In a short ceremony at the Istana on Friday, witnessed by 22 guests including the Prime Minister, the 49-year-old was sworn in as Singapore's third Law Minister since independence.

President S.R Nathan presented Mr Shanmugam with a red scroll - his instrument of appointment - and listened as he pledged his allegiance to Singapore as well as to 'faithfully discharge' his duties.

Within two minutes, it was over, and the new Law Minister and Second Home Affairs Minister introduced his family members to the guests.

Beaming with pride were his wife, Dr Seethalakshmi Subbiah, 37, a clinical psychologist; his mother, Madam Nachammai; his son Ravindran and his parents-in-law.

'It's good that he can contribute to the country,' said his father-in-law Subbiah Nachiappa, 72.

They met Mrs Nathan, PM Lee Hsien Loong, former law minister and Deputy Prime Minister S. Jayakumar, former chief justice Yong Pung How and Attorney-General Walter Woon.

Professor Woon recounted how the new Law Minister was the best student in his Company Law class in 1981 when he was lecturing at the National University of Singapore.

'He made a good impression,' he said. 'He asked questions which were unusual and he was definitely the best student in the class.'

As part of the Cabinet, Mr Shanmugam will be one of only three ministers who have spent their careers in the private sector.

Known to many as a legal titan, the former Senior Partner at Allen & Gledhill had headlined many high profile cases. His most recent one, representing Hotel Properties Ltd, whose $500 million en bloc purchase of Horizon Towers is subject to an appeal by minority owners.

The 49-year-old is also making history as the first backbencher in 23 years to move directly from being a Member of Parliament to become a full minister.

Speaking to reporters after the swearing-in ceremony, the recently-married Shanmugam said he'd need to settle into his new role first before deciding on his immediate priorities.

Read the full story in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.