Dinesh Singh Dhillon to step aside as incoming Law Society president, says he respects views of Bar

SINGAPORE -  President-elect of the Law Society of Singapore Dinesh Singh Dhillon has agreed to step aside after a meeting on Dec 17 with members.

Mr Dhillon was

elected by the majority of the 21-member Law Society council in November

as the 30th president of the professional body for lawyers.

He was slated to take over the helm from outgoing president Lisa Sam Hui Min in 2026, but his win at the election had caused some disquiet as he was an unelected member of the council.

A number of members had intended to introduce motions at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) slated for Dec 22 to seek a vote of no confidence against some members of the 21-member council, among other things.

In a document seen by The Straits Times, the council said Mr Dhillon agreed to step aside as president of the Law Society, in the interest of preserving unity for the Bar and in the light of “legitimate concerns” raised by members.

The council for 2026 was reconstituted with vice-president Tan Cheng Han as president of the organisation. Professor Tan wears several hats, including senior consultant at WongPartnership and chief strategy officer at the NUS Law School.

Mr Dhillon, the co-head of international arbitration practice at Allen and Gledhill, will be endorsed and approved by the council as vice-president.

In a reply to ST, Mr Dhillon said: “I came into the council to serve the best interest of members of the Bar and help address issues which affect the Law Society, and that remains the case for me.”

He also explained the circumstances that saw him stand for the presidency.

“In the lead-up to the council elections in November, some people had encouraged me to stand for the presidency, to help to do more.

“However, I felt then that there were others who were more suitable. Before the elections, I sounded out several others, including Prof Tan, to lead the Law Society. But he declined.”

The Law Society is a representative body for all lawyers in Singapore, with about 6,400 members. Lawyers vote every October for members of the council, the highest body within the society responsible for managing its affairs. 

The council typically comprises 15 elected members, three members appointed by the law minister, and another three co-opted by the council.

All council members serve a two-year term.

Under the Legal Profession Act, the law minister can appoint up to three members to sit on the council. Mr Dhillon was one of the three brought in this time.

Internal voting for the four office-bearers – the president, two vice-presidents and treasurer – is held every year among the council members.

In the document, the council said Mr Dhillon had contested for the position of president “in good faith and of his own desire, in an effort to contribute to the Bar”.

The council noted: “There is no issue as to the independence or competence of Dinesh as president of the Law Society.

“In particular, his commitments to pro bono service and his efforts to serve the member of the Law Society are welcomed.”

The council said those who signed the document also acknowledge that Mr Dhillon was elected in accordance with established procedure and law under the Legal Profession Act.

The document was signed by several members, including former presidents Peter Cuthbert Low and Chandra Mohan Nair, and criminal lawyer Sunil Sudheesan.

The lawyers had submitted a number of motions to be tabled at the EGM, including to place on record the view that only an elected council member should become president.

According to the document, the lawyers said that the issues raised in their proposed motions have been addressed, and they agreed to withdraw them for the EGM.

The only item on the agenda will be the consent resolution, which will see Mr Dhillon stepping aside and Prof Tan proposed as president.

The document said that: “Council will support the nomination and election of Cheng Han as president of the Law Society for 2026.

“Council will support the nomination and election of Dinesh as vice-president of the Law Society for 2026.”

It was agreed at the meeting that the consent resolution will be passed at the EGM on Dec 22.

The document noted that the “unity and cohesion of the Law Society council, along with its relations with all members of the Bar, are important, and this resolution is a step in the right direction”.

Mr Dhillon said he is happy with the arrangements that have been reached in the consent resolution.

“I am confident that I can serve the Bar well. Over the last few weeks, however, I have also reflected on the views of the Bar and my position. 

“I value and respect the views of my fellow members of the Bar, and I would like to work towards a stronger and more united Bar in Singapore,” he said.

Mr Dhillon added that he was happy to step aside when Prof Tan said that he would now be prepared to take over as Law Society president.

“I have since also discussed with Cheng Han today and am glad to support him as vice-president, and together, serve the profession and my fellow members to the best of my abilities.

“I am glad that we now have a good basis on which to move forward.”

The council will circulate to all members proposed eligibility criteria for all council members within two months of taking office.

Members will have at least six weeks to review and provide feedback about the proposal, which will include a minimum service period requirement on the council for office-bearers.

The final criteria will be tabled for approval by the members at the annual general meeting in 2026.