What occupies the mind of Singapore’s top judge as he ponders the future and the rule of law?
It’s the possibility that Singapore’s legal system may no longer be sustainable, due to societal changes affecting access to justice and the future pipeline of lawyers, as well as global threats such as climate change and rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI).
“The operating environment in which our societies and our courts function is changing at a rate and scale that is simply astounding,” said Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon. “We should not assume that the rule of law will continue to serve us as well as it has if we were simply to maintain the status quo.”
He was speaking at the seventh and final instalment of Singapore Courts’ (SG Courts) engagement series, “Conversations with the Community”, on Sept 20 at the Supreme Court.
In his opening address, titled “Reimagining the Rule of Law: A Renewed Conception”, the Chief Justice outlined how the rule of law has been pivotal in Singapore’s nation-building efforts, safeguarding racial and religious harmony and encouraging business flows.
The rule of law refers to, among other things, ensuring that laws are fair and apply to everyone in society, regardless of status.
As a key enabler of Singapore’s peace and prosperity, the rule of law has not only been an “aspirational ideal for Singapore, but (also) an existential necessity”, Chief Justice Menon said.