Three international judges appointed to Singapore Supreme Court for two-year term

Justice Mary Howarth Arden, Justice Anthony James Besanko, and Justice Anthony John Meagher have been appointed as international judges to the Supreme Court of Singapore for a two-year term, from 5 January 2025 to 4 January 2027.

The Prime Minister’s Office announced the appointments on 10 December, stating that the decision was made by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

Justice Arden, a renowned British jurist, brings decades of legal experience to the bench. She was appointed to the Court of Appeal of England and Wales in 2000, where she served with distinction until her retirement in 2018. Justice Arden has contributed extensively to corporate, insolvency, and trust law.

She has authored seminal judgments in these areas and is highly regarded for her academic contributions, including her writings on comparative and international law.

Justice Anthony James Besanko has been a Federal Court Judge in Australia since 2006 and has a reputation for his expertise in administrative law, commercial disputes, and constitutional matters.

Prior to joining the Federal Court, Justice Besanko served on the Supreme Court of South Australia and has presided over numerous high-profile cases involving public interest issues, governmental accountability, and complex corporate disputes.

Known for his rigorous legal analysis and detailed written judgments, Justice Besanko’s work demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of both national and international legal frameworks. His tenure on the Australian bench has been marked by significant contributions to legal education and mentoring of younger members of the judiciary.

Justice Anthony John Meagher, also from Australia, has been a Judge of the Federal Court of Australia since 2016. Before his judicial appointment, he built an illustrious career as a barrister specialising in equity and commercial disputes.

Justice Meagher is widely respected for his work in intellectual property law, particularly in cases involving technology and innovation. His legal career began with a strong academic foundation, having graduated with honours in law and gaining recognition as a skilled advocate early in his practice.

Justice Meagher has been praised for his ability to manage intricate commercial cases, providing clarity and precision in his rulings, and for his contributions to the development of Australian jurisprudence in areas such as corporate regulation and trade practices.

These appointments strengthen Singapore’s judiciary by introducing diverse perspectives from accomplished legal professionals with deep expertise in international and commercial law.

With these additions, the Singapore Supreme Court will comprise 37 judges, including the Chief Justice, three Justices of the Court of Appeal, four Judges of the Appellate Division, 18 High Court Judges, four Judicial Commissioners, five Senior Judges, and 24 International Judges.