Published in: Women in the law

Beyond the Brief: Shaping Advocates, Contributing to the Development of Singapore Law

Author Singapore Academy of Law

Published on: October 27, 2026

The Young Independent Counsel (YIC) scheme offers young lawyers valuable opportunities to develop their advocacy skills while assisting the Court in cases raising novel questions of law or issues of wider public importance.

Ms Iris Ng Li Shan, Counsel at Helmsman LLC, who was appointed as YIC for the years 2025 and 2026, was drawn by the prospect of working on topical legal issues and contributing to the law. Ms Koh Swee Yen, SC, Head of the International Arbitration Practice and a Partner in the Commercial & Corporate Disputes at WongPartnership LLP, was among the inaugural batch of the Young Amicus Curiae (YAC) scheme in 2010, as it was then known. She recounted how the experience shaped her professional journey.

Expect the unexpected

“It is a chance for young advocates to argue matters that would normally be handled by more senior members of the profession,” Iris said.

She was assigned to a set of seven Magistrate’s Appeals, which concerned, amongst other issues, the sentencing approach for scams-related offences. While Iris had expected to conduct extensive research, the assignment also brought an unexpected development. Shortly before the hearing of the Magistrate’s Appeals, the High Court issued a decision on the sentencing framework for a related offence under the same legislation. She had to quickly consider whether that decision affected her submissions.

The experience highlighted the importance of carefully considering the case law in formulating arguments, stress-testing arguments and playing the devil’s advocate, and being prepared to react to unforeseen developments and think on one’s feet, which are skills she considers transferable across different areas of legal practice.

In Iris’s view, it is important to seek to understand the other side’s perspective and underlying concerns before addressing them. “Ultimately there is no perfect solution or perfect argument. Sometimes you have to accept the trade-offs and pitch your argument as fairly as you can,” Iris reflected.

A lasting impression

For Swee Yen, her YAC appointment remains a memorable experience. Her case involved a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner whose treatment of a patient at an overseas clinic raised questions about whether it could be considered in determining whether the practitioner was guilty of professional misconduct in Singapore.

The legal issue had wider implications, potentially affecting disciplinary proceedings under other laws with similar provisions. Preparing her submissions required extensive research into the relevant legislation, cases concerning other professionals and cases decided in other jurisdictions.

The experience was particularly meaningful for Swee Yen, who recalled the Judge’s appreciation of her contributions. It reinforced the value of independent advocacy and the opportunity for young lawyers to make a meaningful contribution to the Court’s determination of complex legal issues.

Swee Yen sees the YIC scheme as one of the few structured pathways for young lawyers to gain early courtroom exposure on challenging points of law. In addition to legal research and preparing written submissions, they have the opportunity to make substantive oral arguments before the Court. “This builds up confidence and resilience. Working on areas of law they may not typically encounter broadens their legal knowledge and enhances their adaptability and versatility as lawyers”, she added.

Swee Yen recalled that her firm was hugely supportive of her YAC appointment. She found the experience immensely rewarding, as it allowed her to contribute towards a greater cause, and continues to encourage junior lawyers in her firm to apply for the scheme. For her, the opportunity to contribute to the development of Singapore law, while growing as an advocate, is one that can leave a lasting impression well beyond the appointment itself.

More than winning an argument

For both lawyers, the value of serving as a YIC extends beyond whether the Court ultimately accepts their arguments.

Iris believes that everyone brings different perspectives to the table. “What matters is coming to a reasoned, defensible position and putting forward the best arguments possible. The Court may not necessarily agree, but there is satisfaction in knowing that one’s contribution could make a meaningful difference, however small”, she said.

Similarly, Swee Yen sees the benefit of acting as YIC as one measured not necessarily by whether the Court adopts the YIC’s position, but by the commitment to identifying the key issues, considering different approaches and presenting a clear and well-reasoned independent view. Unlike counsel representing a party, a YIC serves as a “friend of the Court”, providing independent submissions to assist the Court in its determination of the legal issues.

Swee Yen also believes the scheme helps cultivate a culture of service within the profession through pro bono and public interest work. “We always speak about finding purpose in what we do,” she said, adding that the YIC experience allows young lawyers to appreciate what that means in practice.

For more information on the scheme, visit the Singapore Courts website here.