Allen Sng Kiat Peng ’18

What did you enjoy most about law school?
I enjoyed the interactions which I had in law school the most. I was fortunate enough to have great teachers whom I’ve learnt much from and were willing to stretch me. I enjoyed the time I had with my close friends, be it doing carpentry work for the NUS Law Float, or trying to figure out the law together. It is these people and interactions which have shaped me into who I am now, and I’m always grateful for it.

As a bursary and scholarship recipient throughout law school, how did financial aid make a difference to you as a student and to your family?
Financial aid definitely helped to ease some of my family’s worries and the reduced stress helped me focus on my studies. Just by way of some background, finances were always a challenge for my family. In particular, sometime in my second year of studies, my dad’s retina got detached and he was blind in one eye for a while. My dad works in the construction industry and was the sole-breadwinner, so that incident gave me much to worry about. I made the decision then to drop my concurrent degree in law and public policy, just so that I could enter into the workforce earlier. I’m quite sure it would have been much worse without the financial aid.

Somehow, while acing your subjects, bagging an armful of prizes and making the Dean’s list every year, you managed to find time to volunteer with the Assisted Deputyship Application Programme under the Pro Bono Office – and you continue as a volunteer today! What keeps you going as a volunteer?
Yes – I’ve been with the project for almost 5 years now, and I am still actively running the deputyship cases. Fate is not kind to everyone, but I believe that we can help make life better for others. I continue to serve because I want to make life better for others, especially for those who have had a difficult start in life (in this case, those who lack mental capacity), through no fault of their own. Partly, it is also because my family had received a lot of help when we were down and out. Serving is a way for me to pass on the kindness that I have received. I always remind myself that my act of helping might seem small and insignificant to me, but it could be the very life-line which tides the recipient over another day.

What do you teach at NUS Law and why did you choose to join the Faculty?
At present, I teach Contract Law for the Year 1s and Property Law for the Year 2s. I’ve always wanted to serve in the public sector, such as teaching or civil service. Practice might have its monetary benefits, but I’ve always felt more inclined towards serving society instead. Teaching was very alluring, especially since my wife is also a teacher (with my old primary school). NUS Law was the natural choice as my alma mater and I enjoy being able to continue my learning journey here.

What do you like about teaching and how do you balance this with your job as a Legal Executive with Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow?
Teaching has many attractions, such as having the luxury of researching into particular areas of the law and interacting with the young minds. I’ve definitely learnt a lot from the difficult questions which my students have posed. There is also the benefit of having proper working hours, and I now have time to spend with my parents! As for my arrangement with Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow, I help with advisory matters relating to fintech and credit and security law. Teaching will always be my first duty, and I deal with the legal work outside of office hours (i.e. at night or weekends). It definitely helps that my legal work is complementary to what I teach at NUS Law. It also helps that I am still young (for now), and can afford to burn the midnight oil when necessary.

On a side note, I know you’re an avid photographer who, at age 18, was named as one of Singapore’s best young photographers by CNN Travel! Have you continued to pursue this interest? Would you share with us some of your favourite shots?
I’ve been a lot less active in the photography circles lately, but I do still shoot occasionally. Photography is a way for me to slow down my pace of life and to appreciate the beauty around me. I have a soft spot for the public housing and night scenes in Singapore. These are 3 of my favourites.