A tribute to the founding father of NUS Law, Professor Lionel Astor Sheridan

Professor Lionel Astor (“Lee”) Sheridan’s name stands as a cornerstone in the history of legal education in Singapore. As the founding Dean of what would become the National University of Singapore (NUS) Faculty of Law, Professor Sheridan’s vision, dedication and indomitable spirit transformed the dream of a local law school into a vibrant, enduring reality. His passing is deeply felt, but his legacy endures in every facet of the institution he built.

He not only established the academic infrastructure—such as building the law library and authoring foundational texts—but also shaped the Faculty’s character by recruiting a dedicated team of educators, designing a curriculum relevant to local legal realities, and instilling high standards of teaching and scholarship.

Professor Andrew Simester, Dean of NUS Law, said, “Lee Sheridan’s vision and efforts laid the foundation stones of a Law Faculty upon which succeeding generations of scholars have built. The Faculty remembers him through our Sheridan Fellowship programme and for all that he did to transform the Law Department into a fully-fledged Faculty. We are proud of his enduring legacy.”

A Pioneer’s Journey

Born in Croydon, Surrey, England, in 1927, Professor Sheridan’s early promise was evident through his academic and professional achievements. After earning his LLB from the University of London and completing his PhD, Prof Sheridan honed his teaching skills in the UK before embarking on a life-changing journey to Singapore. At just 29, he accepted the newly created Chair of Law at the then University of Malaya in Singapore, driven by the intellectual and administrative challenge of founding a law school in a region where none existed.

Before his arrival in 1956, the path to becoming a lawyer in Singapore was fraught with obstacles, requiring expensive overseas study in England. Recognising the need for accessible, high-calibre legal education tailored to local realities, Prof Sheridan accepted the call from the university’s leadership and the support of prominent community figures, including then Chief Minister Lim Yew Hock and senior members of the Bar.

Building Foundations, Shaping the Future

Prof Sheridan’s contributions touched every aspect of the fledgling Faculty:

• Academic Infrastructure: He established the first law library—soon regarded as one of the finest in the common law world—and authored foundational texts on Malayan and Singaporean law.
• Curricular Innovation: Prof Sheridan championed a curriculum rooted in local legal history and customs, advocating teaching methods such as the case method and open-book examinations to foster real understanding and critical thinking.
• Faculty and Community: He recruited and mentored a distinguished team of educators, many of whom were local graduates, and cultivated a tight-knit community among students, faculty and the legal profession. Prof Sheridan frequently welcomed students into his home, helping bridge academia and practice.
• Legacy of Excellence: His high standards, warmth and personal integrity became woven into the DNA of the Faculty, setting the tone for generations to come.

Contemporaries and students remember him as a man of boundless energy, ambition and integrity. Then Attorney-General Tan Boon Teik (he served in this role from 1969-1992) lauded his “intimate knowledge” of Singapore even before his arrival, while Professor Bernard Brown, a lecturer during the formative years of NUS Law, declared, “Without Lee Sheridan, without the Sheridans, legal education in Singapore would have received a different start. It is inconceivable that it could have been given a better one”.

Ambassador-at-Large and former Dean of NUS Law Tommy Koh credited Prof Sheridan with persuading him to study law locally, recalling his “unorthodox” teaching style—rich in logic, philosophy and lively engagement.

Enduring Influence and Honours

Prof Sheridan’s influence did not end with his departure in 1963 to the University of Wales, Cardiff. The NUS Faculty of Law has consistently recognised him as its “founding father”, and his foundational role is commemorated in official histories, graduation speeches and alumni events. The honorary Doctor of Laws conferred upon him in 1963, the establishment of key academic traditions, and the creation of the Sheridan Fellowship Programme stand as formal acknowledgments of his impact.

The Singapore Journal of Legal Studies (the establishment of which has been attributed to Prof Sheridan’s vision and initiative) and the Singapore Law Review have published special tribute issues in his honour, and the law library he founded, today named the CJ Koh Law Library, remains a living testament to his vision.

A Life Remembered

In 1984, Prof Sheridan penned an article reflecting on his years at the Faculty. He expressed deep pride and satisfaction, cherishing the relationships formed and the ongoing achievements of the institution. He saw his work not just as a professional accomplishment, but as a lasting contribution to Singapore—one that made legal education accessible, fostered close ties between academia and the legal profession, and nurtured generations of ethical and capable lawyers.

Today, the NUS Law Faculty’s academic traditions, values of excellence and strong community spirit bear the unmistakable imprint of Prof Sheridan’s leadership. Generations of graduates—whether they know it or not—continue to be touched by his influence.