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FROM ACADEMIA TO POLITICS AND BACK PROFESSOR S JAYAKUMAR ‘63

CHARTING THE NEXT CHAPTER JUSTICE ‘82

ON LANGUAGE, LAW AND CODING STEPHANIE LAW ‘14

AN EMINENT CAREER EMERITUS PROFESSOR M. SORNARAJAH

AI & THE LAW ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DANIEL SENG ‘92

THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF FACULTY OF LAW LAWLINK 2019 CONTENTS CONTENTS

02 04 10 16 22 28 Dean’s Diary Alumni Spotlight Student Features Reunions Benefactors Law School Message from the Dean Professor S Jayakumar ’63: Highlights Congratulations Class of 2019 16 Class of 1989 22 From Academia to Politics and Back 03 SC Class of 1999 24 An Eminent Career 10 30 Justice Andrew Phang ’82: Emeritus Professor M. Sornarajah Delivers SLR Annual Lecture 17 Charting The Next Chapter 05 Class of 2009 25 NUS Giving The Appeal of the Moot 18 AI & the Law 11 Stephanie Law ’14: LLM Class of 2009 26 Chandran Mohan K Nair ‘76 Associate Professor Daniel Seng ’92 & Susan de Silva ‘83: On Language, Law and Coding 08 Rag & Flag 2019 20 12 Scholarship to expand Kuala Lumpur & New York 27 Key Lectures minsets about success Law Alumni Mentor Programme Law IV: Unjust Enrichment 21 14 2019 09 Book Launches

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1 LAWLINK 2019 ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT DEAN’S DIARY FROM ACADEMIA TO POLITICS PROFESSOR AND BACK History often makes more sense in retrospect (TRAIL). Also in the technology space, PROFESSOR S JAYAKUMAR ’63 than it does when living through it. At we share some of the activities that are certain moments, a passing of the torch new on campus, like coding for lawyers. offers a chance to recognise individuals Plus we recognise the many achievements Throughout his career, Professor S whose impact was sometimes more of our students in their curricular Jayakumar ’63 has played many prominent transformative than even they realised. and extracurricular activities. This roles, as diplomat and later Deputy Prime includes mooting (of course) and Minister, Senior Minister for Law, Foreign This edition of LawLink celebrates two other competitions, but also projects Affairs, Minister for Home Affairs and such individuals who played key roles in in which the students compete only Labour. Yet, when asked if there was the life of NUS Law. Prof S Jayakumar ’63 against themselves — like the Singapore any time that he cherished, it was his steps down after nearly eight years as Law Review and the Law IV musical. years teaching in the law school that he Chair of our Advisory Council — a period We also include information about remembers with greatest satisfaction. that saw an overhaul in the way we teach some of the reunions we’ve held over and research, as well as transformations the year. These included one in which Professor Jayakumar’s connection with in the job market that our graduates we discovered that 18 out of about 200 the law school began in 1959 when now enter. A former Ambassador to the classmates found their spouses within the he enrolled as part of the third batch , Minister, and Deputy Prime class, and another at which two men who of students. As he said in his book, Minister, his role as Chair might not be hadn’t seen each other in fifty years caught “Be at the Table or be on the Menu: A the first item in his biography (though up for the first time since graduation. Singapore Memoir”, his university days it does rate a mention on his Wikipedia were enriching and eventful, with various page, as does his role as Dean), but it At many of these reunions, I take the leadership roles including President of the has been enormously meaningful to us. opportunity to ask our alumni about their university’s Law Society, Vice President of In a separate transition, Emeritus Professor memories of law school. One thing that the Students’ Union, Chairman of the M Sornarajah gave a farewell lecture that strikes me is that something as basic as Student Council, and editor of the student demonstrated the impact he has had on the reason why one studied law in the newspaper, The Singapore Undergrad. generations of students, but also on how first place may change over time. The international investment law is thought decisions we make as teenagers are often He did well academically, topping the about and practised. His most recent book, cast in a different light as the years pass. final year exams. Encouraged by his The Misery of , was also Or new reasons emerge. The constant, dean and one of his professors, he celebrated at the European Society of I hope, is that whatever brought our joined the teaching staff. After admission International Law. Don’t let the title mislead students — and our alumni — to NUS to the Bar, he joined the Faculty in you: it’s an invigorating and inspiring work, Law, and whatever direction they took 1964, initially as a Graduate Fellow. testimony to Sorna’s passion and intellect. after graduation, the time they spent with us was productive, transformative even. In 1970, the prospect of succeeding But we wouldn’t be doing our job at NUS Professor as Singapore’s Law if we only looked backward. These I hope these pages trigger some memories Permanent Representative to the UN in pages also celebrate new beginnings in of your own about law school, and if New York placed his career at a crossroads. the form of Andrew Phang ’82 taking there are ways in which we can help He accepted the challenge and in 1971, up the chair of our Advisory Council you create new memories, or shape he assume the UN post. Upon completing and Daniel Seng ’92 being appointed the experiences of generations of law that UN posting, he returned to NUS Law inaugural Director of our new Centre students to come, the information at the and served as Dean from 1974 to 1980. for Technology, Robotics, AI & the Law back of the publication may be helpful. Professor Jayakumar envisaged that he would have a lifelong career as an academic. However, the invitation to enter politics came up twice. When invited by Dr Toh Chin Chye, then Vice-Chancellor of the University and chairman of the People’s Action Party (PAP), in 1974 to enter politics, he demurred. In 1979, the question was put to him again with greater urgency. Mr S. Dhanabalan approached him with a message from Mr to join a new team to replace the old guard

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Thirdly, there were many part-time students (Minister for Law), ‘78 It is difficult to encapsulate in a few who did the LLB course over 6 years. (Attorney-General), SC ‘82. words what he taught me. I guess it They included teachers, executives or civil boils down to being single-minded and servants who never had the chance to Lucien Wong at a recent birthday party on unwavering in pursuit of Singapore’s study law before. As a young full-time the occasion of my 80th birthday, quipped national interest and how not to lose student, I thought that interaction with that as a law teacher I came across as sight of the big picture, while, at the same this older group was very good. I recall “stern”. People made similar comments time dealing with details of any issue. one of them was Mr G D Balakrishnan, when I later became an office holder. the father of current Foreign Minister With the ongoing emphasis . Another individual Who has been the biggest Q6 on lifelong learning, is there was K R Chandra who later became Q5 influence on your life and anything you would like to Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of what lessons did that person take the time to learn more about at Law. I fondly recall having late night teach you? this stage of your life? How do you sessions with them to prepare for exams. In my younger days, my parents influenced spend your time now? me profoundly with their sheer hard Law and diplomacy have always Looking back on your life work raising a family of seven kids. As fascinated me. There is never a dull Q4 and career, what are you I have written elsewhere, my father moment, and new frontiers are always proudest of? came from India, expecting to work opening up. At the age of 80, it will be At each stage of my life, I have had my here only for a few years. However, a satisfying achievement for me to just satisfying moments – as a student, as things changed when he married my keep abreast of these exciting changes. law teacher and Dean, as diplomat and mother, a Singapore-born woman. As as a Cabinet Minister. It is difficult to my mother always reminded me – if not How do I spend my time? My role as Professor Jayakumar (front row, 4th from right) with the 2018 NUS Law Advisory Council pin-point the “proudest” but the most for her I would have been born in India. Senior Legal Advisor to the Foreign satisfying experience was interacting Minister keeps me as busy as ever. When with the students. I very much missed In my adult life, without a doubt, the person not working, retirement from politics as tasked by Mr . This time Having chaired the NUS Law The Faculty must ensure that future law that when I left teaching for politics. who had the biggest influence on me was has given me more time to spend on he found it hard to say no, persuaded Q1 Advisory Council for the past students are ready for these new changes. Mr Lee Kuan Yew with whom I worked at some hobbies like painting, golf, brisk by the argument for a solid successor 7 years, what do you see as Some of my former students went on to have close quarters for some three decades. walking as well as more opportunities to team to secure the future of Singapore. the key role of the Council and the That will be the next big challenge for the illustrious careers, like K Shanmugam ‘84 enjoy the company of six grandchildren. difference it can make to the Faculty? Faculty of Law leadership. Fortunately, His political career spanned 30 years and My view was that our job is not to the Council is in good hands with various ministerial portfolios, the longest micromanage. Having been Dean before, Justice Andrew Phang’s leadership. It being in the Ministry of Law (26 years if I know how challenging it is to head a law can be a valuable sounding board as we count the periods as Minister of State school. Everyone has strong views and it is the Faculty deals with these challenges. and Second Minister). He recalled working not easy to achieve consensus on key issues. on unique legislation to be among his However, as an institution which educates As a former student as well most satisfying assignments in the Ministry. professionals, the Faculty must be receptive Q3 as the Dean of NUS Law to feedback from key stakeholders. from 1974 – 1980, what He retired from politics in 2011 and I saw the Advisory Council’s main role as are some of your fondest memories returned to academia after a 30-year helping the Dean and his key colleagues of those early years of NUS Law? hiatus to resume his association with to get useful feedback and suggestions. The Faculty then was very different NUS and NUS Law. He undertook three from today’s Law School. One notable roles on a pro bono basis. He chaired I think the Council is well placed to do difference between “then and now” is both the Faculty’s Advisory Council and this. It has practitioners from both large that in the early years, the law school the Centre for International Law’s (CIL) and small firms as well as members had a sizable number of students from International Advisory Board. Together with from AGC and foreign law firms. Malaysia. Close friendships were forged. Professor Tommy Koh, he also co-chaired Most of the Malaysian students went the CIL Fireside Chats series to discuss Do you have any parting back and became prominent lawyers, contemporary issues of international law. Q2 words for the new Chair, the legal officers, diplomats and judges. The Council and the Deanery? bonds we had established in student days As Professor Jayakumar recently The Dean and his team have done an helped us maintain good links with the legal passed the baton as Chairman of excellent job in building up the reputation fraternity across the Causeway. Sadly, we NUS Law’s Advisory Council to of the Faculty. However, huge changes do not have those links now. We must find Justice Andrew Phang ‘82, LawLink are in store for the legal landscape – in other ways to have close ties with them. chatted with him to find out his Singapore and elsewhere. This is largely thoughts on the role of the Council, his due to technology and AI, the role Secondly, the size of the student body was life’s work and his greatest influences. of paralegals and the outsourcing of much smaller. This helped bring about a traditional legal work. How law is taught sense of “cosiness” and a collegiate spirit. and practised will see a major revolution.

Professor Jayakumar (4th from right) together with the current dean and other former deans at the NUS Law’s 60th Anniversary celebrations

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respectively. He shared his views on the remembers fondly the candid discourses relevance of pursuing postgraduate studies. about the law, and also the discussions CHARTING THE NEXT CHAPTER on life and how life experiences made “I needed to pursue postgraduate studies one a better lawyer and a better person. JUSTICE ANDREW PHANG ’82 because I pursued a career in legal academia. However, I did not need a doctoral degree. On the issue of life lessons, he considered A new chapter opened for the NUS I embarked on my doctoral studies based on his parents as his greatest influence. Law Advisory Council in 2019. The a personal ideal and mission. At that time, “My parents taught me the vital importance Honourable Justice Andrew Phang I felt that the Singapore legal system had not of integrity, humility and hard work, as well Boon Leong ’82 was appointed the been examined from a more holistic, and as the need to be kind to others regardless new Chair, and took over the reins from especially extralegal, perspective,” he said. of their station in life. They were not only Professor Jayakumar ‘65, who loving people but also brilliant in their own served as the Chair of the Council “Little did I know then, how difficult right. But you would not have been able since its establishment in 2012. it was to pursue a doctorate. I would to tell because they were such humble not recommend it unless one is in legal people who always took the trouble to Justice Phang spent over 20 years as an academia and has a project that one look out for others, especially those who academic before being appointed to is passionate about,” he conceded. were less gifted or fortunate,” he said. the bench in 2005. At the age of 48, he was elevated to the Court of Appeal The legal landscape has certainly evolved On a personal note, if he is not too busy on 28 February 2006, making him the over the decades. While he still believed in court, Justice Phang enjoys reading and youngest person ever to be appointed that a Masters degree is not essential reflecting about knowledge in general and a Judge of Appeal in Singapore. for legal practice, he urged graduates to how its various strands are all interconnected consider pursuing a Masters should the – for example, the ways in which one could Justice Phang spent 20 years as an academic In extending his gratitude to Professor opportunity arise. This is because a Masters reconcile the individual and community. before being called to the bench in 2005 Jayakumar, Justice Phang expressed degree does widen one’s legal knowledge, his desire to steer the Advisory Council especially in specialised areas of interests, “I like reading and learning, and have by building on the foundations laid by constrained only to the extent to which we and perhaps more importantly, widens books I would like to read about almost his predecessor. He acknowledged the limit our own minds and imaginations.” one’s legal horizons and view of the world. every subject under the sun. I am afraid significance of the role played by the that I will not be able to read all of Council led by Professor Jayakumar in One must also set fair expectations and “There is also a lot more cutting-edge law them during my lifetime!” he laughed. aiding the decanal team and in acting as be prepared to accept the imperfection that can be learnt. However, one should not a liaison between NUS Law and the legal and unfairness that sometimes come in pursue an LLM for its own sake,” he added. “If I have the time, I would like to profession in Singapore and internationally. the way of life, he explained. The qualities reflect and write about the common of diligence, integrity and resilience, as On A Personal Note threads that underlie all disciplines. “The laying of foundations is the most well as the support of loved ones, would If there is one thing that Justice Phang However, it is so very busy in the courts vital task. Yet, it is the hardest, and by often help weather the rough storms misses, it is interacting with students. He that I can only do this after I retire.” definition, the least visible. What we can has already begun discussing how the will see if more can be done,” he said. in life. Conversely, imperfection should do henceforth is to build in rather small, curriculum might be reformulated He added that legal ethics is another vital not deter anyone from pursuing ideals. but I hope, still significant steps,” he said. in order to better prepare NUS law area that deserves attention. Teaching graduates for practice,” said Justice Phang. legal ethics remains challenging because it “From my personal experience, I found that Challenges in a New Era involves values, rather than technical rules. one can enhance the meaning of work and, of Legal Practice In the face of technological challenges, indeed, one’s life from having a realistic In his widely-quoted lecture delivered at especially with the advent of “I do feel that we need to think of idealism. This may sound like a contradiction the Indiana University’s Robert H. McKinney internationalisation and globalisation, more effective ways of driving home but it isn’t. Put simply, you have to work School of Law on 30 October 2018, he believes that students and graduates the need for ethics as it remains one out what you really want to achieve in Chief Justice ’86 need to become more outward-looking. of the distinguishing hallmarks of what life, for your personal and work life, whilst made an urgent case for reform of legal Rather than being inhibited by the onset of defines our legal profession,” he said. accepting that life is imperfect,” he said. education. He cited how three pivotal trends, they should get familiar with the trends - globalisation, technology and new opportunities offered by technology Learning to Balance Work and Life “For me, it means trying to help others. Not commercialisation - have created a as well as internationalisation and Justice Phang identified work-life balance as forgetting that, often, the most vital help is in “perfect storm” that will irrevocably globalisation, and harness those advantages. a challenge that has very real and practical the form of the little kindnesses we show to change the way law is practised. implications. He observed that the issue those we encounter daily at the workplace.” “In addition to ensuring that all students has become endemic in Singapore and “It is clear that technology, as well as obtain an adequate grounding in law suggested that one way of addressing Postgraduate Perspectives internationalisation and globalisation, will and technology, the Faculty should the problem could be to work more Justice Phang graduated with First Class define the legal practice of the future. also ensure that they obtain at least a efficiently and imaginatively where possible. Honours in 1982, before going on to This has, in fact, been emphasised rudimentary knowledge of other systems obtain his Master of Laws (LLM) and by Chief Justice Menon in numerous of law. The curriculum already caters “It is immensely important to harness Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) from speeches as well as papers. The Council for comparative legal studies and we creativity,” he said. “In the law, we are Harvard University in 1984 and 1988 Justice Phang (left) with former students at the Class of 2001 - 15th Anniversary Reunion

6 7 LAWLINK 2019 ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT ON LANGUAGE, LAW ALUMNI MENTORING LAW AND CODING PROGRAMME 2019 STEPHANIE LAW ’14

pivotal points in complex situations. The aim was to be clear, objective and concise, and the transition to law was, in that vein, natural. She chose to read law because it struck her as “a career in the craft of using words to build protective constructs and incentivise behaviour.” She was “drawn to the craftsmanship in wordsmithing as well as the higher purpose of doing the right thing.”

Stephanie graduated from NUS Law in 2014 with an LLB. She considered her 3 years of study in the Graduate Law Bachelors (GLB) programme as professional development rather than an academic pursuit because it was the means to a mid-career switch to the law profession.

Career Lessons Having worked at 3 different jobs – civil servant, lawyer and entrepreneur – Stephanie has benefitted from each in different ways. As a political analyst, her work honed and engendered intellectual integrity and razor-sharp written communication skills. As a mergers and acquisitions lawyer, she was driven to find common ground, allocate risk and bring Stephanie Law ’14 has had positive career at one of the top firms in Singapore. On Friday 13 September 2019, 130 life in their area of practice . A “musical a transaction across the finish line. “It experiences on the campuses of the 4 Sometime in 2014, she started discussing student mentees and 70 alumni mentors tables” segment midway through dinner requires versatility in negotiation styles universities she’s studied in – University what a meaningful education should gathered for the launch of the Law Alumni allowed for even more mingling as If you are keen to find out and problem-solving approaches,” she of Warwick, Johns Hopkins University, look like with her co-founders, and Mentoring Programme (LAMP) 2019. students raced to find another table with more about LAMP or join us explained, “because clients need a practical National University of Singapore, and New where Computer Science would fit in. “It This year, the event was moved closer to other mentors before the music ended. as a Mentor to our first and solution to their legal and commercial York University – and now, she’s created wasn’t long before the idea of SG Code the downtown area, at the OTC Café in second year students, do drop concerns. Legal practice has also taught one of her own. SG Code Campus is the Campus took root. Computer Science the National Library Building. The relaxed Our heartfelt thanks to all our alumni us a note at [email protected] me client management, time management, brainchild of Stephanie and her two co- is language, science, human behaviour, setting was perfect for alumni to chat with mentors this year, for generously sharing your organisation, negotiation and risk allocation founders. The school has taught coding to computer behaviour, critical thinking and students and share their perspectives on time, insights and advice with our students. over 3,000 students since it started in 2016. problem-solving all rolled into one. We skills, all of which gave me a leg-up when wanted to define and deliver a meaningful learning how to lead a high-performing, Stephanie has always enjoyed teaching tech education that kids deserve because motivated team trying to solve complex and working with kids. Her first work they need it to be active participants in an problems.” As an entrepreneur, one must CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 internship at age 15 was as a teaching increasingly digital world,” Stephanie said. “capture the imagination and create assistant in a childcare centre and through meaningful experiences – for the team, based on her belief that “coding, and positive participants in our increasingly approaches, while according them a deeper the years, teaching has been her source of Love of Language the customers, shareholders and investors. tech education more generally, promotes digital economies and societies.” understanding of the technology at hand.” inspiration. Opening and running a coding Stephanie shares that the common thread To build a good company, I firmly believe digital literacy. It introduces us to a school was a culmination of that passion in her journey has been her fascination that you need to take care of the people, different way of thinking, new ways of She emphasises that “whether it’s a What would Stephanie’s next adventure and interest in science and technology. with language and words. After obtaining the product and the profits – in that order.” communication and expression of ideas. tech client, a client’s tech product or a look like? Beyond tech education, she’s her MA in International Relations, she Just as we have discovered that language legal tech solution, having digital literacy also passionate about advancing the Code Switch worked in the civil service as a political Coding and the Law literacy is critical to decision-making will aid law students and practitioners’ interests of women in technology and The idea for a coding school came even analyst, where she used words to convey In September 2019, Stephanie conducted processes and civic institutions, digital ability to solve problems better, using female business leaders. We look forward as Stephanie was embarking on her law ideas, structure facts, distil and illustrate a coding course for NUS law students literacy is necessary to ensure that we are a wider variety of problem-solving to hearing about her next venture!

8 9 LAWLINK 2019 LAW SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS AN EMINENT CAREER AI & THE LAW EMERITUS PROFESSSOR M. SORNARAJAH ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DANIEL SENG ‘92

Chi Oo Ltd v The Republic of Myanmar, a The Centre for Technology, Robotics, case in which there was a naked seizure Artificial Intelligence and the Law (TRAIL) of an investment by the Burmese Army. was officially launched on 5 December He sits on the Board of Advisors of the UN 2019 to explore the relationship between Conference on Trade and Development technology and the various areas of Project on Dispute Settlement. legal research. TRAIL’s Director Associate Professor Daniel Seng ’92 shares his view on Professor Sornarajah was appointed how AI is transforming the legal profession the first CJ Koh Professor in 2005. In and his vision for the new Centre. June 2019, he delivered the CJ Koh Professorial Lecture entitled “The Past The growing interest in applying and Present of the International Law on artificial intelligence (AI) in law is Foreign Investment”. He talked about the said to be transforming the legal outcomes of the efforts to extinguish or profession, by applying AI-powered reform the international law on foreign solutions in fields such as knowledge investment, as the subject is in disarray due management and document assembly. to excesses in the application of the law How do you see the tension between and attempts to manipulate its formulation. tech law startups and law firms being resolved in the near future? Professor Sornarajah formally retired I think having the tech law startups is on the more difficult, nuanced aspects of technology law in 1993, which is a real He was born in Manipay in Ceylon (present- Into its fourth edition, the book is one of at the end of June 2019, but his a good thing. Back in 2015, I for one legal practice, and in fact even manage eternity in computing time! I inherited day Sri Lanka). That was in 1942, and the leading texts on foreign investment. appointment as Emeritus Professor strongly encouraged many of the students and supervise the autonomous systems the course from Professor Gerald Dworkin in the 77 years since, he has travelled ensures that NUS Law continues to of my inaugural AI, Information Science that are “working for them”. For instance, and Associate Professor , all over the world, collecting a string of Having published a dozen book, more benefit from his teaching and research. and the Law module to take what they lawyers when reviewing automatically- to whom I will forever owe a debt of achievements, accolades and appointments. than thirty chapters, over seventy have learned to the legal market. Hence assembled documents may want to focus gratitude for their foresight. It started off as Muthucumuraswamy Sornarajah has had an articles, and a great many conference Lex Quanta was founded. Tech law startups on key clauses or terms that will reflect the “Computer Law”, became “Internet Law”, illustrious career in the study of law, which papers, Professor Sornarajah’s academic “Professor Sornarajah’s work is among are able to view legal problems from a special needs of the client. When reviewing and then was hived off into “Information continues even now in his role as Emeritus reputation is widely known. He has the most cited of any law professor technology perspective, and by applying the results of an automated due-diligence Technology Law 1”, where I addressed the Professor in the Faculty of Law, NUS. been Visiting Professor at the Centre for and, within the Faculty, he is among not just information technology but also review, lawyers may want to think about intellectual property issues in information Human Rights at the London School of the most respected. His teaching, robust techniques in statistical analysis scenarios or situations which are not technology, and “Information Technology Professor Sornarajah showed promise early, Economics, and the American University in research, and service has left an and machine learning, help to make captured by the automated system. In Law 2” where I tried to address all the other attending the Royal College of Colombo, Washington, among other appointments. indelible mark on NUS Law, and the practice of law more efficient and fact, to do this well, lawyers need to think non-IP issues in information technology. the “Eton of Ceylon”. Even as he and his appreciably raised its standing in the cost-effective. Many law firms, especially like engineers – they cannot always assume family became refugees due to anti-Tamil He has also done distinguished work as field of international economic law.” the large international law firms, have that the technology is always working, and Initially, enrolment was low: very few riots, he was able to win entry into the arbitrator and counsel. Professor Sornarajah Professor Simon Chesterman dedicated technology departments seeking working well. In NUS Law, we are starting students saw the need to study the University of Ceylon, where he obtained was counsel for the Claimant in Yaung to deploy the same technologies to their to train a new batch of lawyers who also subject. My early batch of students will a rare First Class Honours. A Master of legal practices. So tech law startups fill think like engineers. They are problem recall that I started the lectures defensively Laws from Yale University was his next the gap by empowering the small and solvers and problem debuggers, and I by talking about Justice Easterbrook’s qualification, and he also graduated with medium size firms with the same types believe that this is what the next generation seminal paper entitled “Cyberspace and an LLM and PhD from the University of of technologies to enable them to stay of technology lawyers will be, and how the Law of the Horse”! But interest and London. In 1995, he was awarded an competitive. I don’t see tech law startups law will be practised in the near future. intake have definitely risen over the years. LLD from London University based on as replacing law firms. Instead, I see them his collected works in international law. helping law firms automate aspects of So in sum, I don’t see any tension: I see Since then, in keeping with changes in their legal practice so that lawyers can a transition and a real opportunity for technology, the various components Professor Sornarajah began his career as an do what they do best: practise the law. junior lawyers to make a difference in the within these two modules have been assistant lecturer at the University of Ceylon practice of the law, and an opportunity further hived off into “Privacy and Data in 1966. In 1974, he became a lecturer at Of course, in the process, junior and entry- for senior lawyers to return lawyering Protection”, “Cybersecurity, Privacy and the University of Tasmania’s Department level positions will be lost. This is inevitable. to its roots, which is ultimately about Data Compliance” and “AI, Information of Law, and later was its head from 1981 But this also means that as machines take serving the community and the clients. Science and the Law”. Interest in all these to 1984. He joined the National University over the grunt work such as document subjects has definitely risen, especially of Singapore’s Law Faculty in 1986, and assembly, due diligence and legal discovery How has the teaching of technology with the advent of the Internet and its was promoted to full professor in 1995, that junior lawyers had to do as part of law, and the responses of students to commercialization. Paradoxically, when having authored the book, International technology law, changed over the years? Professor Sornarajah and Mrs Sornarajah (seated) with members of the judiciary, NUS their training, those junior lawyers are CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 Law on Foreign Investment in 1994. Law Advisory Council and faculty. now freed up and well placed to focus I first started being involved in teaching

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Distinguished Visitor Lecture on Routes to Vicarious Liability by KEY LECTURES Emeritus Professor Francis Reynolds QC Distinguished Visitor Lectures The EW Barker Centre for Law & Business (EWBCLB) at NUS Law NUS Law hosted the 16th and 17th hosted a Distinguished Lecture Kwa Geok Choo Distinguished Visitors with Emeritus Professor Francis Reynolds Lecture with Professor Peter Mirfield, QC, from , who from the University of Oxford and delivered a public lecture titled, “Routes with Professor Ran Hirschl, from the to Vicarious Liability” on 3 September University of Toronto on 31 January 2019. The lecture was chaired by CJ Koh and 9 September 2019 respectively. Professor Hans Tjio, Director of EWBCLB. Vicarious liability is an extremely important Professor Peter Mirfield delivered a public area of tort law that has been seeing lecture titled, “The Right to Confront One’s dramatic development across common Accusers: Did Sir Walter Ralegh Die for law jurisdictions. The lecture examined the Nothing?” that was chaired by Justice routes to liability for fraudulent and negligent Vinodh Coomaraswamy (Supreme Court of statements by others, and the extent to Singapore). Professor Mirfield spoke about which such liability should be regarded as the idea of a “right of confrontation” that vicarious or explained in some other way. emerged at the 1603 trial of Sir Walter Ralegh, the (in)famous English adventurer who was beheaded for treason in 1618. Professor Ran Hirschl delivered a public Inaugural Distinguished Visitor in Intellectual Property Lecture by Professor Barton Beebe lecture titled, “Urban Agglomeration, Megacities, Constitutional Silence” that The inaugural Distinguished Visitor in was chaired by Associate Professor Jaclyn Intellectual Property Lecture with Neo ’03. Professor Hirschl spoke about Professor Barton Beebe was hosted by urban agglomeration and the rise of the EW Barker Centre for Law & Business megacities as one of the most significant (EWBCLB) on 20 March 2019. Professor geo-political phenomena of our time. Beebe delivered a public lecture The lecture was based on Professor titled “Intellectual Property and Post- Hirschl’s forthcoming book City, State: Scarcity Society”, which was chaired Comparative Constitutionalism and the by Professor David Tan (Vice Dean Megacity (, 2020). (Academic Affairs), NUS Law). This lecture series is organised by EWBCLB to bring in eminent thought leaders in the field CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11 of intellectual property from around the world. His lecture considered the implications having an Internet connection was a luxury, options being opened up for graduating expertise of legal academics, and we of post-scarcity society for law and students were more eager to find out students such as legaltech entrepreneurs have to collaborate with our colleagues specifically for intellectual property law. about the technology and how it works. and empirical legal researchers. And so, it from different faculties to complement With the popularization of information is vitally important for an institution like each other’s strengths and weaknesses. technology and the widespread use of NUS Law to stay abreast of developments TRAIL has invited two colleagues from portable smart computing devices like in technology as well as the needs of the the NUS School of Computing to be its smartphones, a majority of students have legal community, so that we can help our first Academic Fellows, and we are very Distinguished Lecture by Professor Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na’im shifted their attention away from the graduates better position themselves for honoured that they have accepted our The Centre for Asian Legal Studies (CALS) mechanics, the “how” of technology, to the future, be it in practice or in service. invitation. We hope to leverage on this hosted a Distinguished Lecture with its application, the “why” of technology. collaboration to make useful contributions Professor Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na’im, To their credit, most students who take Congratulations! You have been to conversations about legal regulation of Charles Howard Candler Professor of the tech law modules quickly understand appointed the Director of the NUS technology. In addition, we also hope to Law from Emory Law, on 23 May 2019 the importance of learning the “how” Centre for Technology, Robotics, AI make a positive contribution by way of who delivered a public lecture titled “The of technology. I am deeply heartened and the Law (TRAIL). Please share your our projects and research to the various Challenge of Self-Determination in a Neo- to learn that they want to ensure that vision for the Centre and what TRAIL stakeholders in the legal profession and Colonial World: Islam and the State on they have the skills and options to survive hopes to achieve in the near future. other statutory bodies, such as the Ministry Muslim Terms”. The lecture was chaired in what they fear may be a radically I see TRAIL as the hub for collaboration of Law, the courts and the Personal Data by Associate Professor Arif A. Jamal (NUS transformed legal profession by the time between academics of different disciplines, Protection Commission. These are small Law). Professor An-Na’im argued that the they settle into practice. The other positive ranging from computer science to policy goals given our limited resources but I challenge of “naming” should be organized side effect of students being receptive studies, from economics to medicine. For sincerely hope that in our quest to shape and coordinated through a global towards information technology law is better or worse, technology has legal technology law for the better, we are able scholarly exchange and transformation. that we are beginning to see new career implications in fields beyond the traditional to collectively leave behind a legacy of knowledge and acumen for posterity. 12 13 LAWLINK 2019 LAW SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

Constitutional Courts in Asia: A Comparative Perspective BOOK LAUNCHES 11 April 2019 Constitutional Courts in Asia: A Comparative Framing Intellectual Property law in the 21st Century: Environmental Law in Perspective by Professors Andrew Harding Integrating Incentives, Trade, Development, Culture, Singapore LLM ’84 and Albert H.Y. Chen provides and Human Rights 3 October 2019 systematic narratives and analysis of Asian 17 January 2019 experiences of constitutional courts and related developments, and to introduce comparative, historical and theoretical perspectives on these experiences, as well as debates on the relevant issues in countries that do not as yet have constitutional courts. This volume makes a significant contribution to the systematic and comparative study of constitutional courts, constitutional adjudication and constitutional developments in East and Southeast Asia and beyond.

The Asia Pacific Centre for Environmental Law (APCEL) organised a book launch and a Islam, Law and the Modern State: (Re)imagining Liberal Theory In Muslim Contexts panel discussion to celebrate the publication 30 May 2019 of Environmental Law in Singapore by Framing Intellectual Property law in the views can be reconciled and integrated. Adjunct Professor Lye Lin Heng ’73 and Associate Professor Arif Jamal’s new 21st Century: Integrating Incentives, The event was organized by the EW Barker Dr Joseph Chun ’91 (Shook Lin & Bok book, Islam, Law and the Modern State: Trade, Development, Culture, and Centre for Law & Business (EWBCLB). LLP). The book explains the subject in (Re)imagining Liberal Theory In Muslim Human Rights was edited by the late the context of international and regional Contexts argues that liberal theory, and Associate Professor Elizabeth Ng Siew The Elizabeth Ng Siew Kuan Prize in environmental law and the Singapore legal in particular justice as discourse, can be Kuan (NUS Law) & Professor Rochelle International Patent Law, Policy and system. A panel discussion on Regulating normatively useful in Muslim contexts Cooper Dreyfuss (New York University). Practice was established at the book Transits and Imports of Endangered Species for relating religion, law and state. The book examines intellectual property launch and is awarded annually to the After Kong Hoo (Private) Limited v Public The panel discussion was chaired by through successive lenses (incentive law student(s) with the highest marks Prosecutor: What Have We Learned from Associate Professor Gary Bell (NUS Law), theory, trade, development, culture, and in the elective module “International the Rosewood Case and Where Do We Go and featured Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na’im human rights) and ends with a discussion Patent Law, Policy and Practice”. from Here? was moderated by Ambassador- (Emory Law), Professor Werner Menski of whether and how these fragmented at-Large Professor Tommy Koh ’61. (SOAS, University of London) and Associate Professor Jaclyn Neo ‘03 (NUS Law).

The Centre for Asian Legal Studies (CALS) organised the following book launches this year. The Politics Of Love In Myanmar Constitutionalism in Asia 29 August 2019 18 January 2019 presence of ethnic, religious, political, The Politics of Love in Myanmar: LGBT and ideational pluralities in Southeast Mobilization and Human Rights as a Way Asian societies is edited by Associate of Life, a new book by Associate Professor Professor Jaclyn Neo (NUS Law) and Lynette Chua ’03 published by Stanford Assistant Professor Bui Ngoc Son (Chinese University Press, is an ethnographic study University of Hong Kong). Constitutional of how a human rights movement, the Foundings in Southeast Asia edited by LGBT rights movement in Myanmar, Adjunct Professor Kevin Tan ’86 (NUS understood and put human rights into Law) and Assistant Professor Bui Ngoc Son action. The panel discussion chaired by (Chinese University of Hong Kong) focuses Dr. Nyi Nyi Kyaw (Visiting Fellow, ISEAS on the making, nature, and role of the first Yusof Ishak Institute) featured Professor modern constitutions at the founding of David Engel (State University of New the modern nation-states in Southeast Asia. York, Buffalo), Professor Andrey Yue The discussion panel included eminent (NUS Department of Communications academics in constitutional law in Asia and New Media), Professor Antony A launch was organised to celebrate published in the series. The first book in the – Judge Raul Pangalangan (International Terence Anghie (NUS Law), Mr. Hla Myat the publication of a new book series series Pluralist Constitutions in Southeast Criminal Court) and Professor Yeh (Deputy Director, Colours Rainbow), and Constitutionalism in Asia and two new books Asia is an edited volume examining the Jiunn-Rong (National Taiwan University). Associate Professor Lynette Chua ’03.

14 15 LAWLINK 2019 STUDENT FEATURES CONGRATULATIONS MICHAEL HWANG SC DELIVERS CLASS OF 2019 SLR ANNUAL LECTURE Contributed by Seah Ding Hang ‘22 and Bay Jia Wei ‘22

“What is the doctrinal basis of a state being considered to be a sovereign state for [the] purposes of public international law?” Dr Michael Hwang SC

In today’s world, problems are morphing to become supra-national. How then will countries apply broad general principles in dealing with similar issues?

The 31st SLR Annual Lecture titled “A Tale of Two Cities: SQ 006 and The Issue of State Immunity For Taiwan” given by Dr Hwang SC provided an intriguing perspective on public international law. The opening address was delivered by ‘70, LLM ‘88, a retired Justice of the High Court and member of the “None of these achievements did come easy. Preceding them were countless sleepless nights, tears, first Editorial Board of the Singapore Law fears and even failed attempts, but ultimately, the triumph of resilience - resilience that I pray this batch Review. The atmosphere turned nostalgic will continue to embody as we continue dreaming big.” as Mr Kan brought us back in time and courts (High Court and Court of Appeal) Joshua Foo ‘19, Class of 2019 Valedictorian through the vivid history of the Singapore and the Canadian Quebec Superior Law Review before ending off with well- Court. The Singapore courts decided that wishes for the future success of the Review. Taiwan was not a State (Woo Anthony v After the sentimental sharing by Mr Kan, Singapore Airlines Ltd and other actions the sponsors for the Lecture, Clifford (Civil Aeronautics Administration, third Chance, warmly introduced Dr Hwang SC. party) [2003] 3 SLR(R) 688 (SGHC); Civil Aeronautics Administration v Singapore Dr Hwang SC’s lecture on public Airlines Ltd [2004] 1 SLR(R) 570), while international law centered around the the Canadian Quebec Superior Court question of whether Taiwan is a State within held a differing opinion in Parent v the meaning of Singapore’s State Immunity Singapore Airlines & Civil Aeronautics Act 1985 and Canada’s State Immunity Administration (2003) 133 ILR 264. Act 1982, both of which were derived from the UK’s State Immunity Act 1978. Amongst other things, Dr Hwang SC Congratulations to the graduates of NUS The Class of 2019 valedictorian is Joshua explored the role of the courts and the Law’s Class of 2019! This year, over 340 Foo ‘19, who represented NUS Law in The litigation proceedings in these two executive in recognising statehood. students from the LLB, LLM and PhD several mooting competitions including the jurisdictions saw Taiwan’s Civil Aeronautics In respect of the situation where there programmes graduated from the Faculty. Philip C Jessup Moot Competition. He was Administration (CAA) as one of the is no clear certificate issued by the Held at the University Cultural Centre on also a member of the team that clinched defendants. The lawsuits were situated executive on whether a country is a State, 11 July 2019, this year’s Commencement the first ever victory at the Allen & Overy in the context of a tragic aircraft accident Dr Hwang SC articulated the judicial ceremony featured guest speaker, Mr Private Law Moot Competition in 2017. In in Taipei on 31 October 2000, where flight struggle in navigating the tension between Associate Professor Eleanor Wong ‘85 (Vice Dean Yeong Zee Kin ‘97 (Assistant Chief his valedictory speech, Joshua praised the SQ006 crashed on take-off at Chiang Kai- deferring to the executive’s evidentiary (Student Life & Global Relations)) presenting Executive (Data Innovation and Protection graduating cohort’s achievements which shek International Airport (now Taiwan expertise to recognise States and, on the a token of appreciation to Dr Hwang SC Group), Deputy Commissioner (Personal include establishing the Faculty’s first Taoyuan International Airport). CAA pleaded other hand, applying the rules of customary Data Protection Commission), Infocomm Alternative Dispute Resolution club, raising sovereign immunity under Canada’s and international law in the national sphere. Media Development Authority). Addressing $12,000 for charity from the annual student Singapore’s respective State Immunity Acts. graduates from NUS Law and the Lee Kuan musical production Law IV and expanding A Tale of Two Cities (Public International Yew School of Public Policy, Mr Yeong talked the pro bono efforts of the Faculty. The similarly-worded Acts led to two Law edition) was a tale of two jurisdictions about the importance of lawmaking and vastly different conclusions on Taiwan’s navigating the same waters on different policymaking in supporting innovation and statehood, or lack thereof, in the Singapore ships and arriving at different destinations. technology in a fast-changing environment.

16 17 LAWLINK 2019 STUDENT FEATURES

THE APPEAL OF THE MOOT Most memorable moment Joel: The 2019 Jessup Moot, where my team ranked 5th in the world (out of 700 NUS Law has an excellent record in support from the HL Wee Mooting teams), while I placed as Best Oralist in the United Kingdom, and 5th globally. moot court competitions, thanks in Fund, our young mooters can focus “I believe that mooting should be Eening: The moment we won the National Round was also the moment we all part to former students such as Chief on preparing for the international about a learning experience, over started letting ourselves believe that we might actually win the entire competition. Justice Sundaresh Menon ‘86 and competitions and honing their advocacy and above competition outcomes. Melody: The moment my team won the 2019 Jessup National Rounds was a big Minister for Law, K Shanmugam SC ‘84. skills. To-date, more than 160 students At NUS, we try to make the one – I remember the tears both my team and (some of) my coaches shed that day. have benefitted from the fund. experience open to many students, NUS International Moot Programme not just to those who have already Growing with the moot The NUS International Moot Programme A recipient of the fund, NUS Law graduate distinguished themselves, or who Joel: Moots have developed my ability to conduct legal research. Moot problems has two components. First, the Young Melody Lau ’19, together with her team have ‘relevant experience’ or who often involve novel and challenging areas of law which require an in-depth Mooters Programme (YMP) under mates Low Eening ’19, Ayana Ki ’19, have ‘obvious talent’. We do look understanding of cutting-edge topics. Secondly, moots have taught me how the aegis of our Mooting & Debating Lucas Lim ’20 and Darren Sim ’20, won for proven aptitude; but we equally Low Eening ’19 to develop arguments (both written and oral) in a systematic and persuasive Club supports students (regardless of the 2019 Philip C. Jessup International look for attitude and potential. As manner. Lastly, moots have taught me how to work collaboratively with others. seniority) to participate in a wide range Law Moot National Rounds as part of a result, each year, more than 100 Eening: I’ve learnt to craft academically rigorous arguments, and to connect of international moots on a not-for-credit the NUS team and reached the semi- students get to represent NUS in with people on a personal level. I have never been particularly good at working basis, partially funded by the generous finals of the International Rounds. international competitions. And, of in a team, but being in a moot team taught me to celebrate others’ victories donation of the HL Wee Mooting Melody and Eening also tied for Best course, many more NUS students like my own, and to learn to make sacrifices that were necessary for the team. Fund. Second, students also have the Oralist in the National Rounds. As participate in domestic moots and Melody: Mooting has greatly enhanced my self-awareness. It has revealed option (at upper level) to participate in Melody pointed out: “I took part in the hone their skills that way too.” to me the way I think, the way I work within a team, the way I deal with major moots for academic credit; and 2017 Asia Cup Moot Cup Competition Associate Professor Eleanor stress, and given me opportunities to practise resilience. Professionally, it has these official moots are fully supported held in Tokyo, as well as the Nuremberg Wong ’85 (Vice Dean, Student highlighted to me my passion for advocacy, argumentative thinking and writing. by NUS Law and our direct donors. Moot Court Competition, and could Life & Global Relations) not have done so as easily without the Best mooting advice HL Wee Mooting Fund generous funding provided. I wish to Joel: Victor Leong ’16 stressed the importance of answering judges’ In memory of the late Mr HL Wee, say a huge thank you to the donors.” questions directly and understanding “the question behind the question”. his family pledged an endowed gift who was also named Best Oralist, received his foundational mooting Melody: Joshua Hiew ’17 used to tell me that mooting was a “dance”. of S$500,000 to NUS Law in 2013 The same year, while on exchange at That helped me to see mooting as a performance – something that opportunities from the NUS YMP. Joel Sherard Chow ’20 to establish the HL Wee Scholarship King’s College London, Joel Sherard can be rehearsed to death, but still turn out differently every round. Fund and the HL Wee Mooting Fund. Chow ’20 and his team from the Eening: A week before the National Round, Joshua Hiew ’17 told me that The latter fund allowed NUS to greatly Dickson Poon School of Law emerged NUS Law spoke to Melody, Eening and Joel on their mooting journey. “past a certain point, it’s no longer about hard work, it’s about living in that expand the YMP so that more students Champions of the UK National Rounds moment.” Hearing this made me reflect that perhaps it was other things could benefit from mooting. With of the Jessup Competition. Joel, that I needed to change besides the amount of work I was putting in.

Most valuable takeaway Joel: Trust your teammates, coaches, and most importantly, yourself. The second is to use the opportunity to meet people from around the world, who undoubtedly will become top lawyers in their fields one day. Lastly, learn and improve from each round of the moot. What is important is to grow from the experience and to be humble in victory and gracious in defeat. Melody: Mooting in NUS is always a community endeavour; we have so many incredibly dedicated and talented coaches and alumni, who share in our pain and our joy in the most selfless of ways. Melody Lau’19

Champions of the IASLA Space Law Moot Team NUS at the IBA-VIAC Consensual Champions of the Attorney-General’s Court Competition 2019 Dispute Resolution Competition (CDRC) Cup 2019 Vienna 2019

18 19 LAWLINK 2019 STUDENT FEATURES RAG & FLAG 2019 LAW IV: UNJUST ENRICHMENT Contributed by Timothy Homer Hsu ’22 Contributed by Valerie Goh ’19

NUS Law freshmen raised over $19,000 for of us made friendships that will last for a It was heartening to see our freshmen Every year, the graduating class of NUS Law who suffer abuse and exploitation, their beneficiary, Lion Befrienders at this lifetime. Moreover, I was encouraged that participating in all the activities puts on a musical production to celebrate through offering direct assistance, year’s NUS Students’ Union (NUSSU) Rag & the freshmen had a heart for the community. enthusiastically. Despite facing many and showcase the cohort’s talents beyond shelter, legal aid and skills training. Flag held on 10 August 2019. The freshmen challenges and having to stay late into the the purely academic, as well as give back put up an entertaining and colourful On Flag Day, freshmen raise funds for social night to realise this project, we were able to to the community. This year, the Class of This year’s production followed the journey performance, earning them a Bronze Award. service organisations and subsequently on overcome these obstacles because of our 2019 continues this tradition with “Law of its three protagonists through law Rag Day, they put up dance performances indefatigable spirit. Overall, the experience IV 2019: Unjust Enrichment”, which school, exploring themes of academic The success of Rag & Flag was attributed to to thank the public for their donations. has been a meaningful and fulfilling one was performed from 22 to 24 February. pressure, student activism, fear of failure, our freshmen’s commitment and dedication This year’s Rag & Flag was held at Bishan which will be etched in our memories for and the tension between ethics and to the project. Working hard together Park Ficus Green where members of the a long time to come. Well done, NUS Law! Over the course of three nights, more than opportunism. Dinesh is a classic Type A over two months has helped us establish public were treated to a spectacle of 800 friends, relatives, faculty members and student from a prestigious school who camaraderie amongst the cohort. Many performances from the various NUS faculties. special guests attended the production. The has wanted to be a successful lawyer. year’s performance raised over $10,000. But Dinesh’s friend, Jeremy, has quite a different take on law school; he is only here The proceeds from the production will be because of social and familial expectations. donated to Humanitarian Organisation Dinesh and Jeremy are joined by Claire, for Migration Economics (HOME). who is passionate about environmental HOME is dedicated to supporting activism, and who is from a less well- and empowering migrant workers known school and a less well-to-do family.

20 21 LAWLINK 2019 REUNIONS REUNIONS CLASS OF 1989: 30TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION Contributed by Adrian Chan ‘89 and Margaret Chin ‘89

One year ago when we broached the some old ties and that post the reunion, provided and indeed, we are very proud idea of organising a class reunion for at least some of us will continue to stay to see that NUS has grown to become the (Dean, NUS Law), Justice Andrew Phang our 30th Anniversary, it seemed like an in touch. As we looked around and saw world-class institution that it is today. To ’82 and Mr Kim Seah ’77 who took uphill task trying to reach out to our most of us still in good health and also do our part to help future law students, time out to join us at this celebration. classmates, many of whom we have not in good spirits (both in the alcoholic and we decided to repurpose the Class of 1989 kept in touch with. We spent a good few non-alcoholic sense!!), we must say that Financial Relief Fund (set up 10 years ago at Finally, we would like to acknowledge the months trying to track everyone down the Class of ’89 is indeed very blessed. our last reunion) into a Bursary, and invited generosity of the Law Faculty for sponsoring (and we must say that we have not totally Among the highlights of the evening was classmates to contribute to this cause. the dinner at the Guild House (while the found all of them yet!!) but closer to the the brilliant Trivia quiz, put together by wines were kindly arranged by Patrick event, the word about the dinner spread Adrian (our permanent Class president), A big thank you to all those who attended Ang). The memories at the reunion were very quickly. It was really heartening to which managed to stump many of us. the get together, especially those who beautifully captured by the photographer see so many who turned up looking came back from overseas for this event! and will stay with us until the next reunion. miraculously the same after all these years! For this reunion, the Committee also For those who could not attend but took For most of us, it was a 10-year gap since thought that it would be meaningful to the effort to send your video clips, well We are ready to pass on the baton to the we last met but yet, the conversations see how we can give back to our alma wishes and greetings to the Class – we next organising committee…. Margaret, flowed freely as if we had never lost mater. Many of us owe our careers to the are really appreciative. Special thanks Patrick, Adrian, Yee Leong, Carrie and Kala. touch. We hope that we had re-kindled top-notch education that NUS Law had also to Professor Simon Chesterman

22 23 LAWLINK 2019 REUNIONS

CLASS OF 1999: 20TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION CLASS OF 2009: 10TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION Contributed by Jared Chen ’09, Khelvin Xu ’09 and Liang Hanting ’09

On Saturday 17 August 2019, almost 70 alumni from the LLB Class of 2009 (with some little ones in tow) gathered Undeterred by roadblocks in the area due at the Kent Ridge Guild House to to National Day rehearsals, 80 alumni from celebrate their 10th anniversary reunion. the Class of 1999 gathered at Sinfonia Accompanying us at the celebration restaurant at the Victoria Concert Hall was Professor Simon Chesterman and on Saturday 20 July 2019, to celebrate members of the alumni relations team. their 20th Anniversary since graduation. The mood was upbeat as classmates For many of the alumni, the location was There was little doubt at the end of the eagerly caught up with one another and especially meaningful as they had spent gathering that everyone was looking reminisced over old photos in a montage. their first year at the Kent Ridge Campus forward to the next reunion. For those Professor Simon Chesterman together before transitioning to the current Bukit alumni who could not make this event, with Professors Hans Tjio and Joel Lee, Timah Campus. Old friendships were quickly your fellow classmates want to leave Adjunct Professor Kevin Tan ‘86 as well rekindled over good food and drinks, and you with this quote – “Many people will as former lecturers Mr Lee Kiat Seng ‘89 the photographs flashed on the projector walk in and out of your life, but only and Ms Margaret Chew LLM ‘98, were screens were a warm reminder of how much true friends will leave footprints in your also present to join in the celebrations. everyone had grown through the years. heart”. See you at the next reunion!

24 25 LAWLINK 2019 REUNIONS

LLM CLASS OF 2009: 10TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION KUALA LUMPUR

“Coming back for the ten-year class reunion was a great opportunity to catch up with old friends, revisit the campus More than 50 alumni gathered at new friends. Professor Simon Chesterman, all the way to the Class of 2017. No matter where I spent so much time during my studies and to enjoy some great Singaporean food. It was well worth the long the Hilton Kuala Lumpur on Saturday Adjunct Professor Lye Lin Heng ’73, which year they were from, their common trip and allowed me to reconnect with my Alma Mater.” evening, 13 April 2019 for the NUS Law Professor Teo Keang Sood and Professor A. bond as NUS Law alumni helped to quickly Jacov Wirtz - LLM Class of 2009 Kuala Lumpur Alumni Reunion. It was a Kumaralingam were also there to mingle break the ice and the conversation to flow. great time for guests to catch up with with alumni. Every decade was represented old law school classmates and to make with alumni ranging from the Class of 1962

NEW YORK

Professor David Tan (Vice Dean (Academic Officer at the United Nations, and both Affairs)) hosted a dinner in New York Tan Liang Ying ’07 and Christine Sim Hui Ling on 23 April 2019 at Blue Ribbon Sushi ’11 are at Herbert Smith Freehills working Bar & Grill with NUS Law alumni. in the area of international arbitration. Camille M. Ng LLM ’12 is Deputy Counsel Professor Tan was delighted to catch up with at the New York office of the International our alumni including Purnima R. Doshi ’83 Court of Arbitration of the International who has her own practice in Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce. Four of our recent and Luke Tang ’06 (currently based in New graduates who were there pursuing their Almost a year in advance, the Committee Saturday 6 July 2019 for what would be NUS Co-op and even managed to catch up York with his wife Caris Tay ’05), who LLM at New York University under the from the LLM Class of 2009 began planning Law’s first-ever official LLM Class reunion! with Professor Simon Chesterman outside is Legal Counsellor at the Permanent Exchange Plus programme also joined in: for their 10th-anniversary reunion. Slowly the Block B Auditorium! As the sun set, Mission of Singapore to the United Nations. Hong Sim ’19, Kim Bumsoo ’19, Samuel but surely, the reunion started taking shape Festivities began as early as Friday the class gathered on the lawn of the Mak Shin Yi ’14 is an Associate Legal Lim Tien Sern ’19 and Wong Hee Jinn ’19. – it would be a lunch held near the Bukit night over drinks, followed by lunch Lower Quad for the evening programme Timah Campus and on the same day as the on Saturday at the beautiful Botanico of the Bukit Timah Homecoming. It Bukit Timah Homecoming in the evening, so restaurant, surrounded by the verdant was indeed a weekend to remember! UPCOMING REUNIONS that classmates can join in both celebrations. greenery of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. The leisurely lunch provided abundant Kudos to Juliana, Priyanka, Ferdinand, Linna, For all classes celebrating milestone reunions in 2020 (ie. Classes of 1965, The plan turned out to be a tremendous opportunities to catch up with old friends and Jacov for pulling off such a wonderful 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010), please note that success as alumni from more than 10 and fill in the gaps of the past 10 years. reunion and we especially applaud those we have made some adjustments to the support provided for reunions. Please different nations (including Germany, who made the effort to travel all the way contact Jo-Ann Chan ’97 ([email protected]) to find out more, if you Switzerland, Brazil, India, Thailand, After lunch, the class explored their back to Singapore for this special occasion. would like to plan a class reunion next year. Indonesia, Japan, Australia, Finland, Russia, old haunts at the Bukit Timah Campus, France, Pakistan and Singapore) gathered on scored some NUS Law souvenirs at the Meanwhile, please do update your current contact details with us via this link: https://law.nus.edu.sg/alumni/alumni_update_particulars.asp so that we can keep you informed about the latest news and events.

26 27 LAWLINK 2019 BENEFACTORS

Reeta Khattar Surfland Investment Pte Ltd Tung Yang Thong, Issac ’00 BENEFACTORS RHTLaw Taylor Wessing LLP ’87 V K Rajah ’82 S Rajendran ’62 Tan Chong Huat ’89 Wee Ewe Lay, Laurence NUS LAW OFFERS SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR DONORS: Sachi Saurajen ’61 Tan Ken Hwee ’94 Wee Ewe Seng, Patrick John ’89 Santa Clara University, School Of Law Tan Kwang Hwee Wee Foundation Sat Pal Khattar ’66, LLM ’71 Tan Rajah & Cheah Wee Woon Hong ’89 A Balasubramaniam Reddy ’80, Fam Siu Ping, Anita ’86 Lee Tat Realty Pte Ltd Sea Coast Investment (Singapore) Tan Su May ’87 Wing Tai Foundation LL.M ’90 Far East Organization Lee Teck Leng, Robson ’93 Pte Ltd Tan Tee Jim ’79 Withers KhattarWong LLP Adrian Ooi ’08 Foo Tuat Yien ’76 Lee Tye Beng, Joel Seaside Walk Investment (Singapore) Tan Tze Gay ’87 Woh Hup (Private) Limited ADTLaw LLC Fook Hai Investment (Pte) Ltd Lee Yih Sin, Eugene ’93 Pte Ltd Temasek Foundation International Wong Yuen Kuai Lucien Allen & Gledhill LLP Fortuna Investment (Pte) Ltd Lee Yuen Ying, Amy ’82 Sembcorp Cogen Pte Ltd CLG Limited Wong Yuen Kuai, Lucien ’78 Amarjeet Singh ’61 Gan Hiang Chye ’89 Leena Pinsler ’82 and Jeffrey Pinsler Seng Kiat Boon, Daniel ’92 Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited WongPartnership LLP Ang Peng Koon Patrick ’89 Gary F Bell Leow Siak Fah ’70 Ser Holdings Pte Ltd TFG Investment Pte. Ltd. Yap Kok Kiong ’89 Ang Shunli Alanna Suegene Uy ’06 Giam Lay Hoon ’86 LexisNexis Shook Lin & Bok LLP The Community Foundation Yap Wai Ming ’86 Ann Elizabeth Wee & Family Gladys Mirandah ’76 & Patrick Mirandah Liew Chih Yuan, Steven ’93 ’86 of Singapore Yeap Poh Leong, Andre ’86 Arvind Khattar Goh Joon Seng ’62 Lim Chong Kin ’95 The Family of Bennett Lam ’86 Yeoh Cheng Huann Ashurst LLP Goh Yong Hong ’61 Lim Peng Huan & Sim Pei Fang Singapore Exchange Limited The Family of Edlyn Yap Mei Li ’96 Yeong Zee Kin ’97 Asian Patent Attorneys Association- Gwee Tiong Hai, Raymond ’82 LKH Property Pte. Ltd. Singapore Institute of The Family of Ho Thian Cheh ’61 Yim Wing Kuen, Jimmy ’82 Singapore Group Helen Yeo ’74 Lok Vi Ming Legal Education The Grace, Shua and Jacob Ballas II Ying Wai Lin Asok Kumar s/o Naraindas Herman Jeremiah ’87 Low Kee Yang Singapore Maritime Institute Charitable Trust Yip Hsien Chang, John ’92 Baker & Mckenzie Foundation Ho Kin San ’87 LT Group Pte. Ltd. Singapore Mediation Centre The LLD ’01 Baker & McKenzie.Wong & Leow Intellectual Property Office Lye Lin Heng, Irene ’73 Singapore Press Holdings Limited The Maritime Law Association Yong Wei-Woo Barclays Bank PLC Of Singapore Manoj Pillay Sandrasegara ’93 Singapore Technologies of Singapore Boo Geok Seng, Lawrence ’80, IRB Law LLP Maritime and Port Authority Engineering Ltd The Ngee Ann Kongsi LLM ’88 Jazmyn Chelliah of Singapore Stamford Law Corporation The Riady Family * Listed are those who have cumulatively Cecilia & Family Jennifer Suriyiacala Marie ’83 Mediacorp Pte Ltd Stefanie Yuen Thio ’93 Thio Su Mien ’61 given S$10,000.00 and above to ’61 JH17 Investments Pte. Ltd. Mellford Pte Ltd Stephenson Harwood Toh See Kiat ’82 NUS Law since 2000, as at Chan Wah Teck, Jeffrey ’73 Johann Heinrich Jessen Messrs Wonders Engineering STW Investment Pte Ltd Tote Board September 2019. Chee Wei Liang, Michael & Helen Chee John & Lydia Ewing-Chow Co Pte Ltd Sundaresh Menon ’86 TPB Menon ’61 * Some donors have asked to remain Chen Jie’An, Jared ’09 K Shanmugam ’84 Michael Hwang Suresh Nanwani ’81 TSMP Law Corporation anonymous. Chew Gek Khim ’84 K&L Gates Straits Law LLC Michael Stephen Puhaindran ’96 Chia Ah Mooi, Sally Kao Kwok Weng, Jonathan ’10 Microsoft Operations Pte Ltd Chia Jee Phun, Jennifer ’71 Kelvin Tay ’93 & Grace Tay Microsoft Singapore Private Limited Chiang Ju Hua, Audrey ’95 Keppel Corporation Limited Minn Naing Oo ’96 Chin Siew Hoong, Margaret ’89 Khattar Capital International Pte Ltd Mohamed Faizal Mohamed Chong Horng Siong, Steven ’82 Khoo Bee Lian Abdul Kadir ’05 Chong Leong Realty (Pte) Ltd Khoo Boo Teck Randolph ’89 Mohan Reviendran Pillay ’85 Chua Lee Ming ’83 Koh Juay Kherng ’82 Muthucumaraswamy Sornarajah City Developments Limited Koh Kheng Lian ’61 Nesadevi Sandrasegara ’61 Pte Ltd Koh Tee Huck, Kenneth ’83 Newsman Realty Pte Ltd Colin Ng & Partners LLP Koh Thong Bee, Tommy ’61 Ng Siang Kok Francis Davinder Singh ’82 Kok Pin Chin, Stanley ’03 Ng Soon Kai ’89 Dentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP Kuok Group of Companies Singapore Ng Teng Fong Charitable Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara’ 88 Lam Chung Nian ’97 Foundation Limited Drew & Napier LLC Lee & Lee Norton Rose (Asia) LLP Edmund Jerome Kronenburg ’96 Lee Chong Estates (Pte.) Ltd NUS America Foundation, Inc Edward Lam Lee Foundation NUS Law Class of 1988 Ella Cheong Lee Geok Chiau, Grace ’93 Ong Siew Ling, Debbie ’89 Ernst & Young Solutions LLP Lee Ho Wah ’86 Oon & Bazul LLP Estate of Chng Mui Lin, Isabel PB Tankers Ltd Estate of Koh Choon Joo Lee Hwai Bin ’00 Phang Boon Leong, Andrew ’82 Estate of Tan Sri Khoo Teck Puat Lee Kai Enterprises Pte Ltd Philip Jiminez Evangelos Apostolou Lee Kai House Investment Pte Ltd Philip Nalliah Pillai ’71 Evergreen Investment Lee Kay Tuan, David ’92 Po Sang Investment (Pte) Ltd (Singapore) Pte Ltd Lee Kim Tah Holdings Limited Quahe Woo & Palmer LLC Eversheds Harry Elias LLP Lee Soo Hiang Madeleine Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP

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Please send By mail: Alumni Relations & Development Faculty of Law NUSGIVING National University of Singapore PayingSCHOLARSHIP it forward TO EXPAND MINDSETS Eu Tong Sen Building 469G Bukit Timah Road GIFT FORM Singapore 259776 SeptemberABOUT 13, 2018 SUCCESS By fax: (65) 6779 0979 By email: [email protected] CHANDRA MOHAN K NAIR ‘76 & SUSAN DE SILVA ‘83 To contact us, please call (65) 6516 3616 What kind of help did you receive different charities and I now serve on five GIFT then? different charitable organisations, largely in Other qualities we’d like to see in recipients I / We would like to make: I applied for the Bashir Mallal study loan the health care sector. What advice would Singapore tax residents are are humility, compassion, optimism, and A monthly* gift of $ for months. which was S$5,000 per student. But I you give to young students who have just eligible for a tax deduction curiosity.” still needed to supplement my financial received their own scholarship or bursary An annual* gift of $ for years. that is 2.5 times the gift Susan de Silva ‘83 value for gifts made in 2019. needs by working as a part-time waiter at and whose education journey lies ahead of A one-time gift of $ the Guild House in between lessons and “Ithem? joined Work Mr hardCC Tan’s and whenlaw firm, it is yourTan turn,Rajah To support: also giving private tuition. Times were &please Cheah, contribute in January back 1977, to society the year in I yourwas tough. I had a law school classmate and calledown way. to the I find Bar. inspiration In his quiet in way, the MrChinese Tan NUS Law Student Support Fund (used to support needy students, student learning and student activities at NUS Law, enabling all our students to develop to their full a running buddy, Sin Boon Ann (Arts ’82, saying . We return potential regardless of financial background) taught me滴水之恩, to carry out 涌泉相报 one’s duties diligently Law ’86). We ran the marathon together with thea gushing client’s fountaininterests uppermostin return for in themy Faculty of Law Lee Sheridan Legal Education Fund (used to fund bursaries, scholarships and visiting professorial appointments) and participated in the University triathlon drop of water that we received. mind, and that it was important to be a NUS Law Fund (enables the Dean to channel resources where they are most needed within NUS Law) Mr Yap (right) contributes to the Sin Jeok Tong selection. He came to understand my part of the larger legal fraternity, including Bursary – established by his friend Mr Sin Boon Other: (please specify refer to this link http://law.nus.edu.sg/giving_to_law for more options.) financial background. the judiciary, legal service, and law faculty. Ann (left) to honour his late father, who was also Mr Yap’s benefactor. PAYMENT METHOD One day, he passed me an envelope with When I did legal work for the Singapore I / We enclose a cheque [No.: ] crossed and in favour of “National University of Singapore” S$1,000 claiming that his father, Mr Sin Sports Council, Mr Tan told me to Law alumnus and a donor to the National Jeok Tong, managed to obtain a needy Please charge my / our credit card / debit card: Visa / MasterCard / American Express What does it mean to be successful in life? exemplify exceptional human qualities that treat it as pro bono work because it University of Singapore (NUS), Mr Yap study fund from the Lions Club. I was very Many may equate success with high earnings Chandra is widely respected and recognised was a government body promoting Wai Ming (Law ’86) received financial grateful for whatever assistance that came Card No.: Expiry Date: (MMYY) or stellar professional achievements. for. These include being honourable; service sports and sportsmanship in Singapore. help when he was studying at the NUS along. A few years after graduation, when to the community especially in relation to PARTICULARS OF DONOR Faculty of Law. Today, he is a partner at i visited Boon Ann at his home, his father Chandra Mohan K Nair ’76, Partner at the legal profession and NUS; acting with These and many other incidents left an Morgan Lewis Stamford, an international told me that he had given me his own Individual Donor: law firm Tan Rajah & Cheah, and his personal courage and integrity; and idealism. indelible mark on me. I was inspired law firm focusing largely on commercial money. He explained that if he had not Mr Sin Boon Ann graduated from the Faculty of wife Susan de Silva ’83, a former lawyer to do voluntary work for the Law Name ( Prof / Dr / Mr / Mrs / Ms): business transactions. He recounts how done so, I may have rejected the money. Arts and Social Sciences in 1982, and Faculty of who is now a Life & Executive Coach, The following is an excerpt from an Society, voluntary organisations, and help, which came at the right time, Boon Ann also told me that he was kept Law in 1986. He is a former MP and is currently think of success in a much broader way. interview with Susan and Chandra, thedeserving Deputy Managingnon-governmental Director of Drew and & (Family Name) (Given Name) changed his life forever and explains how in the dark as well. His father was really and the full article can be found here: Napiersports LLC. organisations. I have done so NRIC/FIN: this shaped his attitude to giving. a very generous man who gave without “When I found out about my father’s (To obtain a tax deduction, all individual donors must provide their Singapore tax reference number e.g. NRIC/FIN.) They believe that people are truly http://nus.edu.sg/nusgiving/news-and- for almost 43 years and counting. knowing who I was and that I was just magnanimity towards my friend years Alumnus (Year of Graduation: Degree(s) Conferred: successful when they engage all events/giving-news/news-detailed-view/ Describe the difficulties you faced a good friend of his son. I am eternally later, it left a deep impression on me. My dimensions of their humanity, beyond newsview/law-veteran-s-scholarship- Another person who deeply influenced while pursuing an education. grateful. father, a school teacher, was happy to put Corporate Donor: Name of Company: the intellectual and physical, to include seeks-to-expand-mindsets-about-success me as a person and lawyer was my I came to Singapore from Kuala Lumpur the well-being of others before his own. the emotional dimension and the human mother. She came to Singapore from to study under the Asean Pre-University How has studying at NUS changed He gave his time and money generously Name of Contact Person ( Prof / Dr / Mr / Mrs / Ms): need for purpose and meaning in life. “We’ve been getting the feeling that India at 28 years old and was completely Scholarship at Hwa Chong Junior College you? to help students complete and succeed in the traditional measure of ‘success’ does deaf. Whatever little money she had, and continued to study at NUS without a NUS gave me a tertiary education and it their studies. Tax Reference: They see the emotional and purpose not serve us fully as human beings. By she spent almost all of it on our family. scholarship then. My late father was the has allowed me an opportunity to embark (To obtain a tax deduction, all corporate donors must provide their Singapore tax reference number e.g. UEN.) aspects of human beings as powerful, seeding this Scholarship, we are grateful sole breadwinner and he was a textile on a fulfilling career. I met my wife at NUS “He always believed that education was largely untapped resources that are and thrilled to be able to contribute in She never punished or scolded me. But salesman. He started his own video too and we are blessed with a healthy and a great social leveller and that no matter I / We do not wish to be identified as the donor of this gift in NUS publicity materials. capable of igniting creativity, positive some way towards expanding what society she was a self-appointed ‘psychologist’ rental business at about the time I went happy family. I studied law at NUS and I what your station was in life, with hard CONTACT DETAILS disruption and ultimately more well- values as success. of sorts, telling me to improve through to university. His business failed miserably joined the Singapore Trade Development work, success and a good life will always being in the world. As such, they would reasoned arguments and not to repeat Mobile Tel: Home Tel: Office Tel: with the mushrooming of many such Board after qualifying as a lawyer before follow you.” like to encourage aspiring lawyers to In 2016, the Law Society of Singapore my mistakes. Far ahead of her time, similar shops. He closed his business I rejoined the profession where I have Email: think about what is important to them conferred on Chandra the CC Tan Award, she was a truly democratic and liberal down and I pooled all my savings and remained ever since. Mailing Address: in all their dimensions as human beings. an accolade presented to lawyers who person. She imbued in me a commitment persuaded my mother to chip in and embody the noble traits of the Law Society’s to justice and telling the truth, and to pay off the bank loan. My mother Has this experience influenced your To this end, Susan and Chandra have first president, Mr Tan Chye Cheng. It was embrace being optimistic and idealistic.” supplemented the household income by views on philanthropy and those who *I / We hereby authorise the University to continue to deduct monthly / annual payments from the credit card indicated above, established a scholarship which recognises, this award that inspired us to set up this babysitting other kids. My father took give selflessly to help others? including any replacement card thereof issued to me / us, until written termination is received from me / us. cherishes, and celebrates NUS Law Scholarship. Chandra Mohan K Nair ‘76 ADHESIVE HERE (DO NOT STAPLE) ADHESIVE HERE (DO NOT STAPLE) up odd jobs by fixing wooden crates and It has definitely formed my views about undergraduates’ personal qualities as salvaging wooden packing materials. He giving to the needy and I would not have Signature: much as their scholastic achievements. We hope to see students who do the right (I / We agree that my/our gift is subject to NUS’ Statutes and Regulations, and to its Standard Terms and Conditions for Gifts (as may be amended from time to time by the University), updated was working out of a makeshift garage been what I am today if not for the help that If you would like to make a contribution thing by their values, even if it is scary or for compliance with the Personal Data Protection Act 2012.) at home earning a few tens of dollars a many people provided for me along the towards the Chandra Mohan K The Chandra Mohan K Nair Scholarship unpopular; someone who is honest with day. I could not request money from him way. The Bashir Mallal loan and Mr Sin Jeok Nair Scholarship, you may do so at will be given to deserving candidates who the small things as much as with the big Mr Zhixiang Seow (Law ’09) is a recipient of the to fund my education and I had to find Tong’s creative giving have certainly shaped https://tinyurl.com/CMKN-Scholarship things, especially when no one is watching. Class of ’86 Scholarship, which is supported by other means on my own. my philosophy. I have contributed to many both Mr Yap and Mr Sin. Thank you for your support!

4030 31 ADHESIVE HERE (DO NOT STAPLE) NUS Law is the

Law Law No. School No. School in 1 in Asia 15 the World

Source: Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject 2017

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