Singapore, 4 January 2013 – The Honourable the Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon on the occasion of the Opening of the Legal Year today announced the appointment of two new Senior Counsel. They are:

(a) Mr Narayanan SREENIVASAN (斯 尼 华 申), who was admitted as an advocate and solicitor on 11 January 1989; and

(b) Second Solicitor-General Mr Lionel YEE Woon Chin (余文正), who was admitted as an advocate and solicitor on 13 January 1993.

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.

Senior Counsel are selected, pursuant to section 30 of the Legal Profession Act, Cap 161, by a Selection Committee comprising The Honourable the Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, The Honourable Attorney-General Steven Chong, SC, The Honourable Judge of Appeal Justice Chao Hick Tin, The Honourable Judge of Appeal Justice Andrew Phang Boon Leong and The Honourable Judge of Appeal Justice V K Rajah

As at 4 January, there are 54* Senior Counsel.

Notes to editor:

1 *This figure includes 1 Senior Counsel (honoris causa) but excludes the Honourable the Chief Justice, 1 retired Chief Justice, 8 Supreme Court judges, 1 Judicial Commissioner, a Senior District Judge, the Deputy Chief District Judge and 3 deceased SC.

2 Persons holding office as Solicitor-General and Attorney-General are appointed Senior Counsel pursuant to sections 30(7) and 30(8) of the Legal Profession Act. These statutory appointments include the former Attorneys-General Mr Tan Boon Teik and Professor Walter Woon, former Solicitor-General Mr Koh Eng Tian and the current Solicitor-General Mrs Koh Juat Jong.

3 Senior Counsel who are appointed to a judicial office (other than as a judge of the Supreme Court) will cease to use the Senior Counsel designation for the period of service in judicial office. Senior Counsel appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court will cease to use the designation altogether (unless he is appointed Attorney-General).

4 Currently, there are 40 practising lawyers who are appointed Senior Counsel.

For other details, please refer to the Directory of Senior Counsel 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 the umbrella body of the legal community in Singapore and has close to 10,000 members.

The work of the Academy is focused on three key areas: supporting the growth and development of the Legal Industry; building up the intellectual capital of the legal profession by enhancing Legal Knowledge; and improving the efficiency of legal practice through Legal Technology. The work of the Academy is driven by these three core mandates. This in turn is directed towards raising the standard and quality of legal practice and building a strong and dynamic legal community in Singapore.

Besides its role as the official law reporting agency in Singapore, the Academy’s other functions include providing continuing legal education for its members, legal publications, promoting legal research and scholarship, the reform and development of the law and alternative dispute resolution.

For more details on the Academy, visit www.sal.org.sg