A Judge for the Ages – Essays in Honour of Justice Chao Hick Tin

Judge of Appeal Chao Hick Tin retired from the bench after more than 50 years of public service. In a farewell event celebrating his career on 27 September 2017, the rare honour of a valedictory reference was conducted to pay tribute to Justice Chao’s contributions. In addition, Justice Chao was surprised with a newly launched book featuring a biography of his career, and a compilation of essays from members of the legal fraternity.

In this book titled A Judge for the Ages – Essays in Honour of Justice Chao Hick Tin, experts from the Judiciary, practice and academia explore Justice Chao’s jurisprudence in 12 areas of private, public and international law. These essays honour his lasting legacy as a role model for all who aspire to be judges of the highest calibre.

Published by the Singapore Academy of Law, contributors to the book include Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon ’86, Judge of Appeal Justice Andrew Phang Boon Leong ’82, Judge of Appeal Justice Steven Chong ’82, Professor Jeffrey Pinsler SC (NUS), Associate Professor Pearlie Koh ’89, Associate Professor Lee Pey Woan, Professor Hans Tjio (NUS), Professor Yeo Tiong Min ’90, SC, Adjunct Professor Kow Keng Siong ’93 (NUS), Mohamed Faizal Mohamed Abdul Kadir ’05, Professor Leong Wai Kum (NUS), Professor Ng-Loy Wee Loon ’87 (NUS), Professor Thio Li-ann (NUS), Professor Teo Keang Sood (NUS), Assistant Professor Jaclyn L Neo ’03 (NUS) and Professor Gary Chan Kok Yew ’93.

Born in Singapore, Justice Chao studied at Catholic High School before reading law at University College London. He was appointed Judicial Commissioner of the Supreme Court of Singapore on 1 October 1987. This marked the commencement of a distinguished judicial career from 1987 right through to 2017 – a remarkable period of approximately three decades (excluding two years, between 2006 and 2008, when he was Attorney-General) and a total period of half a century in service of his country. Justice Chao was appointed Judge of Appeal on 2 August 1999 and Vice-President of the Court of Appeal on 18 April 2008.

The book can be purchased here.