Inns and Outs
C H A P T E R F I V E
For the Singapore legal service, one significant barrier stood in the way of faster localisation.
Until the establishment of Singapore’s own law school in 1956, there was effectively only one path to legal qualifications — England. For many, the financial cost was prohibitive.
For three future members of the judiciary, Tan Wee Kian, Choor Singh and Tan Lian Ker, these challenges would be surmounted in different ways.
Listen to Chapter Five:
You didn’t come this far to stop
Abdul Wahab Ghows
Born in Ipoh on 30 January 1921, Abdul Wahab Ghows attended Raffles College. He was called to the Bar at Middle Temple in 1952. Upon his return to Singapore, he commenced his legal career as a traffic Magistrate. In 1954, he was appointed Assistant Official Assignee. Four years later, he was Deputy Public Prosecutor and Crown Counsel, and then appointed Solicitor-General in 1971, aged 50. In 1980, he was elevated to the High Court Bench where he served for five years. Ghows retired in October 1986, aged 65, after 34 years in legal service and the Judiciary. He passed away on 27 January 1997, aged 76.
Tan Wee Kian
Born in Singapore on 21st March 1932, Tan Wee Kian attended Raffles Institution up to 1952. In September that year, he enrolled as a student at Gray’s Inn and was called to the English Bar in February 1957. Upon his return to Singapore, he joined the Legal Service in 1958 and served in various capacities as Deputy Public Prosecutor, Crown Counsel, Assistant Official Assignee and Public Trustee, Magistrate, District Judge, Deputy Registrar of the High Court, Sheriff, Acting Registrar of the High Court and Registrar of Titles and Deeds. Tan was appointed Registrar of the Supreme Court in 1969 and held that post until 1977.
Tan Lian Ker
Born in Segamat, Johor, Malaysia, on 28th May 1929, Tan Lian Ker started his foray into the legal service as a court interpreter in 1951. In 1953, he was certified interpreter of the Criminal District & Magistrates’ Courts. Whilst working, he also read law part-time at the University of Singapore and graduated in 1964. Thereupon he entered government service. In 1967, he was appointed State Counsel, Attorney-General’s Chambers. He was appointed District Judge in the Civil District Courts in 1970. He was District Judge of the Subordinate Courts for ten years from 1974 until 1984. Tan was awarded the Public Service Star award in 2010.
