Justice Sushil Sukumaran Nair has been appointed as a Justice of the Court of Appeal, effective June 15. The Prime Minister’s Office announced the appointment on June 12, confirming that President Tharman Shanmugaratnam selected Justice Nair to fill the role, bringing the total number of justices in the Court of Appeal to five.
Did You Know? Before his appointment to the Court of Appeal, Justice Nair spent approximately 35 years at the firm Drew & Napier, where he specialized in Asia-Pacific restructuring work and served as the firm’s deputy chief executive officer.
Professional Background and Judicial Experience
Justice Nair’s transition to the Court of Appeal follows his tenure as a High Court judge, a position he held beginning in March. Prior to that role, he served as a judicial commissioner of the Supreme Court. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, his judicial record includes presiding over complex commercial cases and a variety of civil matters, such as banking, insolvency, securities, finance, trusts, arbitration, and statutory torts.
His legal career began after he earned a Bachelor of Laws with honours from the National University of Singapore in 1989. He was admitted to the Singapore Bar in 1990. During his time in private practice, he led the corporate restructuring and workout practice group at Drew & Napier.
Impact on the Supreme Court Bench
The addition of Justice Nair brings the total count of the Supreme Court Bench to 33 judges and 26 international judges. The Bench is structured to include the Chief Justice, justices of the Court of Appeal, judges of the Appellate Division, judges of the High Court, senior judges, international judges, and judicial commissioners.
What May Happen Next
With the expansion of the Court of Appeal to five justices, the court may be positioned to manage a higher volume of appellate proceedings or complex commercial reviews. Analysts might expect the court to continue its focus on civil and commercial matters, given the specific professional background of the new appointee. Future judicial assignments could potentially see Justice Nair presiding over cases that require deep knowledge of regional restructuring and financial securities law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who appointed Justice Sushil Sukumaran Nair?
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam appointed Justice Nair to the Court of Appeal, as stated by the Prime Minister’s Office on June 12.
What is the new total number of judges on the Supreme Court Bench?
Following this appointment, the Supreme Court Bench will have 33 judges and 26 international judges.
When does the appointment take effect?
The appointment is effective from June 15.
How do you think a background in large-scale corporate restructuring influences the way a judge approaches complex commercial litigation?
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