Singapore, 11 January 2016 – Professor Ng-Loy Wee Loon (黎辉伦) has been appointed as Senior Counsel (honoris causa), or Honorary Senior Counsel, in recognition of her special knowledge in law and her contributions to the development of the law and to the legal profession.

This is the second time that the Senior Counsel Selection Committee has appointed a Senior Counsel (honoris causa); the first Senior Counsel (honoris causa) appointed was Mr Yeo Tiong Min in 2012.

The appointment was announced at the Opening of the Legal Year today by The Honourable the Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon.

Applications for Senior Counsel were opened on 3 August 2015. The Senior Counsel Selection Committee comprising The Honourable the Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, The Honourable Attorney-General V K Rajah, SC, The Honourable Justice of Appeal Chao Hick Tin and The Honourable Justice of Appeal Andrew Phang Boon Leong.

Background on appointment of Senior Counsel

Senior Counsel are selected, pursuant to section 30 of the Legal Profession Act, Cap 161, by a Selection Committee. The Senior Counsel scheme was started in 1997 to recognise the best and most skilful advocates in the legal profession. Appointment as Senior Counsel is an accolade given to those who possess outstanding ability as advocates, extensive knowledge of the law and the highest professional standing.

As at 11 January 2016, 76 Senior Counsel have been appointed.

Note to editor:
1) Total number of current appointed SCs (including honoris causa) as @ 11 Jan 2016 is 73 (76 less 3 deceased, Pala Krishnan, KS Rajah and Tan Boon Teik)

2) The list of Senior Counsel can be found at http://www.sal.org.sg/content/LI_senior_counsel_dir.aspx .

About Singapore Academy of Law

The Singapore Academy of Law (“the Academy”) is a promotion and development agency for Singapore’s legal industry, with the vision of making Singapore the legal hub of Asia.

The Academy aims to drive legal excellence through developing thought leadership, world class infrastructure and legal solutions. Its work focusses on building up the intellectual capital of the legal profession by enhancing legal knowledge, raising the international profile of Singapore law, promoting Singapore as a centre for dispute resolution and improving the efficiency of legal practice through the use of technology.

As a body established by statute, the Academy also undertakes statutory functions such as stakeholding services and the appointment of Senior Counsel, Commissioners of Oath and Notaries Public.

The Academy is headed by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon. The Academy has over 11,000 members comprising members of the Bench, the Bar, Legal Service Officers, corporate counsel, legal academics and foreign lawyers.

More information can be found at www.sal.org.sg.