continued to
advise on novel issues arising from
amendments to the Bankruptcy Act,
which took effect on 1 August 2016.
Dialogues were held with the private
trustees in bankruptcy, leading
to further refinements in the law,
including the acceptance of insurance
guarantees as security given by trustees.
In collaboration with the AttorneyGeneral’s Chambers and the Ministry
of Law, the LSOs also continued
working on the Omnibus Insolvency
Bill, which is slated to be introduced
in Parliament in 2018.
As at 31 December 2017, there were
eight LSOs in the IPTO.
Jill Tan Li Ching (Ms)
Official Assignee & Public Trustee
Insolvency and Public Trustee’s Office
62
advancing the rule of law
Insolvency and
Public Trustee’s Office
(Left to Right) Front Row:
Lim Yew Jin,
Ms Jill Tan Li Ching (Official Assignee & Public Trustee,
IPTO [until 31 March 2018]),
Tan Boon Heng
(Official Assignee & Public Trustee, IPTO [wef 1 April 2018]),
Ms Beverly Wee Ying Ling
(Left to Right) Back Row:
Benjamin Yim Geok Choon,
Ms Wileeza A Gapar,
Ms Goh Yin Dee,
Zhong Zewei
63
advancing the rule of law
Insolvency and
Public Trustee’s Office
for Home Team officers. In 2017, the
LD was involved in drafting a call for
collaboration issued by the MHA and
the Economic Development Board,
for international and local companies
to develop and test urban safety and
security solutions.
The Legal Division (“LD”) of the
Ministry of Home Affairs (“MHA”)
provides legal advice on operational
and policy matters to the MHA
and its ten Home Team agencies,
including the Singapore Police Force,
the Singapore Civil Defence Force,
the Singapore Prison Service and
the Immigration and Checkpoints
Authority.
The LD also prepares submissions
to assess the evidence relating to
detention and police supervision
orders issued under the CLTPA.
Separately, it operates a secretariat
for the Criminal Law Advisory
Committees appointed under the
CLTPA. It also advises on the
evidence and documentation for
disciplinary cases under the Public
Service Commission’s disciplinary
regime.
The LD also assists in reviewing
legislation. In 2017, it worked on
enacting the Infrastructure Protection
Act 2017 and the repealing and
re-enacting
of
the
Massage
Establishments Act 2017, as well as
amendments to the Criminal Law
(Temporary Provisions) Act (“CLTPA”)
and the Public Entertainments Act.
Its Senior Director served in the Penal
Code Review Committee, which was
convened by the MHA and the Ministry
of Law to extensively review the Penal
Code. Its LSOs also worked alongside
academics, legal practitioners, senior
civil servants and members of the
judiciary in the review.
Besides the LD, an LSO was seconded
from the AGC to the MHA’s Policy
Development Division (“PDD”),
where he formulates and reviews
policies in the areas of criminal justice
and human rights. In 2017, he was
also involved in reviewing the Penal
Code.
As at 31 December 2017, there were
six LSOs in the LD and one LSO was
seconded to the PDD.
The LD also drafts and reviews
contracts and cross-border memoranda
of understanding, as well as advises
on contracts, board resolutions and
board papers for the Board of Trustees
managing the superannuation fund
Leong Kwang Ian
Senior Director
Legal Division
Ministry of Home Affairs
64
advancing the rule of law
Ministry of Home Affairs
(Left to Right)
Timotheus Koh Rong En,
Ms Ruth Wong Shuyi,
Ronald Ang Ee Lin,
Leong Kwang Ian (Senior Director, Legal Division, MHA),
Ms Santhra d/o Aiyyasamy,
Joshua Lim Yong En
65
advancing the rule of law
Ministry of Home Affairs
The LSD rendered 1,010 pieces of
legal advice, drafted and vetted 267
contractual agreements, and worked
with the AGC to amend and
promulgate one primary and 18
subsidiary legislation in 2017, including
the Workplace Safety and Health
(Amendment) Act 2017, the Retirement
and Re-employment (Re-employment
Obligations) Regulations 2017 and
the Foreign Employee Dormitories
(Appeals) Regulations 2017. The LSD
also adjudicated over 163 WICA cases,
and issued decisions for 499 EFMA and
524 EA financial penalty cases. As at
31 December 2017, there were five LSOs
in the LSD.
The LSOs in the Legal Services
Division (“LSD”) of the Ministry
of Manpower (“MOM”), with the
support of 46 dedicated officers,
conduct
criminal
prosecutions,
render legal advice, adjudicate on
work injury claims and administer
the financial penalty frameworks
under the Employment of Foreign
Manpower Act (“EFMA”) and the
Employment Act (“EA”).
In 2017, the LSD handled 3,081
criminal cases involving offences
under the EFMA, the EA, the
Employment Agencies Act, the Work
Injury Compensation Act (“WICA”),
the Workplace Safety and Health Act
(“WSHA”) and the Foreign Employee
Dormitories Act 2015. The notable
cases handled by the LSD include
Public Prosecutor v Goh Eng Kiat (SC908559-2015, unreported), where the
accused was charged with 117 EFMA
offences and sentenced to 45 months’
imprisonment, a fine of $75,000
and five strokes of the cane, and
Public Prosecutor v Jurong Shipyard
Private Limited (SC-906440-2016,
unreported), where the company was
fined $400,000 for various safety lapses
under the WSHA which had resulted
in the injury of 89 workers in an oil
rig accident. An LSO in the MOM
also conducted the Magistrate’s
Appeal in Nallusamy Narayanam
v Public Prosecutor (MA 9066/
2017/01, unreported), where the
Appellant was convicted of a myriad
of EFMA offences.
Lee Jwee Nguan
Divisional Director
Legal Services Division
Ministry of Manpower
(Left to Right)
Paul Cheong Yuen,
Ms Vala Muthupalaniappan,
Lee Jwee Nguan (Divisional Director,
Legal Services Division, MOM)
66
advancing the rule of law
Ministry of Manpower
Other notable matters that the LSB
assisted in included reviewing portions
of the MOE’s School Safety Handbook,
in particular, the safety guidelines
on the use of football goalposts and
other sports and fitness equipment,
development of possible software
applications that would streamline
and enhance the MOE’s and schools’
operations, establishment of a microdata lab within the MOE, and the
participation by mainstream schools in
the Registry for Automated External
Defibrillator (“AED”) Integration
project, which aims to improve access
to AEDs in schools.
The Legal Services Branch (“LSB”) of
the Ministry of Education (“MOE”)
supports the work of the MOE
Headquarters and Government schools
by providing legal advice on a variety
of matters, including the exercise of
the MOE’s regulatory powers under
the Education Act, the administration
of financial aid to needy students,
public procurement, discipline-related
matters, and personal injury and other
civil claims.
In 2017, the LSB continued to support
the implementation of the MOE’s
policy initiative to include children
with special education needs within
the compulsory education framework
under the Compulsory Education Act.
The LSB also contributed to the review
of the MOE’s insurance framework for
students in mainstream schools.
As at 31 December 2017, the LSB
comprised five LSOs.
Loke Shiu Meng
Director
Legal Services Branch
Ministry of Education
Ministry of Education
(Left to Right)
Ang Weih-Yeow, Ms Elizabeth Lee Liang Mae, Ms Rachel Ng Bao Ling,
Loke Shiu Meng (Director, Legal Services Branch, MOE),
Ms Chloe Mercy Lee Weiming, Melvin Shen Zongwei
67
advancing the rule of law
Ministry of Education
In 2017, the Tobacco (Control of
Advertisements and Sale) Act was
amended to, inter alia, raise the minimum
legal age for the purchase, use, possession,
sale and supply of tobacco products
from 18 to 21 years old, and prohibit
the purchase, use and possession of
emerging tobacco products. The LO also
successfully prosecuted an unregistered
traditional Chinese medicine practitioner
in Public Prosecutor v Kong Tong Hong
([2017] SGDC 218), which was notable
in being the first such case in which an
imprisonment term was imposed.
The Legal Office (“LO”) of the
Ministry of Health (“MOH”) provides
a comprehensive suite of legal services
to the MOH’s senior management
and divisions, including civil advisory,
transactional and litigation support,
assistance in legislative review and
operationalisation, and the prosecution
of offences under the Acts administered
by the MOH. It also provides legal
perspectives on the MOH’s regulatory
functions, and policy implementation.
The LO routinely advises on medical
law, contract law, data protection and
confidentiality, and the interpretation
and administration of more than 20
pieces of primary legislation under the
MOH’s purview.
As at 31 December 2017, there were six
LSOs in the LO.
Chua Ying-Hong (Ms)
Director
Legal Office
Ministry of Health
Ministry of Health
(Left to Right)
Terence Ang Ming Sheng, Ms Chua Ying-Hong (Director, Legal Office, MOH),
Ms Karin Lai Yiling, Ethan Liu Junhao
68
advancing the rule of law
Ministry of Health
with the review of the Children and
Young Persons Act and other licensing
frameworks for the care and protection
of vulnerable adults in residential homes.
Further, the LSU provided extensive advice
on a statutory appeal to the Minister over
a licensing decision involving a child care
centre, and other regulatory issues under
the Child Care Centres Act.
The Legal Services Unit (“LSU”) of
the Ministry of Social and Family
Development (“MSF”) is a specialist
department which provides legal advice
to the MSF’s divisions on a range of
matters such as adoption, family law,
marriage and parenthood benefits, child
protection, and the exercise of regulatory
and licensing powers. The LSU also
provides legal input on the drafting of
the MSF’s contracts, and the review of
legislation under the MSF’s purview.
To further enhance the MSF’s operational
efficiency, the LSU held several legal
education talks and provided the MSF’s
divisions with templates and checklists to
assist them in their work.
As at 31 December 2017, there were five
LSOs in the LSU.
In 2017, the LSU advised on the
Vulnerable Adults Bill and worked
together with the MSF’s policy and
operational divisions on its intended
implementation. The LSU also assisted
Amy Tung Chew Ming (Ms)
Director
Legal Services Unit
Ministry of Social and Family Development
Ministry of Social and Family Development
(Left to Right)
Ms Elena Yip Luyang, Ms Ang Swee Yan, Ms Amy Tung Chew Ming (Director, Legal
Services Unit, MSF), Ms Eunice Chong Miao En, Ms Alicia Teng Kia Hui
69
advancing the rule of law
Ministry of Social and
Family Development
protection, contract law, constitutional
law,
cybersecurity-related
issues,
intellectual property law, statutory
interpretation and tort law. In 2017, the
LSD also provided legal support to the
MCI in its policy deliberations on and
drafting of the new Cybersecurity Bill
and amendments to the Films Act and
the National Library Board Act. The
LSD also reviews and advises on the
drafting of contractual and quasicontractual documents such as tender
documents, licence agreements, grants,
sponsorship and scholarship agreements,
website terms of use, collaboration
agreements, non-disclosure agreements
and various memoranda of understanding.
The Legal Services Department (“LSD”)
of the Ministry of Communications and
Information (“MCI”) provides legal
support to the departments and divisions
of the MCI (which includes the Cyber
Security Agency of Singapore and the
DesignSingapore Council) in the exercise
of the MCI’s regulatory and statutory
functions, and in its policy deliberations
involving the statutory boards under
its purview. The statutory boards
under the MCI’s purview are the Infocommunications Media Development
Authority, the National Library Board,
and the Government Technology Agency
(up to 4 October 2017).
As at 31 December 2017, there were two
LSOs in the LSD.
Daphne Chang Wei Hsian (Ms)
Director
Legal Services Department
Ministry of Communications and
Information
The work of the LSD covers a wide
range of issues, including administrative
law, confidentiality and personal data
Ministry of Communications and Information
(Left to Right)
Ms Karen Loh Pei Hsien,
Ms Daphne Chang Wei Hsian (Director, Legal Services Department, MCI),
Ms Ang Ching Hwei
70
advancing the rule of law
Ministry of
Communications and
Information
The LU engaged in other interesting
work in 2017, such as the development
of the Outward Bound School’s Coney
Island campus, Singapore Day 2017
held in Melbourne on 9 September
2017, and the development of the new
Code of Practice for online charitable
fund-raising. The LU also provided legal
support for the “Our Singapore Fund –
SG Cares Fund”, which was launched
to support meaningful projects by
Singaporeans in alignment with the
nationwide SG Cares movement, to grow
and develop a culture of volunteering in
Singapore.
The Legal Unit (“LU”) of the Ministry
of Culture, Community and Youth
(“MCCY”) provides legal services to all
departments within the MCCY, including
the MCCY’s autonomous agency, the
National Youth Council.
The MCCY’s legislative programme
in 2017 included the introduction
of three Bills in Parliament, namely
the Administration of Muslim Law
(Amendment) Bill 2017, the Charities
(Amendment) Bill 2017 and the
Co-operative Societies (Amendment)
Bill 2017.
As at 31 December 2017, there were three
LSOs in the LU.
Melinda Moosa (Ms)
Senior Director
Legal Unit
Ministry of Culture,
Community and Youth
On the international front, the
MCCY was the lead agency involved
in the ratification of the International
Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Racial Discrimination, which
took place on 27 November 2017.
Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth
(Left to Right)
Ms Eunice Ng Huiya, Ms Melinda Moosa (Senior Director, Legal Unit, MCCY),
Sean Lee Weiheng
71
advancing the rule of law
Ministry of Culture,
Community and Youth
issues relating to the management of
tree fall incidents, the maintenance of
greenery, public streets and bridges, the
hoarding of items and animals in Housing
& Development Board flats, as well as
community noise.
The Legal Services Unit (“LSU”) of
the Ministry of National Development
(“MND”) provides legal advice to the
MND in support of the MND’s vital role
in planning and developing our nation’s
use of land.
On the transactions front, the LSU
facilitated an agreement with various
public agencies to centralise the
maintenance of greenery in Singapore,
assisted in the transfer of infrastructure
management between its statutory boards,
and advised on how tenders can be best
structured to raise productivity standards
across the construction industry.
In 2017, the LSU rendered advice
to the MND on a diverse range of
matters, including administrative and
constitutional law, contract drafting
and management, data protection,
Government procurement, intellectual
property law, as well as statutory
interpretation. Some of the more
significant issues which the LSU advised
on concerned public housing schemes,
food labelling practices, and improperly
parked shared bicycles. The LSU also
assisted with challenging cross-agency
As at 31 December 2017, there were two
LSOs in the LSU.
Tammy Low Wan Jun (Ms)
Senior Director (Legal)
Legal Services Unit
Ministry of National Development
Ministry of National Development
(Left to Right)
Jonathan Ee Wenyang,
Ms Crystal Ong Wai Mun (Director, Legal Services Unit, MND [wef 1 March 2018]),
Ms Tammy Low Wan Jun (Senior Director, Legal Services Unit,
MND [until 28 February 2018])
72
advancing the rule of law
Ministry of National
Development
the Convention on the Elimination of
All Forms of Discrimination against
Women.
As at 31 December 2017, there was
one LSO in the SYC.
The Syariah Court (“SYC”) adjudicates
on matrimonial matters that are
governed by the Administration of
Muslim Law Act (“AMLA”). In 2017,
the SYC handled over 3,200 divorce
applications.
Shahrinah Binte Abdol Salam (Ms)
Registrar
Syariah Court
Ministry of Culture, Community
and Youth
The SYC was also heavily involved in
the 2017 amendments to the AMLA
which, amongst others, required
divorce applicants to attend mandatory
marriage counselling, and to establish
post-divorce care arrangements in the
best interests of the children of the
marriage. The SYC’s flagship Marriage
Counselling Programme was first
introduced in 2004 and its continued
relevance is reinforced by formalising
it as a pre-divorce filing requirement
through the 2017 AMLA amendments.
The SYC also continued to engage its
partners and stakeholders in educating
the wider community on the practice
of Muslim family law. In the National
University of Singapore’s inaugural
Syariah Law Forum, the then Deputy
Registrar participated as a panel
member and spoke on “The Future of
Syariah”. On the international front,
the SYC assisted in the drafting of
Singapore’s Fifth Periodic Report to
the United Nations Committee for
(Left to Right)
Ms Masayu Norashikin Binte
Mohamad Amin,
Ms Shahrinah Binte Abdol Salam
(Registrar, Syariah Court, MCCY)
73
advancing the rule of law
Syariah Court,
Ministry of Culture,
Community and Youth
seeks to jointly identify and prioritise
key money laundering and terrorist
financing risks, and collaborate to
address these risks.
(c) Collaborating with the Inland
Revenue Authority of Singapore,
the SkillsFuture and the SPRING
Singapore to co-ordinate enforcement
and share preventative measures to
counter the rise in government grant
fraud.
The Commercial Affairs Department
(“CAD”) is Singapore’s principal
white-collar
crime
enforcement
agency and the staff authority for
all commercial crimes investigation
within the Singapore Police Force.
The CAD partnered several domestic
and foreign agencies to fight commercial
crime. Some significant 2017 initiatives
included:
As at 31 December 2017, one LSO was
posted at the CAD.
David Chew Siong Tai
Director
Commercial Affairs Department
Singapore Police Force
(a) Collaborating with the Royal
Malaysian Police (“RMP”) to
crack down on Internet love scam
syndicates. The RMP arrested
27 suspects (13 of whom were
Nigerians) responsible for RM21.6
million in losses (RM20.7 million
from Singapore victims). This was
the first joint investigation of its kind
between the CAD and the RMP.
To dismantle the money mule
network supporting these foreign
syndicates, the CAD created the
Transnational Commercial Crime
Taskforce comprising Land Division
officers to investigate these moneylaunderers.
(b) The
Anti-Money
Laundering
and Countering the Financing of
Terrorism Industry Partnership
(“ACIP”), a government-industry
partnership with the CAD, the
Monetary Authority of Singapore
and a number of banks. The ACIP
David Chew Siong Tai
(Director, CAD, SPF)
74
advancing the rule of law
Commercial Affairs
Department,
Singapore Police Force
world’s second most innovative IP office
by the World Trademark Review.
Singapore was ranked the seventh
most innovative nation in the Global
Innovation Index 2017.
The Intellectual Property Office of
Singapore (“IPOS”) is a statutory board
under the Ministry of Law. To support the
Committee on the Future Economy’s vision
of an innovation-driven economy, the IPOS
updated the Intellectual Property (“IP”)
Hub Masterplan in 2017 to focus on IP
commercialisation. The IPOS will leverage
on its IP expertise and networks to help
enterprises take their ideas to the market.
As at 31 December 2017, three LSOs were
seconded to the IPOS.
Daren Tang Heng Shim
Chief Executive
Intellectual Property Office of Singapore
The IPOS launched the $1 billion Makara
Innovation Fund, a partnership between
the IPOS and Makara Capital that will
invest and grow innovative enterprises
using Singapore as a base. The IPOS also
worked with the Singapore University of
Social Sciences to launch the region’s first
Master of IP and Innovation Management
programme.
The IPOS’ Chief Executive became
the first Singaporean to assume
the Chairmanship of the World
Intellectual Property Organization
Standing Committee on Copyright
and Related Rights, which oversees
developments to the global copyright
regime.
(Left to Right)
Alan Hu Zhenliang,
Daren Tang Heng Shim
(Chief Executive, IPOS),
Edmund Chew Minhai
As testament to its achievements
in building Singapore’s innovation
ecosystem, the IPOS was ranked the
75
advancing the rule of law
Intellectual Property
Office of Singapore
The CCCS concluded several
impactful market studies on infant
formula milk, automotive parts and
retail petrol. The Government accepted
the first study’s recommendations
and formed a ministerial taskforce
to look into rising milk prices. In
the second study, the dealers for car
brands that make up more than 90%
of Singapore’s car population agreed
to remove warranty restrictions
which prevented owners from having
repairs and servicing performed by
independent workshops.
In 2017, the Competition and
Consumer Commission of Singapore
(“CCCS”) issued an infringement
decision against three companies
that rigged the F1 Singapore Grand
Prix electrical services tenders and
a proposed infringement decision
against five capacitor manufacturers
for price-fixing and exchanging
sensitive
information.
The
Competition Appeal Board upheld
the CCCS’s decision to impose
financial penalties against a financial
advisory company that, together with
nine others, forced a new competitor
to withdraw its marketing of life
insurance products with a 50%
commission rebate to policyholders.
The CCCS co-organised with the SAL,
the Competition Law Conference,
followed
by
an
E-Commerce
Symposium for ASEAN competition
authorities, on topics like disruptive
technology and big data.
The
CCCS
signed
its
first
Memorandum of Cooperation with its
Japanese counterpart to increase crossborder enforcement of competition
laws and was involved in negotiating
and concluding the competition
chapters of the Free Trade Agreements
with Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
The CCCS issued four merger
clearance decisions across the motor
vehicle manufacturing, container
liner shipping and semiconductors
industries, including the acquisition
of Penguin Group Companies by
Times Publishing Group, which was
conditionally cleared after the merged
entity committed to supply thirdparty retailers with all the publishers’
titles on a fair, reasonable and nondiscriminatory basis during the
exclusive distribution period. The
CCCS also initiated in-depth reviews
of mergers in the maritime and optical
products industries.
As at 31 December 2017, six LSOs
were seconded to the CCCS.
Toh Han Li
Chief Executive
Competition and Consumer
Commission of Singapore
76
advancing the rule of law
Competition and
Consumer Commission
of Singapore
(Left to Right) Front Row:
Lee Cheow Han,
Toh Han Li (Chief Executive, CCCS)
(Left to Right) Back Row:
Ms Qiu Huixiang,
Ms Rachel Lee Pei Rong,
Ms Serene Seet Lay Cheng,
Caleb Tan Tian-Le
77
advancing the rule of law
Competition and Consumer
Commission of Singapore
the requirement for companies and
limited liability partnerships to use
common seals.
The Accounting and Corporate
Regulatory Authority (“ACRA”) is a
statutory board under the Ministry of
Finance (“MOF”) and is the national
regulator of business entities and public
accountants.
The Investigation Department is
headed by an LSO who leads a team
of investigators in investigating alleged
breaches of the ACRA-administered
legislation such as instances of false
declarations by filers or conflict of
interest by directors.
The ACRA’s LSOs are supervised by the
Assistant Chief Executive, a senior LSO,
and are deployed in various departments
within the ACRA’s Legal Services
and Prosecution Division. The LSOs
provide support on a broad range of
work such as legal advice, law reform,
policy formulation, prosecution and
enforcement.
The LSOs in the Prosecution Department
prosecute offences under the ACRAadministered legislation and also advise the
ACRA on disciplinary matters concerning
public accountants and represent the
ACRA in disciplinary proceedings.
The Assistant Chief Executive and the
Acting Senior Director of the Legal
Services & Prosecution Division, both
of whom are LSOs and also members of
the ACRA’s Executive Committee, help
to lead the ACRA to its next level of
organisational and service excellence,
with work in this area that includes
finalising, communicating and driving
the ACRA’s 3-year workplan.
The LSOs in the Civil Advisory
Department advise the ACRA on
civil legal matters such as contracts,
memorandum
of
understanding,
review of name complaints and dispute
resolution.
The LSOs in the Law Reform
Department help steer the ACRA’s law
reform initiatives. In 2017, law reform
was introduced and implemented that
required companies, foreign companies
and limited liability partnerships
to maintain a register of beneficial
owners, allowed foreign companies to
re-domicile in Singapore and removed
As at 31 December 2017, 12 LSOs were
seconded to the ACRA.
Andy Sim Yock Ann
Assistant Chief Executive
Accounting and Corporate Regulatory
Authority
78
advancing the rule of law
Accounting and Corporate
Regulatory Authority
(Left to Right) Front Row:
Ms P Arul Selvamalar,
Ms Lim Jen Hui,
Andy Sim Yock Ann (Assistant Chief Executive, ACRA),
Thomas Mathew Koshy
(Left to Right) Back Row:
Cheok Yu-Liang,
Gilbert Low Teik Seang,
Kenny Kung Yong Jin,
Ramesh Ethan s/o Ananda Suppiah
79
advancing the rule of law
Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority
institutions. In April 2017, the Registry also
started automating its registration processes
and 40% of caveats lodged daily are now
registered without human intervention.
The mission of the Singapore Land
Authority (“SLA”) is to optimise
land resources for Singapore’s social
and economic development. The SLA
manages about 11,000 hectares of State
land and about 5,000 State properties,
and seeks to maximise use of vacant
State land and properties in innovative
ways. The SLA is also the national land
registration and land survey authority,
and maintains records on title ownership
and land boundaries.
In 2017, the Legal Division launched an
internal repository portal, “WikiLegal”.
With Wikipedia-style articles on legal
topics relevant to the SLA’s operational
departments and interactive cross-linkages
between related concepts, WikiLegal seeks
to present topics in plain language with
examples of common issues which officers
may encounter.
As at 31 December 2017, there were three
LSOs seconded to the SLA.
As part of its digitalisation journey
and to facilitate paperless property
transactions, the Land Titles Registry
(“the Registry”) mandated that from
1 June 2017, title documents for
mortgaged or charged properties will not
be printed for safekeeping by financial
Bryan Chew Chee Wan
Assistant Chief Executive
(Legal and Regulatory) and
Registrar of Titles & Deeds
Singapore Land Authority
Singapore Land Authority
(Left to Right)
Ms Brenda Chua Wei Ling,
Bryan Chew Chee Wan
(Assistant Chief Executive [Legal and Regulatory] and Registrar of Titles & Deeds, SLA)
80
advancing the rule of law
Singapore Land Authority
consultation on several enhancements,
including an increase of DI coverage
from the current $50,000 to $75,000
per depositor.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore
(“MAS”) is Singapore’s central bank and
financial services regulator, overseeing
all financial institutions (“FIs”) in
Singapore.
As at 31 December 2017, four
LSOs were seconded to the MAS.
Gillian Koh Tan (Ms)
Executive Director and Department Head
Enforcement Department
Monetary Authority of Singapore
Three LSOs were seconded to the
Enforcement Department (“ENF”),
which is responsible for investigations
and enforcement actions arising
from breaches of the MAS’ banking,
insurance and capital markets laws and
anti-money laundering requirements.
The Enforcement Policy and Legal
Division within the ENF provides legal
advice, formulates enforcement policies
and represents the MAS at international
enforcement forums.
In 2017, the first prosecution brought
about pursuant to the MAS-Commercial
Affairs Department joint investigations
arrangement resulted in a guilty plea
and a custodial sentence, which was
upheld on appeal. This case arose from
an investigation led by the MAS.
The MAS also took enforcement actions
against several FIs and individuals, and
successfully defended the imposition
of a lifetime Prohibition Order.
One LSO was seconded to the
Prudential Policy Department (“PPD”),
which formulates MAS’ prudential
policies and regulations for banks and
other relevant FIs. In 2017, the PPD
led the review of the Deposit Insurance
(“DI”) Scheme and released a public
(Left to Right)
Ms Kok Shu-en,
Ms Gillian Koh Tan
(Executive Director and Department
Head, Enforcement Department, MAS),
Kelvin Kow Weijie
81
advancing the rule of law
Monetary Authority of
Singapore
advancing the rule of law
Office of The Public
Guardian,
Ministry of Social and
Family Development
The Office of the Public Guardian
(“OPG”)
embarked
on
efforts
to foster a mental capacity ecosystem. It developed the registration
and certification framework for
Professional Deputies, raised public
awareness of making a Lasting Power
of Attorney (“LPA”), and strengthened
its supervision and investigation
regime.
In 2017, the OPG received 16,484
LPA applications, compared to 477 in
2010. Three cases were commenced in
Court and submissions were made in six
other cases. Thirty-eight Court reports
were furnished under section 37 of the
Mental Capacity Act, compared to 22
in 2016.
Ms Regina Chang
(Public Guardian, OPG, MSF)
The OPG currently supervises
2,877 Deputies, a 35% increase from
2016. Home visits were conducted on
recalcitrant Deputies who had failed
to report to the OPG.
To meet its growing caseload and
duties, the OPG will embark on a
business process re-engineering study
and build a new online system to better
serve the public.
As at 31 December 2017, one LSO was
seconded to the OPG.
Regina Chang (Ms)
Public Guardian
Office of the Public Guardian
Ministry of Social and Family Development
82
advancing the rule of law
Economic Development
Board
The Economic Development Board
(“EDB”) is a statutory body under the
Ministry of Trade and Industry. It is
responsible for strategies that enhance
Singapore’s position as a global centre
for business, innovation and talent.
The Legal Division routinely advises
on tax incentives awarded in support of
investments undertaken by companies in
Singapore, and grant schemes promoting
innovation, research and development,
training and productivity in Singapore.
Photo
The Legal Division also advises on
the EDB’s regulatory functions under
the Control of Manufacture Act, trade
issues, property, human resource
and data protection matters, and the
procurement of goods and services.
(Left to Right)
Ms Ching Sann
(General Counsel, Legal Division, EDB),
Ms Then Ling
In 2017, the Legal Division saw a further
expansion of its risk management and
compliance functions, and also worked
on an initiative to translate its training
functions to an electronic platform.
As at 31 December 2017, two LSOs
were seconded to the EDB.
Ching Sann (Ms)
General Counsel
Legal Division
Economic Development Board
83
High Court and the Court of Appeal.
Notable work achievements for 2017
included the conduct of the appeal
before the High Court in BML v
Comptroller of Income Tax [2017]
SGHC 118, legislative amendments
to the Stamp Duties Act and the
successful prosecution of several PIC
fraud and tax evasion cases at the State
Courts.
The Law Division is the key division
within the Inland Revenue Authority
of Singapore (“IRAS”) tasked with
discharging all legal functions. The Law
Division’s work includes advising and
litigating on a wide spectrum of legal
issues under various fields of law, with
a focus on tax matters. The IRAS tax
prosecutors prosecute a wide spectrum of
tax offences such as group Productivity
and Innovation Credit (“PIC”) fraud and
complex tax evasion. The Law Division
also represents the IRAS in contentious
tax disputes at the tax tribunals, the
As at 31 December 2017, six LSOs were
seconded to the IRAS.
Alvin Koh Meng Sing
Chief Legal Officer
Law Division
Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore
Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore
(Left to Right)
Ma Hanfeng, Mrs Jasmine Chin-Sabado,
Alvin Koh Meng Sing (Chief Legal Officer, Law Division, IRAS),
Ms Quek Hui Ling, Norman Teo Zhenxing
84
advancing the rule of law
Inland Revenue
Authority of Singapore
advancing the rule of law
National Environment
Agency
The National Environment Agency
(“NEA”) is the regulator for the
environment and public health,
ensuring a clean and sustainable
environment, promoting resource
efficiency and conservation, and
providing meteorological services to
the public.
The Legal Department’s work includes
reviewing and advising the NEA on
its legislation, contracts and tender
processes, international environmental
legal and policy developments, ensuring
good corporate governance and
regulatory compliance in its policies
and operations, and prosecuting
offenders under the NEA’s legislation.
Jeffrey Sim Mong Heng
(Director, Legal Department, NEA)
In 2017, the Legal Department also
provided the NEA with legal support
on legislative amendments to deal
with climate change and reduce
Singapore’s carbon footprint, and
major infrastructure projects such
as the upcoming Integrated Waste
Management Facility.
As at 31 December 2017, one LSO was
seconded to the NEA.
Jeffrey Sim Mong Heng
Director
Legal Department
National Environment Agency
85
advancing the rule of law
Singapore Medical
Council
The Singapore Medical Council
(“SMC”), a statutory board under the
Ministry of Health, is responsible for
medical registration and issuance
of practising certificates for doctors
in Singapore, the administration of
the compulsory continuing medical
education programme for doctors,
and determining and regulating the
conduct and ethics of doctors.
The Legal Division assists the
SMC in the discharge of these
responsibilities by providing legal
advice on matters pertaining to
medical registration, accreditation,
surveillance,
procurement
and
policies;
drafting
and
vetting
contracts; proposing amendments
to the Medical Registration Act and
related legislation; and supervising
the conduct of formal inquiries before
Disciplinary Tribunals and other
committees.
Loo Yu Hao, Adrian
(Director [Legal] and General Counsel,
Legal Division, SMC)
As at 31 December 2017, one LSO was
seconded to the SMC.
Loo Yu Hao, Adrian
Director (Legal) and General Counsel
Legal Division
Singapore Medical Council
86
advancing the rule of law
Health Sciences Authority
The Health Sciences Authority (“HSA”)
is a statutory body under the Ministry
of Health.
On 1 December 2017, the Legal
Department (“LD”) was reorganised
and now manages all the legal needs of
the HSA pertaining to advisory work,
preparing forensic scientists for court
testimony, reviewing contracts, and
prosecution work.
In August 2017, the LD and the AGC
proceeded successfully against a doctor,
who peddled about 2,319 litres of
codeine cough preparations to abusers,
and who was eventually imprisoned
for 24 months and fined $130,000.
Tan Gek Young v Public Prosecutor
and another appeal [2017] 5 SLR 820
was the first High Court decision that
established sentencing guidelines on
the illegal diversion of pharmaceutical
products.
Ms Grace Lim Seow Gek
(Director, Legal Department, HSA)
As at 31 December 2017, one LSO was
seconded to the HSA.
Grace Lim Seow Gek (Ms)
Director
Legal Department
Health Sciences Authority
87
advancing the rule of law
Personal Data Protection
Commission
The Personal Data Protection
Commission (“PDPC”) is integrated
into
the
Info-communications
Media
Development
Authority
(“IMDA”) and continues to enforce
and administer the Personal Data
Protection Act 2012 (“PDPA”) as
its primary role. The PDPC has
expanded its remit to provide more
general data and data-sharing policy
support as part of the IMDA’s role in
gearing Singapore towards a Digital
Economy.
In 2017, the PDPC commenced a
review of the PDPA to keep pace
with technological developments and
fundamental changes in the generation,
collection and use of personal data.
Increased volumes of data necessitate
data analytics and artificial intelligence
technologies. The PDPC is leading the
crafting of policies and frameworks
to support the adoption of such
technologies while providing consumer
safeguards.
Yeong Zee Kin
(Assistant Chief Executive and
Deputy Commissioner, PDPC)
Yeong Zee Kin
Assistant Chief Executive and
Deputy Commissioner
Personal Data Protection Commission
Info-communications Media
Development Authority
88
The Land Transport Authority (“LTA”)
is a statutory board under the Ministry
of Transport. The Legal Sub-Group
supports the LTA and handles a diverse
portfolio in areas such as legislative policy,
regulatory and licensing work, prosecution
and claims, and advisory and corporate
secretarial work.
Photo
In 2017, the Legal Sub-Group was
involved in special projects including
the High Speed Rail to Kuala Lumpur,
the Rail Transit Link between Johor
Bahru and Woodlands, autonomous
vehicle technology, new Mass Rapid
Transit Lines (Cross Island and the
Jurong Regional Lines), active mobility
initiatives, Electronic Road Pricing
2, North-South Corridor, as well as
regulatory frameworks for private-hired
cars and bike-sharing companies.
Eugene Lee Yee Leng
(General Counsel, LTA)
As at 31 December 2017, one LSO was
seconded to the LTA.
Eugene Lee Yee Leng
General Counsel
Land Transport Authority
89
advancing the rule of law
Land Transport Authority
LEGAL
SERVICE
JUDICIAL BRANCH
LEGAL BRANCH
STATE
COURTS
SUPREME
COURT
FAMILY JUSTICE
COURTS
Criminal
Justice Division
Supreme
Court Registry
Family Division,
High Court
Civil
Justice Division
Justices’ Law
Clerks Pool
Family Courts
LEGAL SERVICE
DEPARTMENTS /
POSTS IN MINISTRIES
Attorney-General’s Office /
AGC Academy
Insolvency and
Public Trustee’s Office
Accounting and Corporate
Regulatory Authority
Crime Cluster
Criminal Justice Division;
Financial and Technology
Crime Division
Legal Aid Bureau
Competition and Consumer
Commission of Singapore
Ministry of Home Affairs
(Legal Division)
Economic Development Board
Ministry of Defence
(Legal Services Department)
Health Sciences Authority
Ministry of Law
(Legal Group)
Info-communications Media
Development Authority,
Personal Data Protection
Commission
International
Affairs Division
Community
Justice and
Tribunals Division
Chief Executive,
Office of the
Chief Justice
Youth Courts
Legislation Division
Civil Division
Centre for
Dispute Resolution
Singapore
Judicial College
Registrar,
Appeals Board
(Land Acquisition)
Ministry of Culture,
Community and Youth
(Legal Unit)
Ministry of Communications
and Information
(Legal Services Department)
Ministry of National
Development
(Legal Services Unit)
Public Guardian,
Office of the Public Guardian,
Ministry of Social and
Family Development
Director,
Commercial Affairs Department,
Singapore Police Force
Registrar / Deputy Registrar,
Syariah Court, Ministry of
Culture, Community and Youth
Intellectual Property Office
of Singapore
Inland Revenue Authority
of Singapore
Land Transport Authority
Monetary Authority of
Singapore
Ministry of Education
(Legal Services Branch)
National Environment Agency
Ministry of Health
(Legal Office)
Singapore Land Authority
Ministry of Manpower
(Legal Services Division)
Singapore Medical Council
Ministry of Social and
Family Development
(Legal Services Unit)
90
LEGAL SERVICE
DEPARTMENTS /
POSTS IN
STATUTORY BOARDS
ATTORNEYGENERAL’S
CHAMBERS
91
advancing the rule of law
SINGAPORE
Milestone
Programmes
92
advancing the rule of law
regulation,
transactions.
Geraldine Kang (Ms)
Ruth Teng Xiaohui (Ms)
Navindraram Naidu
Sabrina Choo Wen Shan (Ms)
Edrick Guo Zhixian
Krystle Chiang Jing Ya (Ms)
Elgin Tay Wei Xiong
enforcement
and
The LLM and the MLF were rigorous
and
intellectually
challenging
programmes which deepened our
appreciation of the law. We were
gratified by the opportunity to study
in some of the world’s best institutions,
and benefitted richly from the diverse
perspectives shared by preeminent
professors and classmates alike. We
also benefitted from the numerous
legal skills workshops run by our
schools.
In 2017, seven LSOs were awarded
LSC Scholarships to further our
studies. Six of us were enrolled in
Master of Laws (“LLM”) programmes
with Ms Geraldine Kang at the
National University of Singapore,
Ms Ruth Teng Xiaohui at Columbia
University, Navindraram Naidu at the
University of California, Berkeley,
Ms Sabrina Choo Wen Shan at New
York University, Edrick Guo Zhixian
at University College London; and
Ms Krystle Chiang Jing Ya at the
University of Melbourne. Elgin
Tay Wei Xiong was enrolled in
the Master of Science in Law and
Finance programme (“MLF”) at
the University of Oxford. The MLF
offered an advanced interdisciplinary
understanding of economics and
its practical applications to legal
For some programmes, the subjects
were structured as intensives, each
running for a week. This allowed for
uniquely immersive experiences.
All of us found the experience very
enriching, given the cosmopolitan
enrolment of students in our
respective institutions and the
breadth of subjects taught by
leading international academics.
We are grateful to the LSC for this
opportunity.
93
milestones programmes
LSC POSTGRADUATE
SCHOLARSHIPS IN LAW
Christopher Tan Pheng
Wee & Seah Chi-Ling
in these countries, to better understand
the commonalities in culture that have
allowed Singapore to forge strong bonds
with both neighbours.
(24 th Senior Management
Programme)
New to this year’s SMP was the
introduction of “LAB” projects.
Participants
formed
teams
and
experimented with bold new policy
initiatives in a sandbox environment
during and after the SMP programme,
culminating in proposals that were
presented to Head, Civil Service.
The theme of the 2017 Senior
Management Programme (“SMP”)
centred on innovation. Over the course
of the six-week programme, participants
held dialogues with both policy
makers and private sector players,
including entrepreneurs and startups, on the challenges of creating an
ecosystem conducive to technological
advancements and the generation of
new ideas.
Lim Jian Yi &
Darryl Soh Wen Yan
(23 rd and 24 th Governance and
Leadership Programme)
This year’s SMP included a six-day trip
to Israel where participants interacted
with lawmakers, think-tanks and
government agencies such as the Israel
Innovation Authority. Participants
studied how Israel’s culture has
successfully
incentivised
bold
innovation and risk-taking, thereby
cementing Israel’s status as the “startup nation”.
The Governance and Leadership
Programme (“GLP”) is a full-time
milestone programme that equips
participants with a holistic perspective
of public sector governance and the
management skills to be effective
public sector leaders. The GLP
enables participants to gain a deeper
appreciation of the social, economic,
and global challenges faced by Singapore
in a rapidly changing operating
environment. The 23rd and 24th GLP
took place from 2 to 24 February and
2 to 26 May 2017, respectively.
This was followed by trips to Malaysia
and Indonesia, where we met political
leaders, government agencies and social
activists. Participants were given a closeup look at the socio-political dynamics
94
milestones programmes
MILESTONE PROGRAMMES IN
LEADERSHIP OR MANAGEMENT
upon their personal leadership styles,
discuss macroeconomic trends and
geopolitical forces and also hear the
views of senior government Ministers
on the complex considerations that went
into the making of key policies.
The varied experiences of my fellow
course participants, who came from
different government organisations and
Ministries, further enriched the course.
Louis Ng Shi Zheng
(Temasek International Pte Ltd)
I was privileged to be seconded to
Temasek International Pte Ltd between
July 2016 and June 2017. During the
secondment, I worked closely with
investment teams and external counsel
on various mergers and acquisitions.
Through this process, I gained a
deeper understanding of the legal and
business considerations that underpin
commercial deals. I also worked on
several regulatory projects which
allowed me to appreciate how firms
manage issues and risks arising from
the evolving regulatory environment.
Overall, I found the experience
enriching and challenging. I am
grateful to the LSC and the AGC for
this opportunity.
Paul Chan Wei Sern
(16 th FIREfly Leadership
Development Programme)
I attended the 16 th FIREfly Leadership
Development Programme (“FFP”).
The FFP provided a tremendous
learning journey that enabled me to
gain invaluable insights into policymaking and leadership. Throughout
the programme, participants were given
the opportunity to examine and reflect
95
milestones programmes
The GLP included an overseas study trip
for participants to gain a first-hand feel
of the broader regional context in which
Singapore operates. In the 23rd GLP,
the participants travelled to Bangalore
and Ahmedabad. The participants had
the opportunity to meet government
officials, as well as senior managers
of the technology and manufacturing
industries, such as Infosys, one of the
largest IT companies in the world.
The study trip for the 24 th GLP took
place in Shenzhen and Hong Kong,
where the participants interacted
with Chinese and Hong Kong
government officials, business leaders
and academics, including visits to the
Huawei Technologies campus and the
Hong Kong Legislative Council.
Pride In Service
96
In addition, a total of 15 LSOs
were conferred a National Day or
Long Service Medal in 2017 and
were honoured at the Legal Service
National Day Observance Ceremony
on 22 August 2017.
Mr Eddie Teo, Chairman of the Public
Service Commission (“PSC”), and an
ex-officio Member of the LSC, was
conferred the Order of Nila Utama
(First Class) by the President of the
Republic of Singapore in 2017. This
was in recognition of his decades of
exemplary service to the nation from
1970 when he joined the Ministry
of Defence and in his subsequent
portfolios and expansive contributions
at the Prime Minister’s Office and
as High Commissioner to Australia,
before he was appointed Chairman of
the PSC in 2008.
The event commenced with the
Methodist Girls’ School Choir
leading the participants in singing the
National Anthem. It was followed by
the recitation of the National Pledge,
led by representatives from the various
Legal Service departments. PSC
Scholars who would be appointed to
the Legal Service at the conclusion
of their law studies were also at the
ceremony, which was hosted by the
President and Members of the LSC.
Another Member of the LSC, Justice
Lee Seiu Kin, was bestowed the
Meritorious Service Medal in 2017 in
recognition of his exceptional work
and
immense
and
sterling
contributions to the LSC, the Legal
Service, the Supreme Court of
Singapore and the Singapore Academy
of Law, and in spearheading IT
revolutions spanning across the AGC,
the Judiciary and wider legal services
sector over the last three decades.
The ceremony epitomised the
commitment and dedication of
the Legal Service and its LSOs to
Singapore and reflected the effort
put in by LSOs towards their diverse
obligations in upholding justice,
maintaining the rule of law and
protecting the interests of the nation
and people of Singapore.
97
pride in service
PRIDE IN SERVICE
pride in service
The Order of Nila Utama (First Class)
Name / Designation
Department
Chairman, Public Service Commission and
Member, Legal Service Commission
Mr Eddie Teo
The Meritorious Service Medal
Justice Lee Seiu Kin
Member, Legal Service Commission
The Public Administration Medals
Name / Designation
Mr Kow Keng Siong
Chief Prosecutor
Mr Isaac Tan Choon Kiat
Deputy Chief Prosecutor
Mr Marvin Bay Boon Teck
District Judge and State Coroner
Department
Criminal Justice Division
Attorney-General’s Chambers
Criminal Justice Division
Attorney-General’s Chambers
Criminal Justice Division and Coroner’s Court
State Courts
Award
PPA
(Silver)
PPA
(Silver)
PPA
(Silver)
Mrs Natalie Morris-Sharma
Director (International Legal)
Legal Group, Ministry of Law
PPA
(Bronze)
The Commendation Medal
Name / Designation
Ms Serene Seet Lay Cheng
Principal Legal Counsel (Legal)
Department
Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore
The Public Service Medal
Mr Yeong Zee Kin
Assistant Chief Executive and
Deputy Commissioner
For contributions as Vice-Chairman of the Legal Research
Sub-Committee of the Singapore Academy of Law
[Personal Data Protection Commission]
The Long Service Medal
Ms Mavis Chionh Sze Chyi
Second Solicitor-General
Ms Daphne Hong Fan Sin
Director-General
Mr David Khoo Kim Leng
Deputy Chief Prosecutor
Mr Tan Kiat Pheng
Deputy Chief Prosecutor
Mr Andy Sim Yock Ann
Assistant Chief Executive
(Legal Services and Prosecution)
Ms Jasbendar Kaur d/o
Resham Singh
District Judge
Mr Mark Anand Jayaratnam
Deputy Senior State Counsel
Ms Wong Choon Ning
District Judge
Mr Sunari Kateni
Deputy Director
Attorney-General’s Chambers
International Affairs Division
Attorney-General’s Chambers
Criminal Justice Division
Attorney-General’s Chambers
Financial and Technology Crime Division
Attorney-General’s Chambers
Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority
Corporate Services Division
State Courts
Criminal Justice Division
Attorney-General’s Chambers
Criminal Justice Division
State Courts
Legal Aid Bureau
98
(Left to Right) Front Row:
Mr Lee Tzu Yang, Justice Andrew Phang,
Mr Lucien Wong Yuen Kuai (Attorney-General),
Justice Lee Seiu Kin, Mr Adrian Chan
(Left to Right) Second Row:
Mrs Natalie Morris-Sharma, Mr Isaac Tan Choon Kiat,
Mr Kow Keng Siong, Mr Marvin Bay Boon Teck,
Ms Serene Seet Lay Cheng
(Left to Right) Back Row:
Mr Mark Anand Jayaratnam, Mr Tan Kiat Pheng,
Ms Daphne Hong Fan Sin, Mr Andy Sim Yock Ann,
Ms Wong Choon Ning
99
pride in service
The Legal Service Commission with the
Recipients of the National Day Medals 2017
Editorial Committee
Ms Sharon Ong (Chairperson)
Mr Paul Quan (Vice-Chairperson)
Ms Wileeza Gapar (Member)
Ms Sarah Tan (Member)
Mr Kenny Kung (Member)
Ms Elsie Lee (Member)
Mr Teh Joo Lin (Member)
Mr Ethan Liu (Member)
Ms Carrie Zheng (Member)
Mr Taufiq Suraidi (Member)
Mr Leong Kit Yu (Member)
Department Liaison Officers
Mr Scott Tan (Supreme Court)
Mr Senthil Dayalan (LG, MinLaw)
Ms Koh Jiaying (State Courts)
Ms Ruth Wong (LD, MHA)
Mr Darryl Soh (Family Justice Courts)
Mr Paul Cheong (LSD, MOM)
Ms Low Siew Ling (SPO, AGC)
Ms Chloe Mercy Lee (LSB, MOE)
Ms Sarah Lam (AGC Academy, AGC)
Mr Ethan Liu (LO, MOH)
Mr Lim How Khang (LTIO, AGC)
Ms Ang Swee Yan (LSU, MSF)
Mr Kenny Yang & Ms Sheryl Yeo (CJD, AGC)
Ms Ang Ching Hwei (LSU, MCI)
Ms Magadalene Huang &
Mr Sean Lee (LU, MCCY)
Ms Sheryl Janet George (FTCD, AGC)
Mr Jonathan Ee (LSU, MND)
Ms Yau Pui Man (IAD, AGC)
Mr Caleb Tan (CCCS)
Ms Amanda Tan (Civil Division, AGC)
Mr Ramesh Ethan (ACRA)
Mr Sivabalan Thanabal
Mr Edmund Chew (IPOS)
(Legislation Division, AGC)
Ms Joyce Lee (SLA)
Mr Paul Lie (LSD, MINDEF)
Ms Kok Shu-en (MAS)
Ms Joan Pang (LAB)
Ms Then Ling (EDB)
Mr Zhong Zewei (IPTO)
Mr Ma Hanfeng (IRAS)
Legal Service Commission Secretariat
Mr Siva Shanmugam
Ms Joyce Loh
Ms Jane Liow
Ms Ong Ai Hui
100
LEGAL SERVICE
COMMISSION
1, Supreme Court Lane,
Level 4 Supreme Court,
Singapore 178879
website: www.lsc.gov.sg
email: lsc_sec@lsc.gov.sg