Yong Pung How Professor of Law Lecture

The inaugural lecture by the Yong Pung How Professor of Law, Professor Yeo Tiong Min, was held on 17 April 2008 with close to 150 people in attendance. Professor Yeo, an expert on conflict of laws delivered an insightful lecture about the “Effective Reach of Choice of Law Agreements.”

The lecture addressed a number of issues concerning the law of obligations, with specific reference to Singapore law. In particular, Professor Yeo spoke about disputes between contracting parties and how in modern times they are rarely confined to pure contractual issues. He went on to explain that it is becoming clear that in cross-border litigation it is important to consider whether parties can choose the law to govern non-contractual disputes, and even in the absence of such choice, the extent to which choice of law in contract can or should be applied to non-contractual obligations in their disputes.

Special guest for the Lecture was SMU’s Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the School of Law Advisory Board, Mr Yong Pung How, who gave the opening address. SMU School of Law Dean, Professor Michael Furmston, wrapped up the evening with the closing remarks. The Lecture was well attended by many prominent members of the Singapore Legal Judiciary, including The Honourable the Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong, newly appointed Attorney-General Professor Walter Woon, judges of the Supreme Court, faculty and students from the SMU School of Law – including Associate Deans Gary Chan, Pearlie Koh and Rathna Nathan – as well as representatives from both local and foreign law firms.

Established in 2007, and created with the aim of advancing the research and teaching of law in SMU, the Yong Pung How Professorship was made possible by the generous $3 million endowed contribution by the Yong Shook Lin Trust. The first appointment to the Professorship was made in August 2007 with the appointment of Professor Yeo.