The Centre for Law and Business at the National University of Singapore's Law Faculty was officially renamed yesterday after one of Singapore's finest legal minds.

The EW Barker Centre for Law and Business honours pioneer law minister Eddie William Barker, who helped draft the Separation documents that secured Singapore's independence.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, in launching the centre, said it was a fitting tribute to Mr Barker, who died in 2001. The EW Barker Bursary was also launched to help poor law undergraduates at NUS.

Mr Lee said globalisation and technology are changing how business is done. It is thus critical for Singapore's laws and lawyers to stay up to date, and help maintain the nation's competitive edge, he said.

Also, the centre should engage businesses, policymakers and others to come up with fresh ideas to ensure that Singapore remains a preferred place for arbitration and dispute resolution, he added.

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