Singapore, 7 June 2024 (Friday) – Senior Judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Judith Prakash, will bring her extensive legal experience to the Singapore Management University (SMU) as a Distinguished Fellow at the SMU Yong Pung How School of Law (YPHSL). Her term is for a period of two years, effective from 15 May 2024.

Being an eminent luminary of the legal profession and judiciary in Singapore, the appointment provides SMU faculty and students access to her expertise, knowledge and experience. As a Distinguished Fellow at SMU YPSHL, she will share her expertise and insights that will contribute to shaping the strategic direction of the law school and its programmes. She will also mentor students and faculty, and advise them on the School’s programmes and initiatives.

Professor Lee Pey Woan, Dean of SMU Yong Pung How School of Law, said, “It is a huge privilege for SMU to be associated with Justice Judith Prakash. She is an eminent and respected figure, and a true exemplar of excellence and integrity in the legal field. Her remarkable achievements and unwavering commitment to justice make her an inspiration to my colleagues and students. Our law faculty and students will benefit immensely from the opportunity to tap on her wisdom.”

On her appointment, Justice Judith Prakash, said, “I am honoured and excited by this appointment. It’s a great chance take part in bringing up new generations of lawyers.”

About Justice Judith Prakash

Justice Prakash graduated from the University of Singapore in 1974 and was admitted as an advocate and solicitor in Singapore the following year. Thereafter she was in private practice until 1992. Starting as a shipping lawyer, she subsequently practised commercial law in the areas of banking and finance and company law. She joined the Supreme Court as Judicial Commissioner in 1992 and became a High Court Judge in 1995.

She was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2005 and the Ministry of Education Gold Award for Service to Education in 2014. She was the first woman to be appointed a permanent judge of the Singapore Court of Appeal in 2016, and was inducted into the Singapore Women's Hall of Fame in the same year.

In 2017, she was appointed Judge of the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts where she served on a part-time basis for three years to hearing appeal cases. Until 2022, Justice Prakash was the Lead Judge for arbitration matters. She has sat on many cases involving arbitration issues, both at first instance and on appeal, and is one of the Supreme Court’s specialist arbitration judges. Many of her judgments, particularly on arbitration and commercial law, have been influential both domestically and internationally.

Justice Prakash has previously served on the Advisory Board of the Yong Pung How School of Law between 1 April 2011 and 30 March 2017. She delivered the Herbert Smith Freehills–SMU Asian Arbitration Lecture in 2019.

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