SINGAPORE - Four lawyers - Mr Lee Kim Shin, Mr Tan Chuan Thye, Ms Chionh Sze Chyi Mavis, and Mr Tong Chun Fai Edwin Charles - were each appointed as senior counsel on Monday.

Last year, the senior counsel scheme, which was introduced in 1997 to recognise outstanding advocates who have extensive knowledge of the law and the highest professional standing, did not take in any new names.

The latest appointments were announced by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon in a speech to mark the beginning of the new legal year at the Supreme Court.

They were chosen by the selection committee comprising the Chief Justice, Attorney-General V K Rajah, Justice of Appeal Chao Hick Tin and Justice of Appeal Andrew Phang Boon Leong.

The four new appointments will bring the number of members of the senior counsel to 59 this year.