Allied branch will act independently to chambers
Essex Court Chambers strengthened its Singapore ties in November by bringing in four advocates to become overseas members, but was later asked by Singapore’s Ministry of Law to explain itself after initial media reports implied the set had formally opened a Singapore law branch.
In mid-November, reports said that Essex Court had expanded into Singapore with the addition of four Singapore-qualified lawyers. In response, the city-state’s Ministry of Law issued a statement where it claimed to be ‘surprised and concerned’ and requested Essex Court clarify its position to ‘avoid any misimpression’.
The Ministry of Law also insisted that: ‘Contrary to some suggestions which have been made, the position is also that barristers from Essex Court Chambers in England cannot practise Singapore law and cannot appear in Singapore’s courts unless they have been given leave by the Singapore courts to do so or have been admitted to the Singapore Bar.’
Essex Court has since clarified its position. The new members have set up an independent group practice under local regulations, called Essex Court Chambers Duxton (Singapore Group Practice). Despite bearing the Essex Court brand, the Singapore practice is not an official branch of the set, and its members will act as independent advocates who will accept work directly from clients and from law firms.
Among those to join was VK Rajah SC who has previously served as a judge at both Singapore’s Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, before acting as Attorney General between 2014 and 2017.
Other members include Tham Lijing, Colin Liew and Calvin Liang, all of whom are advocates admitted to the Singapore Bar. They also all served as justice law clerks and have experience from working at local Singapore firms.
Other UK sets with associations in Singapore include 20 Essex Street, One Essex Court, 39 Essex Chambers, Fountain Court Chambers and St Philips Stone Chambers.