“Justice must not only be done but must also seen to be done.” Open justice is a fundamental principle that ensures transparency, accountability, and public trust in the legal system. When, then, can the Singapore courts decide that its proceedings should be heard in private? What considerations do courts take into account, and how do they balance public interest in hearings against interests of the defendants and victims in the cases? This article seeks to answer these questions, with reference to recent cases concerning Bar admission, voyeurism, and arbitration.
The Murderer’s Defence: challenging a murder charge under s 300 of the Penal Code
A conviction of murder is one with grave implications, one which may result in a sentence of death, or of life imprisonment. Against this backdrop, it is crucial to understand what defences are available to an accused person alleged of criminal homicide. Was the accused provoked into killing the deceased? Was the accused unable to comprehend his actions due to a mental infirmity? And more importantly, do these factors alone justify one’s exculpation? These questions are explored in this article, where focus is placed on several defences typically raised by an accused where the charge of murder is concerned.
Don’t judge a prosecution by its cover – Equality in Implementing Prosecutorial Discretion
The prosecution performs an important task of maintaining law and order, and upholding the rule of law. In exercising their discretionary powers as vested to them under Article 35(8) of the Constitution, this may lead to differential treatment between seemingly equally situated accused persons. While this may raise questions regarding the constitutional right to equality, this article will illustrate why these prosecutorial decisions are nonetheless in accordance with Article 12 of the Constitution.
Trial by media? Understanding the contours of the sub judice rule
High-profile court cases are often newsworthy precisely because they involve sensational or shocking facts, or because they implicate current or controversial sociopolitical issues. However, while such cases naturally attract a good deal of public interest, excessive speculation or highly emotive commentary risk undermining the proper and impartial conduct of the case in question, by placing undue pressure on the court and parties, and affecting the availability and reliability of witness testimony. It is therefore crucial to understand the sub judice rule, which aims to protect the proper administration of justice by governing what can and cannot be published in respect of ongoing cases.
The Rule of Law: A Brief Explanation
Joel Soon Jian Wei & Chang Wen Yee I. IntroductionIn Tan Seet Eng v Attorney-General, Chief Justice (CJ) Sundaresh Menon famously quipped that “[t]he rule of law is the bedrock on which our society was founded and on which it has thrived.”[1] Yet, the rule of law “is not one that admits of a fixed … Continue reading The Rule of Law: A Brief Explanation
Pleading guilty in Singapore
Bill Puah Ee Jie and Keith Low* I. IntroductionA guilty plea refers to an admission by someone who is accused of a crime that he or she did, in fact, commit the crime. Often, pleading guilty affords an accused a significant discount in sentencing. This discount, accompanied with the costs and time involved in claiming … Continue reading Pleading guilty in Singapore
The State of Statements in Singapore’s Legal System
Bill Puah Ee Jie* I. Introduction During the investigations of crimes, numerous statements are often recorded by the police. Different types of statements might also be taken at different times. Unfortunately, the process remains relatively unknown to the public and therefore may create an undue amount of uncertainty and unease for those undergoing the process. … Continue reading The State of Statements in Singapore’s Legal System
Judicial Review of Prosecutorial Decisions
Written by Fun Wei Xuan, Joel* I. IntroductionProsecutorial discretion, broadly speaking, refers to the Public Prosecutor’s ability to, in its sole discretion, make a myriad of decisions, including: whether to initiate prosecution, what charge to prefer, whether to amend a charge, and whether to discontinue prosecution.[1] This power is provided for in Article 35(8) of … Continue reading Judicial Review of Prosecutorial Decisions
Demystifying Prosecutorial Discretion – What It Is & How It Is Exercised
Parti Liyani was an Indonesian domestic helper who was charged with stealing up to $34,000 worth of items from then-Changi Airport Group chairman Liew Mun Leong and his family. She was initially sentenced to jail, but on appeal the High Court acquitted Ms Liyani of all charges. The High Court held that the Prosecution had not provided sufficient credible evidence to support its claims. Furthermore, the Prosecution could not rebut the Defence’s allegation that Ms Liyani’s employers had an improper motive in making a police report against Ms Liyani, i.e. to prevent her from lodging a complaint to the authorities about being asked to work outside her approved place of employment.
Standing by decided things: How the Singapore courts decide cases
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the first leader of Pakistan apocryphally said, “Think 100 times before you take a decision, but once that decision is made, stand by it as one man.”
Our lives have their shapes because of decisions made or not made. Of course, some decisions are weightier than others. In particular, the decisions that judges make regarding the cases before them have significant bearing on many, even extending in more extreme cases to determining whether a person lives or dies.
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