Criminal defence lawyers walk a fine line—fierce advocates for their clients, yet bound by duties to the Court. This seminar explores the ethical tightrope defence counsel must navigate: taking instructions effectively, managing real-world challenges, and meeting evolving professional obligations. Are the standards rising? Are expectations shifting? 

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Key topics include:

- Key ethical and professional obligations (and relevant provisions including the PCR)

- Taking instructions effectively, rendering advice, and managing clients

- Balancing duties to the Court and to the client

- Recent developments, including recent judgments on the duty of Counsel

 

Join us for a candid discussion on what ethical defence practice looks like today—and what happens when the line is crossed.

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Moderator:

Su Tan, Legal Counsel, Meritus Law LLC

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Speakers:

Chooi Jing Yen, Director, Chooi Jing Yen LLC

Muslim Albakri, Partner, Lighthouse Law LLC

Sunil Sudheesan, Partner, Quahe Woo & Palmer LLC

A trial isn’t about throwing every fact and legal argument at the court—it’s about strategy. As solicitors, our role is to distill complex information into a clear, compelling story that shows why our client is not guilty. In this seminar, seasoned advocates share practical insights on crafting a powerful case theory, making the tough calls along the way, and navigating the CCDC process where both sides reveal their strategies. 

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Key topics include:

- Crafting a case theory

- Overview of the CCDC process - relevant provisions, obligations, powers of the Court, and potential remedies

- How to draft an effective Case for the Defence?

- Dealing with weaknesses and imperfect information

- Other issues relating to pre-trial preparation - dispensation of witnesses, SOAFs, interviewing witnesses, s 231 notices, etc

Perfect for anyone ready to sharpen their trial prep game.

 

Moderator:

Sujesh Anandan, CLAS Fellow, Pro Bono SG

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Speakers:

Tan Chee Meng, SC, Deputy Chairman, Wong Partnership

Derek Kang, Managing Director, Cairnhill Law LLC

Sunil Sudheesan, Partner, Quahe Woo & Palmer LLC

Advocacy is where preparation meets persuasion. In this session, experienced speakers share practical strategies for crafting compelling oral arguments and navigating courtroom dynamics with confidence and professionalism.

 

Key Topics include:

- Preparing effectively for court hearings

- Structuring persuasive oral arguments

- Handling tough questions from the bench

- Navigating courtroom etiquette with poise

 

Whether you're sharpening your advocacy or stepping into court for the first time, this module offers essential tools for impactful courtroom performance.

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Moderator:

Pramnath Vijayakumar, Deputy Director, Community Legal Services, Pro Bono SG

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Speaker: 

Sreenivasan Narayanan, SC, Managing Director, Sreenivasan Chambers LLC 

Sadhana Rai, Chief Representation Officer, Pro Bono SG

Sanjiv Kumar Rajan, Partner, Allen & Gledhill

Not every mental condition changes the legal outcome and some may do so in surprising ways. This module equips lawyers to better identify psychiatric and psychological conditions in clients and understand their legal implications.

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Learn how to work with forensic psychiatrists, interpret reports, and support vulnerable witnesses. We’ll also explore the growing role of social workers and intermediaries in enhancing justice outcomes.

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Key Topics include:

- Recognising relevant mental conditions

- Sentencing, treatment options & Mandatory Treatment Orders

- When mental disorders form a defence

- Commissioning and challenging forensic reports

- Supporting vulnerable witnesses

- Social workers’ roles in court proceedings

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Moderator:

Kevin Ho, CLAS Advocate, Pro Bono SG

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Speaker: 

Sanjiv Kumar Rajan, Partner, Allen & Gledhill

Dr Jacob Rajesh, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, Promises Healthcare
Ella Tan, Social Worker, MINDS

Expert witnesses play a crucial role in court, but their duties and standards differ significantly from ordinary witnesses. What are the key expectations for expert evidence to be deemed reliable and useful?

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Key topics include:

- The duty experts owe to the Court

- Ensuring evidence is cogent, reliable, and usable

- Defence counsel's role in instructing and presenting expert evidence

- Effective strategies for cross-examining expert witnesses

 

Learn from experienced professionals to sharpen your skills in handling expert testimony in criminal cases.

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Moderator:

Cheryl Ng, Counsel, Foxwood LLC

 

Speakers:

Andrew Oddie, Managing Director, Construction, Projects & Assets, FTI Consulting

Suresh Damodara, Managing Director, Damodara Ong LLC

Siraj Shaik Aziz, Director, Silvester Legal LLC

Witness testimony is the heart of any trial—shaped through evidence-in-chief, cross-examination, and re-examination. But in a world where truth isn’t always freely offered, skilled examination becomes essential.

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In this dynamic session, seasoned practitioners share practical techniques and insights on drawing out compelling, reliable testimony.

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Key topics include:

- Basics and ground rules of EIC, cross-examination, and re-examination

- How to develop an effective line of questioning

- Dealing with difficult or evasive witnesses

- Nuances and grey areas - leading questions (or not), puts vs suggestions, etc

Learn how to ask the right questions—and get the answers that matter.
 

Moderator:

Sadhana Rai, Chief Representation Officer, Pro Bono SG

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Speakers: 

Vincent Leow, Deputy Solicitor-General, Attorney-General's Chambers

Sreenivasan Narayanan, SC, Managing Director, Sreenivasan Chambers LLC 

Jaikanth Shankar, Chief Executive Officer, Davinder Singh Chambers

The last decade has seen a rise in sexual crime cases in Singapore. Join us for an in-depth discussion on how legislative changes, sentencing frameworks, and institutional responses are shaping the prosecution and defence of sexual assault cases.

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Key topics include:

- Overview of different types of sexual offences

- Sentencing frameworks: Exploring mitigation opportunities

- Effective cross-examination of complainants: Key guidelines for defence counsel

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Gain valuable insights on navigating these complex cases and refine your approach in the courtroom.

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Moderator:

Stephania Wong, Senior Associate, Rajah & Tann

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Speakers:

Ramesh Tiwary, Managing Director, R Tiwary & Co

Johannes Hadi, Partner, Eugene Thuraisingam LLP
Harjeet Kaur, Legal Associate, Withers KhattarWong

      The arrest and investigation of a suspect kickstart the criminal justice process, often restricting an accused person's freedom. But what are the legal boundaries and rights at this critical stage?

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This seminar explores key aspects of arrest, custody, bail, and investigative procedures—highlighting recent case law, including Mah Kiat Seng v Attorney-General & ors [2023] SGHC 14.

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Key topics include:

- When and how police can make an arrest

- Rights of the accused during custody, including access to legal advice

- Investigative powers of the authorities

- Understanding bail: its purpose and how it works

 

Gain essential insights to better advocate for clients at the very start of the criminal justice process.

 

Moderator:

Yip Jian Yang, CLAS Advocate, Pro Bono SG

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Speaker:

Shashi Nathan, Joint Managing Director, Withers KhattarWong

Ashvin Hariharan, Managing Director, Ashvin Law Corporation

Andrew Chua, Associate Director, Drew & Napier

This module equips defence counsel with practical strategies to draft persuasive representations and engage effectively in CCMS as a tool for early case resolution, pre-trial discovery, and plea negotiations.

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Key topics include:

- Preparing strategically for CCMS

- Crafting compelling letters of representation

- Insights into effective CCMS engagement, from both Defence and Prosecution perspectives

- Sharpen your advocacy where it often starts: before the trial even begins.

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Moderator:

Chong Yi Mei, Managing Partner, Tito Isaac & Co LLP

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Speaker:

Wong Woon Kwong, SC, Deputy Chief Prosecutor, Attorney-General's Chambers

Suresh Damodara, Managing Director, Damodara Ong LLC

Jerrie Tan, Partner, Eugene Thuraisingam LLP

How is DNA extracted, analysed, and used in court? In this seminar, forensic experts break down the science behind DNA profiling—from hair, bodily fluids, and beyond—and explain how this evidence can shape legal outcomes.

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Gain practical insights into lab processes, interpreting DNA reports, and how to effectively work with forensic experts in criminal cases.

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Key topics include:

- DNA extraction and profiling basics

- Interpreting forensic reports

- How lab results inform judicial decisions

- Choosing and instructing the right expert

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Perfect for defence counsel seeking to strengthen their understanding of forensic science in the courtroom.

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Moderator:

Siddartha Bodi, CLAS Fellow, Pro Bono SG

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Speaker:

Chenthil Kumarasingam, Partner, Withers KhattarWong

Lim Xin Li, Acting Laboratory Director, Health Sciences Authority

Understanding how drugs metabolise in the body can make or break a defence. This seminar equips criminal defence lawyers with essential knowledge on drug pathways, forensic testing, and interpreting HSA reports.

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Gain clarity on how drugs are analysed, how results are presented, and how to assess the viability of common defences in drug cases.

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Key topics include:

- Common illegal drugs and their metabolic pathways

- Reading and understanding HSA reports

- Drug analysis, weighing, and testing procedures

- Chain of custody for specimens

- Evaluating typical defences

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Get the forensic edge to better advise and represent your clients in drug-related matters.

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Moderator:

Johannes Hadi, Partner, Eugene Thuraisingam LLP

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Speaker:

DSP Ong Ying Xin, SOC Forensic, Central Narcotics Bureau

Yu Li Jie, Senior Forensic Scientist, Illicit Drug Lab, Health Sciences Authority

Evelyn Goh, Senior Forensic Scientist, Analytical Toxicology Lab, Health Sciences Authority

Digital forensics and AI are reshaping the legal landscape—how should criminal defence lawyers adapt?

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Join us for a forward-looking webinar exploring how cutting-edge tools like predictive analytics, legal AI (including ChatGPT), and digital forensics are transforming criminal defence work.

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Key topics include:

- Leverage tech for case prep, research, and evidence analysis

- Understand the capabilities and limits of AI in legal practice

- Navigate the ethical risks of using AI responsibly

- Use digital forensics to support and strengthen defence strategies

 

Stay ahead of the curve and discover how tech can empower, not replace, the human judgment behind great legal advocacy.

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Moderator:

Benedict Koh, CLAS Fellow, Pro Bono SG​

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Speaker:

Fong Wei Li, Managing Director, Forward Legal LLC

Sean Lim, Director, FTI Consulting

Darren Cerasi, Discovery & Data Management Leader, Deloitte Forensic

A guilty plea is more than a procedural step—it carries serious consequences for the client’s future. How can defence counsel ensure the plea is made knowingly, voluntarily, and with full understanding?

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This seminar will equip criminal defence lawyers with the tools to navigate the legal and ethical landscape of guilty pleas. Learn when and how to advise clients, what they must understand before pleading, and how to support them even after sentencing.

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Key topics include:

- The legal framework: Statements of Facts and what clients are agreeing to

- Ensuring truly informed client decisions

- Post-sentencing support: the role of counsel after sentencing

- Common risks and pitfalls for defence lawyers

 

Essential for any counsel aiming to provide holistic, client-centered defence.

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Moderator:

Vigneesh Nainar, Partner, Tang Thomas LLC​

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Speaker:

Marshall Lim, Partner, Martin & Partners

Jeremy Pereira, Special Counsel, Withers KhattarWong

Ammur Lulla, Associate Director, Cairnhill Law LLC

The criminal defence counsel will understand the various factors that are considered by the Courts in the selection and calibration of the appropriate individual and global sentences.

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This seminar equips criminal defence counsel with practical insights into sentencing objectives, frameworks, and how recent jurisprudence has shaped their application.

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Key topics include:

- Sentencing objectives and frameworks

- The Harm-Culpability matrix and key factors

- Aggravating, mitigating, and neutral considerations

- Proportionality in concurrent vs. consecutive sentencing

- Alternatives to imprisonment: fines, caning, in-default/in-lieu options

- The impact of criminal records

 

Perfect for defence counsels looking to refine their sentencing strategy with both theory and real-world trends.

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Moderator:

Kevin Ho, CLAS Advocate, Pro Bono SG

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Speaker:

Jeremy Pereira, Special Counsel, Withers KhattarWong

Eugene Thuraisingam, Partner, Eugene Thuraisingam LLP

Ensuring that young and vulnerable offenders have the chance to rehabilitate and reintegrate is a matter of public importance. Often, the most effective justice lies not in incarceration, but in meaningful alternatives that support transformation.

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Join us for a focused seminar where our expert speakers will unpack Singapore’s rehabilitative and community-based sentencing options. Discover how the justice system can balance accountability with compassion—particularly for those who may benefit more from support than punishment.

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Key topics include:

- Reformative Training and Short Detention Orders

- Rehabilitation through incarceration: what prison life offers

- Community Court: its role and process

- Sentencing options for youth offenders, including community-based alternatives

- Probation: suitability assessments, officer roles, and supervision

- Court-Directed Pre-Sentencing Protocol: purpose and application

 

Whether you’re a legal professional, social service practitioner, or policy thinker, this seminar offers valuable insights into a justice system that fosters second chances.

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Moderator:

Pramnath Vijayakumar, Deputy Director, Community Legal Services, Pro Bono SG

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Speaker:

Kessler Soh, Deputy Presiding Judge, State Courts

Karen Lee, Director, Rehabilitation and Reintegratin Division, Singapore Prison Service

Charis Chenxu Ling'en, Senior Manager, Ministry of Social and Family Development

Nur Syamirah Binte Synul Abdin, Senior Manager, Ministry of Social and Family Development