From lecture hall to death row: Assoc Prof Mervyn Cheong on teaching, defending, and living a life of meaning

Fall seven times, stand up eight. This Japanese proverb on resilience is a good description of the mindset Associate Professor Mervyn Cheong ’08 has in continually taking on pro bono work in criminal cases where adverse outcomes are common, to ensure access to justice.

That passion for criminal litigation drives him as an educator (he teaches Trial Advocacy and a clinical elective course that involves students working together with him on capital cases, and is Deputy Director of NUS Law’s Centre for Pro Bono & Clinical Legal Education); as a Consultant at Advocatus Law LLP specialising in criminal defence; and as Lead Counsel with LASCO, a scheme that ensures all persons facing the death penalty receive legal representation.

Mervyn said frankly, “It is challenging to act as Defence Counsel in capital cases. Over the years, I’ve achieved favourable outcomes in some cases, and adverse results in most.” Recounting his first murder trial—known as the Gardens by the Bay Murder—in which the accused he represented was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2019 under Section 300(b) of the Penal Code¹, he was touched that his client was appreciative. “It is a reminder that even when the result is not an acquittal, the process of advocacy and being heard can still hold value for those we represent.”

It’s been over 10 years since he volunteered with LASCO (Legal Assistance Scheme for Capital Offences), but this journey into criminal law was unforeseeable for the Anglican High boy who once considered reading economics in university.

The Origin Story

Mervyn was the first in his family to pursue a tertiary education, and he felt a strong sense of responsibility to choose a path that would lead to a stable career. Economics, in which he had done well at A levels, was a pull, as was law. He chose the latter, which turned out to be intellectually engaging and personally meaningful in ways he hadn’t anticipated.

Nonetheless, student life was uneventful. He did not participate in mooting competitions as he didn’t see himself pursuing litigation—how that would dramatically change down the line. It was also at this time that his interest in mentorship began budding. He volunteered as an Honorary Officer with the National Police Cadet Corps at his alma mater, supporting youth development.

Still intent on stability, he initially wanted to do corporate transactional work, but ventured into dispute resolution. That eventually became his area of practice, with work on shareholder, IP and insolvency disputes. As a Senior Associate, he assisted a Dispute Partner in criminal cases, and it was then that his interest in criminal law grew. He signed up with two pro bono schemes—the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (CLAS) and LASCO—and saw first-hand the impact that legal representation had in the lives of his clients.

”At that time, I heard people say that…lawyers are in a position to help people, but it was only when I actually did it and saw the outcome that I truly understood that we make a difference,” he said. Mervyn would go on to become one of the youngest Lead Counsels in both CLAS and LASCO.

Life and Liberty

Despite the meaningful nature of defence work, heavy is the mantle of responsibility. Mervyn shared, “Beyond the pressure, what stands out most in capital cases is the ethical weight that comes from navigating the tension between being an officer of the court and being counsel to a client whose life is quite literally on the line.”

In one of Mervyn’s more memorable cases, he acted for an accused person who had been convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to death in January 2019. In the Court of Appeal, he argued successfully before a coram of five judges instead of the usual three and secured an acquittal. The entire process took nearly four years, from trial through to the appellate decision and final resolution.

“I remember the emotional weight of the case: Witnessing the client’s mother faint in court upon hearing the High Court’s verdict was deeply affecting. To subsequently see him reunited with his loved ones was an unforgettable moment. It reminded me of the profound human stakes involved in this kind of work. The client now is happily married and has a child,” Mervyn said.

To deepen his understanding of the structural and normative challenges within criminal justice systems, and following his empanelment on the List of Counsels before the International Criminal Court (ICC), he pursued a Master of Public and International Law at the University of Melbourne, graduating this year with First Class Honours. Building on his research portfolio, he has also co-authored two chapters in Annotated Laws of Singapore², focusing on the Misuse of Drugs Act and the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act. These are the only published statutory annotations available for these two Acts.

Gardener of Lives

Mervyn has also gravitated towards a complementary way to make an impact: teaching. Before joining NUS Law, he taught a series of lectures on criminal procedure at Temasek Polytechnic. In 2016, he joined NUS Law as an Adjunct Instructor for three academic years, rejoining the Faculty in 2021 in his current role as Associate Professor on the practice track. Beyond the classroom, Mervyn also serves as Faculty Advisor for two student pro bono groups, Project Parachute and the Criminal Justice Club.

It’s clear he cares for the charges in his flock. In class, he looks for ways to better engage students, co-developing AI tools to improve the learning process. Outside of class, he nurtures them to be well-rounded individuals, growing their confidence in defence work and in braving whatever comes in life. “I often encourage students to keep an open mind when it comes to their careers. I hope they remember that it’s fine to take the road less travelled…The legal profession is broad, and there is more than one way to make a meaningful impact,” he said, adding that education shapes not just understanding, but also purpose.

Mervyn is the perfect embodiment of his advice, having stepped away from commercial litigation to align his legal practice more closely with his teaching role. This focus on criminal defence work has opened up opportunities for him; last year, he was appointed as Duty Counsel to assist the International Criminal Court. He shared, “It was an eye-opening experience to witness professionals from across the world collaborating within the international criminal justice system.”

Light and Shadow

Balancing live casework with teaching is challenging, he admitted, opening up about the emotional and mental demands of handling capital cases. “I recall that just last year, I lost a case and the client was sentenced to suffer death, but I still had a lecture to deliver the next day. It is tough but what motivates me are the occasions where the team’s efforts made a difference and the family of the accused persons are appreciative.”

At the intersection of practice and teaching, he is also mindful that his students take away the right learning points. He described an occasion where a student had accompanied him to a hearing, during which the judge disagreed with Mervyn’s submission and tensions escalated very quickly. Though Mervyn was taken aback, he realised that the student was even more shaken. “I quickly realised that I had to manage my own emotions before talking to the student…to make sure he took away the right learning points, and not just the memory of a difficult exchange in court.”

Under the weight of these responsibilities, what shores him is his supportive wife and family. “I give myself space to process—I talk to my wife, pray, focus on other ongoing work…go to the gym, or simply spend time with my toddler. These routines help me reset.” He also practises Brazilian jiu-jitsu, a hobby that helps him destress. “You never quite know when martial arts might come in handy. I once had to go to a nightclub to interview witnesses and examine the scene of an alleged gang-related rioting incident,” he remarked in humour.

An Equilibrium

Looking back over the years, Mervyn takes stock of his many roles, reflecting, ”I believe it’s the combination of staying actively engaged with live criminal cases, contributing through voluntary roles, such as serving on the Board of Fei Yue Community Services and the Wrestling Federation of Singapore, and continuing with teaching and research, which brings a sense of balance to my career.” Together with his wife and toddler, Mervyn also volunteers with Meals-on-Wheels to deliver food to the elderly, and he also serves in his church’s gardening ministry.

He turned introspective, when asked what keeps him going. “Lately, I’ve been telling my wife that life is fleeting. In many ways, the work I do is driven by a hope to create more moments worth celebrating. And when the time eventually comes to answer a higher calling, I hope to have something meaningful to look back on and to offer.”

Through the highs and lows, in being a doer and giver, Mervyn’s resilience in staying the path is an inspiration. German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe once said this—Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do. We daresay Mervyn fits this bill to a T.

 

References

¹An offence of murder under s300(b) requires the Prosecution to prove that the accused committed an act “done with the intention of causing such bodily injury as the offender knows to be likely to cause the death of the person to whom the harm is caused”. The key difference between s300(a) and s300(b) is that the sentence for an offence for the former is mandatory death punishment, while the latter may be punishable with death or life imprisonment and caning.

²Mervyn Cheong and Chooi Jing Yen, “Misuse of Drugs Act” in Annotated Laws of Singapore (LexisNexis Singapore, 2021)

Mervyn Cheong and Chooi Jing Yen, “Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act” in Annotated Laws of Singapore (LexisNexis Singapore, 2021)