We would like to congratulate both Viviene Sandhu and Dixon Soh who were involved in their first mediation case with the WIPO-Singapore ASEAN Mediation Programme (AMP) since successfully passing the IP Mediation Certification Programme in September 2022. The programme was a collaboration between Singapore Mediation Centre and Intellectual Property Office of Singapore. More information: https://tinyurl.com/ip-mediation
With effect from 1 October 2023, Justice Teh Hwee Hwee was concurrently appointed as the Presiding Judge of the Family Justice Courts.
Justice Andre Maniam delivered the keynote address at ADR Symposium 2023 organised by the International Bar Association. In his speech, he addressed the concept of appropriate dispute resolution and the role of the courts.
According to Senior Minister of State for Manpower, Mr. Koh Poh Koon, the upcoming legislation on workplace fairness will provide more targeted penalties against discrimination but with an aim of settling such disputes through mediation.
With these new appointments and reappointment, the Supreme Court will house 28 Judges in total; comprising the Chief Justice, four Court of Appeal Justices, one Judicial Commissioner, six Senior Judges, and 19 International Judges.
On 28 March 2023, Uruguay becomes the most recent country to ratify the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation (the “Singapore Convention on Mediation”) and it will be enforceable on 28 September 2023.
In Maxx Engineering v PQ Builders Pte Ltd [2023] SGHC 71, the General Division of the High Court of Singapore (“High Court”) dealt with the issue of whether a party can be compelled, through the remedy of specific performance, to refer a dispute to mediation in accordance with their contractual obligations.
Mr Yeong Zee Kin appointed as new SAL Chief Executive. Mr Yeong is an internationally recognised expert in AI ethics and data privacy issues. Through his work with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), he has helped position Singapore as a thought leader in Responsible AI by developing forward-thinking governance to support industry adoption of AI. He has also developed PDPC’s global reputation as a thought leader in data-driven technology policies and as an engaged regulator that supports innovation. His experience as a Technology, Media and Telecommunications lawyer spans both the private and public sectors. He has spoken and published in areas relating to technology regulation, data protection, electronic discovery and evidence, and intellectual property, as well as legal issues relating to Blockchain and AI deployment.
He commenced his career as a Deputy Public Prosecutor and State Counsel with the Attorney-General’s Chambers and was formerly a partner in Rajah & Tann LLP’s iTec (intellectual property, technology, entertainment, and communications) practice group. Prior to taking up his current appointment at IMDA, he was Senior State Counsel and Director of Technology Law in the Civil Division of AGC and was also legal advisor to the Smart Nation Programme Office and the Cyber Security Agency. Before that, he was Senior Assistant Registrar and CIO of the Supreme Court, during which time he worked tirelessly to keep Singapore at the forefront of court technology.
Mr Yeong is not unfamiliar with SAL. Between 2003 and 2005, he was seconded from AGC to SAL where he headed the LawNet Secretariat and managed the research portal’s operations. He was appointed to the SAL Senate in 2017 and has served on various SAL committees, including the TechLaw.Fest Steering Committee, the LawNet Management Committee and the IT Security Steering Committee. Mr Yeong was awarded The Public Service Medal (COVID-19) in 2022 and The Public Service Medal in 2017 in recognition of his contributions to SAL. SMC welcomes back Mr Yeong to the SAL family!
The opening address of the Legal Year 2023, delivered by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon.
Justice Belinda Ang Saw Ean has been appointed as a Justice of the Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court for the period 1 Nov 2022 to 23 Apr 2024. Justice Ang is the Chairperson of SMC’s Board of Directors.