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 for LSOs to continue to serve our nation Commission has been its commitment to with utmost dedication and distinction in the effort to bring out the best in every a multitude of important roles and at key Legal Service Officer (“LSO”) and to institutions. The Legal Service presents an provide the ecosystem within which each increasingly broad range of opportunities LSO may strive for and achieve their for this and the following brief review highest potential. Among the very best provides a snapshot of what is possible. embodiments of this mission in action is Justice Chao Hick Tin. On the domestic front, important steps were taken to increase access to justice. In Justice Chao formally retired in 2017 April 2017, the State Courts established following 50 remarkable years of public the Employment Claims Tribunals to service, during which time he served provide litigants with simple, expeditious with distinction in some of the highest and affordable processes for resolving positions within the Singapore legal salary-related disputes. In July 2017, the establishment. These included key Family Justice Courts (“FJC”) introduced Constitutional appointments as the the Integrated Family Application System. Attorney-General (“AG”) and Vice This is a comprehensive end-to-end President of the Court of Appeal. On his system for family protection and retirement in September 2017, Justice maintenance that enables parties to file Chao was accorded a rare Valedictory their applications online through Reference to honour his dedication and community partners, thus facilitating immense contributions to the Legal access to essential court services. That Service, the Judiciary, the legal services same month, the Attorney-General’s sector and our nation, and to inspire Chambers (“AGC”) launched the new a younger generation of LSOs and Singapore Statutes Online website, which lawyers to follow in his footsteps. was substantially redesigned with a view to making laws more intelligible to Luminaries such as Justice Chao, in whose laypersons and improving accessibility to steps we follow, provide the inspiration Singapore’s legislation.

3 On the international front, the AGC Constitutional appointments were advanced Singapore’s interests by made by Government at the AGC. providing critical legal advice and support Mr Lucien Wong was appointed the to agencies in bilateral negotiations on key AG while Mr Lionel Yee and Mr Hri agreements and on the Comprehensive Kumar Nair were appointed Deputy and Progressive Agreement for the Attorneys-General. Trans-Pacific Partnership. The AGC was also a key member of the inter-agency The second was in the area of training and team which prepared Singapore’s legal professional development. The Singapore case on Malaysia’s two applications to Judicial College (“the SJC”) augmented its revise and interpret the International extensive suite of training programmes by Court of Justice’s judgment concerning introducing a new masterclass and judicial the sovereignty over Pedra Branca, resilience series to cater to the needs of Middle Rocks and South Ledge. Both our Judges. The SJC has also established applications were eventually discontinued itself as a regional and international by Malaysia. hub for judicial training through its many international programmes, which In August 2017, the FJC hosted the boast an impressive outreach. The State meeting of the 2nd International Advisory Courts, in collaboration with the Lee Council where leading global thought Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, leaders in the field of family law and conducted the inaugural run of the justice deliberated developments, ideas Executive Leadership Programme for and innovations in this important area. Court and Tribunal Administrators to These discussions have catalysed studies equip court and tribunal administrators into potential reforms in various areas, with key leadership, court governance including child maintenance and the and administration skills. At the AGC, division of matrimonial assets. the AGC Academy was restructured as a separate division that is staffed by a Looking ahead, the Legal Service full-time team of LSOs. The Academy Commission put in place various measures has been developing a structured in 2017 to prepare and equip the Legal curriculum to deepen and broaden the Service for the challenges of the future. professional, leadership and management The first was in the area of leadership skills of LSOs across the AGC’s different renewal. Justice Debbie Ong was practice areas and the various legal appointed the Presiding Judge of the departments under the Legal Branch. FJC. Mr Kwek Mean Luck assumed the position of Solicitor-General while The third was in the strategic leveraging Ms Mavis Chionh was appointed of technology to further enhance Second Solicitor-General. Three key the effectiveness of LSOs. The AGC

4 continued its development of key systems This, coupled with refinements in 2017 and process transformation projects to the frameworks for the selection of under the umbrella of Project SPACE new recruits and the re-employment of (Smarter Processes in A Collaborative LSOs, will ensure that the Legal Service Environment). This was done in tandem continues to nurture and maintain a with the conceptualisation of the dedicated pool of professionally excellent Intelligent Workspace, an enterprise level officers with both depth and breadth of IT platform, which offers the potential expertise in all areas of practice. for horizontal integration with systems used by other key stakeholders that It has been a busy year and the Legal include the home team agencies and the Service continues to strive to provide the courts. The AGC also established a new best training and development of lawyers Legal Technology and Innovation Office in Singapore. In closing, I set out these that focuses on developing the alliance words from Justice Chao: of legal and tech services with a view to future-proofing the AGC. The fifty years that I have spent in the Public Service have undoubtedly been a The fourth was through the refinement of most enriching, exciting and rewarding our human resource frameworks. In May journey, even though it is a journey that 2017, we reviewed and further refined our has had its ups and downs. Of course, there posting framework and institutionalised were times when dispensing justice in a an annual and systematic posting case seemed difficult or elusive. Still … we framework for all LSOs. This is to always have to do our level best. ensure that the postings of all LSOs are undertaken in a way that is beneficial Justice Chao’s career began in 1967, to both the Legal Service and the LSOs’ two years after independence, and in professional and career development. the course of its long arc, he has seen Under the terms of the Annual Singapore move past the pangs of its birth Systematic Posting Exercise decided and the anxieties of its teenage years, by the Chief Justice and the AG, LSOs before settling into a mature adulthood. may either be identified (by the Legal Throughout this time, the Legal Service Service Posting Panel) or apply to be Commission and LSOs have always been considered for possible re-posting. The there, regardless of the magnitude of the Posting Panel, chaired by Justice Lee challenge or the difficulty of the task, to Seiu Kin (a Member of the Legal Service attend to her needs. As we look ahead to Commission and the Special Personnel the future, may Justice Chao’s example Boards), reviews the applications and inspire us all to always give our best for submits recommendations to the Chief our nation and people, and to strive to Justice, the AG and the Personnel Boards. bring justice to all according to the law.

5 Leadership

6 LEGAL SERVICE

COMMISSION leadership

The Legal Service Commission Member(s), based on the following (“LSC”) is constituted under Part IX arrangements: of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (“Constitution”). Article (i) at least one but not more than 111(1) of the Constitution mandates two persons nominated by the that there shall be an LSC whose Chief Justice; jurisdiction shall extend to all officers in the Singapore Legal Service (“Legal (ii) at least one but not more than Service”). two persons nominated by the Chairman of the PSC; and The LSC has the duty, under Article 111(3), to appoint, confirm, emplace (iii) at least one but not more than on the permanent establishment, two persons nominated by the promote, transfer, dismiss and exercise Prime Minister. disciplinary control over officers in the The Chief Justice/President of the Legal Service. LSC, recorded his deep appreciation to Mr V K Rajah, who completed his Article 111(2) and Article 111(2A) of term on 13 January 2017, after having the Constitution provide that the LSC served with distinction as a Member shall consist of: from 1 November 2007. The Chief (a) the Chief Justice, as President; Justice /President of the LSC also welcomed Mr Adrian Chan who was (b) the Attorney-General; appointed on 1 February 2017 and Judge of Appeal Steven Chong who (c) the Chairman of the Public Service was re-appointed on 25 June 2017. Commission (“PSC”); and The LSC comprised, as at 31 (d) at least three but not more than December 2017, Chief Justice six other Members, each of whom Sundaresh Menon as President; and shall be appointed by the President the Attorney-General Mr Lucien of Singapore if he, acting in his Wong Yuen Kuai, the Chairman of the discretion, concurs with the advice PSC Mr Eddie Teo, Judge of Appeal of the person nominating the Andrew Phang, Judge of Appeal Steven

7 Chong, Justice Lee Seiu Kin, Mr Lee Legal Service Tzu Yang, Mr Gautam Banerjee and Mr Adrian Chan as Members. Special Personnel Boards

Article 111AA of the Constitution

In 2017, the LSC deliberated and leadership decided on matters concerning the provides for the establishment of one or Legal Service including the award of more personnel boards to exercise all or the Performance Bonuses, the Variable any of the powers and functions of the Increments, the Legal Professional LSC under Article 111 over LSOs. The Allowance, the Long-Term Incentive powers and functions of the LSC are and the Legal Service scheme-specific devolved to the Personnel Boards, save remuneration components to Legal for the power to dismiss and exercise Service Officers (“LSOs”) at and above disciplinary control over LSOs and all the “threshold” grade of Superscale powers of the LSC in relation to LSOs Grade 2; the suitability of LSOs for of and above the “threshold” grade of promotion to Superscale Grade 2 and Superscale Grade 2, including the power above; and the implementation and to nominate officers for appointment or refinement of various human resource promotion to that grade. functions and frameworks in the Legal Service. 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 Legal Service Commission leadership

(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 Legal Service Judicial Branch Special Personnel Board leadership

(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 comprised, as Special Personnel Board continued to at 31 December 2017, Chief Justice have jurisdiction over all LSOs below Sundaresh Menon as Chairman; and Superscale Grade 2 who were posted at Judge of Appeal Andrew Phang, Judge the departments in the Judicial Branch. of Appeal Steven Chong and Justice Lee The Legal Service Judicial Branch Seiu Kin as Members.

10 Legal Service Legal Branch Special Personnel Board leadership

(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 comprised, as at 31 December 2017, Special Personnel Board continued to Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon as have jurisdiction over all LSOs below Chairman; and the Attorney-General Superscale Grade 2 who were deployed/ Mr Lucien Wong Yuen Kuai, Justice posted/seconded at the departments in Lee Seiu Kin and Deputy Attorney- the Legal Branch. The Legal Service General Mr Lionel Yee Woon Chin as Legal Branch Special Personnel Board Members.

11 SUCCESSION PLANNING

AND TALENT DEVELOPMENT leadership

The Legal Service Talent Development Chairman; and the Attorney-General Scheme (“TDS”) is the principal Mr Lucien Wong Yuen Kuai, Judge of source for the renewal of leadership Appeal Andrew Phang, Judge of Appeal in the Legal Service. It was formally Steven Chong, Justice Lee Seiu Kin, Mr institutionalised in 2006 and reviewed Lee Tzu Yang and Mr Gautam Banerjee in 2012. It underpins the succession as Members. The composition is to planning framework in the Legal reiterate the importance that the Legal Service. Service places on the development of scarce talent. The LSOs in the TDS are The Legal Service Talent Development specifically identified and put though Committee (“TDC”) is chaired by various postings and “key-testing the President of the LSC, Chief positions” to stretch them. They are Justice Sundaresh Menon. The TDC also identified or nominated to attend comprised, as at 31 December 2017, specific management programmes to Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon as hone their leadership skills.

12 The Talent Development Committee / Succession Planning Committee leadership

(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 Towards Organisational Excellence

14 RECRUITMENT AND ESTABLISHMENT

Recruitment appointment to the Legal Service as an LSO. The possible confirmation of the The general criteria for possible offer of the conditional appointment appointment to the Singapore Legal as an LSO will be reviewed on the Service (“Legal Service”) as a Legal candidate’s full or successful completion Service Officer (“LSO”) are that the of the law programme and being awarded applicant should have graduated with a the requisite qualification. Those from law degree from the National University an approved overseas university would of Singapore (“NUS”), the Singapore also be required to have passed the Part organisational excellence towards Management University (“SMU”) or A of the Singapore Bar Examinations. an approved overseas university (and have passed the Graduate Diploma The principal eligibility criterion for in Singapore Law or the Part A of the possible shortlisting for an interview Singapore Bar Examinations). for the Enhanced two-year Justices’ Law Clerk (“JLC”) Programme is a Law undergraduates from the NUS, very strong First Class Honours (or the SMU or an approved overseas the equivalent) for the undergraduate university and those studying for law programme from the NUS or a Doctor of Jurisprudence (“JD”) the SMU or an approved overseas programme at the SMU or an university, or a JD programme from approved overseas university who have the SMU or an approved overseas successfully completed at least their university. Successful candidates will second year of study may apply to be be initially deployed at the AGC to interviewed for the possible offer of complete the Part B of the Singapore conditional appointment as an LSO. Bar Examinations before being The candidates who are interviewed re-deployed to the JLC pool. may be required to undergo an internship at the Attorney-General’s The Legal Service conducted 18 Chambers (“AGC”) or a Legal Service recruitment exercises in 2017. A department. Those who perform summary of the application and well at both the interview and the recruitment numbers is set out at internship may be offered conditional TABLE 1.

15 TABLE 1: Recruitment (as at 31 December 2017) Applicants 319 Interviewed 194 Selected 63 Appointed/Re-appointed 551 1 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 A total of 55 LSOs were appointed/ appointment to the Legal Service were re-appointed to the Legal Service in received in 2017. Eighteen recruitment 2017. exercises were held and 194 candidates were interviewed. The 194 candidates comprised 71 undergraduates, 107 Emplacement on fresh graduates or those who had organisational excellence towards five years or less of relevant legal the Permanent work experience and 16 mid-career Establishment/ candidates. Forty-six had a First Class Confirmation of Honours (or the equivalent) and 72 had a Second Class Upper Honours (or Appointment/ the equivalent). Transfer of Service

Sixty-three candidates were selected Twenty-five LSOs who had been for possible appointment to the Legal appointed on contract were emplaced Service and 28 assumed appointment in on the permanent establishment in the same year. The remaining candidates 2017. Four other LSOs who were who accepted the offer of appointment Public Service Commission (“PSC”) or conditional appointment are scholars and had been appointed expected to assume duty in the Legal on probation (of 18 months) were Service between 2018 and 2020. confirmed in their appointment in the same year. One officer was transferred Twenty-five candidates who were from the Management Executive selected from the recruitment exercises Scheme of Service to the Legal Service in 2013, 2014, 2015 or 2016 assumed Scheme of Service in 2017 and appointment in 2017. Two other LSOs appointed an LSO. were re-employed on reaching the compulsory retirement age of 62.

16 Postings The operating framework, “Guiding Principles” and the processes for the ASPE were established and the The Legal Service posting framework relevant information provided to all is regularly reviewed to ensure that it Branch Heads/Heads of Department continues to play an integral part in (“HODs”) and LSOs. LSOs were the training and development of LSOs invited to indicate their posting whilst meeting the manpower needs of preferences if they wished to be the Legal Service. considered for a possible re-posting.

All Branch Heads/HODs provided The posting framework was refined in recommendations on the LSOs in 2017 and the Annual Systematic Posting their respective departments who Exercise (“ASPE”) was introduced. The may/may not be considered for a objective of the refined framework possible re-posting. The Posting Panel was to institutionalise an annual and considered the recommendations of the systematic posting framework to Branch Heads/HODs. The Posting organisational excellence towards review the re-postings of LSOs and Panel also reviewed all applications for specifically which LSOs should be possible re-posting. It also identified re-posted either because they have spent other suitable LSOs for possible sufficient time in a department (and it re-posting. is beneficial, for their professional and career development, to be exposed to A total of 53 LSOs (16 Superscale LSOs new areas of legal work in the Service) and 37 Timescale LSOs) were re-posted or because there are strong reasons/ in 2017. exigencies of service for re-posting the LSOs.

A Legal Service Posting Panel chaired Secondments by Justice Lee Seiu Kin was established to drive the ASPE in 2017. The LSOs may be seconded to statutory Members comprised the Presiding boards/statutory bodies to undertake Judge of the State Courts, the Presiding legal work; and/or Ministries to Judge of the Family Justice Courts, the undertake policy work in positions Registrar of the Supreme Court and the usually assumed by Administrative Solicitor-General (with the Solicitor- Officers. LSOs may also be seconded General having oversight of all the LSOs to key institutions to undertake posted/seconded at the Ministries/ specific functions and responsibilities. statutory boards/statutory bodies). A total of 49 LSOs were on secondment in 2017. The details are at TABLE 2.

17 TABLE 2: Secondments in 2017 No. of Left Service Re-posted Commenced Extended Continued Department LSOs after after Secondment Secondment Secondment Seconded Secondment Secondment Accounting and Corporate Regulatory 13 - - 4 8 1 Authority Competition and Consumer Commission 7 - 1 3 2 1 of Singapore Economic Development 2 - - - 2 - Board Health Sciences 1 - - - 1 - Authority Inland Revenue 6 - 2 2 2 - Authority of Singapore

Info-communications organisational excellence towards Media Development 1 - - - 1 - Authority Intellectual Property 3 - 1 - 2 - Office of Singapore Land Transport 1 - 1 - - - Authority Ministry of Home 2 - - - 2 - Affairs Ministry of Law 2 - 1 - - 1 Ministry of Social and 1 - - - 1 - Family Development Monetary Authority of 4 - 1 2 1 - Singapore National Environment 1 - - - 1 - Agency Singapore Land 3 - - 1 2 - Authority Singapore Medical 1 - - - 1 - Council Supreme Court (Singapore Judicial 1 - - 1 - - College) Total 49 - 7 13 26 3

18 Establishment Legal Service Outreach

There were 662 establishment posts Activities 2017 in the Legal Service and 653 LSOs on The Legal Service participated in the posted strength as at 31 December various outreach programmes as part 2017. The details are at TABLE 3. of the effort to further raise the profile of the Legal Service and generate TABLE 3: Establishment greater awareness and interest among (as at 31 December 2017) students to consider the study of law No. of No. of as a viable option and a career with the Posts LSOs Legal Service. Judicial Branch 189 1951 2 Legal Branch 458 448 The Legal Service participated in the LSC Secretariat 3 Supernumerary Posts 15 10 following programmes in 2017: Total 662 653 towards organisational excellence towards 1 Including six LSOs on re-employment contract. (a) the NUS Law Careers Fair; 2 Including two LSOs on re-employment contract. 3 Including an LSO on re-employment contract. (b) the SMU Law Fair;

Attrition (c) the Singapore Legal Forum organised by the United Kingdom A total of 23 LSOs (3.5%) resigned from Singapore Law Students’ Society; the Legal Service in 2017. The details of the attrition in the Legal Service over (d) the Junior College Law Programme the last three years are at TABLE 4. organised by the Singapore Academy of Law (“SAL”); TABLE 4: Attrition (2015 – 2017) (e) careers fairs at various Junior Colleges; and 2015 2016 2017 Resignation 29 24 23 (f) PSC Scholarships information Retirement 31 42 24 sessions for final year pre- Expiry of Contract 0 2 55 Transfer to university students. Another Scheme of 0 0 0 Service Three of these programmes were 3 Others 0 1 0 targeted at undergraduates in 1 Two of the LSOs who had retired on reaching the compulsory retirement age of 62 were re-employed on contract. scheduled universities locally and 2 Four LSOs who had retired on reaching the compulsory retirement age of 62 and were re-employed on contract. abroad. These events allowed the Legal 3 Demise in Service of one LSO. Service to raise its visibility among the 4 Two LSOs who had retired on reaching the compulsory retirement age of 62 and were re-employed on contract. 5 Including four LSOs who had left on the expiry of their re-employment contract (at age 67).

19 undergraduates. LSOs shared their A total of 17 Legal Service departments work experiences with students who hosted 118 interns in the 2017/2018 were keen to consider a career with the internship programme. The details are Legal Service. Undergraduates were at TABLE 5. also encouraged to apply for internships at various Legal Service departments to experience and gain first-hand exposure TABLE 5: Internship Programme to the varied work opportunities in the Legal Service Department/ No. of Legal Service. The remaining outreach Internship Programme Interns hosted activities were targeted at students in Accounting and Corporate 5 junior colleges. These events provided Regulatory Authority a platform for the Legal Service to raise Attorney-General’s Chambers 34 awareness of the Legal Service and the Competition and Consumer legal profession among the graduating 4 Commission of Singapore student cohorts. LSOs who participated at these events also took the opportunity Family Justice Courts 6 organisational excellence towards Insolvency and Public Trustee’s to share with the students the option of 2 studying law at the undergraduate level. Office Intellectual Property Office 3 of Singapore Legal Service Internship Legal Aid Bureau 30 Ministry of Culture, 2 Programme 2017/2018 Community and Youth Ministry of Defence 2 Internships play an integral role in the identification and early engagement Ministry of Health 1 of suitable candidates for the Legal Ministry of Home Affairs 2 Service. The Legal Service has since Ministry of Law 7 2000 been offering internships to law Ministry of Manpower 4 undergraduates and JD students (where Ministry of Social and Family applicable) studying at the NUS, 3 Development the SMU and the approved overseas universities. The internships continue Singapore Land Authority 2 State Courts: Senior Officers’ to serve as an important avenue for 1 law students to better understand the Law Clerk Programme work of LSOs in the Legal Service Supreme Court and State and provide added clarity for those Courts: Judicial Internship 10 Programme considering a career with the Legal Service on graduation. TOTAL 118

20 Singapore Academy of The JCLP concluded with a closing ceremony on 1 December 2017. Law Junior College Law Programme: Mentor Attachment Scheme Public Service

The Legal Service participated in the Commission Law 2017 Junior College Law Programme Scholars (“JCLP”) organised by the SAL. The objective of the JCLP is to stimulate The Legal Service has, since 2007, greater interest in law among junior arranged for all PSC Scholars to meet college and pre-university students to Member(s) of the LSC annually. One enable them to make a more informed of the main purposes is to anchor an choice when opting to study for a effective dialogue-framework between university degree. Member(s) of the LSC and all scholars,

and to reiterate the importance organisational excellence towards The 2017 JCLP was conducted from the LSC places on developing and 20 November 2017 to 1 December nurturing a continual pipeline of 2017. It commenced with a two- young talent. day conference with speakers from the private and public legal services The 2017 meeting was held on sectors (including the Legal Service) 14 August 2017. Justice Lee Seiu sharing on various topics of law. The Kin met 29 scholars. These included students also visited the Parliament four new scholars who were awarded House, the State Courts and the PSC Scholarship (Legal Service) participated in a mock “Plead Guilty in 2017 to study law at approved Mention”. They also underwent a six- universities. day Mentor Attachment Programme where they were assigned to law firms The scholars were provided information/ or a department in the Legal Service/ updates on the developments in the public sector. Legal Service. They also took the opportunity to interact with their A total of 70 students were assigned to mentors and fellow scholars. the Legal Service under the “Mentor Attachment Scheme”: 27 at the As part of the continuing efforts to Attorney-General’s Chambers; 11 at engage its scholars, the Legal Service the Supreme Court; 14 at the State continued to keep them in the loop Courts; nine at the Family Justice on major events in the annual legal Courts; seven at the Legal Aid Bureau; calendar such as the Opening of the and two at the Insolvency and Public Legal Year, the Legal Service National Trustee’s Office. 21 Day Observance Ceremony and the Programme (organised by the PSC), annual SAL lecture. during which they undertook either a 4-week or a 6-week internship at Scholars who had completed the various Legal Service departments. second year of their undergraduate The internships offered the scholars law programme also undertook first-hand exposure to the work in the the PSC Scholars’ Mid-Course Legal Service.

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

The Legal Service performance their respective HODs/ROs engage organisational excellence towards management framework is premised in reviews again in September/ on the tenets of meritocracy, fairness October for the formal year-end and transparency. appraisal, ascertaining and establishing new targets and goals for the The annual refresher-workshops for forthcoming year. all HODs/Reporting Officers (“ROs”) and LSOs reiterating and emphasising To enhance the performance the various facets of the Legal Service management process and improve performance management framework communication by the HODs were held in 2017. These workshops and ROs with their LSOs on their were especially relevant for the LSOs work performance and potential, who were appointed to the Legal information on the LSOs’ approved Service in or after 2016 and who Currently Estimated Potential, would not have had the opportunity performance grading, Performance to participate in preceding sessions. Bonus, Variable Increment, Legal Professional Allowance, Long- LSOs meet their respective HODs/ Term Incentive and other specific ROs for formal feedback discussions remuneration components (for work during the Legal Service Mid-Year done in 2017) were provided to Review to evaluate objectives and key HODs for each of their individual performance indicators that were set LSOs after the annual ranking and at the conclusion of the preceding promotion exercise. Conversely, the year and to identify targeted training LSOs were also provided data on their and developmental needs for the own performance grading and the remainder of the year. The LSOs and maximum and the norm Performance 22 Bonus rates at the respective LSO 28 Timescale LSOs were promoted substantive grades to augment the into the Superscale grade. Another LSOs’ discussions with their HODs/ 105 Timescale LSOs were promoted ROs on their performance and within the Timescale grades. The potential areas for improvement. Legal Service Promotion Ceremony 2017 was held at the Supreme Court Auditorium on 29 March 2017 with the President and Members Promotions 2017 of the LSC and the Legal Service Special Personnel Boards gracing the A total of 148 LSOs were promoted occasion and interacting with the to the next higher grade in the April promoted LSOs and other officers at 2017 Promotion Exercise. Fifteen the tea reception that followed the Superscale LSOs were promoted event. within the Superscale grades and towards organisational excellence towards REMUNERATION

The Legal Service remuneration approved potential and performance framework is guided by the overarching gradings. Eligible confirmed LSOs were principles of attracting, retaining awarded the VI in April 2017. LSOs and rewarding LSOs in accordance who were on contract or probation with their individual performance were considered and awarded the VI on and potential. The core tenet of the their respective incremental dates. market-driven framework continues to be that the compensation should not lead but be maintained relative to the Performance Bonus legal services sector in Singapore. All LSOs were considered for the possible award of a Performance Bonus Annual Variable Increment (“PB”) for work done in 2016. The award of the PB continued to be based All LSOs were considered for the on the LSOs’ approved performance possible award of an annual Variable gradings. Eligible LSOs were awarded Increment (“VI”). The award of the a PB in March 2017 on the basis of VI continued to be based on the LSOs’ their approved performance gradings.

23 Long-Term Incentive Legal Professional

The Long-Term Incentive (“LTI”) Allowance framework continues to serve as a All LSOs were considered for the retention tool to encourage suitable possible payment of the Legal LSOs to pursue a long-term career Professional Allowance (“LPA”). with the Legal Service. Eligible LSOs Eligible LSOs who satisfied the who fulfilled the payment/eligibility payment/eligibility criteria were criteria were paid the LTI in March paid the LPA in September 2017. 2017.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT towards organisational excellence towards

Continuing Education Berkeley. Another LSO was awarded an LSC Scholarship to study for a Master The Legal Service continues to place high of Science in Law and Finance at the emphasis on the continuing education University of Oxford. of all LSOs and has available a suite of milestone programmes to cater to LSOs’ The Legal Service also nominates LSOs training/development needs at different for milestone programmes in leadership/ stages of their career. management. Five LSOs attended such programmes in 2017. Two LSOs Eligible LSOs may receive LSC each attended the Senior Management Scholarships to study for a Master Programme and the Governance and of Laws (“LLM”) at local or overseas Leadership Programme, respectively; institutions. In 2017, six LSOs were and one LSO attended the FIREfly awarded LSC Scholarships to study Leadership Development Programme. for an LLM. One LSO studied for an LLM at the NUS; one in Australia at One LSO completed an attachment at the University of Melbourne; one in Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited in the United Kingdom at the University 2017 under the Legal Service Scheme for College London; and three in the Commercial Attachments to companies/ United States of America at Columbia organisations. University, the New York University and the University of California,

24 THE LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION SECRETARIAT

The LSC Secretariat supports the LSC in (c) sustaining the recruitment of both the discharge of its functions. The LSC mid-career candidates and fresh law Secretariat is guided by the following graduates to cater to the organic core values in carrying out its duties: growth in the staffing requirements of specific Legal Service departments (a) attract, recruit and retain a fair share and new niche areas; of talent for the Legal Service; (d) reviewing the spectrum of milestone (b) adopt a human capital system in training programmes and list of which each LSO is accorded the approved institutions and subjects;

opportunities to develop to the organisational excellence towards fullest of his or her potential; (e) creating new LSO posts and re-grading existing LSO posts at (c) empower each LSO to take charge of various Ministries, statutory boards/ his or her professional development; statutory bodies and key institutions;

(d) identify and distinguish potential and (f) seconding LSOs to Ministries, performance through appropriate statutory boards/statutory bodies and mechanisms; and other critical government agencies to undertake specialist legal or (e) be transparent, consistent and policy work or to perform specialist innovative in people management. functions; and

The LSC Secretariat’s purview includes (g) inaugurating an Annual Systematic recruitment and establishment, talent Posting Exercise to facilitate a more development, performance management, structured and systematic posting compensation, training and career framework for LSOs. development, succession planning, discipline and exit management. The President and Members of the LSC approved the re-appointment of The LSC Secretariat undertook various Mr Hamzah Moosa as the Secretary programmes in 2017, including: of the LSC and the Chief of Staff of the Legal Service for another year with (a) showcasing the wide range of career effect from 16 July 2017. options in the Legal Service through a variety of platforms and outreach The President and Members of the programmes; LSC also approved the re-appointment of Mr Siva Shanmugam as the Deputy (b) augmenting the Legal Service Chief of Staff of the Legal Service Internship Programme to allow more with effect from 1 November 2017 for students to encounter the array of another year. opportunities in the Legal Service; 25 Advancing The Rule of Law

26 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.

THE JUDICIAL BRANCH advancing the ruleadvancing of law The Chief Justice presides over the The Supreme Court Judicial Branch of the Legal Service, which is a key component of the Supreme Court Registry and Singapore Judiciary. The LSOs in the Justices’ Law Clerks Judicial Branch serve in the Supreme Court Registry, the Justices’ Law Clerks The Supreme Court Registry comprises (“JLC”) pool at the Supreme Court, three divisions, one each for the Court the Office of the Chief Justice at the of Appeal, the High Court, and the Supreme Court, the Singapore Judicial Singapore International Commercial Court (“SICC”). Each divisional registry College (“SJC”), the State Courts and is led by a Divisional Registrar, who in the Family Justice Courts (“FJC”). turn reports directly to the Registrar.

The LSOs in the Supreme Court Registry The registrars have a range of judicial are supervised by the Registrar of the duties. In the exercise of their civil Supreme Court, while the JLCs and the jurisdiction, they hear a full range of Office of the Chief Justice come under pre and post-trial applications in the the direct oversight of the Chief Justice. High Court, which run the gamut from The LSOs in the State Courts and the FJC applications for discovery to applications are supervised by the Presiding Judge of for summary judgment. They exercise the State Courts and the Presiding Judge criminal jurisdiction when they sit of the FJC, respectively. as District Judges and Magistrates to

27 preside over committal hearings listed Also supporting the work of the in the High Court. Finally, they play Supreme Court are JLCs, who assist an active role in the management of the Judges of the Supreme Court with both civil and criminal cases by setting various aspects of their work. In their appropriate timelines and giving two years with the Supreme Court, procedural directions to ensure the each JLC will be assigned to two High expeditious disposal of matters. Court Judges/Judicial Commissioners (each for a term of six months) in the Apart from their judicial duties, the first year before moving on to clerk registrars also play an active role in legal for the Chief Justice and the Judges and judicial reform and international of Appeal on a rotational basis in the engagement. In 2017, the Supreme second year. During this time, the JLCs

Court Registry was involved in several are not only mentored by the Supreme the ruleadvancing of law key strategic initiatives, such as the Court Bench, but are also afforded Judicial Insolvency Network, the Civil ample opportunities for professional Justice Commission, and the Committee development through the talks which for the Professional Training of Lawyers. are organised under the auspices The registrars also play an active role in of the JLC Continuing Education professional discipline by supporting Programme. 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 registrars are supported in their work – the Registrar, the Deputy Registrar, by a capable team of registry officers, three Senior Assistant Registrars, and and their professional development is 25 Assistant Registrars – and 29 JLCs. secured through their participation in various training programmes which Vincent Hoong Seng Lei are organised by the SJC as well as Registrar conferences and talks (both held within Supreme Court and outside of Singapore) that they are encouraged to attend.

28 Office Of The Singapore Judicial College Chief Justice The SJC serves the learning and developmental needs of a professional The Chief Executive (Office of the judges corps. Chief Justice) (“CE”) is the Accounting Officer for the Supreme Court In 2017, the SJC’s Local Wing conducted and the FJC. The CE ensures the 37 continuing education and special implementation of a strong governance, programmes for the local Bench. Notably, risk and compliance framework and the SJC launched the Masterclass series oversees the effective administrative conducted by our Supreme Court and and operational matters in the Supreme International Judges, leading local counsel Court and the FJC. In addition, the CE and eminent Queen’s Counsel, which provides strategic policy support and exposed judges to ‘best-in-class’ views on the ruleadvancing of law oversees strategic projects as directed contract law, admiralty law and cross- by the Chief Justice. The CE also border insolvency. In the face of new continues to oversee the promotional challenges and demands of judicial work, and development work of the SICC. the SJC also introduced judicial wellness programmes into its curriculum. In 2017, the CE led a multi-agency effort in the successful establishment The SJC’s International Wing continues of the inaugural Singapore-China to offer flagship and signature training Legal and Judicial Roundtable, as well programmes and lend technical assistance as the signing of a Memorandum of to foreign judiciaries. The SJC conducted Understanding on legal and judicial 13 international programmes, including its cooperation between the Supreme inaugural leadership programme in court Court of Singapore and the Supreme governance, which focused on leading People’s Court of the People’s Republic implementations in judicial reforms, of China. case management, court technology and dispute resolution, as well as excellence As at 31 December 2017, there was one in judicial administration. The SJC has LSO in the Office of the Chief Justice. trained close to 1,000 foreign participants across 70 jurisdictions to date. Juthika Ramanathan (Ms) Chief Executive The SJC awarded grants to two new Office of the Chief Justice 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 Supreme Court Registry, Office of the Chief Justice and Singapore Judicial College advancing the ruleadvancing of law

(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 Justices’ Law Clerks advancing the ruleadvancing of law

(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 The State Courts Courts initiative, a collaboration with the Singapore After-Care Association.

2017 was a fulfilling year for the State The State Courts also organised events that Courts, with various initiatives launched drew strong international and domestic to provide the public with meaningful participation. The inaugural Executive access to justice. Leadership Programme for Court and Tribunal Administrators (“Programme”), To empower court users in this digital age, jointly organised with the Lee Kuan Yew we launched Phase 2A of the Integrated School of Public Policy, was held from Criminal Case Filing and Management 16 to 21 January 2017. Participants System, providing accused persons included judges, senior registrars and online access to their case files, allowing court and tribunal administrators from them to submit applications online and Australia, Cameroon, Marshall Islands, advancing the ruleadvancing of law upload documents. The launch of the Myanmar, Serbia, the United Arab first phase of the Community Justice and Emirates and Singapore, and justice Tribunals System enabled parties using reform specialists from the World Bank. the Small Claims process to conduct part of their cases online, including In conjunction with the Programme, the filing claims, submitting documents and State Courts launched the International e-negotiating settlements. Framework for Court Excellence (“IFCE”) State Courts of Singapore Court processes were also streamlined. Model, which refreshed the IFCE to Small Claims Tribunals cases with no ensure its relevance to the State Courts. complex legal issues are fast-tracked and The IFCE was first developed by a heard within 24 hours under the Short consortium comprising the State Courts Mediation and Hearing initiative. The and partners from Australia, Europe, and Employment Claims Tribunals launched the United States. on 1 April 2017 adopt simplified procedures and a judge-led approach in a The Sentencing Conference 2017, tribunal setting not involving lawyers for co-organised with the Singapore Academy statutory and contractual salary-related of Law, was held on 26 and 27 October claims. This provides parties with a speedy, 2017. More than 300 participants from low-cost forum for employment disputes. the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Australia, New Zealand, Court users were also supported in other Myanmar and Singapore came together ways. Parties to motor accident and to discuss sentencing, rehabilitation and personal injury claims can better evaluate reintegration, with the aim of enhancing their legal positions following the launch the fairness and effectiveness of the of the Practitioners’ Library - Assessment criminal justice system. of Damages: Personal Injuries and Fatal Accidents (3rd edition) and the Electronic As at 31 December 2017, there were 84 Motor Accident Guide. On-site support LSOs in the State Courts. services will be provided to families of offenders who have been sentenced with Justice See Kee Oon the launch of the family-connect @ State Presiding Judge State Courts

32 State Courts Senior Management advancing the ruleadvancing of law

(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 State Courts 34

advancing the rule of law Ms Janet Wang LanJee, MsConstance Tay Woan Fen, MsJosephine KangSin Wil, MsKarolyn Gin Hoey Kum Hoong, Patrick Tay Wei Sheng, Kessler Soh BoonLeng,NgCheng Thiam, Eugene Teo Weng Kuan, MsCarolyn Woo Wai-Ling, Ms KanShuk Weng, Kenneth Choo Wing Kong, Koh Juay Kherng, Tan Jen Tse, Joseph Yeo Swee Teck, Seah Chi-Ling, Ms LorraineHo Yi May, Kevin Kwek Tze Hern, Chua Wei Yuan, Shawn Ho HsiMing, ChristopherGoh Eng Chiang, Shaiffudin Bin Saruwan, Ronald Gwee Tiong Kee, MsJill Tan LiChing, MsOng Luan Tze, Kenneth Yap Yew Choh Ms Sandra LooiAiLin,Edgar Foo Mau Peng, John Ng, Wong Thai Chuan,Adam Nakhoda, Ow Yong Tuck Leong, Ms Koh Jiaying, MsLohLihJeng, MsRegina LimSiew Mei, MsKamalaPonnampalam, MsSalina Binte Ishak, Ms Thian Yee Sze (Principal District Judge, Centre forDispute Resolution), Siva Shanmugam, Chay Yuen Fatt, Terence Tay Wei Heng, MsGeorgina Lum Baoling, Ms Yan Jiakang, MsOlivia Low Pei Sze, MrsBrenda Tan, Ms Tan May Tee, Lim Wee Ming, Toh Yung Cheong,Eddy Tham Tong Kong, Peter Lo,MsFong KingMan, Prem Rajs/oPrabakaran, ChiahKok Khun, MsMay Lucia Mesenas, MsJasbendar Kaurd/oResham Singh Ms Lynette Yap Beng Lyn, MsDorothy LingFeng Mei, MsCarol LingFeng Yong, MsLeeLiChoon, Justice See Kee Oon (Presiding Judge oftheState ChiefJustice Courts), Sundaresh Menon, Victor Yeo KheeEng (Principal Director, Strategic Planning and Technology Division), Bala Reddy (Principal District Judge, CommunityJustice and Tribunals Division), James LeongKui Yiu (Principal District Judge, CivilJustice Division), Ms Jennifer Marie (Deputy Presiding Judge oftheState Courts), Luke Tan Loke Yong, MsLauraLauChin Yui, Soh Tze Bian, Lim Wen Juin, MsCheeMin Ping, MsDiana Haven Ho Lim Tse Haw, Mathew Joseph, MsSarah Tan Yin Tze Ms Ong ChinRhu,Ms Wong Peck (Left toRight)Second Row: (Left toRight)Fourth Row: (Left to Right) Third Row:(Left toRight) (Left toRight)Front Row: (Left toRight)Back Row: 35

advancing the rule of law The Family Justice Courts designated social agencies, electronic case- management, and electronic-generation of Court Orders, Notices and statistical In 2017, the FJC embarked on a number reports. of important initiatives to further support children and parties caught in family The FJC has also contributed, as part conflicts, and facilitate the harmonious of a multi-disciplinary committee, to resolution of disputes. the development of a proposed child maintenance table to facilitate the Commencing court proceedings is harmonious resolution of disputes. never easy. Victims of family violence Used as a judicial tool in determining are particularly affected because of the quantum of child maintenance, the the intimate nature of the distress. We table can provide objectivity and greater have sought to ease their anxieties by consistency in the determination of the ruleadvancing of law establishing the Family Protection Centre maintenance awards. It can also assist to assist family violence victims applying parties by facilitating settlements. for protection orders. The Centre provides a more conducive environment, allowing Parties have also been supported after applicants to move along the various court orders have been made. Where stages of the application with ease, while appropriate, by the agreement of parties, offering them privacy and assurance. Parenting Coordinators were appointed to work directly with parents to facilitate Case management is especially important communication and assist in resolving in family proceedings where parties are disagreements concerning custody and also undergoing a difficult emotional access orders. In its pilot scheme last journey. Cases must be managed year, lawyers were trained to take on the sensitively and expeditiously to minimise role of Parenting Coordinators. Training further distress. The FJC conducted a was extended this year to professionals pilot on the individual docketing from the social science fields, expanding system where each case was managed the number and variety of expertise by a single judge from commencement of Parenting Coordinators available to to final disposition. This ensured a good, parents. consistent, and fair control over all matters related to the same case. The first Presiding Judge of the FJC, Justice Valerie Thean, had spearheaded The FJC also harnessed technology to many initiatives. We will build on the enhance access to justice and increase strong foundations for a robust family efficiency in the processes. The FJC justice system in the FJC. launched the integrated Family Application Management System As at 31 December 2017, there were 39 (“iFAMS”), a comprehensive end-to- LSOs in the FJC. end system for applications for family protection and maintenance. The iFAMS Justice Debbie Ong Siew Ling (Ms) covers aspects such as off-site preparation Presiding Judge and filing of applications from home or Family Justice Courts

36 Family Justice Courts advancing the ruleadvancing of law

(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 THE LEGAL BRANCH

The Attorney-General heads the Legal of laws, the AGC advises Government Branch. Legal Branch LSOs serve in the on how to govern and advance its policy Attorney-General’s Chambers (“AGC”), objectives within the framework of the departments of Ministries with LSO rule of law. As the office of the Public positions, or statutory boards/statutory Prosecutor, the AGC is responsible bodies and key public institutions. for administering even-handed and the ruleadvancing of law fair criminal justice by conducting all criminal prosecutions independently of The Attorney-General’s Government. The AGC also represents Singapore at international negotiations Chambers and dispute settlement proceedings, and acts as the central authority for mutual The AGC is led by the Attorney- legal assistance in criminal matters and General, with the Deputy Attorneys- extradition. General and Solicitors-General. As at 14 January 2017, Mr Lucien Wong The Attorney-General is assisted by the Yuen Kuai took office as Attorney- LSOs in the five legal divisions of the General, with Deputy Attorney- AGC. These are the Criminal Justice General Mr Lionel Yee Woon Chin, Division (“CJD”), the Financial and Solicitor-General Mr Kwek Mean Luck Technology Crime Division (“FTCD”), and Second Solicitor-General Ms Mavis the International Affairs Division Chionh Sze Chyi. Mr Hri Kumar Nair (“IAD”), the Civil Division and the took office as Deputy Attorney-General Legislation Division (“LEGIS”). The on 1 March 2017. Second Solicitor- LSOs posted to the AGC Academy, the General Ms Mavis Chionh Sze Chyi was Strategic Planning and Organisational appointed as a Judicial Commissioner Excellence Office (“SPO”) and the of the High Court on 12 March 2018. Legal Technology and Innovation office (“LTIO”) also support the work of The AGC performs a critical role in the AGC. advancing the rule of law. As the chief legal advisor to Government and drafter

38 AGC Academy The Attorney-General’s

The AGC Academy was restructured Office as a standalone division from The SPO assists the AGC’s Leadership 1 July 2017 with a full-time team Team to identify and plan for strategic to meet the increased demands for organisational opportunities and cross-divisional, competency-based challenges. In 2017, the SPO focused training and knowledge management on engagement and organisational across the AGC. Incorporating the transformation. The SPO deepened former Knowledge Management Unit and Prosecution School, the AGC employee and stakeholder engagement Academy comprises four units: the efforts, and kick-started initiatives to strengthen the leadership collective in the

School of Legal Knowledge (“SLK”), the ruleadvancing of law the School of Leadership and AGC. Administration (“SLA”), the Knowledge Management (“KM”) and the Secretariat. Low Siew Ling (Ms) Senior Director The SLK provides training on substantive Strategic Planning and Organisational law and cross-divisional legal skills, Excellence Office complementing other Divisional training, Attorney-General’s Chambers while the SLA looks into training on leadership, managerial and administrative skills. Training highlights in 2017 included the expanded Professional Development Legal Technology and Programme and Lessons from the Lectern Innovation Office series of knowledge-sharing by senior LSOs, Queen’s Counsel and legal experts. The LTIO was set up in 2017 to raise the AGC’s legal technology expertise and The KM, which oversees the AGC’s cross- to progress digital innovation within the divisional KM libraries and processes, AGC. The LTIO aims to introduce new launched the SG Cases Repository and useful technologies into the AGC to database in 2017, and equipped officers improve service delivery in a fast-changing with timely legal updates such as new International QuickNotes. The digital age. Secretariat provides administrative support for the AGC Academy’s learning As at 31 December 2017, there was one and knowledge management systems and LSO in the LTIO. the implementation of cross-divisional training and the KM’s initiatives. Lim How Khang Deputy Director As at 31 December 2017, there were Legal Technology and Innovation Office four LSOs in the AGC Academy. Attorney-General’s Chambers Hui Choon Kuen Dean AGC Academy Attorney-General’s Chambers 39 The Attorney-General’s Office advancing the ruleadvancing of law

(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 Criminal Justice Division and sexual assault by penetration offences.

The CJD is responsible for advancing (c) In Suventher Shanmugam v Public the public interest through a fair and Prosecutor [2017] 2 SLR 115, the impartial policy in the prosecution of Prosecution assisted the Court of offenders and providing sound advice to Appeal to formulate sentencing Government on criminal issues. guidelines for the offence of importing an amount of drugs just The CJD officers are deployed in one of below the capital threshold. four specialist groups: (1) Crimes against Person, Public Order and Related Crimes (d) In Public Prosecutor v Sakthikanesh Group; (2) Sex Crimes Group; (3) s/o Chidambaram and other appeals Drug Offences, Serious, Organised and and another matter [2017] 5 SLR the ruleadvancing of law Property Crimes Group; and (4) Selected 707, the Prosecution successfully appealed for an increase in the Litigation, Policy and Advisory Group. sentences imposed on National In 2017, the CJD officers were actively Service defaulters convicted of involved in developing and clarifying remaining outside Singapore without a valid exit permit. A important principles of criminal and three-judge bench of the High sentencing law, such as through the Court laid down a sentencing initiation of prosecution appeals and framework for such offences criminal references. Notable cases under the Enlistment Act. included the following: The CJD continues to make the (a) In Public Prosecutor v Yeo Ek Boon development of its officers a priority. Jeffrey and another matter [2017] The CJD officers attended courses and SGHC 306, the Prosecution conferences in Singapore and overseas, successfully sought an increase in and participated in study visits and the sentence of an accused convicted attachments to leading foreign law of assault on a police officer firms and prosecuting agencies in the under section 332 of the Penal United States of America, the United Code. A three-judge bench of the Kingdom, Australia, China and Hong High Court laid down important Kong. sentencing guidelines for future cases involving police officers and As of 31 December 2017, there were other law enforcement officers. 127 LSOs in the CJD. (b) In Ng Kean Meng Terence v Public Prosecutor [2017] 2 SLR 449 and Kow Keng Siong Pram Nair v Public Prosecutor Chief Prosecutor [2017] 2 SLR 1015, the Prosecution Criminal Justice Division assisted the Court of Appeal to clarify Attorney-General’s Chambers the sentencing framework for rape

41 Criminal Justice Division 42

advancing the rule of law Mrs Shahla Iqbal,MsSiti Adrianni Binte Marhain, Ms Yvonne Goh Qiu Ting, MsGoh Yi Ling,MsGrace ChuaZhu Ern, Ms Joanne Leong Wai Teng, MsMarie ChristinaKoh Sok Kheng, Ms Tan Wen Hsien,MsStephanie Koh Wan Ling, Lee Sing Lit,Mohamed Faizal s/oMohamed Abdul Kadir, Wong Kok Weng, Anandans/oBala, Han Ming Kuang, Isaac Tan ChoonKiat,Francis Ng Yong Kiat,Lau Wing Yum, Mark Tay Swee Keng, Winston Cheng Howe Ming Ms Esther Wong Mei-Yu, MsEunice LauSu Hui, MsRachel Tan Jia Qi,MsSarah Shi Pei-Yi, MsChee Ee Ling, Kumaresan s/oGohulabalan, Tan Wen Shan, Tang Shangjun, DwayneLum Wen Yi, Jason ChuaChuanHwee, Andre Chong Wei Min, RajaMohan s/oKrishnaraju,AshrafBin Hassan, Ng Yiwen, Winston Man Kah-Soon, Ms Charlene Tay Chia,MsManickamalar KayalvizhiPillay, MsLi Yihong, MsJesintha d/o Veijayaratnam, Mr HriKumar Nair (Deputy Attorney-General), Kow Keng Siong (ChiefProsecutor), NgCheng Thiam, Mr Lionel Yee Woon Chin(Deputy Attorney-General), Mr Lucien Wong Yuen Kuai (Attorney-General), Quilindo Michael ZhiCheng,Mark Yeo Kee Teng, Houston Tian Jin Johannus, Jotham Tay Zi Xun, David KhooKimLeng,MsLeeLitCheng,MrKwek Mean Luck (Solicitor-General), Ms Chew Xin Ms Chew Ying, MsSheryl Yeo Su Hui (Left toRight)Second Row: (Left toRight)Front Row: (Left toRight)Back Row: Zhuo Wenzhao 43

advancing the rule of law Criminal Justice Division 44

advancing the rule of law Ms AmandaSum Yun Qian,MsDarshini Ramiah,MsRebecca Wong Pei Xian,MsShen Wanqin, Ms Tan Yanying, Lee Sing Lit,Mohamed Faizal s/oMohamed Abdul Kadir, Wong Kok Weng, Anandans/oBala, Han Ming Kuang, Isaac Tan ChoonKiat,Francis Ng Yong Kiat,Lau Wing Yum, Mark Tay Swee Keng, Winston ChengHowe Ming John Lu Zhuoren, Chong Yong, Jaime Pang, Terence ChuaSeng Leng,Kenny Yang Yong, Wong Woon Kwong, Muhammad Zulhafni Bin Haji Zulkeflee, Bhajanvir Singh, Charleston Teo Wei Wen, Nicholas Wuan KinLek, Ms Shana Poon Jingjie, MsShenna Tjoa Kai-En, MsDeborah Tang Pei Le,MsSoh Weiqi, MsRimplejitKaur, Mr HriKumar Nair (Deputy Attorney-General), Kow Keng Siong (ChiefProsecutor), NgCheng Thiam, Mr Lionel Yee Woon Chin(Deputy Attorney-General), Mr Lucien Wong Yuen Kuai (Attorney-General), Ms Peggy Pao-Keerthi Pei Yu, MsEsther Tang Jia Le,MsMichelle Lu Wei Yi, MsAngFeng Qian Chan Yi Cheng, Huang Jiahui, Senthilkumaran s/oSabapathy, David Thomas Fong Crawshaw, Ms Theong LiHan, MsApril Phang Suet Fern, MsSelene Yap Wan Ting, MsLimShin Hui, David KhooKimLeng,MsLeeLitCheng,MrKwek Mean Luck (Solicitor-General), Mark AnandJayaratnam, LimJian Yi, ChinJincheng (Left toRight)Second Row: (Left toRight)Front Row: (Left toRight)Back Row: 45

advancing the rule of law Financial and Technology technologically-sophisticated means to target certain slot machines. Crime Division This allowed them to predict outcomes of play. They racked The FTCD prosecutes commercial, up winnings of almost $109,000. corruption, cybercrime and casino All three offenders pleaded guilty regulatory offences. to offences of cheating at play under the Casino Control Act, and were In 2017, some of the cases which were sentenced to between 22 to 45 months’ dealt with included: imprisonment. The High Court laid down a new sentencing framework (a) Public Prosecutor v Toh Hock for these offences. Thiam and Others (DAC-944502- 2015 and Others) – Almost 1,300 (d) Public Prosecutor v Leo Kah Woon the ruleadvancing of law counterfeit casino chips of very high (DAC-931632-2016 and Others) quality, with a face value of $1,000 – This was the first prosecution each, were exchanged for cash at the of an offence under section 6(1) casino. More than 16 offenders were of the Computer Misuse and involved. The mastermind and main Cybersecurity Act. A doctor recruiter were sentenced to 88 and 60 installed keystroke logging software months’ imprisonment, respectively. on his wife’s laptop without her Various runners received sentences knowledge or permission. He did ranging from five to 22 months. so to intercept his wife’s personal communications and used them (b) Abdul Ghani Bin Tahir v Public against her in divorce proceedings. Prosecutor [2017] 4 SLR 1153 – He was fined $13,000 (in default This was the first prosecution six weeks’ imprisonment). of a company director for the company’s money laundering offences The FTCD also studied and proposed attributable to his neglect, and legislative changes to amend the Penal his failure to exercise reasonable Code, and to introduce Deferred diligence as a director. The offender Prosecution Agreements in Singapore. had incorporated the company in The FTCD also coordinated with the course of providing corporate other jurisdictions to reach a global secretarial services. The High Court resolution in respect of corruption established sentencing guidelines offences committed overseas by a large and benchmarks in this case. The Singapore corporation. total sentence was 12 months’ imprisonment, and a fine of $50,000 As at 31 December 2017, there were 59 (in default 10 weeks’ imprisonment). LSOs in the FTCD. (c) Logachev Vladislav v Public Prosecutor [2018] SGHC 12 – Tan Ken Hwee The three offenders were Russian Chief Prosecutor nationals who were part of an Financial and Technology Crime Division international syndicate that used Attorney-General’s Chambers

46 Financial and Technology Crime Division 47

advancing the rule of law Suhas Malhotra, Kelvin Chong Yue Hua, Tan Weiming, Nicholas Tan Beng Leong,Kevin Yong Ee Wen, Foo Shi Hao, Ms Victoria Ting Yue Xin,Ms Tan Pei Wei, MsCheng Yuxi, MsJasmin Kaur, Ms Tay Jingxi, MsLynn Tan Jin Ling, Norman Yew LiChuen, Vincent Ong KitLiang, Thiagesh Sukumaran, Tow Chi,Kenneth Chew ChinJiayang, Ms Stephanie Xizhi,MsLee Chew Ti-Ting, MsAlexandriaShamini Joseph, MsMagdalene Huang Xin’en, Tan Ken Hwee (ChiefProsecutor), Tan KiatPheng, Ivan ChuaBoonChwee, ChristopherOng Siu Jin, Nicholas Khoo Tian Lun, Leong Weng Tat, Jordon LiMingjie, MsAngSiok Chen,MsLohHui-min, Mr Lucien Wong Yuen Kuai (Attorney-General), MrHriKumar Nair (Deputy Attorney-General), Mr Kwek Mean Luck (Solicitor-General), MrLionel Yee Woon Chin(Deputy Attorney-General), Hon Yi, AlanLoh Yong Kah,Peter Koy Su Hua, Gnanasihamani Kannan,Leong Wing Tuck, Ms NgJean Ting, MsStacey AnneFernandez, MsHaniza BteMohammad Reeza Abnass Teo Yu Chou, Gregory Gan Wee Kiat, Jiang Ke-Yue Gordon Oh Chun Wei, Teo Guan Siew (Left toRight)Second Row: (Left toRight)Front Row: (Left toRight)Back Row: 48

advancing the rule of law In bilateral matters, the IAD was International Affairs extensively involved in the two cases filed Division by Malaysia against Singapore before the International Court of Justice relating The IAD advances and protects to Pedra Branca and South Ledge, took Singapore’s interest through international part in negotiations for the Rapid Transit law. System Link Agreement with Malaysia and also advised on bilateral FTA In 2017, the IAD advised Government negotiations, including the Sri Lanka- on a range of international law Singapore FTA. issues, including human rights, the environment, security, free trade In terms of engagement with agreements (“FTA”) and investment international bodies, the IAD participated agreements, as well as matters relating to in presenting Singapore’s Fifth diplomatic privileges and immunities. Periodic Report at the 68th Session the ruleadvancing of law of the UN Committee on the On the multilateral front, the IAD Elimination of Discrimination against supported agencies and represented Women, supported the preparation of Singapore in negotiations: Singapore’s Fourth and Fifth Periodic Report to the UN Committee on the (a) to develop the compliance mechanism Rights of the Child and supported in the Paris Agreement on carbon agencies in the visit by the Convention emissions during the 23rd Conference on International Trade in Endangered of Parties to the United Nations Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (“UN”) Climate Change Conference; Standing Committee to Singapore.

(b) on FTAs, including the Compre- As the Central Authority for mutual legal hensive and Progressive Agreement assistance matters, the IAD managed for Trans-Pacific Partnership and numerous incoming and outgoing the Regional Comprehensive requests for assistance. The IAD also Economic Partnership; and processed a number of extradition requests from jurisdictions with which (c) to expand air traffic rights including Singapore has extradition arrangements. Protocols to the ASEAN Air Services Agreement, the Comprehensive In conjunction with the celebration for the Agreement on ASEAN-EU Air AGC’s 150th Anniversary, the IAD invited Transport, and the Singapore-Peru Air Professor Vaughan Lowe QC to speak at Services Agreement. the annual International Law Speakers Series on recent key developments in Two LSOs supported the Permanent international dispute settlement. Representative of Singapore to the UN when he co-facilitated the Ocean As at 31 December 2017, there were 39 Conference. One LSO supported the LSOs in the IAD. Permanent Representative when he chaired the Sixth Committee of the UN Daphne Hong Fan Sin (Ms) General Assembly (“UNGA”). This was Director-General the first time that Singapore chaired a International Affairs Division main committee at the UNGA. Attorney-General’s Chambers

49 International Affairs Division advancing the ruleadvancing of law

(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 Civil Division declarations that the appellants were entitled to copies and unfettered use of the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s The Civil Division (“Division”) plays a oral history transcripts. vital role in protecting and advancing

Government’s interests. In 2017, the (d) Tan Cheng Bock v Attorney- Division advised Government on General ([2017] 5 SLR 424, several complex matters, ranging from [2017] 2 SLR 850) (“Tan Cheng the Presidential Election 2017 to the Bock”) and Ravi s/o Madasamy implementation of the National Trade v Attorney-General & other Platform. The Division also reviewed matters ([2017] 5 SLR 489) documents relating to the licensing of (“M. Ravi”) – The Attorney- software and provision of cloud services General successfully resisted two for the Whole-of-Government. separate constitutional challenges the ruleadvancing of law against the elected presidency. Both Notable litigation matters handled by matters were heard on an urgent the Division in 2017 included: basis due to the then upcoming Presidential Election 2017. In (a) Attorney-General v Eugene Tan Cheng Bock, Parliament’s Thuraisingam (HC/OS 581/2017) decision to choose President Wee – Eugene Thuraisingam, a lawyer, Kim Wee’s last term of office as published a poem on Facebook the first term to be counted for alleging that Singapore’s judges the purposes of deciding whether subordinated their judicial duty to the next presidential election was a financial greed. He was fined $6,000 reserved election was challenged. In for contempt of court. M. Ravi, the plaintiff argued that the reserved elections framework, (b) Deepak Sharma v Law Society of and the entire elected presidency Singapore ([2017] 1 SLR 862) – scheme itself, were unconstitutional. The Attorney-General participated as guardian of the public interest As part of its training and outreach in a judicial review application efforts, the Division again organised challenging the decision of a review the Public Procurement Conference. committee appointed under the Further, the Division continued to Legal Profession Act. This was offer local and overseas training the first time the Court of Appeal programmes for its officers. had to consider a complaint of professional misconduct relating to As at 31 December 2017, there were 50 solicitors overclaiming party-and- LSOs in the Division. party costs. David Chong Gek Sian (c) Lee Wei Ling and another v Chief Counsel Attorney-General ([2017] 2 SLR Civil Division 786) – The Attorney-General Attorney-General’s Chambers successfully resisted the appeal for

51 Civil Division 52

advancing the rule of law Ms Joey LimZuo Yi, MsRuth Ng Yew Ching,MsHannah ChengXin Ying, MsElaine Ling Liew Wei, MsJessie Lim, Ms LindaEstherFoo Hui Ling,MsElgina ChuaFeng Yi, MsJocelyn Teo Meng Hui, MsAmanda Tan Chek Yin, Gordon Lim Wei Wen, Jeyendran s/oJeyapal, Joel ChenZhi’en, Sivakumar Ramasamy, Jasper Wong Chun Yin, Leong Kit Yu, AngBoonKwan, Douglas ChiQiyuan,Joshua LaiZhiyang, Tan Sze Yao, LouisNgShi Zheng Mr HriKumar Nair (Deputy Attorney-General), David ChongGek Sian (ChiefCounsel),MsSia AikKor, Mr Lionel Yee Woon Chin(Deputy Attorney-General), Mr Lucien Wong Yuen Kuai (Attorney-General), David Lee Yeow Wee, Ms Toh Hwee Lian,Hui ChoonKuen, MrKwek Mean Luck (Solicitor-General), Ms Germaine Boey Yi Ling,Ms Vanessa Yeo Xue Ying, MsSarah ChuaXin Yi, MsCarrieZheng Yuan, Ms May Ng,MsUni Khng, MsDebra LamQian Yi Khoo BooJin, Soh Kee Bun, Phua Wee Chuan (Left toRight)Second Row: (Left toRight)Front Row: (Left toRight)Back Row: 53

advancing the rule of law Legislation Division In July 2017, LEGIS organised the Australasian Parliamentary Counsel’s LEGIS is Singapore’s central law drafting Committee IT Forum 2017 (“PCC office and keeper of the Singapore IT Forum”) and post-Forum drafting statute book. It provides law drafting workshop. The PCC IT Forum provided and legislative consultancy services to all a platform for delegates from the law public sector agencies and Town Councils, drafting offices of Australia (Federal and supports the rule of law by providing and State-level), New Zealand, Hong free online public access to Singapore Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei legislation through the Singapore Statutes to share their law drafting and publishing Online (“SSO”) website. LEGIS supplies advancements and challenges using legislation content to the Singapore technology. This was the second time Academy of Law for its LawNet service. the PCC IT Forum was held outside of the ruleadvancing of law Australia. In 2017, 50 Bills were drafted and LEGIS remains committed to assisting introduced in Parliament (a 25% increase its ASEAN counterparts. In November from 2016), of which one was an Urgent 2017, LEGIS conducted a two-day Bill and two were Hybrid Bills requiring legislative drafting workshop in Myanmar Select Committees. The significant Bills under the auspices of the Memorandum which Parliament had passed included the of Understanding between The Ministry Presidential Elections (Amendment) Act of Law of the Republic of Singapore 2017, the Early Childhood Development and The Union Attorney General’s Centres Act 2017, the Stamp Duties Office of the Republic of Myanmar (Amendment) Act 2017 and the Public on the Singapore-Myanmar Integrated Sector (Governance) Act 2018. LEGIS Legal Exchange. LEGIS also travelled to published 808 pieces of subsidiary Laos to discuss the technical assistance legislation (4,508 pages) and rendered that LEGIS would provide to the Laos 2,007 pieces of advice outside of drafts. Ministry of Justice in 2018.

LEGIS’ main achievement in 2017 was As at 31 December 2017, there were 30 the official launch of the new SSO LSOs in LEGIS. website on 15 December 2017. Work to enhance the website started in 2014 as Owi Beng Ki (Mrs) part of the Plain Laws Understandable Deputy Solicitor-General and by Singaporeans project. The new website Chief Legislative Counsel Legislation Division offers improved accessibility to Singapore’s Attorney-General’s Chambers legislation, with easier navigation, features, mobile device compatibility and facility to support copying-and-pasting of text without losing formatting.

54 Legislation Division advancing the ruleadvancing of law

(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 Ministries, Legal and the Land Transport Authority. A senior LSO usually assumes primary Service Departments responsibility for the administration and Statutory Boards/ and management of these organisations or departments. Statutory Bodies Ministry of Defence LSOs may be posted to Ministries as representatives of the Attorney-General The Ministry of Defence (“MINDEF”) to undertake an extensive range of Legal Services Department (“MLS”) legal work. The current Ministries are: provides legal support to the MINDEF, Defence; Law; Home Affairs; Manpower; the Singapore Armed Forces (“SAF”) Education; Health; Social and Family and MINDEF-related organisations. Development; Communications and The MLS is helmed by the Director, the ruleadvancing of law Information; Culture, Community and Legal Services, who is concurrently Youth; and National Development. appointed by the Armed Forces Council LSOs serving in these Ministries as Director Legal Services, and Chief provide legal advice, draft and vet legal Military Prosecutor of the SAF. documents, and assist in the review and drafting of legislation. They may A pro bono legal assistance scheme also be involved in the formulation of was initiated in 2017 to enhance the policies, administration of finances and military justice system. This MINDEF- personnel, prosecution work, and hold administered and funded scheme allows leadership or management positions servicemen facing complex charges within their respective ministries. to apply for legal representation by external lawyers, and supplements LSOs may also be posted to Legal Service the Defending Officers (“DOs”) who departments or seconded to statutory represent servicemen facing court boards/statutory bodies and key public martial proceedings. To-date, the MLS institutions. These include the Legal has trained more than 250 DOs in Aid Bureau, the Insolvency and Public practical court-based skills. Trustee’s Office, the Syariah Court, the Commercial Affairs Department, The MLS also worked closely with the Competition and Consumer the AGC on various sentencing Commission of Singapore, the appeals involving National Service Accounting and Corporate Regulatory (“NS”) defaulters, culminating in Authority, the Intellectual Property Public Prosecutor v Sakthikanesh s/o Office of Singapore, the Singapore Land Chidambaram and other appeals and Authority, the Monetary Authority another matter [2017] 5 SLR 707, where the High Court reaffirmed the of Singapore, the Office of the Public universality principle of NS and the Guardian, the Economic Development deterrence principle, and set out an Board, the Inland Revenue Authority of enhanced sentencing framework. The Singapore, the National Environment Court also affirmed that exceptional Agency, the Singapore Medical Council, NS performance and lack of substantial the Health Sciences Authority, the connection to Singapore are generally Personal Data Protection Commission, not relevant mitigating factors. 56 The MLS officers participated as Bug Bounty Programme, involving staff judge advocates in multilateral 264 white hats testing eight major military exercises, including Exercise MINDEF Internet-facing systems. Suman Protector in Malaysia and Exercise Cobra Gold in Thailand. The MLS assisted in the successful The MLS also introduced a negotiation of Finance and Development continuing legal training framework Implementing Arrangements governing the joint development of training areas for Operationally Ready National in Australia under the Comprehensive Servicemen lawyers and organised Strategic Partnership. training workshops by foreign legal experts, including “Rules of As at 31 December 2017, there were six Engagement” by Commander Ian LSOs in the MLS. Park from the Royal Navy. advancing the ruleadvancing of law Teoh Ai Lin (Ms) To support the MINDEF’s focus on Director cybersecurity, the MLS advised the Legal Services Department Defence Cyber Organisation on the Ministry of Defence & execution of the MINDEF’s first Singapore Armed Forces

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 Ministry of Law control and ownership of trusts. It also oversaw the signing of a Host Country The Legal Group at the Ministry of Law Agreement between Government and (“MinLaw”) plays a critical role in the the Permanent Court of Arbitration MinLaw’s mission to advance access to (“PCA”) to set up a PCA office in justice, the rule of law, the economy and Singapore. This PCA office augments society through policy, law and services. Singapore’s position as an international hub for dispute resolution. The Legal Policy Division (“LPD”) engages in substantive law reform in The Policy Advisory Division civil, community-related, criminal and (“PAD”) works with the MinLaw’s family laws. It also oversees governance Legal Industry Division, Professional Services Programme Office, Land and legal policy matters in Government the ruleadvancing of law by ensuring that legislation reflects Policy Division, Intellectual Property sound legal policy principles. In 2017, Policy Division, and Community Legal the LPD held a public consultation Services Division on the legal aspects of on a major revision to the Criminal policy formulation and implementation. Procedure Code in areas ranging from In 2017, the PAD delivered several the powers of investigators to the court’s legislative reforms including the new sentencing powers. The consultation Mediation Act 2017 and its Rules, as also considered measures to increase well as amendments to the Companies protection for vulnerable victims of Act and related subsidiary legislation to child abuse and sexual offences during enhance Singapore’s debt restructuring investigative and court processes. framework. It also worked on reforms The LPD also reviewed civil justice to permit third-party funding in procedures and community-related laws international arbitration in Singapore to strengthen access to justice. through enacting amendments to the Civil Law Act and related regulations. The International Legal Division (“ILD”) advances Singapore’s interests As at 31 December 2017, there were 24 through developing a progressive LSOs in the MinLaw. international legal policy framework anchored on the rule of law. In 2017, Joan Janssen (Mrs) the ILD worked on amendments to Director-General the Trustees Act to combat terrorist Legal Group financing and global tax evasion by Ministry of Law enhancing the transparency of the

58 Ministry of Law advancing the ruleadvancing 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 Legal Aid Bureau representation. In 2017, the Bureau had 11 VADLAs, two of whom were Associate Professors from the The mission of the Legal Aid Bureau NUS Faculty of Law. The two Associate (“the Bureau”) is to provide quality Professors also helm the Clinical Legal legal aid and advice to persons of Education Programme, providing limited means. The Bureau’s LSOs law undergraduates with practical represent aided persons in court and experience through assisting their provide legal advice to applicants on professors with legal aid files. a wide range of civil legal matters, about half of which comprise family The Bureau has strong partnerships law matters. The Bureau also provides with the Ministry of Social and Family assistance with the drafting of legal Development and various social the ruleadvancing of law documents. In 2017, supported by service organisations, including the more than 300 Assigned Solicitors from Centre for Providing Alternatives to private practice who took on about a Violence (“PAVE”), which specialises third of the Bureau’s cases, the Bureau in helping persons dealing with family handled about 9,600 applications for violence. This enables the Bureau to legal aid, advice and assistance. refer applicants with social service needs to appropriate avenues of help. The In 2017, the Bureau expanded its in- Bureau has enhanced its capability in house expertise in complex family law this area by developing a tool with PAVE and civil law cases through its Family to aid the Bureau’s officers in screening Law and Civil Law Practice Groups, applicants for family violence and other handling matters ranging from appeals social problems, such as homelessness. 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 Lim Hui Min (Ms) Director legal advice and sometimes legal Legal Aid Bureau

60 Legal Aid Bureau advancing the ruleadvancing of law

(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 Insolvency and The LSOs assisted in formulating the Moneylenders (Amendment) Act, Public Trustee’s Office which was passed on 8 January 2018. This Act will better protect borrowers by The Insolvency and Public Trustee’s introducing an aggregate loan cap and Office (“IPTO”) is headed by the establishing a regulatory framework for Official Assignee, who is concurrently the Moneylenders Credit Bureau. The the Public Trustee, Registrar of Act also enhances the Registrar’s powers Moneylenders, and Registrar of to exclude unsavoury persons from the Pawnbrokers. The LSOs in the IPTO industry, and requires moneylenders to advise on legal issues that arise in incorporate as companies and submit the administration of insolvencies annual audited accounts. In 2017, and trusts, and in the regulation of Registrar’s Directions were issued to the ruleadvancing of law moneylenders and pawnbrokers. The curb abuses arising from “re-loans”, LSOs also conduct civil litigation which allowed moneylenders to charge matters before the High Court and excessive fees. prosecutions in the State Courts. Among the significant prosecutions In 2017, the LSOs continued to undertaken was Public Prosecutor v advise on novel issues arising from Tan Kim Wah Steven (unreported). amendments to the Bankruptcy Act, Tan, the director of a licensed which took effect on 1 August 2016. moneylender, was convicted on 25 out Dialogues were held with the private of 75 charges of recklessly furnishing trustees in bankruptcy, leading false information on the annual income to further refinements in the law, of borrowers. He was sentenced to a including the acceptance of insurance total fine of $187,500 (in default 50 guarantees as security given by trustees. weeks’ imprisonment). In collaboration with the Attorney- General’s Chambers and the Ministry As at 31 December 2017, there were of Law, the LSOs also continued eight LSOs in the IPTO. working on the Omnibus Insolvency Bill, which is slated to be introduced Jill Tan Li Ching (Ms) in Parliament in 2018. Official Assignee & Public Trustee Insolvency and Public Trustee’s Office

62 Insolvency and Public Trustee’s Office advancing the ruleadvancing of law

(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 Ministry of Home Affairs for Home Team officers. In 2017, the LD was involved in drafting a call for collaboration issued by the MHA and The Legal Division (“LD”) of the the Economic Development Board, Ministry of Home Affairs (“MHA”) for international and local companies provides legal advice on operational to develop and test urban safety and and policy matters to the MHA security solutions. and its ten Home Team agencies, including the Singapore Police Force, The LD also prepares submissions the Singapore Civil Defence Force, to assess the evidence relating to the Singapore Prison Service and detention and police supervision the Immigration and Checkpoints orders issued under the CLTPA.

Authority. Separately, it operates a secretariat the ruleadvancing of law for the Criminal Law Advisory The LD also assists in reviewing Committees appointed under the legislation. In 2017, it worked on CLTPA. It also advises on the enacting the Infrastructure Protection evidence and documentation for Act 2017 and the repealing and disciplinary cases under the Public re-enacting of the Massage Service Commission’s disciplinary Establishments Act 2017, as well as regime. amendments to the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act (“CLTPA”) Besides the LD, an LSO was seconded and the Public Entertainments Act. from the AGC to the MHA’s Policy Its Senior Director served in the Penal Development Division (“PDD”), Code Review Committee, which was where he formulates and reviews convened by the MHA and the Ministry policies in the areas of criminal justice of Law to extensively review the Penal and human rights. In 2017, he was Code. Its LSOs also worked alongside also involved in reviewing the Penal academics, legal practitioners, senior Code. civil servants and members of the judiciary in the review. As at 31 December 2017, there were six LSOs in the LD and one LSO was The LD also drafts and reviews seconded to the PDD. contracts and cross-border memoranda of understanding, as well as advises Leong Kwang Ian on contracts, board resolutions and Senior Director board papers for the Board of Trustees Legal Division managing the superannuation fund Ministry of Home Affairs

64 Ministry of Home Affairs advancing the ruleadvancing of law

(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 Ministry of Manpower The LSD rendered 1,010 pieces of legal advice, drafted and vetted 267 contractual agreements, and worked The LSOs in the Legal Services with the AGC to amend and Division (“LSD”) of the Ministry promulgate one primary and 18 of Manpower (“MOM”), with the subsidiary legislation in 2017, including support of 46 dedicated officers, the Workplace Safety and Health conduct criminal prosecutions, (Amendment) Act 2017, the Retirement render legal advice, adjudicate on and Re-employment (Re-employment work injury claims and administer Obligations) Regulations 2017 and the financial penalty frameworks the Foreign Employee Dormitories under the Employment of Foreign (Appeals) Regulations 2017. The LSD

Manpower Act (“EFMA”) and the also adjudicated over 163 WICA cases, the ruleadvancing of law Employment Act (“EA”). and issued decisions for 499 EFMA and 524 EA financial penalty cases. As at In 2017, the LSD handled 3,081 31 December 2017, there were five LSOs criminal cases involving offences in the LSD. under the EFMA, the EA, the Employment Agencies Act, the Work Lee Jwee Nguan Injury Compensation Act (“WICA”), Divisional Director the Workplace Safety and Health Act Legal Services Division (“WSHA”) and the Foreign Employee Ministry of Manpower Dormitories Act 2015. The notable cases handled by the LSD include Public Prosecutor v Goh Eng Kiat (SC- 908559-2015, 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 (Left to Right) v Public Prosecutor (MA 9066/ Paul Cheong Yuen, 2017/01, unreported), where the Ms Vala Muthupalaniappan, Lee Jwee Nguan (Divisional Director, Appellant was convicted of a myriad Legal Services Division, MOM) of EFMA offences. 66 Ministry of Education Other notable matters that the LSB assisted in included reviewing portions The Legal Services Branch (“LSB”) of of the MOE’s School Safety Handbook, the Ministry of Education (“MOE”) in particular, the safety guidelines supports the work of the MOE on the use of football goalposts and Headquarters and Government schools other sports and fitness equipment, by providing legal advice on a variety development of possible software of matters, including the exercise of applications that would streamline the MOE’s regulatory powers under and enhance the MOE’s and schools’ the Education Act, the administration operations, establishment of a micro- of financial aid to needy students, data lab within the MOE, and the public procurement, discipline-related participation by mainstream schools in matters, and personal injury and other the Registry for Automated External the ruleadvancing of law civil claims. Defibrillator (“AED”) Integration project, which aims to improve access In 2017, the LSB continued to support to AEDs in schools. the implementation of the MOE’s policy initiative to include children As at 31 December 2017, the LSB with special education needs within comprised five LSOs. the compulsory education framework under the Compulsory Education Act. Loke Shiu Meng The LSB also contributed to the review Director of the MOE’s insurance framework for Legal Services Branch students in mainstream schools. 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 Ministry of Health In 2017, the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act was amended to, inter alia, raise the minimum The Legal Office (“LO”) of the legal age for the purchase, use, possession, Ministry of Health (“MOH”) provides sale and supply of tobacco products a comprehensive suite of legal services from 18 to 21 years old, and prohibit to the MOH’s senior management the purchase, use and possession of and divisions, including civil advisory, emerging tobacco products. The LO also transactional and litigation support, successfully prosecuted an unregistered assistance in legislative review and traditional Chinese medicine practitioner operationalisation, and the prosecution in Public Prosecutor v Kong Tong Hong of offences under the Acts administered ([2017] SGDC 218), which was notable by the MOH. It also provides legal in being the first such case in which an the ruleadvancing of law perspectives on the MOH’s regulatory imprisonment term was imposed. functions, and policy implementation. The LO routinely advises on medical As at 31 December 2017, there were six law, contract law, data protection and LSOs in the LO. confidentiality, and the interpretation and administration of more than 20 Chua Ying-Hong (Ms) pieces of primary legislation under the Director MOH’s purview. 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 Ministry of Social and with the review of the Children and Young Persons Act and other licensing Family Development frameworks for the care and protection of vulnerable adults in residential homes. The Legal Services Unit (“LSU”) of Further, the LSU provided extensive advice the Ministry of Social and Family on a statutory appeal to the Minister over Development (“MSF”) is a specialist a licensing decision involving a child care department which provides legal advice centre, and other regulatory issues under to the MSF’s divisions on a range of the Child Care Centres Act. matters such as adoption, family law, marriage and parenthood benefits, child To further enhance the MSF’s operational protection, and the exercise of regulatory efficiency, the LSU held several legal and licensing powers. The LSU also education talks and provided the MSF’s the ruleadvancing of law provides legal input on the drafting of divisions with templates and checklists to the MSF’s contracts, and the review of assist them in their work. legislation under the MSF’s purview. As at 31 December 2017, there were five LSOs in the LSU. In 2017, the LSU advised on the Vulnerable Adults Bill and worked Amy Tung Chew Ming (Ms) together with the MSF’s policy and Director operational divisions on its intended Legal Services Unit implementation. The LSU also assisted 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 Ministry of protection, contract law, constitutional law, cybersecurity-related issues, Communications and intellectual property law, statutory interpretation and tort law. In 2017, the Information LSD also provided legal support to the MCI in its policy deliberations on and The Legal Services Department (“LSD”) drafting of the new Cybersecurity Bill of the Ministry of Communications and and amendments to the Films Act and Information (“MCI”) provides legal the National Library Board Act. The support to the departments and divisions LSD also reviews and advises on the of the MCI (which includes the Cyber drafting of contractual and quasi- Security Agency of Singapore and the contractual documents such as tender DesignSingapore Council) in the exercise documents, licence agreements, grants, sponsorship and scholarship agreements, of the MCI’s regulatory and statutory the ruleadvancing of law functions, and in its policy deliberations website terms of use, collaboration involving the statutory boards under agreements, non-disclosure agreements its purview. The statutory boards and various memoranda of understanding. under the MCI’s purview are the Info- communications Media Development As at 31 December 2017, there were two Authority, the National Library Board, LSOs in the LSD. and the Government Technology Agency (up to 4 October 2017). Daphne Chang Wei Hsian (Ms) Director The work of the LSD covers a wide Legal Services Department range of issues, including administrative Ministry of Communications and law, confidentiality and personal data Information

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 Ministry of Culture, The LU engaged in other interesting work in 2017, such as the development Community and Youth of the Outward Bound School’s Coney Island campus, Singapore Day 2017 The Legal Unit (“LU”) of the Ministry held in Melbourne on 9 September of Culture, Community and Youth 2017, and the development of the new (“MCCY”) provides legal services to all Code of Practice for online charitable departments within the MCCY, including fund-raising. The LU also provided legal the MCCY’s autonomous agency, the support for the “Our Singapore Fund – National Youth Council. SG Cares Fund”, which was launched to support meaningful projects by The MCCY’s legislative programme Singaporeans in alignment with the nationwide SG Cares movement, to grow

in 2017 included the introduction the ruleadvancing of law of three Bills in Parliament, namely and develop a culture of volunteering in the Administration of Muslim Law Singapore. (Amendment) Bill 2017, the Charities (Amendment) Bill 2017 and the As at 31 December 2017, there were three Co-operative Societies (Amendment) LSOs in the LU. Bill 2017. Melinda Moosa (Ms) Senior Director On the international front, the Legal Unit MCCY was the lead agency involved Ministry of Culture, in the ratification of the International Community and Youth 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 Ministry of National issues relating to the management of tree fall incidents, the maintenance of Development greenery, public streets and bridges, the hoarding of items and animals in Housing The Legal Services Unit (“LSU”) of & Development Board flats, as well as the Ministry of National Development community noise. (“MND”) provides legal advice to the On the transactions front, the LSU MND in support of the MND’s vital role facilitated an agreement with various in planning and developing our nation’s public agencies to centralise the use of land. maintenance of greenery in Singapore, assisted in the transfer of infrastructure In 2017, the LSU rendered advice management between its statutory boards,

to the MND on a diverse range of the ruleadvancing of law and advised on how tenders can be best matters, including administrative and structured to raise productivity standards constitutional law, contract drafting across the construction industry. and management, data protection, Government procurement, intellectual As at 31 December 2017, there were two property law, as well as statutory LSOs in the LSU. interpretation. Some of the more significant issues which the LSU advised on concerned public housing schemes, Tammy Low Wan Jun (Ms) food labelling practices, and improperly Senior Director (Legal) parked shared bicycles. The LSU also Legal Services Unit assisted with challenging cross-agency 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 Syariah Court, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Ministry of Culture, Women. Community and Youth 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 Shahrinah Binte Abdol Salam (Ms) Muslim Law Act (“AMLA”). In 2017, Registrar the SYC handled over 3,200 divorce Syariah Court applications. Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth advancing the ruleadvancing of law 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 (Left to Right) member and spoke on “The Future of Ms Masayu Norashikin Binte Syariah”. On the international front, Mohamad Amin, Ms Shahrinah Binte Abdol Salam the SYC assisted in the drafting of (Registrar, Syariah Court, MCCY) Singapore’s Fifth Periodic Report to the United Nations Committee for

73 Commercial Affairs seeks to jointly identify and prioritise key money laundering and terrorist Department, financing risks, and collaborate to Singapore Police Force address these risks.

(c) Collaborating with the Inland The Commercial Affairs Department Revenue Authority of Singapore, (“CAD”) is Singapore’s principal the SkillsFuture and the SPRING white-collar crime enforcement Singapore to co-ordinate enforcement agency and the staff authority for and share preventative measures to all commercial crimes investigation counter the rise in government grant within the Singapore Police Force. fraud. advancing the ruleadvancing of law The CAD partnered several domestic As at 31 December 2017, one LSO was and foreign agencies to fight commercial posted at the CAD. crime. Some significant 2017 initiatives included: David Chew Siong Tai Director (a) Collaborating with the Royal Commercial Affairs Department Malaysian Police (“RMP”) to Singapore Police Force 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 money- launderers.

(b) The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Industry Partnership (“ACIP”), a government-industry partnership with the CAD, the David Chew Siong Tai Monetary Authority of Singapore (Director, CAD, SPF) and a number of banks. The ACIP

74 Intellectual Property world’s second most innovative IP office by the World Trademark Review. Office of Singapore Singapore was ranked the seventh most innovative nation in the Global The Intellectual Property Office of Innovation Index 2017. Singapore (“IPOS”) is a statutory board under the Ministry of Law. To support the As at 31 December 2017, three LSOs were Committee on the Future Economy’s vision seconded to the IPOS. of an innovation-driven economy, the IPOS updated the Intellectual Property (“IP”) Daren Tang Heng Shim Hub Masterplan in 2017 to focus on IP Chief Executive Intellectual Property Office of Singapore commercialisation. The IPOS will leverage on its IP expertise and networks to help the ruleadvancing of law enterprises take their ideas to the market.

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, As testament to its achievements Daren Tang Heng Shim (Chief Executive, IPOS), in building Singapore’s innovation Edmund Chew Minhai ecosystem, the IPOS was ranked the

75 Competition and The CCCS concluded several impactful market studies on infant Consumer Commission formula milk, automotive parts and of Singapore retail petrol. The Government accepted the first study’s recommendations and formed a ministerial taskforce In 2017, the Competition and to look into rising milk prices. In Consumer Commission of Singapore the second study, the dealers for car (“CCCS”) issued an infringement brands that make up more than 90% decision against three companies of Singapore’s car population agreed that rigged the F1 Singapore Grand to remove warranty restrictions Prix electrical services tenders and which prevented owners from having a proposed infringement decision repairs and servicing performed by the ruleadvancing of law against five capacitor manufacturers independent workshops. for price-fixing and exchanging sensitive information. The The CCCS co-organised with the SAL, Competition Appeal Board upheld the Competition Law Conference, the CCCS’s decision to impose followed by an E-Commerce financial penalties against a financial Symposium for ASEAN competition advisory company that, together with authorities, on topics like disruptive nine others, forced a new competitor technology and big data. to withdraw its marketing of life insurance products with a 50% The CCCS signed its first commission rebate to policyholders. Memorandum of Cooperation with its Japanese counterpart to increase cross- The CCCS issued four merger border enforcement of competition clearance decisions across the motor laws and was involved in negotiating vehicle manufacturing, container and concluding the competition liner shipping and semiconductors chapters of the Free Trade Agreements industries, including the acquisition with Sri Lanka and New Zealand. of Penguin Group Companies by Times Publishing Group, which was As at 31 December 2017, six LSOs conditionally cleared after the merged were seconded to the CCCS. entity committed to supply third- party retailers with all the publishers’ titles on a fair, reasonable and non- Toh Han Li discriminatory basis during the Chief Executive exclusive distribution period. The Competition and Consumer CCCS also initiated in-depth reviews Commission of Singapore of mergers in the maritime and optical products industries.

76 Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore advancing the ruleadvancing of law

(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 Accounting and Corporate the requirement for companies and limited liability partnerships to use Regulatory Authority common seals.

The Accounting and Corporate The Investigation Department is Regulatory Authority (“ACRA”) is a headed by an LSO who leads a team statutory board under the Ministry of of investigators in investigating alleged Finance (“MOF”) and is the national breaches of the ACRA-administered regulator of business entities and public legislation such as instances of false accountants. declarations by filers or conflict of interest by directors. The ACRA’s LSOs are supervised by the Assistant Chief Executive, a senior LSO, The LSOs in the Prosecution Department the ruleadvancing of law and are deployed in various departments prosecute offences under the ACRA- within the ACRA’s Legal Services administered legislation and also advise the and Prosecution Division. The LSOs ACRA on disciplinary matters concerning provide support on a broad range of public accountants and represent the work such as legal advice, law reform, ACRA in disciplinary proceedings. policy formulation, prosecution and enforcement. The Assistant Chief Executive and the Acting Senior Director of the Legal The LSOs in the Civil Advisory Services & Prosecution Division, both Department advise the ACRA on of whom are LSOs and also members of civil legal matters such as contracts, the ACRA’s Executive Committee, help memorandum of understanding, to lead the ACRA to its next level of review of name complaints and dispute organisational and service excellence, resolution. with work in this area that includes finalising, communicating and driving The LSOs in the Law Reform the ACRA’s 3-year workplan. Department help steer the ACRA’s law reform initiatives. In 2017, law reform As at 31 December 2017, 12 LSOs were was introduced and implemented that seconded to the ACRA. required companies, foreign companies and limited liability partnerships Andy Sim Yock Ann to maintain a register of beneficial Assistant Chief Executive owners, allowed foreign companies to Accounting and Corporate Regulatory re-domicile in Singapore and removed Authority

78 Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority advancing the ruleadvancing of law

(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 Singapore Land Authority institutions. In April 2017, the Registry also started automating its registration processes and 40% of caveats lodged daily are now The mission of the Singapore Land registered without human intervention. Authority (“SLA”) is to optimise land resources for Singapore’s social In 2017, the Legal Division launched an and economic development. The SLA internal repository portal, “WikiLegal”. manages about 11,000 hectares of State With Wikipedia-style articles on legal land and about 5,000 State properties, topics relevant to the SLA’s operational and seeks to maximise use of vacant departments and interactive cross-linkages State land and properties in innovative between related concepts, WikiLegal seeks ways. The SLA is also the national land to present topics in plain language with registration and land survey authority, examples of common issues which officers the ruleadvancing of law and maintains records on title ownership may encounter. and land boundaries. As at 31 December 2017, there were three As part of its digitalisation journey LSOs seconded to the SLA. and to facilitate paperless property transactions, the Land Titles Registry Bryan Chew Chee Wan (“the Registry”) mandated that from Assistant Chief Executive 1 June 2017, title documents for (Legal and Regulatory) and mortgaged or charged properties will not Registrar of Titles & Deeds be printed for safekeeping by financial 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 Monetary Authority of consultation on several enhancements, including an increase of DI coverage Singapore from the current $50,000 to $75,000 per depositor. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (“MAS”) is Singapore’s central bank and As at 31 December 2017, four financial services regulator, overseeing LSOs were seconded to the MAS. all financial institutions (“FIs”) in Singapore. Gillian Koh Tan (Ms) Executive Director and Department Head Three LSOs were seconded to the Enforcement Department Enforcement Department (“ENF”), Monetary Authority of Singapore

which is responsible for investigations the ruleadvancing of law 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”), (Left to Right) which formulates MAS’ prudential Ms Kok Shu-en, Ms Gillian Koh Tan policies and regulations for banks and (Executive Director and Department other relevant FIs. In 2017, the PPD Head, Enforcement Department, MAS), led the review of the Deposit Insurance Kelvin Kow Weijie (“DI”) Scheme and released a public

81 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 eco- system. It developed the registration and certification framework for Professional Deputies, raised public awareness of making a Lasting Power the ruleadvancing of law 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 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 the ruleadvancing of law 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 (Left to Right) procurement of goods and services. Ms Ching Sann (General Counsel, Legal Division, EDB), In 2017, the Legal Division saw a further Ms Then Ling 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 Inland Revenue High Court and the Court of Appeal. Notable work achievements for 2017 Authority of Singapore included the conduct of the appeal before the High Court in BML v The Law Division is the key division Comptroller of Income Tax [2017] within the Inland Revenue Authority SGHC 118, legislative amendments of Singapore (“IRAS”) tasked with to the Stamp Duties Act and the discharging all legal functions. The Law successful prosecution of several PIC Division’s work includes advising and fraud and tax evasion cases at the State litigating on a wide spectrum of legal Courts. issues under various fields of law, with a focus on tax matters. The IRAS tax As at 31 December 2017, six LSOs were prosecutors prosecute a wide spectrum of seconded to the IRAS. the ruleadvancing of law tax offences such as group Productivity and Innovation Credit (“PIC”) fraud and Alvin Koh Meng Sing complex tax evasion. The Law Division Chief Legal Officer also represents the IRAS in contentious Law Division tax disputes at the tax tribunals, the 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 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. advancing the ruleadvancing of law 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 In 2017, the Legal Department also (Director, Legal Department, NEA) 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 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 the ruleadvancing of law 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 Loo Yu Hao, Adrian to the Medical Registration Act and (Director [Legal] and General Counsel, related legislation; and supervising Legal Division, SMC) the conduct of formal inquiries before Disciplinary Tribunals and other committees.

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 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 the ruleadvancing of law 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 Ms Grace Lim Seow Gek established sentencing guidelines on (Director, Legal Department, HSA) the illegal diversion of pharmaceutical products.

As at 31 December 2017, one LSO was seconded to the HSA.

Grace Lim Seow Gek (Ms) Director Legal Department Health Sciences Authority

87 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 the ruleadvancing of law 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. Yeong Zee Kin Increased volumes of data necessitate (Assistant Chief Executive and data analytics and artificial intelligence Deputy Commissioner, PDPC) 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 Personal Data Protection Commission Info-communications Media Development Authority

88 Land Transport Authority

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 the ruleadvancing of law 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 SINGAPORE LEGAL SERVICE

JUDICIAL BRANCH LEGAL BRANCH

LEGAL SERVICE ATTORNEY- LEGAL SERVICE STATE SUPREME FAMILY JUSTICE DEPARTMENTS / GENERAL’S DEPARTMENTS / POSTS IN COURTS COURT COURTS CHAMBERS POSTS IN MINISTRIES STATUTORY BOARDS

Attorney-General’s Office / Insolvency and Accounting and Corporate the ruleadvancing of law Criminal Supreme Family Division, AGC Academy Public Trustee’s Office Regulatory Authority Justice Division Court Registry High Court Crime Cluster Legal Aid Bureau Competition and Consumer Criminal Justice Division; Commission of Singapore Civil Justices’ Law Financial and Technology Family Courts Crime Division Ministry of Home Affairs Justice Division Clerks Pool (Legal Division) Economic Development Board International Affairs Division Ministry of Defence Health Sciences Authority Community Chief Executive, (Legal Services Department) Justice and Office of the Youth Courts Legislation Division Ministry of Law Info-communications Media Tribunals Division Chief Justice (Legal Group) Development Authority, Personal Data Protection Civil Division Public Guardian, Commission Office of the Public Guardian, Centre for Singapore Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Social and Intellectual Property Office Community and Youth Family Development of Singapore Dispute Resolution Judicial College (Legal Unit) Director, Inland Revenue Authority Ministry of Communications Commercial Affairs Department, of Singapore and Information Singapore Police Force Registrar, (Legal Services Department) Appeals Board Land Transport Authority Registrar / Deputy Registrar, (Land Acquisition) Ministry of National Syariah Court, Ministry of Development Culture, Community and Youth Monetary Authority of (Legal Services Unit) Singapore

Ministry of Education National Environment Agency (Legal Services Branch)

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 91 advancing the ruleadvancing of law

Milestone Programmes

92 LSC POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS IN LAW

Geraldine Kang (Ms) regulation, enforcement and Ruth Teng Xiaohui (Ms) transactions. Navindraram Naidu Sabrina Choo Wen Shan (Ms) The LLM and the MLF were rigorous Edrick Guo Zhixian and intellectually challenging milestones programmes Krystle Chiang Jing Ya (Ms) programmes which deepened our Elgin Tay Wei Xiong appreciation of the law. We were gratified by the opportunity to study In 2017, seven LSOs were awarded in some of the world’s best institutions, LSC Scholarships to further our and benefitted richly from the diverse studies. Six of us were enrolled in perspectives shared by preeminent Master of Laws (“LLM”) programmes professors and classmates alike. We with Ms Geraldine Kang at the also benefitted from the numerous National University of Singapore, legal skills workshops run by our Ms Ruth Teng Xiaohui at Columbia schools. University, Navindraram Naidu at the University of California, Berkeley, For some programmes, the subjects Ms Sabrina Choo Wen Shan at New were structured as intensives, each York University, Edrick Guo Zhixian running for a week. This allowed for at University College London; and uniquely immersive experiences. Ms Krystle Chiang Jing Ya at the University of Melbourne. Elgin All of us found the experience very Tay Wei Xiong was enrolled in enriching, given the cosmopolitan the Master of Science in Law and enrolment of students in our Finance programme (“MLF”) at respective institutions and the the University of Oxford. The MLF breadth of subjects taught by offered an advanced interdisciplinary leading international academics. understanding of economics and We are grateful to the LSC for this its practical applications to legal opportunity.

93 MILESTONE PROGRAMMES IN LEADERSHIP OR MANAGEMENT

Christopher Tan Pheng in these countries, to better understand the commonalities in culture that have Wee & Seah Chi-Ling allowed Singapore to forge strong bonds th with both neighbours.

(24 Senior Management milestones programmes Programme) New to this year’s SMP was the introduction of “LAB” projects. The theme of the 2017 Senior Participants formed teams and Management Programme (“SMP”) experimented with bold new policy centred on innovation. Over the course initiatives in a sandbox environment of the six-week programme, participants during and after the SMP programme, held dialogues with both policy culminating in proposals that were makers and private sector players, presented to Head, Civil Service. including entrepreneurs and start- ups, on the challenges of creating an ecosystem conducive to technological Lim Jian Yi & advancements and the generation of Darryl Soh Wen Yan new ideas. (23rd and 24th Governance and This year’s SMP included a six-day trip Leadership Programme) to Israel where participants interacted with lawmakers, think-tanks and The Governance and Leadership government agencies such as the Israel Programme (“GLP”) is a full-time Innovation Authority. Participants milestone programme that equips studied how Israel’s culture has participants with a holistic perspective successfully incentivised bold of public sector governance and the innovation and risk-taking, thereby management skills to be effective cementing Israel’s status as the “start- public sector leaders. The GLP up nation”. enables participants to gain a deeper appreciation of the social, economic, This was followed by trips to Malaysia and global challenges faced by Singapore and Indonesia, where we met political in a rapidly changing operating leaders, government agencies and social environment. The 23rd and 24th GLP activists. Participants were given a close- took place from 2 to 24 February and up look at the socio-political dynamics 2 to 26 May 2017, respectively.

94 The GLP included an overseas study trip upon their personal leadership styles, for participants to gain a first-hand feel discuss macroeconomic trends and of the broader regional context in which geopolitical forces and also hear the Singapore operates. In the 23rd GLP, views of senior government Ministers the participants travelled to Bangalore on the complex considerations that went and Ahmedabad. The participants had into the making of key policies. the opportunity to meet government officials, as well as senior managers The varied experiences of my fellow of the technology and manufacturing course participants, who came from industries, such as Infosys, one of the different government organisations and largest IT companies in the world. Ministries, further enriched the course. The study trip for the 24th GLP took milestones programmes place in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, where the participants interacted Louis Ng Shi Zheng with Chinese and Hong Kong government officials, business leaders (Temasek International Pte Ltd) and academics, including visits to the Huawei Technologies campus and the I was privileged to be seconded to Hong Kong Legislative Council. Temasek International Pte Ltd between July 2016 and June 2017. During the secondment, I worked closely with Paul Chan Wei Sern investment teams and external counsel on various mergers and acquisitions. (16th FIREfly Leadership Through this process, I gained a Development Programme) deeper understanding of the legal and business considerations that underpin I attended the 16th FIREfly Leadership commercial deals. I also worked on Development Programme (“FFP”). several regulatory projects which allowed me to appreciate how firms The FFP provided a tremendous manage issues and risks arising from learning journey that enabled me to the evolving regulatory environment. gain invaluable insights into policy- Overall, I found the experience making and leadership. Throughout enriching and challenging. I am the programme, participants were given grateful to the LSC and the AGC for the opportunity to examine and reflect this opportunity.

95 Pride In Service

96 PRIDE IN SERVICE

Mr Eddie Teo, Chairman of the Public In addition, a total of 15 LSOs pride in service Service Commission (“PSC”), and an were conferred a National Day or ex-officio Member of the LSC, was Long Service Medal in 2017 and conferred the Order of Nila Utama were honoured at the Legal Service (First Class) by the President of the National Day Observance Ceremony Republic of Singapore in 2017. This on 22 August 2017. was in recognition of his decades of exemplary service to the nation from The event commenced with the 1970 when he joined the Ministry Methodist Girls’ School Choir of Defence and in his subsequent leading the participants in singing the portfolios and expansive contributions National Anthem. It was followed by at the Prime Minister’s Office and the recitation of the National Pledge, as High Commissioner to Australia, led by representatives from the various before he was appointed Chairman of Legal Service departments. PSC the PSC in 2008. Scholars who would be appointed to the Legal Service at the conclusion Another Member of the LSC, Justice of their law studies were also at the Lee Seiu Kin, was bestowed the ceremony, which was hosted by the Meritorious Service Medal in 2017 in President and Members of the LSC. recognition of his exceptional work and immense and sterling The ceremony epitomised the contributions to the LSC, the Legal commitment and dedication of Service, the Supreme Court of the Legal Service and its LSOs to Singapore and the Singapore Academy Singapore and reflected the effort of Law, and in spearheading IT put in by LSOs towards their diverse revolutions spanning across the AGC, obligations in upholding justice, the Judiciary and wider legal services maintaining the rule of law and sector over the last three decades. protecting the interests of the nation and people of Singapore.

97 The Order of Nila Utama (First Class) Name / Designation Department Chairman, Public Service Commission and Mr Eddie Teo Member, Legal Service Commission The Meritorious Service Medal Justice Lee Seiu Kin Member, Legal Service Commission

The Public Administration Medals pride in service Name / Designation Department Award Mr Kow Keng Siong Criminal Justice Division PPA Chief Prosecutor Attorney-General’s Chambers (Silver) Mr Isaac Tan Choon Kiat Criminal Justice Division PPA Deputy Chief Prosecutor Attorney-General’s Chambers (Silver) Mr Marvin Bay Boon Teck Criminal Justice Division and Coroner’s Court PPA District Judge and State Coroner State Courts (Silver) Mrs Natalie Morris-Sharma PPA Director (International Legal) Legal Group, Ministry of Law (Bronze) The Commendation Medal Name / Designation Department Ms Serene Seet Lay Cheng Principal Legal Counsel (Legal) Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore The Public Service Medal Mr Yeong Zee Kin For contributions as Vice-Chairman of the Legal Research Assistant Chief Executive and Sub-Committee of the Singapore Academy of Law Deputy Commissioner [Personal Data Protection Commission] The Long Service Medal Ms Mavis Chionh Sze Chyi Second Solicitor-General Attorney-General’s Chambers Ms Daphne Hong Fan Sin International Affairs Division Director-General Attorney-General’s Chambers Mr David Khoo Kim Leng Criminal Justice Division Deputy Chief Prosecutor Attorney-General’s Chambers Mr Tan Kiat Pheng Financial and Technology Crime Division Deputy Chief Prosecutor Attorney-General’s Chambers Mr Andy Sim Yock Ann Assistant Chief Executive Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (Legal Services and Prosecution) Ms Jasbendar Kaur d/o Resham Singh Corporate Services Division District Judge State Courts Mr Mark Anand Jayaratnam Criminal Justice Division Deputy Senior State Counsel Attorney-General’s Chambers Ms Wong Choon Ning Criminal Justice Division District Judge State Courts Mr Sunari Kateni Deputy Director Legal Aid Bureau

98 The Legal Service Commission with the Recipients of the National Day Medals 2017 pride in service

(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 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: [email protected]