Re Vikram Kumar Tiwary: Posthumous Admission to the Singapore Bar

The High Court of Singapore, in the case of Re Vikram Kumar Tiwary, granted the application for posthumous admission of Mr. Tiwary to the Singapore Bar. Mr. Tiwary had fulfilled all requirements for admission before his untimely death. The court considered whether the cause of action survived his death and whether his inability to take the oath impeded the application, ultimately concluding in favor of granting the application based on the Civil Law Act and the Legal Profession (Admissions) Rules 2011. The Attorney General, the Law Society of Singapore, and the Singapore Institute of Legal Education did not object to the application.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

General Division of the High Court of the Republic of Singapore

1.2 Outcome

Application granted; Mr. Vikram Kumar Tiwary admitted to the Bar.

1.3 Case Type

Civil

1.4 Judgment Type

Ex Tempore Judgment

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

The High Court of Singapore granted Vikram Kumar Tiwary's posthumous admission to the Bar, recognizing his fulfillment of all requirements and commitment to pro bono services.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Attorney-GeneralRespondentGovernment AgencyNeutralNeutral
Jocelyn Teo of Attorney-General’s Chambers
Lim Toh Han of Attorney-General’s Chambers
Jeyendran Jeyapal of Attorney-General’s Chambers
Law Society of SingaporeRespondentStatutory BoardNeutralNeutral
Gregory Vijayendran of Law Society of Singapore
Singapore Institute of Legal EducationRespondentStatutory BoardNeutralNeutral
Avery Chong of Singapore Institute of Legal Education
Vikram Kumar TiwaryApplicantIndividualApplication GrantedWon

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Choo Han TeckJudge of the High CourtYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Jocelyn TeoAttorney-General’s Chambers
Lim Toh HanAttorney-General’s Chambers
Jeyendran JeyapalAttorney-General’s Chambers
Gregory VijayendranLaw Society of Singapore
Avery ChongSingapore Institute of Legal Education
Sanjiv Kumar RajanAllen & Gledhill LLP
Simaa RavichandranAllen & Gledhill LLP
Samuel TayAllen & Gledhill LLP

4. Facts

  1. Vikram Kumar Tiwary applied for admission to the Singapore Bar.
  2. Tiwary graduated from the University of Sheffield with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 2018.
  3. Tiwary passed the requirements for admission to the Singapore Bar.
  4. Tiwary completed his practice training at K&L Gates Straits Law LLC on 1 July 2020.
  5. Tiwary filed his application for admission on 16 March 2021.
  6. Vikram Tiwary died on June 1, 2021, before his admission.
  7. The Attorney General, the Law Society, and the Singapore Institute of Legal Education did not object to the application.

5. Formal Citations

    6. Timeline

    DateEvent
    Vikram Kumar Tiwary graduated from the University of Sheffield with a Bachelor of Laws degree.
    Vikram Kumar Tiwary completed his practice training at K&L Gates Straits Law LLC.
    Vikram Kumar Tiwary filed his application for admission to the Singapore Bar.
    Hearing fixed for Vikram Kumar Tiwary's application for admission.
    Vikram Tiwary died.
    Letters of Administration of Mr Vikram Tiwary’s estate was granted to his mother, Mdm Ramoti Devi.
    Judgment delivered.

    7. Legal Issues

    1. Posthumous Admission to the Bar
      • Outcome: The court granted the application for posthumous admission.
      • Category: Substantive
    2. Survival of Cause of Action
      • Outcome: The court held that the cause of action survives the death of the applicant.
      • Category: Procedural
    3. Requirement to take oath and make declaration
      • Outcome: The court held that making the declaration is not a pre-requisite for admission.
      • Category: Procedural

    8. Remedies Sought

    1. Admission to the Singapore Bar

    9. Cause of Actions

    • No cause of actions

    10. Practice Areas

    • Admission to the Bar

    11. Industries

    • Legal Services

    12. Cited Cases

    Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
    Ms Iris Barry YakeEdmonton BarYesMs Iris Barry YakeCanadaCited as an example of posthumous admission to the Bar in another jurisdiction.

    13. Applicable Rules

    Rule Name
    Legal Profession (Admission) Rules 2011, rule 25
    Legal Profession (Admissions) Rules 2011, rule 30(1)

    14. Applicable Statutes

    Statute NameJurisdiction
    Civil Laws Act (Cap 43, 1999 Rev Ed) s 10(1)Singapore
    Legal Profession Act (Cap. 161)Singapore

    15. Key Terms and Keywords

    15.1 Key Terms

    • Posthumous Admission
    • Singapore Bar
    • Legal Profession
    • Civil Laws Act
    • Legal Profession (Admissions) Rules
    • Inherent Jurisdiction

    15.2 Keywords

    • posthumous
    • admission
    • advocate
    • solicitor
    • singapore bar

    17. Areas of Law

    Area NameRelevance Score
    Admission to the Bar95
    Legal Profession Act95
    Posthumous Admission70
    Administrative Law30
    Civil Procedure20
    Equity20

    16. Subjects

    • Legal Profession
    • Admission to the Bar