Singapore's Supreme Court appoints a lawyer with 29 years of legal experience as its newest High Court Judge, bringing the bench to 36 judges.
KEY POINTS
IN SIMPLE TERMS
A senior lawyer who has worked in private practice, as a judge, and as a top government lawyer is now becoming a permanent High Court Judge in Singapore. This is a promotion that shows he's moved through different parts of the legal system and now joins the country's highest court.
WHY IT MATTERS
WHERE DO YOU STAND?
Do you believe that judges drawn from diverse legal backgrounds—such as private practice, government prosecution, and international experience—deliver fairer and better decisions?
👍 👎 Vote ↓A distinguished legal professional with 29 years of experience takes on a new role in Singapore’s Supreme Court.
In a press release by PMO, a significant announcement was made regarding the judiciary in Singapore.
The President of the Republic of Singapore has appointed Mr Ang Cheng Hock as Judge of the High Court.
This appointment is made under Article 95(1) of the Constitution.
The appointment will take effect from 1 May 2025.
Mr Ang Cheng Hock (洪清福) brings a wealth of experience to his new role.
He graduated from the National University of Singapore with First Class Honours in Law in 1995.
In 1998, he obtained a Master of Laws from the Yale Law School.
Mr Ang’s career has been marked by significant achievements and diverse roles in the legal field.
He was appointed Senior Counsel at the young age of 38 in 2009.
Mr Ang was a partner at Messrs Allen & Gledhill.
He was a member of the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution department and its executive committee.
Mr Ang’s judicial career began with his appointment as a Judicial Commissioner in May 2018.
He was then appointed as a Judge of the High Court in August 2019.
“As a Judge, he heard a wide range of cases from civil and commercial disputes to criminal matters.”
In October 2022, he took on the role of Deputy Attorney-General.
As Deputy Attorney-General, he oversaw the work of the Attorney-General Chambers’ Civil Division and its Advocacy Group.
He also supervised part of the work of the Attorney-General Chambers’ Criminal Division, including several high-profile criminal prosecutions.
Mr Ang’s extensive experience in various legal roles makes him well-suited for his new position.
“In all, Mr Ang has amassed 29 years of experience from his time as a practising lawyer, as a Judge, and as Deputy Attorney-General.”
This diverse background provides him with a comprehensive understanding of Singapore’s legal landscape.
With Mr Ang’s appointment, the Supreme Court will see a change in its composition.
After this appointment, the Supreme Court will have a total of 36 Judges.
This includes:
In addition to these local judges, there will also be 24 International Judges.
This diverse composition ensures that the Supreme Court has a wide range of expertise and perspectives.
Do you think having judges with diverse legal backgrounds enhances the quality of justice in Singapore’s courts?
Do you believe that judges drawn from diverse legal backgrounds—such as private practice, government prosecution, and international experience—deliver fairer and better decisions?
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