7 Best and Highly Rated Criminal Lawyers in Singapore (2023)
Whether you have been arrested and are under investigation, or if you have already been charged with an offence in Singapore, a criminal lawyer will be able to explain your rights to you and provide proper legal advice. Criminal lawyers can represent you at all stages, and play the role of both your advocate and advisor. They are equipped with the skills and knowledge to best defend you and your interests.
To aid you in narrowing down your search for the best criminal lawyer for your case, here is a list of some of the most highly rated criminal lawyers in Singapore:
- Ray Louis
- Gino Hardial Singh
- Mohamed Baiross
- Low Chun Yee
- Siraj Shaik Aziz
- Anil Balchandani
- Abdul Wahab
1. Forthright and Devoted: Ray Louis
| Law Firm | Ray Louis Law Corporation |
| Address | 133 New Bridge Road, #16-08, Chinatown Point Singapore 059413 (above Chinatown MRT) |
| Office Hours | 9.00 am – 6.00 pm
Note: Open 24 hours for inquiries, WhatsApp after office hours |
| Years of Experience | 15 |
| Languages Spoken | English, Malay |
| Number of Positive Reviews | 381 |
With years of experience under his belt, Ray Louis is undoubtedly a good choice for your criminal defence needs. He has tackled a range of noteworthy criminal cases, including getting a client spared from the death penalty in a murder trial, and obtaining an acquittal for another client who had been wrongfully charged with molestation.
His clients constantly rave about both him and his team’s professionalism and responsiveness, so you can be certain you will be in good hands.
Client Review by Jacky, 14 October 2020
“Ray is someone who is well-attuned to the needs of his client and producing clear benefits and cost[s] to my cases. In all aspects of work, Ray is not satisfied unless achieving the highest standards for me. Works relentlessly to improve my case and providing me with different legal knowledge. Ray was also able to establish a principle, and try to work around the failure or success of my case. His analysis is accurate and was successful in persuading the prosecutor to move from their original position towards my preferred position. Using personality, logic, persistence, Ray got me the best deal a solicitor could ever get me.”
Contact Ray Louis for your criminal matter here.
2. Efficient and Dependable: Gino Hardial Singh
| Law Firm | Abbots Chambers LLC |
| Address | 133 New Bridge Road, #12-02, Chinatown Point, Singapore 059413 |
| Office Hours | Open 24 hours for inquiries |
| Years of Experience | 23 |
| Languages Spoken | English |
| Number of Positive Reviews | 109 |
With over 2 decades of experience in the criminal justice field, Gino Hardial Singh has had his hand in a variety of criminal cases. He specialises in defending persons accused of white-collar crimes like corruption and drug trafficking, and boasts a diverse and successful track record of securing acquittals and reduced sentences for his clients.
Client Review by Luka, 4 June 2021
“After being accused of a serious violation of the Penal Code, I was placed under investigation early this year and had to provide a statement and had my phone and passport confiscated.
After finding Abbots Chambers online and having decided to engage Gino for advice, it turned out to be the right decision by miles. Being a friendly and an all round great guy, he only wants the very best for his clients and he and his team put together an excellent legal representation which had my case closed several months later with no further action taken.
Gino and his team are responsive, experienced and considerate. They are always around to respond to any new information or questions that you may have about the process and I felt that I could call into the office anytime to have a chat. Being new to this kind of thing, it was exactly what I needed to get through the process.
I would wholeheartedly recommend Gino and Abbots Chambers for any trouble with the law that you may find yourself in, give him a call and he will quickly put your mind at ease and start to fight your corner at any stage. I spoke to a couple [of] others to get advice on this matter and Gino’s approach is unmatched.”
Contact Gino Hardial Singh for your criminal matter here.
3. Conscientious and Warm: Mohamed Baiross
| Law Firm | I.R.B. Law LLP |
| Address | 119 Jalan Sultan, Singapore 199007 |
| Office Hours | 9.30 am – 9.30 pm daily
Note: Call to make an appointment before visiting the office |
| Years of Experience | 15 |
| Languages Spoken | English, Malay, Tamil |
| Number of Positive Reviews | 458 |
With the most number of reviews on SingaporeLegalAdvice.com as of writing, Mohamed Baiross is a highly reputable and skilled lawyer. He is no stranger to Singapore’s criminal justice process and possesses a wealth of experience to provide you with clear and concise legal advice.
His firm, I.R.B Law LLP, is also known for competitive rates, as they believe that no one should ever be denied a good lawyer because of fees.
Client Review by Qiang, 9 February 2021
“Great law firm! Wouldn’t hesitate to contact them again (hopefully won’t have a need though). Mr. Baiross is an experienced lawyer who is extremely professional, personable, and friendly & has an excellent reputation in dealing with the judicial system. He was very responsive to phone calls, texts & email messages, which was quite impressive, & eased my mind on multiple occasions! He took the time to listen to the situation, provide advice & thoroughly explain every step of the judicial process & what he was going to do. He explained what to expect at every step, what we needed to do, the best outcome, & the way forward. It was an easy decision to consult him, especially after that first meeting. Then during the entire process, he kept us informed, followed thru & delivered on everything he promised. I would recommend him to anyone that wants the BEST possible outcome (which is exactly how our situation ended)! We can’t possibly thank him enough for what he did, truly a lifesaver!”
Contact Mohamed Baiross for your criminal matter here.
4. Proactive and Meticulous: Low Chun Yee
| Law Firm | Low Law Corporation |
| Address | 20 Cecil Street, PLUS Building #15-00, Singapore 049705 |
| Office Hours | Mon – Fri: 9 am – 6 pm
Sat: 12 pm – 6 pm |
| Years of Experience | 11 |
| Languages Spoken | English, Mandarin, Hokkien |
| Number of Positive Reviews | 29 |
Low Chun Yee is adept at defending criminal cases, including murder and drug offences. Notably, before becoming a criminal lawyer, Chun Yee was a public prosecutor. Thus, having tried criminal cases on both sides of the courtroom, Chun Yee has a deep understanding of the trial process and how prosecutors work. This valuable first-hand experience equips him with the knowledge and skills on how to best handle criminal cases. He works tirelessly, and clients laud his sensitivity and efficiency in handling matters.
Client Review by Ann Goh, 11 March 2019
“Mr Low recently represented my brother in court and I feel extremely fortunate to have met such a professional, efficient and capable lawyer like him. He is exceptionally caring and empathetic towards the situations of his clients and I can tell he puts his very all into everything that he does. Mr Low is a lawyer that gives you a great sense of assurance and confidence and at the same time, would not deliver you a false sense of hope.
So far, having [come] across many other lawyers, Mr Low is the lawyer that mesmerised me the most due to his extremely diligent and meticulous character. His service is really tip top! With his strong dedication and intellect, I’m sure he will be able to help a lot more others and I must say, it is indeed not easy to come across such a respectable lawyer like Mr Low. I’ll definitely recommend him to anyone who is in need of help. On top of that, I really feel he deserves the title as the best criminal lawyer in Singapore! Dear Mr Low, on behalf of my family, thank you so much for your help!”
Contact Low Chun Yee for your criminal matter here.
5. Professional and Accomplished: Siraj Shaik Aziz
| Law Firm | Silvester Legal LLC |
| Address | 1 North Bridge Road High Street Centre, #14-10, Singapore 179094 |
| Office Hours | 9.00 am – 6.00 pm |
| Years of Experience | 5 |
| Languages Spoken | English, Tamil |
| Number of Positive Reviews | 10 |
Siraj Shaik Aziz specialises in a range of criminal offences ranging from property offences and violent offences. Though relatively new to the profession, Siraj has successfully secured acquittals and reduced punishments for various clients. His clients describe him as knowledgeable and dedicated, and also place their full trust in him.
With his proven competence, Siraj is sure to be a fierce advocate for your case.
Client Review by MSQ, 20 September 2020
“I was a fugitive. I surrendered myself at Woodlands Checkpoint in Oct 2018 after an uneventful period of 10 years away from home. I had cases ranging from simple theft to cheating which was classified under the various sections of the Penal Code. The worst part was, I returned unprepared. While being remanded, I came to know about Legal Aid where lawyers represent you pro bono. I was then assigned to this big young man, Siraj. My first impression of him was like, “Can this guy really handle my cases?” Everything changed when he started talking. I have had some experience with lawyers, who generally speak in “legal code” which makes it difficult to understand the full picture. As for Siraj, he was crystal clear on every phase of the case, without intimidating me. I was able to ask many questions and attain all the information I needed to make the decision to move forward. I find it comforting to be represented by someone who is extremely knowledgeable and dedicated. From the beginning to the end, I felt confident in my legal representation and was highly satisfied with the service he provided. I was immediately impressed by his respectfulness, transparency, and legitimate interest. Throughout the proceedings, Siraj took the time to understand my cases and promptly developed an effective and impressive mitigation that led my sentence to be reduced. Frankly, I never did expect him to speak so eloquently. He was fantastic. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to convey my greatest thanks and appreciation to Siraj for his professionalism and dedication throughout the period of my proceedings. I am very grateful and I have no hesitation to highly recommend him for any legal matters. He is the next rising star in the legal realm.”
Contact Siraj Shaik Aziz for your criminal matter here
6. Just and Committed: Anil Balchandani
| Law Firm | Red Lion Circle |
| Address | 38 Beach Road, Level 30, South Beach Tower, Singapore 189767 |
| Office Hours | By appointment only |
| Years of Experience | 10 |
| Languages Spoken | English |
| Number of Positive Reviews | 67 |
The words “dedicated” and “selfless” encapsulate Anil Balchandani as a lawyer.
Known for his work in the successful acquittal of Parti Liyani, a domestic helper falsely accused of theft by her employer, Anil is detailed and attentive, working tirelessly in the pursuit of justice.
Anil has garnered a reputation as a kind-hearted and righteous fighter, and is well equipped with both the skills and knowledge to best take on your case.
Client Review by Salvin, 31 July 2016
“I am deeply grateful that Mr. Anil took up my case. He handled my case with professionalism and was deeply committed that I received the best sentence possible. He stood by me during a long drawn out trial which took more than a year to end, providing constant updates and reassurances throughout. The judge even commended him for his attention to detail during one of the sentencing in which he pointed out an important fact that swung the case in our favour.”
Contact Anil Balchandani for your criminal matter here.
7. Trustworthy and Accommodating: Abdul Wahab
| Law Firm | A.W. Law LLC |
| Address | 133 New Bridge Road, #12-07 Chinatown Point, Singapore 059413 |
| Office Hours | 9.00 am to 10.00 pm daily |
| Years of Experience | 8 |
| Languages Spoken | English, Tamil |
| Number of Positive Reviews | 198 |
Well-versed with Singapore’s criminal justice system, Abdul Wahab is direct and offers pragmatic legal advice while making his clients feel comfortable and reassured. A quick read of his reviews will show how capable and approachable Wahab and his team are.
He is diligent and sincere, offering highly competitive rates for top-notch criminal defence work.
Client Review by KS, 20 July 2020
“Dear A.W Law LLC,
I would like to offer my heartfelt thank you for handling my cases, My lawyer Mr Abdul dealt with them very efficiently and gave me more than extraordinary results. He put time and effort to make sure justice was served and I have never seen such dedicated individuals like him and his employees. Thank you wouldn’t be enough to show them my gratitude and relief. I would recommend him and his law firm to anyone and I know that they would feel like how I felt at the end. Despite the complexity of my cases and financial situation he handled them carefully, with great wit and gave me a reasonable price. He always gave me confidence and positivity during the duration of my cases. He made me feel at ease and it felt like a burden was lifted from me. He was willing and he even did go the extra mile by staying back and working on them. Thank you so much Abdul sir. I’ll forever be grateful to him and his law firm. If the maximum star rating was five I would easily give them a ten. That’s how good he and his law firm is. Simply one of the greatest lawyers around and I know you all will reach great heights due to your unbridled positive work ethics and wit. I was lucky to have him and his law firm representing me. Thank you again A.W Law LLC.
I would like to offer my thanks to Madam Pari and Leela sister as well for making sure I get updates on time [regarding] my cases and for being the bridge between me and Mr Abdul. There was no communication breakdown and I would praise both of them on that. Thank you Madam Pari and Miss Leela.
My sincere and heartfelt thanks to A.W Law LLC. One of, if not the best law firm in Singapore. Thank you.
Best Regards.”
Contact Abdul Wahab for your criminal matter here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I hire a lawyer for my criminal case?
It is highly advisable that you hire a lawyer for your criminal case. While it is possible for anyone above the age of 18 to represent themselves in court, you should note that you will be held to the same standards as lawyers. This means that you will need knowledge of court procedure timelines and requirements, and adhere to them on your own.
However, hiring a criminal lawyer means that these rules and regulations will no longer be a burden you have to shoulder alone. Being knowledgeable about the law, a criminal lawyer will also be able to objectively assess your case and come up with a strategy to ensure that your rights are protected.
What offences can a criminal lawyer help defend me against?
Criminal lawyers can help you with any offence, ranging from white-collar crimes like criminal breach of trust, to blue-collar crimes like theft, vandalism and drink-driving.
However, some criminal lawyers may specialise in certain offences. As a result, once you have identified your preferred lawyer(s), be sure to reach out to them and verify if they are able to help you with the offence you have been charged with.
How much does it cost to hire a criminal lawyer in Singapore?
The cost of hiring a criminal lawyer depends on numerous factors such as whether you intend to plead guilty or not. In the event that you decide to plead guilty, the legal process becomes more straightforward and shorter than claiming trial. In turn, less work is required of your lawyer and their fees will be lower.
However, to accommodate a wide pool of clients while charging competitive prices, criminal lawyers typically offer the following fee arrangements:
- Fixed fees;
- Capped fee arrangements; and
- Estimated fee ranges.
For more in-depth information, you may refer to our article on the fees for hiring a criminal lawyer in Singapore.
How do I choose the best criminal lawyer in Singapore for my matter?
With your life at stake and so many options to choose from, it may be scary to entrust your future to others. Thus, it is crucial that you find a criminal lawyer who is not just skilled, but someone who genuinely has your best interests in mind.
When evaluating your choices, you may want to ask about a lawyer’s experience with regard to your offence, and the outcomes of those cases. You should also ensure that their legal fees fall within your budget.
For other factors that you should consider, you may refer to our article on hiring the best criminal lawyer in Singapore for your case.
What if I can’t afford a criminal lawyer?
Understandably, the cost of hiring a lawyer may deter you from seeking professional legal help if you have been charged with an offence. However, do not worry as there are several legal aid schemes to help you.
For instance, if you have been charged with non-death penalty offences, the Law Society’s Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (CLAS) offers subsidised legal assistance to those who pass a means test and a merits test.
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The criminal justice framework may seem complex and daunting, but it does not have to be. When you hire a criminal lawyer, you have an experienced and knowledgeable expert on your side, making navigating through this trying time a lot smoother.
Apart from the 7 criminal lawyers we have highlighted in this article, there are many other competent criminal lawyers you can consider engaging.
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