Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698847874235.pdf (Singapore)
LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2018 OUR MISSION The mission of the Legal Service is to maintain a Commission dedicated corps of officers with integrity and ability to staff the Judiciary, the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the Legal Service departments of various Ministries and other arms of Government.
LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION CONTENTS 02 Foreword by The President, Legal Service Commission 05 Leadership 13 A Year in Review 22 Milestone Training Programmes 27 Pride in Service LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2018 1 Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon President Legal Service Commission Foreword by THE PRESIDENT, LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION 2018 was, by any account, an eventful year for Singapore.
It presented new opportunities for growth and produced moments for celebration, but also revealed our vulnerabilities and reminded us of the need to secure Singapore against threats.

internal and external We experienced the largest data breach in our history when about 1.5m patients of SingHealth’s clinics and polyclinics had their personal particulars illegally accessed and copied.

For many months, the scourge of online falsehoods was the subject of intense public debate.
Towards the end of the year, we encountered external challenges territorial waters and airspace.

to our In this age of uncertainty, the role of the Singapore Legal Service in strengthening the Rule of Law and ensuring the fair and efficient administration of justice has never been more important.

The Singapore Legal Service continued to discharge those duties with dedication in 2018, advancing and distinction Singapore’s locally and interests both abroad while working to address our vulnerabilities.
opportunities.

LSOs Our Legal Service Officers (“LSOs”) played an important role in protecting our society against new threats and helping our economy capitalise on emerging led the Committee of evidence before Inquiry that was convened following the cyberattack on SingHealth’s patient database system and advised Government on the digitalisation of Government services.
They helped to establish legislative the protection of frameworks vulnerable persons, the promotion of fairer results in employment disputes, and the modernisation of our laws on debt restructuring and insolvency.

for In the area of enforcement and the courts, LSOs maintained a strong stance against the perpetrators of crime without neglecting the rehabilitation of offenders.
They worked with enforcement agencies to ensure that cases involving sex crimes and abuse of foreign domestic workers were dealt with expeditiously, and launched to match offenders with a scheme volunteer befrienders so as to support their reintegration into society.

LSOs also sought to promote fair and efficient LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2018 3 dispute resolution while ensuring that the courts remain accessible to all who seek redress.
They continued to pursue civil justice reforms, created a simplified and cost- efficient track for the conduct of simple trials, and introduced conciliation as an additional alternative dispute resolution tool.

On the international plane, LSOs tirelessly defended Singapore’s interests in interstate international negotiations and before courts and tribunals.
They collaborated with to counterparts promote legal convergence in the ASEAN region and in the fields of cross-border insolvency and international commercial dispute resolution.

abroad their appears to be under pressure.

These are choppy waters for Singapore, whose small and open economy remains heavily dependent on uninterrupted flows of trade and finance.
The Singapore Legal Service will continue to play an essential role in ensuring that Singapore remains on sure footing, both internally and externally, as a safe home for our people, a stable environment for businesses, and a contributing and credible member of the international the community.
As we accomplishments of 2018, I call upon all of us in the Singapore Legal Service that by faithfully and to remember ably discharging our respective duties, we are each helping to secure the future of our country in a challenging global environment.

reflect on All this is but a snapshot of the sterling work that LSOs in the Singapore Legal Service accomplished in 2018.

But the unending task of sustaining Singapore will require our continued dedication.
We inhabit a world that is increasingly polarised and in which multilateralism Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon President Legal Service Commission 4 LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2018 LEADERSHIP LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION The Legal Service Commission (“LSC”) is constituted under Part IX of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (“Constitution”).
Article 111(1) of the Constitution states that there shall be an LSC whose jurisdiction shall extend to all officers in the Singapore Legal Service (“Legal Service”).
Article 111(2) and Article 111(2A) of the Constitution provide that the LSC shall consist of: (a) the Chief Justice, as President; (b) the Attorney-General; (c) the Chairman of the Public Service Commission (“PSC”); and (d) at least three but not more than six other Members, each of whom shall be appointed by the President of in his Singapore discretion, concurs with the advice of the the person nominating Member(s), based on the following arrangements: if he, acting (i) (ii) at least one but not more than two persons nominated by the Chief Justice; at least one but not more than two persons nominated by the Chairman of the PSC; and (iii) at least one but not more than two persons nominated by the Prime Minister.
In addition, if the Chief Justice, the Chairman of the PSC or the Prime Minister, as the case may be, nominates two persons, at least one must be a person who has, for an aggregate period of not less than ten years, been a qualified person within the meaning of section 2(1) of the Legal Profession Act (Cap.

161).
161).

These Members of the LSC shall hold office for such period (being not shorter than three years and not longer than five years) as the President of Singapore may specify and shall be eligible for reappointment.

The LSC has the duty, under Article 111(3) of the Constitution, to appoint, confirm, emplace on the permanent establishment, promote, transfer, dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over officers in the Legal Service.
appreciation The Chief Justice/President of the LSC to recorded his deep Mr Eddie Teo who completed his term as an ex-officio Member of the LSC on 31 July 2018 after having served with distinction as a Member from 1 August 2008.

Mr Eddie Teo retired as the Chairman of the PSC on the same date.
6 LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2018 Mr Lee Tzu Yang, upon his appointment as the Chairman of the PSC effective 1 August 2018, assumed appointment as an ex-officio Member of the LSC (in place of Mr Eddie Teo).

The President of Singapore, concurring with the nomination of the Prime Minister, approved the appointment of Ms Goh Swee Chen as a Member of the LSC effective 1 August 2018 for a period of three years.
The LSC comprised, as at 31 December 2018, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon as the President; and the Attorney-General Mr Lucien Wong, the Chairman of the PSC Mr Lee Tzu Yang, Judge of Appeal Justice Andrew Phang, Judge of Appeal Justice Steven Chong, Justice Lee Seiu Kin, Mr Gautam Banerjee, Mr Adrian Chan and Ms Goh Swee Chen as Members.
Legal Service Special Personnel Boards Article 111AA of the Constitution provides for the establishment of one or more personnel boards to exercise all or any of the powers and functions of the LSC under Article 111.
The powers and functions of the LSC were devolved, from December 2007, to the Legal Service Personnel Boards, except for the power to dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over LSOs and all powers of the LSC in relation to LSOs who hold appointments of and above the “threshold” grade of Superscale LSO Grade 2, including the power to nominate officers for appointment or promotion to that grade.
In 2018, the LSC deliberated and decided on various matters concerning the Legal Service, including the award of remuneration to LSOs at and above components Superscale LSO Grade 2; the suitability of LSOs for promotion to Superscale LSO Grade 2 and above; and refinements to the human resource framework in the Legal Service.
emplacement on In 2018, the Legal Service Special Personnel Boards continued to exercise the powers and functions of appointment, confirmation, the permanent establishment, promotion and award of remuneration components, and transfers to and from the Legal Service Scheme of Service of LSOs below the Superscale LSO Grade 2, and re-postings of LSOs within the respective Branches.
LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2018 7 The Legal Service Commission (Left to Right) Front row: Mr Lucien Wong (Attorney-General), Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon (President, LSC), Mr Lee Tzu Yang (Chairman, PSC) (Left to Right) Back row: Mr Adrian Chan, Justice Steven Chong, Justice Andrew Phang, Justice Lee Seiu Kin, Ms Goh Swee Chen Not in picture: Mr Gautam Banerjee 8 LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2018 Judicial Branch Special Personnel Board (Left to Right): Justice Lee Seiu Kin, Justice Andrew Phang, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon (Chairman, Judicial Branch Special Personnel Board), Justice Steven Chong The Legal Service Judicial Branch Special to have Personnel Board continued jurisdiction over LSOs below Superscale LSO Grade 2 who were posted at the departments in the Judicial Branch.
The Legal Service Judicial Branch Special Personnel Board comprised, as at 31 December 2018, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon as Chairman; and Judge of Appeal Justice Andrew Phang, Judge of Appeal Justice Steven Chong and Justice Lee Seiu Kin as Members.
LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2018 9 Legal Branch Special Personnel Board (Left to Right): Mr Lionel Yee (Deputy Attorney-General), Mr Lucien Wong (Attorney-General), Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon (Chairman, Legal Branch Special Personnel Board), Justice Lee Seiu Kin The Legal Service Legal Branch Special to have Personnel Board continued jurisdiction over LSOs below Superscale LSO Grade 2 who were posted at/ in the seconded to the departments Legal Branch.
The Legal Service Legal Branch Special at comprised, Personnel Board as 31 December 2018, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon as Chairman; and the Attorney-General Mr Lucien Wong, Justice Lee Seiu Kin and Deputy Attorney- General Mr Lionel Yee as Members.

10 LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2018 TALENT DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE/ SUCCESSION PLANNING COMMITTEE The Legal Service Talent Development Scheme for mally (“TDS”) was institutionalised in 2006 and reviewed in 2012.
The TDS is the principal source for renewal of leadership in the Legal Service and underpins the succession planning framework the Legal Service.

in The Legal Service Talent Development Committee/Succession Planning Committee (“TDC/SPC”) is chaired by the President of the LSC, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon.
The TDC/SPC comprised, as at 31 December 2018, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon as Chairman; and the Attorney-General Mr Lucien Wong, Chairman, PSC Mr Lee Tzu Yang, Judge of Appeal Justice Andrew Phang, Judge of Appeal Justice Steven Chong, Justice Lee Seiu Kin, Mr Gautam Banerjee and Ms Goh Swee Chen as Members.

to The TDC/SPC has direct oversight of the LSOs in the TDS.

It adopts a structural approach identify and develop suitable LSOs for key/leadership positions.
The LSOs in the TDS are developed through varied training and developmental and posting frameworks to enable them to have the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential.

The programmes available include scholarships for postgraduate degrees, milestone programmes and attachments to commercial organisations, law firms or chambers.
LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2018 11 Talent Development Committee/ Succession Planning Committee (Left to Right) Front row: Mr Lucien Wong (Attorney-General), Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon (Chairman, Talent Development Committee/Succession Planning Committee), Mr Lee Tzu Yang (Chairman, PSC) (Left to Right) Back row: Ms Goh Swee Chen, Justice Steven Chong, Justice Andrew Phang, Justice Lee Seiu Kin Not in picture: Mr Gautam Banerjee 12 LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2018 A YEAR IN REVIEW RECRUITMENT Distribution of LSOs in the Legal Service Legal Service Officers (“LSOs”) serve in either the Judicial Branch or the the Legal Service.
Legal Branch of The the Judicial Branch comprises Supreme Court, the State Courts and the Family Justice Courts.

The Legal Branch comprises the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the Legal Departments/ Units in Ministries and Statutory Boards/ Bodies.

There were 683 LSOs as at 31 December 2018.

Of these, 198 served in the Judicial Branch and 485 served in the Legal Branch.
Recruitment The general requirements for possible appointment to the Legal Service as an LSO are that applicants should have graduated with a law degree from the National University of Singapore (“NUS”), the Singapore Management University (“SMU”) or approved overseas university (and have passed the Graduate Diploma in Singapore Law or Part A of the Singapore Bar Examinations).
an Law undergraduates and those studying for a Doctor of Jurisprudence (“JD”) successfully programme who completed at least their second year of study at the NUS, the SMU or an approved overseas university may also apply to be considered.

have A total of 259 applications for possible appointment to the Legal Service was received in 2018.

A summary of the application and appointment numbers is at TABLE 1.
TABLE 1: RECRUITMENT (as at 31 December 2018) Applicants Interviewed Selected Appointed/ Re-appointed 259 159 68 59* * Including LSOs who were re-employed on reaching the compulsory retirement age of 62 and PSC scholars who were interviewed prior to 2018 and assumed appointment in 2018.

Emplacement on the Permanent Establishment/ Confirmation of Appointment/ Transfer of Service Twenty-nine LSOs who had been appointed on contract were emplaced on the permanent establishment in 2018.
Three other LSOs who were PSC scholars and had been appointed on probation were confirmed in their appointment in the same year.

Three Management Executive Officers were transferred in 2018 from the Management Executive Scheme of Service to the Legal Service Scheme of Service and appointed as LSOs.

14 LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2018 Attrition A total of 29 LSOs (4.2%) left the Legal Service in 2018.
The details of the attrition in the Legal Service in 2018, compared to the previous two years, are at TABLE 2.

TABLE 2: ATTRITION (as at 31 December 2018) 2016 2017 2018 Resignation 24 23 24 Retirement Expiry of Contract Demise 4 2 1 2 5 0 1 4 0 Legal Service Outreach Activities The Legal Service participated in a range of outreach activities targeted at law undergraduates and pre-university students who might be keen to consider studying for a degree in law or pursuing a career in the Legal Service.
The Legal Service participated in the following activities in 2018: (a) the SMU Law Fair; (b) the NUS Law Careers Fair; (c) the Singapore Legal Forum (organised by the United Kingdom Singapore Law Students’ Society); (d) the Junior College Law Programme (organised by the Singapore Academy of Law); (e) career fairs at various Junior Colleges; and (f) PSC Scholarships Information Sessions for final year pre-university students.
LSOs representing the Legal Service at the outreach activities shared their experiences and the wide variety of work internship opportunities available and in the Legal Service.

They also addressed specific queries from students.

Singapore Academy of Law Junior College Law Programme: Mentor Attachment Scheme The Singapore Academy of Law Junior College Law Programme (“JCLP”) is a two-week programme organised annually by the Singapore Academy of Law.
The objective of to junior colleges expose students from and pre-university institutions to various aspects of a career in law so that they could be in a better position to make an informed decision on the option of studying for a degree in law.

JCLP the is The Legal Service participated in the six-day Mentor Attachment Scheme (organised under auspices of the JCLP).

Students were, under the scheme, assigned to a law firm or a department in the Legal Service/public sector.
LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2018 15 A total of 53 students was assigned to the Legal Service under the “Mentor Attachment Scheme” - 23 at the Attorney- General’s Chambers; nine at the Supreme Court; nine at the State Courts; five at the Family Justice Courts; five at the Legal Aid Bureau; and two at the Insolvency and Public Trustee’s Office.
Legal Service Internship Programme 2018/2019 the The Legal Service offers internships to law undergraduates and JD students (in their first to final years of study) at the NUS, the SMU and the approved overseas universities.

Internships are offered twice annually institutions’ and coincide with vacation periods in each academic year.
The Internship Programme aims to provide interns with the opportunity to observe the work of LSOs at close proximity and gain a better appreciation of the important roles played by LSOs in the administration of justice.

It also serves as a gateway to attract suitable candidates to consider a career in the Legal Service.

Sixteen Legal Service Departments hosted a total of 104 interns in the 2018/2019 Internship Programme.

The details are at TABLE 3.

TABLE 3: INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME Department No.
of Interns Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority Attorney-General’s Chambers Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore Family Justice Courts Insolvency and Public Trustee’s Office Legal Aid Bureau Ministry of Communications and Information Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth Ministry of Health Ministry of Home Affairs Ministry of Law Ministry of Manpower Ministry of Social and Family Development Singapore Land Authority Supreme Court & State Courts: Judicial Internship Programme 4 32 4 6 2 25 1 2 3 2 8 4 3 2 6 Total 104 16 LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2018 Public Service Commission Law Scholars The Public Service Commission awarded eight candidates a PSC Scholarship in 2018 to read law.
As part of their induction to the Legal Service, the new scholars met Justice Lee Seiu Kin, Member of the Legal Service Commission.

They were provided a briefing on the Legal Service.

They also met and interacted with their LSO-mentors and fellow scholars.

The existing scholars were invited to a session where they were provided updates on the developments in the Legal Service and refinements to the Legal Service human resource framework.
All the scholars were also invited to attend major events in the annual legal calendar such as the Opening of the Legal Year, the Legal Service National Day Observance Ceremony and the Singapore Academy of Law Annual Lecture.

Scholars who had completed their second year of the law programme also undertook the PSC Scholars’ Mid-Course Programme, where they underwent four to six weeks of internship at various Legal Service Departments.
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT The performance management framework in the Legal Service is premised upon the three key principles of meritocracy, fairness and transparency.

The framework is reviewed regularly to ensure that the potential and performance of an officer may be assessed as accurately as possible for developmental and progression purposes.
This is accompanied by a structured feedback/ performance management system aimed at facilitating effective discussions between the LSOs and their Heads of Department/ Reporting Officers.

Promotions 2018 A total of 138 LSOs was promoted to the next higher grade in the April 2018 Promotion Exercise.

The details are at TABLE 4.

TABLE 4: PROMOTIONS Promotions Within Superscale Grades Into Superscale Grades Within Timescale Grades Total number of LSOs promoted in the April 2018 Promotion Exercise No.
of LSOs 17 15 106 138 LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2018 17 REMUNERATION The Legal Service adopts a market-driven and performance-based compensation framework to attract, retain and incentivise LSOs.

The compensation framework is structured to reward LSOs in accordance with their individual assessed performance and potential.
All eligible LSOs were considered for the award of an annual Variable Increment (“VI”), a Performance Bonus (“PB”), a Long-Term Incentive (“LTI”) and a Legal Professional Allowance (“LPA”).

The eligible emplaced/confirmed LSOs received their VI effective April 2018.

The LSOs who were on contract or probation received their VI on their respective incremental date.

The PB and the LTI were paid to eligible LSOs in March 2018.

The eligible LSOs were paid the LPA in September 2018.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT Postings The Legal Service posting framework plays an integral part in the training and development of LSOs.

The main objective is to expose LSOs to a wide variety of legal work and allow them to acquire and hone their legal skills.

It also enables them to make informed decisions on possible “specialisation” in the later years.

A total of 80 LSOs (30 Superscale LSOs and 50 Timescale LSOs) was re-posted in 2018.
Continuing Education The overarching training and development framework in the Legal Service is premised on the principle of according each individual LSO the opportunity to develop to the fullest of his potential within the Legal Service.

The framework is regularly reviewed to ensure that it continues to be relevant and provides professional and holistic training to the LSOs at different stages of their career in the Legal Service.
18 LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2018 In 2018, the Talent Development Committee (“TDC”) approved the inclusion of new programmes in leadership/management the existing suite of to complement training programmes available to LSOs.

The TDC also approved additions to the list of approved Master of Laws (“LLM”) programmes and institutions where LSOs may study for an LLM on an LSC Scholarship.

Nine LSOs studied for an LLM in the academic year 2018/2019 under the auspices of an LSC Scholarship.
One LSO studied for an LLM at the University of California, Berkeley; the three at University College London; Columbia University; at three and Harvard University.

two at the Leaders One LSO attended in Administration Programme while another attended the Governance and Leadership Programme in 2018.
THE LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION SECRETARIAT Article 111(6) of the Constitution states that there shall be a Secretary to the Legal Service Commission (“LSC”) who is a public shall be a person who officer and appointed by the President (of Singapore) with the advice of the LSC.

Mr Hamzah Moosa continued in his appointment as the Secretary to the LSC and the Chief of Staff of the Legal Service in 2018.

Mr Siva Shanmugam continued in his appointment as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Legal Service in 2018.
The Secretary to the LSC/Chief of Staff, the Deputy Chief of Staff and the LSC Secretariat continued to support the LSC in the discharge of all its functions in 2018.
LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2018 19 SINGAPORE LEGAL SERVICE Judicial Branch Legal Branch State Courts Supreme Court Family Justice Courts Attorney-General’s Chambers Criminal Justice Division Supreme Court Registry Family Division, High Court Civil Justice Division Justices’ Law Clerks Pool Family Courts Attorney-General’s Office/ Advocacy Group/ AGC Academy/ Legal Tech & Innovation Office Crime Division International Affairs Division Legal Service Departments/ Posts in Ministries Legal Service Departments/Posts in Statutory Boards/ Bodies Insolvency & Public Trustee’s Office Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority Legal Aid Bureau Competition & Consumer Commission of Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs Ministry of Defence Community Justice & Tribunals Division Centre for Dispute Resolution Strategic Planning & Technology Division/ Corporate Services Division CE, Office of the Chief Justice/ Office of Transformation & Innovation Singapore Judicial College Registrar, Appeals Board (Land Acquisition) Youth Courts Legislation Division Ministry of Law Public Guardian, Office of Public Guardian, Ministry of Social & Family Development Director, Commercial Affairs Department, Singapore Police Force Syariah Court, Ministry of Culture, Community & Youth Civil Division Ministry of Culture, Community & Youth Ministry of Communications & Information Ministry of National Development Ministry of Education Ministry of Finance Ministry of Health Ministry of Manpower Ministry of Social & Family Development
 Defence Science & Technology Agency Economic Development Board Health Sciences Authority Intellectual Property Office of Singapore Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore Land Transport Authority Monetary Authority of Singapore Majlis Ugama Islam, Singapura National Environment Agency Info-Communications Media Development Authority/ Personal Data Protection Commission Singapore Academy of Law Singapore Land Authority Singapore Medical Council 20 LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2018 LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2018 21 MILESTONE TRAINING PROGRAMMES 20 LSC POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS IN LAW/ MILESTONE TRAINING PROGRAMMES IN LEADERSHIP The Legal Service places high emphasis on the continual professional development of its officers.
The annual award of Legal Service Commission (“LSC”) Scholarships and LSC Training Awards provides opportunities for eligible Legal Service Officers (“LSOs”) to undertake postgraduate programmes in law and/or leadership/management programmes at leading local and overseas institutions.

studied in England under the auspices of an LSC Scholarship.

the Leaders One LSO attended in Administration Programme while another attended the Governance and Leadership Programme in 2018.
The LSOs share their experiences of undertaking the programmes.

In 2018, seven LSOs studied for a Master of Laws (“LLM”) in the USA while two Scholars - USA (Andrew Tan, Cheryl Siew, Joel Chen, Germaine Boey, Marcus Foo, Vincent Ong and Timotheus Koh) Germaine Boey, Joel Chen and Cheryl Siew at Harvard University Marcus Foo, Vincent Ong and Timotheus Koh at Columbia University In 2018, seven LSOs were awarded LSC Scholarships to further our studies in the United States.
The seven of us were enrolled in the LLM programmes, with Andrew Tan at the University of California, Berkeley; Cheryl Siew, Joel Chen, and Germaine Boey at Harvard University; and Marcus Foo, Vincent Ong and Timotheus Koh at Columbia University.

LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2018 23 Andrew Tan at the University of California, Berkeley Our LLM programmes offered a diverse and intellectually stimulating range of courses.

Our institutions emphasised a multi-disciplinary approach to legal education.
Our thinking about the role of the law and lawyers has been enriched by reading courses in law and psychology, law and economics, law and finance, human rights law, ethics of government counsel, lawyers as leaders, as well as like negotiation skills-based and mediation.

We also deepened our understanding of American legal realism.
courses We benefitted greatly from the unparalleled opportunities to learn from the finest minds in academia and leading lights in the legal profession, who have influenced legal jurisprudence and the practice of law in the United States and beyond.

They represented not just the foremost thinkers in the legal field, but also some of the most outstanding and dedicated educators we have ever met.

The cultural and political diversity on campus was also a rich source of learning.
We had the chance to share meals and form deep friendships with students from different countries and cultures, and who had varied personal and professional experiences.

We are grateful to the LSC for the opportunity to pursue our LLM.

Scholars - UK (Dora Tay and Teo Yu Chou) subjects, ranging from international law to traditional English common law subjects.
The challenging Brexit negotiations during that period also allowed us to experience first-hand many watershed moments in British constitutional law and international law.

As UCL offered courses on international law and advocacy where these legal events were analysed, it was particularly exciting to study the cases as they unfolded before us.

The chance to engage in an intensive research dissertation under the mentorship of the law faculty members broadened our intellectual horizons.
We also benefited from the interactions with the multicultural student population who came from different jurisdictions around the world, and shared their varied perspectives with us.

We are thankful to the LSC for these opportunities.
Dora Tay and Teo Yu Chou at the University College London For the both of us who pursued the LLM at the University College London (“UCL”), it was a fantastic chance to study at the first university established in London, and in one of the world’s leading financial and cultural capital cities.
We were taught by renowned professors across a variety of rigorous and intellectually stimulating 24 LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2018 12th Leaders in Administration Programme (Francis Ng) 12th LAP Francis Ng (2nd row, 1st from the right) The Leaders in Administration Programme (“LAP”) is the Civil Service College’s (“CSC”) apex milestone programme.

it prepares Conducted biennially, participants leadership positions in the Public Service.
senior for The 12th LAP class comprised 25 participants from across the Civil Service, uniformed services and statutory boards, including leaders from Singapore’s public sector ‘tech community’.

The other participants of the class benefited greatly from their knowledge and gained a deeper appreciation of the push towards Smart Nation and Digital Government, and of how developments in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and financial technology are disrupting everything from governance to business.
Journeying together on the participants to better understand one another’s agencies and break down barriers for greater synergy.

the LAP allowed Through dialogues with public and private sector leaders, the class gained a deep appreciation of its role as public sector international and leaders and of the domestic challenges Singapore faces.
The richness of these discussions was enhanced by spirited exchanges of ideas during throughout the LAP, learning journeys, and overseas study trips to China, Indonesia and Malaysia.

The study trips imbued the class with deep insights into developments in these countries, and what these might portend for bilateral ties and Singapore’s continued relevance in the world.
the peer learning to demonstrate how In keeping with the LAP’s emphasis on the national pursuit of a digital economy, and technology could be integrated into the world, the class presented the CSC with a course gift enhanced by Augmented Reality technology to capture vignettes of the LAP journey.

Look out for it when you are in the CSC!


LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2018 25 25th Governance and Leadership Programme (Ang Feng Qian) The course culminated with a presentation to the Head, Civil Ser vice on recommendations to ensure a Public Service which is fit for the future, and a town hall session with Minister Chan Chun Sing.

I am grateful for this opportunity to learn with and from my fellow participants.
The perspectives shared and bonds formed will stand me in good stead as a lawyer serving in the Public Service.

25th GLP Ang Feng Qian (3rd row, 8th from the right) I was privileged to attend the 25th Governance and Leadership Programme which was held from 18 January to 9 February 2018.

The three-and-a-half- week course addressed three facets, namely individual leadership styles and impact, Singapore’s governance principles and imperatives, and regional trends and challenges.
The study trip to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam enabled a deeper understanding of the governance principles, challenges, and opportunities in this rapidly developing neighbour.

Participants were left in no doubt that Singapore risks being overtaken unless we maintain our competitiveness relevance both and regionally and beyond.

26 LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2018 PRIDE IN SERVICE PRIDE IN SERVICE Eighteen Legal Service Officers (“LSOs”) were awarded a National Day Medal in the 2018.
They were honoured at Legal Service National Day Observance Ceremony held on 13 August 2018.

The ceremony was graced by the President and Members of the Legal Service Commission and the Legal Service Special Personnel Boards.

The St Andrew’s Junior in College Choir singing the National Anthem.

LSOs from the various Legal Service Departments then led all present in the recitation of the National Pledge.

This was followed by a medley of songs performed by the Choir.
Heads of Department and LSOs led the participants attended the event.

PSC scholars who would be appointed to the Legal Service upon the conclusion of their law studies were also the ceremony.
invited and attended The ceremony signifies the commitment and dedication of the Legal Service and its officers to Singapore and all Singaporeans and reflects the effort put in by LSOs their diverse towards responsibilities in administering justice, law and upholding safeguarding the interests of the nation and people of Singapore.
r ule of the THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION MEDALS NAME/DESIGNATION DEPARTMENT Ms Juthika Ramanathan Chief Executive Office of the Chief Justice Supreme Court AWARD PPA (Gold) Mr Tan Kiat Pheng Deputy Chief Prosecutor Financial and Technology Crime Division Attorney-General’s Chambers PPA (Silver) Ms Jill Tan District Judge Community Justice and Tribunals Division State Courts PPA (Silver) Ms Jasbendar Kaur District Judge Corporate Services Division State Courts PPA (Silver) Ms Gillian Koh Tan Executive Director (Enforcement) Monetary Authority of Singapore PPA (Silver) Mr Samuel Chua District Judge Criminal Justice Division State Courts PPA (Bronze) 28 LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2018 THE COMMENDATION MEDAL NAME/DESIGNATION DEPARTMENT Mr Sanjiv Vaswani Deputy Senior State Counsel / Deputy Public Prosecutor Financial and Technology Crime Division Attorney-General’s Chambers THE LONG SERVICE MEDAL NAME/DESIGNATION DEPARTMENT Mr Tan Ken Hwee Chief Prosecutor Financial and Technology Crime Division Attorney-General’s Chambers Ms Danielle Yeow Deputy Director-General International Affairs Division Attorney-General’s Chambers Mrs Joyce Chao Senior State Counsel Legislation Division Attorney-General’s Chambers Ms Melinda Moosa Senior Director Legal Unit Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth Mr Gnanasihamani Kannan Senior State Counsel / Deputy Public Prosecutor Mr Han Ming Kuang Senior State Counsel / Deputy Public Prosecutor Mr Hay Hung Chun Deputy Chief Prosecutor Mr Anandan Bala Senior State Counsel Mrs
 Wendy Chang Senior State Counsel Financial and Technology Crime Division Attorney-General’s Chambers Criminal Justice Division Attorney-General’s Chambers Criminal Justice Division Attorney-General’s Chambers Criminal Justice Division Attorney-General’s Chambers Legislation Division Attorney-General’s Chambers Ms Deena Bajrai Deputy Senior State Counsel International Affairs Division Attorney-General’s Chambers Mr Eugene Teo District Judge Corporate Services Division State Courts LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION
 ANNUAL REPORT 2018 29 The Legal Service Commission with the Recipients of the National Day Medals 2018 (Left to Right) Front row: Justice Lee Seiu Kin, Justice Andrew Phang, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, Justice Steven Chong, Ms Goh Swee Chen (Left to Right) Second row: Mr Samuel Chua, Ms Jasbendar Kaur, Mr Tan Kiat Pheng, Ms Juthika Ramanathan, Ms Jill Tan, Ms Gillian Koh Tan (Left to Right) Back row: Ms Deena Bajrai, Mr Hay Hung Chun, Mr Gnanasihamani Kannan, Ms Danielle Yeow, Mr Tan Ken Hwee, Mrs Joyce Chao, Mr Han Ming Kuang, Mr Anandan Bala, Mr Eugene Teo 30 LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2018 EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Mr Seah Chi-Ling (Chairperson) Ms Janice Wong (Vice-Chairperson) Ms Sarah Tan Ms Goh Yin Dee Ms Josephine Kang Mr Kenny Kung Mr Francis Zhang Ms Loh Hui-Min Mr Patrick Tay LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION SECRETARIAT Ms Jeanne Kuik Ms Joyce Loh Ms Agnes Goh LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2018 31 LEGAL SERVICE COMMISSION 1, Supreme Court Lane, Supreme Court, Singapore 178879 website: www.lsc.gov.sg email: lsc_sec@lsc.gov.sg