Law Society of Singapore Appoints Tan Cheng Han as 2026 President

The Law Society of Singapore (LawSoc) has officially appointed Professor Tan Cheng Han as its president for 2026. This announcement was made on December 24, 2025, following a weeks-long internal discussion regarding the presidency. Tan succeeds Mr. Dinesh Singh Dhillon, who will serve as one of the two vice presidents after agreeing to step aside from the presidency.

The council’s leadership team for the upcoming year also includes Mr. Daniel Koh Choon Guan as the other vice president and Ms. Peggy Sarah Yee May Kuen as treasurer. The council will maintain its existing membership, which is made up of 21 lawyers, including the four office-bearers.

Leadership Changes and Council Composition

The composition of the council is dictated by the Legal Profession Act, which stipulates a mix of both elected and statutory members. Of the total council members, 15 are elected by LawSoc members, while the remaining members include the immediate past president and appointees from the Minister for Law. Ms. Yee, Mr. Lim Seng Siew, and Mr. Khelvin Xu Cunhan are council appointees, while Ms. Blossom Hing Shan Shan, Mr. Nicholas Jeyaraj Narayanan, and Mr. Dhillon were appointed by the law minister.

In his first statement as president, Professor Tan expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in him by the members. He acknowledged the challenges faced by the legal profession, stating, “Given the many challenges faced by the profession, which other industries also have to grapple with, there is much for us to do.” He also credited previous councils for their contributions, particularly thanking outgoing president Lisa Sam for her leadership.

Controversy Surrounding the Presidency

The recent changes in leadership followed an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) held on December 22, 2025. This meeting was prompted by unease within the legal community regarding Mr. Dhillon’s initial election as president. His appointment had marked a significant moment as he was the first president-elect to be a statutory member appointed by the Law Minister.

Concerns raised by several members led to a requisition notice for the EGM, where over 500 lawyers participated. The resolution passed at the meeting called for Mr. Dhillon to step aside to preserve unity within the Bar. The document stated that there were no concerns regarding his independence or competence, but it was deemed necessary to elect a president who was a member voted in by LawSoc members.

With the conclusion of this leadership transition, Professor Tan is optimistic about the future. He emphasized the importance of collaboration within the legal profession, stating, “We are at our best when we come together, whether we are completely in agreement or otherwise.” As he prepares to lead the society, he looks forward to leveraging the collective strength of its members to navigate the challenges ahead.