Law Society of Singapore Appoints Tan Cheng Han as President for 2026

The Law Society of Singapore (LawSoc) has appointed Professor Tan Cheng Han as its president for the year 2026. This announcement, made on December 24, also confirmed the roles of other key office-bearers, including Mr Dinesh Singh Dhillon, who will serve as one of the council’s two vice presidents after stepping aside from the presidency.

Mr Daniel Koh Choon Guan retains his position as the other vice president, while Ms Peggy Sarah Yee May Kuen assumes the role of treasurer. The complete council for 2026 remains unchanged from the previous year, which includes current president Lisa Sam and several other distinguished members.

Council Structure and Membership

The 2026 council comprises a total of 21 lawyers, including the four office-bearers. Under the Legal Profession Act, the council is made up of both elected and statutory members. Of these, 15 members are elected by LawSoc members, while the remaining are appointed. Appointees may include the immediate past president, along with up to three members designated by the Minister for Law and three chosen by the council itself.

In this case, Ms Yee, Mr Lim Seng Siew, and Mr Khelvin Xu Cunhan are council appointees, while Ms Blossom Hing Shan Shan and Mr Nicholas Jeyaraj Narayanan are among those appointed by the Minister for Law, reflecting a diverse and representative leadership structure.

Prof Tan, who is also a senior consultant at Wong Partnership, expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him. In a press release, he acknowledged the “many challenges faced by the profession,” emphasizing the need for collective effort. “We can build on the work of previous councils. I am grateful for their work and want to especially thank President Lisa Sam and the members of the 2025 council for their sterling efforts,” he stated.

Background and Recent Developments

The announcement of Prof Tan’s presidency concludes a period of contention surrounding the Law Society’s leadership. Mr Dhillon had initially been elected as the incoming president by a majority of the council following the annual election for the 2026 council held in October. His election marked a historical moment as he became the first president-elect to be appointed as a statutory member by the Law Minister.

Concerns arose among some members of the legal community, prompting a requisition notice for an extraordinary general meeting (EGM). This meeting took place on December 18, where over 500 lawyers participated. A majority voted in favor of a resolution proposing that the president should be an individual elected by LawSoc members. Consequently, Mr Dhillon agreed to step aside “in the interest of preserving unity” within the Bar, affirming that there were no questions regarding his competence or independence.

The resolution paved the way for Prof Tan to assume the presidency, while also amending the structure to ensure that the society’s president is an elected member of the council moving forward. The decision reflects a commitment to uphold democratic principles within the organization and to address the concerns of its members.

In closing, Prof Tan conveyed optimism regarding the future of the legal profession in Singapore. He noted, “We are at our best when we come together, whether we are completely in agreement or otherwise. Our different perspectives strengthen us by ensuring that the decisions ultimately made are robust and well thought through.”