S’porean lawyer wins global award for parliamentary work, advocacy for groups like migrant workers
After nine years as a legislative assistant to an MP, she hopes to find her own voice.
Singaporean lawyer Charmaine Yap has been awarded the International Bar Association's Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year for her parliamentary work and advocacy for vulnerable groups. Yap spent much of her birthdays working on the Good Samaritan Food Donation Act, which protects donors from certain liabilities. She served as legislative assistant to former MP Louis Ng, who introduced the Bill in Parliament in 2020.
Ng and Yap worked to draft the legislation for years, consulting with various stakeholders, including public consultations and discussions with civil servants. Yap took a 20% pay cut to devote more time to the project, sacrificing her usual work weeks. Former deputy speaker Charles Chong praised Yap's efforts, noting that she has gone beyond her conventional career for public interest work.
Yap's recognition highlights the potential for young Singaporean lawyers to make meaningful contributions to the legal profession and community.
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