Judge of Appeal reappointed and Judicial Commissioner appointed at the Supreme Court

SINGAPORE - The President, acting in his discretion and the advice of the Prime Minister, has re-appointed Mr Chao Hick Tin as a Judge of Appeal and Mr See Kee Oon as a Judicial Commissioner of the Supreme Court of Singapore.

Justice Chao's reappointment will take effect from April 11 while Mr See's appointment will take effect from April 14. Both Justice Chao and Mr See will take their affirmation of office at the Istana on April 14.

With the reappointment of Justice Chao and the appointment of Mr See, the Supreme Court will have a total of 13 Judges (including the Chief Justice) and five Judicial Commissioners.

Justice Chao has been reappointed a Judge of Appeal for a further period of two years with effect from April 11. The Honourable the Chief Justice has also re-appointed Justice Chao as Vice-President of the Court of Appeal with effect from April 11.

Mr See has been appointed Judicial Commissioner of the High Court under Article 94(4) of the Constitution for a term of three years with effect from April 14.

As a Judicial Commissioner of the High Court, Mr See will have the powers of a Judge of the High Court and will assist in the disposal of business in the Supreme Court at the direction of the Chief Justice.

Mr See will also be concurrently appointed as the first Presiding Judge of the State Courts. Apart from administrative oversight and management of the State Courts, he will also hear matters in the Supreme Court, including appeals from the State Courts, in his capacity as a Judicial Commissioner of the Supreme Court. Mr See may also hear complex cases in the State Courts exercising the powers of a District Judge.