New judicial commissioner for the Supreme Court

Mr See Kee Oon, the Chief District Judge of the State Courts, has been appointed as a judicial commissioner, the Supreme Court said on Thursday.

Justice Chao Hick Tin has been re-appointed as a judge of appeal, it added.

With these two appointments, the Supreme Court will have a total of 13 judges - including the Chief Justice - and five judicial commissioners.

Mr See, 47, joined the Singapore Legal Service in 1991 and held various appointments.

He headed the Insolvency and Public Trustee's Office for two years before returning to the Subordinate Courts - now known as State Courts - in 2009.

In 2010, he was appointed the senior district judge of its criminal justice division.

In 2013, he became Chief District Judge, which will be redesignated as Presiding Judge next Monday. In this capacity, he will oversee the administration and management of the State Courts.

His appointment as judicial commissioner, for a term of three years, takes effect next Monday.

As a judicial commissioner, Mr See will have powers of a High Court judge and hear Supreme Court matters. The Supreme Court is made up of the Court of Appeal and the High Court.

At 72, Justice Chao is the oldest serving judge on the Supreme Court bench.

Justice Chao was appointed judicial commissioner in 1987, judge of the Supreme Court in 1990 and judge of appeal in 1999.

In 2006, he was appointed the Attorney-General.

He returned to the Supreme Court as a judge of appeal in 2008, an appointment he has held since.

His re-appointment, which is for a period of two years, takes effect from today.

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.