Singapore, 20 November 2019 (Wednesday) – SMU Pro Bono Centre today lauded the dedication and contribution of several individuals for their pro bono efforts.  Mr Richard Tan Ming Kirk was recognised as the volunteer lawyer who has participated the most number of times at the SMU Pro Bono Centre Legal Clinic in 2019 as well as having served continuously for more than five years as a volunteer lawyer at the Centre’s Legal Clinic.  Furthermore, SMU Juris Doctor graduate Mr Tan Wei Chieh and SMU LLB graduate Ms Susanna Abigail Yim, both from the Class of 2019, were recognised for having contributed the most number of approved pro bono hours, 104.5 hours and 139.8 hours respectively, to be precise.

The awards were presented at the SMU Pro Bono Centre Appreciation Dinner which was graced by Mr Edwin Tong, SC, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Law and Ministry of Health.  Held at the SMU School of Law, the event serves to thank lawyers and individuals, as well as agencies that offer a wide range of pro bono placement opportunities to SMU students.

[Photo: Mr Richard Tan (far right) received the 'Volunteer Lawyer of the Year' and '5-year Long Service Award' while Mr Tan Wei Chieh (left) and SMU Ms Susanna Abigail Yim (2nd from left) were awarded the 'Spirit of Pro Bono' award. They are pictured here with Guest-of-honour, Mr Edwin Tong.]

In addition to the special awards, certificates of appreciation were also presented to graduates from the Class of 2019 and volunteer lawyers.  14 JD graduates and 30 LLB graduates who completed all of their university community service requirement (50 hours and 80 hours respectively) in approved pro bono work were recognised for their commitment.  In addition, 25 volunteer lawyers, 18 of whom are SMU Law alumni, also received certificates of appreciation for participating in the Centre’s legal clinic in 2019.

Professor of Law Chan Wing Cheong, who is also Director of the SMU Pro Bono Centre, said, “We have much to celebrate at the SMU Pro Bono Centre.  Since the start of our first free legal clinic in September 2013, we have grown in many fronts – be it the number of volunteering lawyers, volunteering students or applicants whom we see.  Six years on, I am delighted and humbled that we continue to make an impact in facilitating justice for those who may not know where or who else to turn to.”

“Our work would not have been possible without the tremendous support of many individuals and organisations.  Community service is integral to the SMU ethos and is in every student’s DNA even before pro bono became compulsory for law students in Singapore; we have to thank everyone for partnering with us in giving our young law students a holistic education that will enable them to make a meaningful impact in society when they enter the profession.  I also wish to express our gratitude to RHT Rajan Menon Foundation, for their generous gift of $300,000 that supports us for five years from Academic Year 2017/2018,” he added.

[Photo: Prof Chan Wing Cheong, Director of the SMU Pro Bono Centre expressing his appreciation to partners, volunteer lawyers and students for their support.]

The SMU Pro Bono Centre started the free legal clinic in 2013. The legal clinic has grown from a fortnightly service to a weekly service since 2017.  In 2018, the clinics saw a total of 287 applicants, 70.7% of whom are Singaporeans, and 46.7% earned less than $4,000 per month.

The Pro Bono Centre’s survey found that more than 8 in 10 applicants were ‘very satisfied’ or ‘quite satisfied’ with the service they received, and more than 9 in 10 indicated that they will return to the clinic if they have new legal issues and will also recommend the legal clinic to others.  Most applicants found out about the legal clinic through online resource (40.7%), family members (16.7%) and the Law Society Pro Bono Services (12.4%). In 2018, the most common issues presented to the legal clinic comprised family issues (22.6%), employment issues (12.5%), criminal matters (10.5%) and tenancy issues (7.7%).

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Enclosures:

• Annex 1: Profiles of award recipients
• Annex 2: Fact sheet – Community service and pro bono contribution by SMU law students

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Media Contact

HUANG Peiling (Ms)

Senior Assistant Director, Corporate Communications

(65) 6828-0964 | plhuang [at] smu.edu.sg

Below are more photos of the event

  
[Photo: (Left photo) Mr Edwin Tong (right) and School of Law Dean Goh Yihan (centre) interacting with guests at the event; (Right photo) Mr Edwin Tong addressing all guests and award recipients at the event.]

[Photo: (Left & right photos) Mr Nandakumar, Partner and member of the Management Board of the RHTLaw Taylor Wessing LLP, gave away certificates of recognition to 14 Juris Doctor graduates and 30 LLB graduates from the Class of 2019 who had completed all of their university community service requirement (50 hours and 80 hours respectively) in approved pro bono work.]

[Photo: Justice Tan Siong Thye, Chairman of the PBC’s Expert Panel, awarded certificates of appreciation to 25 lawyers (18 of whom are SMU Law Alumni) who have volunteered at SMU PBC Legal Clinic in 2019.]

[Featured photo (top of story): Mr Edwin Tong mingling with SMU law students and graduates at the appreciation dinner event.]