SINGAPORE: Singapore’s Chief Justice Justice Sundaresh Menon will retire on February 26 2027, bringing to a detailed greater than 14 years on the helm of the judiciary. Court docket of Attraction decide Justice Sushil Nair will succeed him as Singapore’s fifth Chief Justice on the identical day.
Asserting the management transition on Friday (July 17), the Prime Minister’s Workplace (PMO) stated Prime Minister Lawrence Wong paid tribute to Justice Menon’s years of service, describing his tenure as one marked by distinction.
“Chief Justice Menon has served Singapore with distinction over the previous 14 years. Beneath his management, our judiciary has earned the boldness of Singaporeans and the respect of the worldwide authorized group. I thank him for his distinctive service,” Wong stated.
He additionally expressed confidence within the incoming Chief Justice, saying Justice Nair would proceed to construct on the judiciary’s sturdy foundations whereas upholding its “excellence, integrity and independence”.
In a separate assertion issued by the Singapore Courts on Friday, Justice Menon mirrored on his years main the judiciary, describing the expertise as an unparalleled privilege.
“It has been a peerless privilege for me to have been entrusted with the duty of main the Singapore judiciary for nearly a decade and a half,” he stated.
Justice Menon thanked the Authorities for the chance to serve and for supporting quite a few judicial reforms and initiatives all through his tenure. He additionally acknowledged the contributions of judges, worldwide judges, judicial service officers, court docket directors and different court docket workers.
“I’ve given it my greatest. The time is coming when I’ll cross this duty on, and I do know that my successor, Justice Sushil Nair, will equally work to additional strengthen and nurture this cherished nationwide establishment,” he added.
Justice Menon, 64, was appointed Chief Justice on November 6, 2012. In keeping with the PMO, his management oversaw a interval of serious transformation for Singapore’s judiciary.
Throughout his tenure, the courts strengthened their institutional framework, expanded entry to justice, modernised administrative processes and bolstered public confidence within the rule of regulation.
Among the many main modifications launched underneath his management was the judiciary’s digital transformation, alongside the institution of the Appellate Division of the Excessive Court docket, a transfer aimed toward enabling appeals to be heard and resolved extra effectively.
Justice Menon additionally performed a central position within the growth of the Singapore Worldwide Industrial Court docket and its worldwide committee, additional enhancing Singapore’s standing as a trusted venue for resolving worldwide business disputes.
His tenure additionally noticed the Household Justice Courts and Youth Courts undertake a therapeutic justice strategy, reshaping the way in which household and youth-related issues are dealt with. As well as, he established the Singapore Judicial School, which has since develop into the cornerstone of judicial schooling.
Justice Nair, 62, joined the judiciary as a judicial commissioner on April 1, 2025. He was subsequently appointed a Excessive Court docket decide earlier than being elevated to the Court docket of Attraction on June 15.
Earlier than becoming a member of the Bench, he spent 35 years in authorized observe. He beforehand served as deputy chief government of Drew & Napier and headed the agency’s company restructuring and exercises observe group.
The PMO described him as a number one authority on advanced business and cross-border authorized disputes throughout the Asia-Pacific area.
Past his authorized profession, Justice Nair has additionally been recognised for his public service contributions.
In 2022, he acquired the Buddies of Ministry of Tradition, Neighborhood and Youth Award for his position in supporting the takeover of the then Singapore Sports activities Hub by Sport Singapore. The built-in sports activities and leisure venue has since been renamed The Kallang.
The next 12 months, he was awarded the Public Service Star (Covid-19) for serving to conceptualise Singapore’s Covid-19 (Non permanent Measures) Invoice, which offered aid to companies and people affected by the pandemic.
Responding to his appointment, Justice Nair stated he was “deeply honoured” by the President’s determination and aware of the tasks that accompany the workplace.
“I’m deeply honoured by the President’s appointment and profoundly acutely aware of the tasks that include the workplace of Chief Justice,” he stated.
He additionally paid tribute to Justice Menon’s management and pledged to proceed safeguarding the judiciary’s core ideas.
“I’ll try to uphold the independence and integrity of our courts, safeguard the rule of regulation, and make sure that justice continues to be administered impartially, pretty and successfully in service of the individuals of Singapore,” he stated.
