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The Criminal Procedure Code 2010
(2011) 23 SAcLJ Modernising the Criminal Justice Framework 23 MODERNISING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE FRAMEWORK The Criminal Procedure Code 2010 The concept of “balancing” prevalent in criminal justice discourse is premised on a paradigm where “state” and “individual” interests are perpetually in conflict. This article outlines the key components of the new Criminal Procedure Code 2010 and discusses another dimension of the state- individual relationship. Rather than being inherently incompatible, synergistic common goals can, on occasion, be pursued between the State and an accused. The article will also consider areas in the Criminal Procedure Code 2010 where conflicts between “state” and “individual” interests have in fact arisen, and will outline the pragmatic approach that has been adopted towards their resolution. Melanie CHNG* LLB (Hons) (National University of Singapore), LLM (Harvard); Advocate & Solicitor (Singapore); Assistant Director, Ministry of Law. The criminal process is at the heart of the criminal justice system. It is not only a subject of great practical importance; it is also a reflection of our ideals and values as to the way in which we can accord justice to both the guilty and to the innocent.[1] I. Introduction 1 The recent legislative amendments to Singapore’s Criminal Procedure Code (“CPC”) signify a new chapter in the continuing evolution of Singapore’s criminal justice process. The new Criminal Procedure Code 2010 (“New CPC”),2 which came into force on * The opinions expressed in this article are those of its author and are not representative of the official position or policies of the Singapore government. The author is grateful to Mr Amarjeet Singh SC, Ms Jennifer Marie SC, Mr Bala Reddy, Professor Michael Hor, Mr Subhas Anandan, Ms Valerie Thean and Mr Desmond Lee for their invaluable comments on an earlier draft of this article. -
Overseas Union Insurance Ltd V Home and Overseas Insurance Co
Overseas Union Insurance Ltd v Home and Overseas Insurance Co Ltd and another application [2002] SGHC 83 Case Number : DC Suit 51197/1999, RA 600004/2002, OM 600011/2002 Decision Date : 23 April 2002 Tribunal/Court : High Court Coram : Tay Yong Kwang JC Counsel Name(s) : Liew Teck Huat (Niru & Co) for the plaintiffs/respondents; P Jeya Putra (Joseph Tan Jude Benny) for the defendants/applicants Parties : Overseas Union Insurance Ltd — Home and Overseas Insurance Co Ltd Civil Procedure – Appeals – Leave – Plaintiffs seeking to appeal to High Court against district judge's decision relating to costs – District judge ruling leave to appeal necessary and refusing leave – Appeal by plaintiffs to High Court against district judge's ruling with alternative application for leave to appeal – Defendants applying to strike out appeal – Whether mode should be appeal or application for leave – Whether application for leave out of time – Whether leave to appeal necessary – Whether leave to appeal should be granted – s 21 Supreme Court of Judicature Act (Cap 322, 1999 Ed) – s 50 Interpretation Act (Cap 1, 1999 Ed) – O 2 r 1, O 3 r 2(5) & O 55C r 2 Rules of Court Words and Phrases – 'Amount in dispute' – s 21 Supreme Court of Judicature Act (Cap 322, 1999 Ed) Between OVERSEAS UNION INSURANCE LIMITED (REG NO. 195600074R) ... Plaintiffs And HOME & OVERSEAS INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED (REG NO. 513813) ... Defendants ORIGINATING MOTION NO. 600011 OF 2002 In the matter of Section 2(1) of the Supreme Court of Judicature Act (Cap 322) and Order 55C Rule 2 of the Rules of Court (Cap 322) And In the matter of DC Suit No. -
331KB***Administrative and Constitutional
(2016) 17 SAL Ann Rev Administrative and Constitutional Law 1 1. ADMINISTRATIVE AND CONSTITUTIONAL LAW THIO Li-ann BA (Oxon) (Hons), LLM (Harvard), PhD (Cantab); Barrister (Gray’s Inn, UK); Provost Chair Professor, Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore. Introduction 1.1 In terms of administrative law, the decided cases showed some insight into the role of courts in relation to: handing over town council management to another political party after a general election, the susceptibility of professional bodies which are vested with statutory powers like the Law Society review committee to judicial review; as well as important observations on substantive legitimate expectations and developments in exceptions to the rule against bias on the basis of necessity, and how this may apply to private as opposed to statutory bodies. Many of the other cases affirmed existing principles of administrative legality and the need for an evidential basis to sustain an argument. For example, a bare allegation of bias without evidence cannot be sustained; allegations of bias cannot arise when a litigant is simply made to follow well-established court procedures.1 1.2 Most constitutional law cases revolved around Art 9 issues. Judicial observations on the nature or scope of specific constitutional powers were made in cases not dealing directly with constitutional arguments. See Kee Oon JC in Karthigeyan M Kailasam v Public Prosecutor2 noted the operation of a presumption of legality and good faith in relation to acts of public officials; the Prosecution, in particular, is presumed “to act in the public interest at all times”, in relation to all prosecuted cases from the first instance to appellate level. -
Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon
RESPONSE BY CHIEF JUSTICE SUNDARESH MENON OPENING OF THE LEGAL YEAR 2018 Monday, 8 January 2018 Mr Attorney, Mr Vijayendran, Members of the Bar, Honoured Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen: I. Introduction 1. It is my pleasure, on behalf of the Judiciary, to welcome you all to the Opening of this Legal Year. I particularly wish to thank the Honourable Chief Justice Prof Dr M Hatta Ali and Justice Takdir Rahmadi of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia, the Right Honourable Tun Md Raus Sharif, Chief Justice of Malaysia, and our other guests from abroad, who have made the effort to travel here to be with us this morning. II. Felicitations 2. 2017 was a year when we consolidated the ongoing development of the Supreme Court Bench, and I shall begin my response with a brief recap of the major changes, most of which have been alluded to. 1 A. Court of Appeal 3. Justice Steven Chong was appointed as a Judge of Appeal on 1 April 2017. This was in anticipation of Justice Chao Hick Tin’s retirement on 27 September 2017, after five illustrious decades in the public service. In the same context, Justice Andrew Phang was appointed Vice-President of the Court of Appeal. While we will feel the void left by Justice Chao’s retirement, I am heartened that we have in place a strong team of judges to lead us forward; and delighted that Justice Chao will continue contributing to the work of the Supreme Court, following his appointment, a few days ago, as a Senior Judge. -
OPENING of the LEGAL YEAR 2021 Speech by Attorney-General
OPENING OF THE LEGAL YEAR 2021 Speech by Attorney-General, Mr Lucien Wong, S.C. 11 January 2021 May it please Your Honours, Chief Justice, Justices of the Court of Appeal, Judges of the Appellate Division, Judges and Judicial Commissioners, Introduction 1. The past year has been an extremely trying one for the country, and no less for my Chambers. It has been a real test of our fortitude, our commitment to defend and advance Singapore’s interests, and our ability to adapt to unforeseen difficulties brought about by the COVID-19 virus. I am very proud of the good work my Chambers has done over the past year, which I will share with you in the course of my speech. I also acknowledge that the past year has shown that we have some room to grow and improve. I will outline the measures we have undertaken as an institution to address issues which we faced and ensure that we meet the highest standards of excellence, fairness and integrity in the years to come. 2. My speech this morning is in three parts. First, I will talk about the critical legal support which we provided to the Government throughout the COVID-19 crisis. Second, I will discuss some initiatives we have embarked on to future-proof the organisation and to deal with the challenges which we faced this past year, including digitalisation and workforce changes. Finally, I will share my reflections about the role we play in the criminal justice system and what I consider to be our grave and solemn duty as prosecutors. -
Steep Rise Ltd V Attorney-General
Steep Rise Ltd v Attorney-General [2020] SGCA 20 Case Number : Civil Appeal No 30 of 2019 Decision Date : 24 March 2020 Tribunal/Court : Court of Appeal Coram : Tay Yong Kwang JA; Steven Chong JA; Woo Bih Li J Counsel Name(s) : Chan Tai-Hui, Jason SC, Tan Kai Liang, Daniel Seow Wei Jin, Victor Leong Hoi Seng and Lim Min Li Amanda (Allen & Gledhill LLP) for the appellant; Kristy Tan, Kenneth Wong, Ng Kexian and Tan Ee Kuan (Attorney-General's Chambers) for the respondent. Parties : Steep Rise Limited — Attorney-General Criminal Procedure and Sentencing – Mutual legal assistance – Duty of full and frank disclosure Criminal Procedure and Sentencing – Mutual legal assistance – Enforcement of foreign confiscation order – Risk of dissipation 24 March 2020 Tay Yong Kwang JA (delivering the grounds of decision of the court): Introduction 1 On 22 August 2017, a Restraint Order was made by the High Court on the application of the Attorney-General (“the AG”) pursuant to s 29 read with para 7(1) of the Third Schedule of the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act (Cap 190A, 2001 Rev Ed) (“MACMA”), restraining any dealing with the funds in the bank account of Steep Rise Limited (“the appellant”) in the Bank of Singapore (“the BOS Account”). Subsequently, the appellant applied to the High Court to discharge the order of court. The High Court Judge (“the Judge”) dismissed the application and made no order as to costs as the AG did not seek an order for costs. 2 The appellant then appealed against the Judge’s decision. -
Micheal Anak Garing V Public Prosecutor and Another Appeal
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE [2017] SGCA 07 Criminal Appeal No 9 of 2015 Between MICHEAL ANAK GARING … Appellant And PUBLIC PROSECUTOR … Respondent Criminal Appeal No 11 of 2015 Between PUBLIC PROSECUTOR … Appellant And TONY ANAK IMBA … Respondent In the matter of Criminal Case No 19 of 2013 Between PUBLIC PROSECUTOR And (1) MICHEAL ANAK GARING (2) TONY ANAK IMBA JUDGMENT [Criminal Law]—[Offences]—[Murder] [Criminal Procedure and Sentencing]—[Sentencing]—[Appeals] This judgment is subject to final editorial corrections approved by the court and/or redaction pursuant to the publisher’s duty in compliance with the law, for publication in LawNet and/or the Singapore Law Reports. Micheal Anak Garing v Public Prosecutor and another appeal [2017] SGCA 07 Court of Appeal — Criminal Appeals Nos 9 and 11 of 2015 Chao Hick Tin JA, Andrew Phang Boon Leong JA and Judith Prakash JA 5 September 2016 27 February 2017 Judgment reserved. Chao Hick Tin JA (delivering the judgment of the court): Introduction 1 Micheal Anak Garing (“MAG”) and Tony Anak Imba (“TAI”) were both tried in the High Court under s 300(c) of the Penal Code (Cap 224, 2008 Rev Ed) for the murder of one Shanmuganathan Dillidurai (“the deceased”). They were both charged with murder committed in furtherance of a common intention, and were thus liable to be punished under s 302(2) read with s 34 of the Penal Code. 2 MAG and TAI, together with two other friends, Hairee Anak Landak (“HAL”) and Donny Anak Meluda (“DAM”) (collectively, “the Gang”), had set out from a friend’s house on the night of 29 May 2010 with a preconceived plan to commit robbery. -
Internal Communication Clearance Form
HAUT-COMMISSARIAT AUX DROITS DE L’HOMME • OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS PALAIS DES NATIONS • 1211 GENEVA 10, SWITZERLAND Mandates of the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions and the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment REFERENCE: UA SGP 3/2015: 30 October 2015 Excellency, We have the honour to address you in our capacity as Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions and Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment pursuant to Human Rights Council resolutions 26/12 and 25/13. In this connection, we would like to bring to the attention of your Excellency’s Government information we have received concerning the imminent execution of Mr. Kho Jabing, a Malaysian national sentenced to death for murder by a Singaporean court. According to the information received: On 30 July 2010, Mr. Kho Jabing, a Malaysian national and a co-defendant were convicted of murder in Singapore after a 2008 robbery resulting in death. As the capital punishment was mandatory for murder until 2012, they were sentenced to death. On 24 May 2011, Mr. Jabing’s co-defendant was convicted of “robbery with hurt” while his death sentence was confirmed. In 2012, following a penal reform Singapore reviewed its mandatory capital punishment laws. The courts were allowed to impose either the death penalty or other sanctions including life imprisonment for drug trafficking and murder. On 30 April 2013, the Court of Appeal decided to re-sentence Mr. Jabing, arguing that his case meets the requirements of the definition of murder under Section 300(c) of the Penal Code, stating that when there is no intention to cause death judges have the option to impose either the death penalty or life imprisonment or caning. -
Valedictory Reference in Honour of Justice Chao Hick Tin 27 September 2017 Address by the Honourable the Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon
VALEDICTORY REFERENCE IN HONOUR OF JUSTICE CHAO HICK TIN 27 SEPTEMBER 2017 ADDRESS BY THE HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE SUNDARESH MENON -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon Deputy Prime Minister Teo, Minister Shanmugam, Prof Jayakumar, Mr Attorney, Mr Vijayendran, Mr Hoong, Ladies and Gentlemen, 1. Welcome to this Valedictory Reference for Justice Chao Hick Tin. The Reference is a formal sitting of the full bench of the Supreme Court to mark an event of special significance. In Singapore, it is customarily done to welcome a new Chief Justice. For many years we have not observed the tradition of having a Reference to salute a colleague leaving the Bench. Indeed, the last such Reference I can recall was the one for Chief Justice Wee Chong Jin, which happened on this very day, the 27th day of September, exactly 27 years ago. In that sense, this is an unusual event and hence I thought I would begin the proceedings by saying something about why we thought it would be appropriate to convene a Reference on this occasion. The answer begins with the unique character of the man we have gathered to honour. 1 2. Much can and will be said about this in the course of the next hour or so, but I would like to narrate a story that took place a little over a year ago. It was on the occasion of the annual dinner between members of the Judiciary and the Forum of Senior Counsel. Mr Chelva Rajah SC was seated next to me and we were discussing the recently established Judicial College and its aspiration to provide, among other things, induction and continuing training for Judges. -
SAL Annual Report 2017
An nu al R ep or t 2017/18 ears of Sharing and Creating Value The SAL Story 03 An interview with The President 06 SAL 30th Anniversary Celebration 08 SAL Senate 10 SAL Executive Board 12 SAL Key Executives 14 Organisational Structure 15 Key Statistics 16 Setting new precedents for Singapore Law 17 Financial Statements 35 SAL ANNUAL THE 02 REPORT 2017/18 SAL STORY 03 THE SAL STORY The Singapore Academy of Law Bill was Our Vision passed in 1988. It was said to be a giant step forward; lawyers will have a forum Singapore — for sharing ideas, SAL will not only help to promote a sense of belonging amongst The Legal hub of Asia members of the legal profession, but also raise the standard of legal services in Singapore. At least 1,700 people were Our Mission expected to be members, including judges, practising lawyers, legal service officers, Driving legal excellence lecturers in the university’s law faculty and law students. through thought leadership, Modelled after the Inns of Court in London, SAL provided dining facilities world-class infrastructure in City Hall to enable the Chief Justice and judges to get together over lunches and solutions and dinners with members of the legal fraternity for closer rapport. At the first Senate meeting held on 19 January 1989, with the late CJ Wee Chong Jin as President, eight Committees were appointed to carry out the functions of SAL. None had full-time staff. It was nevertheless a promising start. The first issue of the Singapore Academy of Law Journal was published in December 1989 and in the following year, SAL organised its first major conference to discuss “Legal Services in the 1990s”. -
Public Prosecutor V Tan Kheng Chun
Public Prosecutor v Tan Kheng Chun Ray [2011] SGHC 183 Case Number : Criminal Case No 6 of 2011 Decision Date : 04 August 2011 Tribunal/Court : High Court Coram : Kan Ting Chiu J Counsel Name(s) : Gordon Oh and Peggy Pao (Attorney-General's Chambers) for the Prosecution; Subhas Anandan and Sunil Sudheesan (KhattarWong) for the accused. Parties : Public Prosecutor — Tan Kheng Chun Ray Criminal Law [LawNet Editorial Note: The appeal to this decision in Criminal Appeal No 3 of 2011 was allowed by the Court of Appeal on 28 November 2011. See [2012] SGCA 10.] 4 August 2011 Kan Ting Chiu J: 1 The accused, Ray Tan Kheng Chun pleaded guilty to seven charges [note: 1] for drug offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act (Cap 185 2008 Rev Ed). 2 The seven offences are: Charge 1 Importing not less than 14.99 grams of diamorphine. Charge 2 Importing not less than 1.12 grams of methamphetamine. Charge 3 Consumption of methamphetamine. Charge 4 Possession of utensils intended for the consumption of a controlled drug. Charge 5 Possession of another lot of utensils intended for the consumption of a controlled drug. Charge 6 Possession of utensils intended for the consumption of a controlled drug. Charge 7 Possession of three tablets of nimetazepam. The offences in Charges 1 to 5 took place on 10 October 2009. The offences in Charges 1, 2, 4 and 5 took place at the Woodlands Checkpoint, and the drug consumption offence in Charge 3, took place in Malaysia. The offences in Charges 6 and 7 took place on 11 October 2009 at the accused’s residence at No 1 Queensway, #08-63, Queensway Tower, Singapore. -
Ho Kang Peng V Scintronix Corp
Ho Kang Peng v Scintronix Corp Ltd (formerly known as TTL Holdings Ltd) [2014] SGCA 22 Case Number : Civil Appeal No 24 of 2013 Decision Date : 30 April 2014 Tribunal/Court : Court of Appeal Coram : Sundaresh Menon CJ; Chao Hick Tin JA; V K Rajah JA Counsel Name(s) : Alvin Tan Kheng Ann (Wong Thomas & Leong) for the Appellant; Tony Yeo and Fong King Man (Drew & Napier LLC) for the Respondent. Parties : Ho Kang Peng — Scintronix Corp Ltd (formerly known as TTL Holdings Ltd) Companies – Directors – Breach of duty [LawNet Editorial Note: The decision from which this appeal arose is reported at [2013] 2 SLR 633.] 30 April 2014 Judgment reserved Chao Hick Tin JA (delivering the judgment of the court): Introduction 1 This appeal arises from the decision of the High Court in Suit No 207 of 2009 (“the Suit”). The appellant, Ho Kang Peng (“the Appellant”), who at the relevant time was the chief executive officer (“CEO”) and a director of the respondent, TTL Holdings Limited (“the Company”), was found liable for the breach of various fiduciary duties owed to the Company. The liability arose from certain payments made by the Company to a third party which the High Court found to be unauthorised. The key issues in this appeal concern the purpose for which the payments were made, whether they were duly sanctioned by the Company, and whether the Company is precluded from claiming against the Appellant because it was allegedly equally at fault. Facts Parties to the dispute 2 The Company is a publicly listed company on the Stock Exchange of Singapore (“SGX”) and is engaged in the manufacture and supply of moulds and finished plastic components.