Singapore Chief Justice Yong Pung How will retire on April 10,
after more than 15 years in the top legal position.
Current Attorney-General Chan Sek Keong will succeed him from April
11 for a period of three years.
Justice Chao Hick Tin, a Judge of Appeal of the Supreme Court, has
been named the new Attorney-General from April 11 for two
years.
In a letter, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong thanked Chief Justice
Yong for his outstanding contributions to the administration of
justice in Singapore.
Mr Lee noted that the Chief Justice had transformed the Judiciary
into an institution with a world-class reputation for efficiency,
integrity and competence.
78-year-old Chief Justice Yong was also credited for his
far-reaching reforms both in the Supreme Court and Subordinate
Courts, especially with the introduction of technology.
This has helped simplify and speed up the disposal of cases.
In 1991, there was a backlog of 2,000 suits waiting to be
heard.
At the rate of disposal then, each of these suits would have taken
five or six years to clear.
Today, hearing dates are available within three months of parties
being ready, and more than half of writs filed are concluded within
six months.
As a result, Singapore's system of case management and court
administration is studied as a model by judges and lawyers from
around the world.
The Prime Minister said Chief Justice Yong also set rigorous
standards for the Judiciary in dispensing justice and upholding the
rule of law, thus building a high level of confidence in
Singapore's legal system.
Chief Justice Yong was awarded the Order of Temasek, First Class -
a rare honour only given to a handful of esteemed
Singaporeans.
Chief Justice Yong was known for a number of landmark decisions,
including one pertaining to the Official Secrets Act and another
defining clearly what corruption is under the law.
He was also known for his stiff sentences, especially for cases of
domestic violence and particularly for a 2002 case where he used
his judicial powers to double the sentence of a man who appealed
his case after being found guilty of assaulting a lawyer.
The Prime Minister noted that as President of the Legal Service
Commission, Chief Justice Yong had also done much to attract,
manage and develop talent, in particular by initiating the
Justices' Law Clerk programme.
This has strengthened the Judiciary and the Singapore Legal Service
with outstanding legal talent, and dramatically raised the quality
of work.
And under his leadership, the Singapore Academy of Law has become a
key institution for the legal profession.
Chief Justice Yong established a system of Senior Counsel to
recognise the best in the profession, and this has provided role
models for younger lawyers.
During his tenure, Chief Justice Yong also served as Chairman of
the Presidential Council for Minority Rights.
According to the Prime Minister, Chief Justice Yong carried out his
duties in this role diligently.
The Prime Minister wishes the Chief Justice a long and happy
retirement. - CNA/ir
