Singapore Condos
Accessibility and fluidity are the hallmarks of international law in this era. In the last 60 years or so, international law has come to have a significant impact on the lives of individuals. Accordingly, the proliferation of non-state actors in international law has given rise to the realization that individuals can also have a profound impact on the development and enforcement of international law.
Singapore plays an increasingly prominent role in the international order. She also continues to be deeply engaged in regional and international affairs. As such, international law in Singapore has risen above existing niches and is developing a potential that few could have imagined. This potential can be attributable to Singapore’s stable and sophisticated legal framework. /p>
First, the corpus of international law, as practiced in Singapore, is firmly buttressed by her participation in a large number of international treaty regimes and the institutions these regimes create.
Second, Singapore is renowned as a strong advocate of upholding the rule of law in international affairs. She has been known to insist upon adhering to the rule of law in her dealings with states in the surrounding region and often upholds international principles and considerations in her dealings with major powers.
Third, a diverse institutional framework fuels a myriad of ideas and rigorous debate amongst international lawyers. Different existing institutions dealing with the practice and teaching of international law include:
- the Attorney General’s Chambers and its
International Affairs Division (IAD);
- the Faculty of Law at the National University of
Singapore (which offers a number of international law
courses, produces the Singapore Yearbook of
International Law and has specialised centres in areas
such as Asian Law and Environmental Law);
- the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of
Defence and other agencies dealing with various aspects
of international law and policy; and
- the Singapore judiciary, in its adjudication, is finding increasing occasion to consider international law.
In light of all this, a greater understanding and acceptance of international law rules and principles is essential to Singapore’s development as an open society.
Society of International Law (Singapore) (SILS)
SILS is a voluntary association founded in the mid
1990s with Ambassador-at-Large Tommy Koh as President. SILS
is dedicated to the understanding and dissemination of
international law and its membership reflects the variety of
stakeholders in the local international law and
international affairs community. Our executive committee
comprises of senior civil servants, members of the
judiciary, academics and practitioners. Membership comprises
of legal practitioners, counsels in private practice and
students, as well as selected sectors of the public
interested and involved in international issues.
SILS aims to capitalise on its value as a broader institution which cuts across the existing framework. In so doing, it seeks to extend and deepen the reach of international law to the legal community and the public. With these different stakeholders represented, SILS occupies a unique position of influence as it transcends the present parameters of the different existing institutions in the pursuit of greater understanding of international law.
To this end, SILS has three main areas of activity:
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Events: Seminars, talks and discussion forums to
offer in-depth academic and/or specialised analysis of
international law issues.
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Networking: Informal chats and meetings as well as
correspondence groups for popular subject areas such as
private international law and international trade law
for discussion and news.
- Publications: The SILS Annual Newsletter and projects into the Singaporean perspective of international law.