Justice Sundaresh Menon to be appointed new Chief Justice

Judge of Appeal Sundaresh Menon will be appointed the Chief Justice (CJ) of the Supreme Court with effect from Nov 6, replacing the present Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong who will retire on the same day after he reaches his 75th birthday.

A statement from the Prime Minister's Office on Wednesday afternoon said that the decision to appoint Justice Sundaresh Menon was taken "in concurrence with the advice of the Prime Minister".

The President, acting in his discretion, and in concurrence with the advice of the Prime Minister, has appointed Justice Sundaresh Menon, Judge of Appeal of the Supreme Court, as the Chief Justice with effect from Nov 6 2012. The CJ said: "Being in the public service for 26 years, including serving as Chief Justice of Singapore in the past 6 years, has been a great honour and privilege given to few. I have found this opportunity to serve Singapore to be immensely meaningful and satisfying."

Paying a tribute to the CJ, Justice Menon said: "It is daunting to be faced with the prospect of taking over from someone who has been a towering figure in the Singapore legal landscape throughout the course of my professional career, but having known the Chief Justice for 25 years and having seen first hand his personal kindness and generosity as a mentor and his love for the law, I know he will remain available to help in any way he can. I pray that I will discharge this great responsibility with wisdom, courage, humility and honour.”