The Law Society of Singapore (LawSoc) has elected four new members to its council during the 2027 elections held on October 22, amid ongoing police investigations into issues raised by an internal audit. The election saw the departure of two current executive committee members as the Society grapples with revelations of significant governance and workplace culture failings.
The newly elected council members include Jimmy Yim, chairman of Drew & Napier; Debby Lim, senior partner at Dentons Rodyk; and first-time council members Foo Hsien Weng and Siddartha Bodi, both associates at WongPartnership. Yim and Lim have previous council experience. Meanwhile, incumbents Samuel Chacko, Choo Zheng Xi and Thaddeaus Aaron Tan secured re-election, while executive committee members Joseph Liow and Phoon Weui failed to retain their seats.
The elections took place against the backdrop of heightened scrutiny following a report by LawSoc’s audit committee, which uncovered alleged workplace bullying, leadership shortcomings, governance weaknesses, and lapses in grievance and whistleblowing procedures dating from 2022 to 2025. The investigation was initiated after an online poll in September 2025 brought workplace bullying concerns to light.
In August 2025, Law Minister Edwin Tong disclosed in Parliament that the probe identified serious problems within the Society’s leadership and internal culture. Subsequently, approximately 200 lawyers convened at Maxwell Chambers to discuss the findings and called for the full audit report to be made public. LawSoc initially committed to releasing a redacted version, but in September the council announced it was prohibited by the police from distributing the document due to ongoing investigations.
The LawSoc council comprises 15 elected members across three experience-based categories: senior members with 15 or more years of standing, middle members with five to under 15 years, and junior members with less than five years. In the 2027 election, seven seats were contested—four senior, one middle, and two junior. Voting is mandatory for all practising advocates and solicitors within their respective categories. Council members serve two-year terms.
Additionally, the Law Minister may appoint up to three members to the council under the Legal Profession Act, and the council itself can co-opt up to three members, expanding the body to a maximum of 21 members.
Earlier this year, Design Shin Dhillon, a minister-appointed council member from Allen & Gledhill, was elected LawSoc president for 2026. However, following concerns raised by members over his appointed status rather than election by peers, Dhillon stepped aside. Dinesh assumed the vice-president role, while Tan Cheng Han was appointed president.
The recent elections mark a critical juncture for LawSoc as it aims to restore confidence among Singapore’s legal community while addressing internal governance reforms.