“Right to Remain Silent” to Singapore Police: Does It Exist?

Nadia’s practice represents a broad cross-section of the kind of legal services that most businesses and individuals typically need, regardless of industry sector or client profile, with a particular focus on dispute resolution. She regularly advises corporate and private clients on schemes of arrangement, bankruptcy proceedings, trade disputes, employment disputes and a wide array of other contractual and tortious claims from fraud to defamation. Her litigation practice draws upon her experience representing clients in complex multi-jurisdictional cases involving misappropriation of funds and shareholder disputes. She has also represented numerous employers and employees in claims relating to wrongful dismissal, breach of employment contracts and harassment in the workplace. She has significant experience handling highly contentious cases of all kinds from State Courts to Court of Appeal level. Her matrimonial practice features cross-border disputes regarding child custody and the enforcement of maintenance as well as High Court litigation pertaining to the division of substantial matrimonial assets located in multiple jurisdictions. Her criminal practice includes experience representing clients in prosecutions for drug offences, sexual offences and violent offences ranging from voluntarily causing hurt to homicide. She also has experience representing children charged with criminal offences. Nadia’s non-contentious practice includes the drafting of various commercial agreements such as shareholders’ agreements and distribution agreements as well as personal legal instruments such as wills, lasting powers of attorney and deed polls. Nadia is on the panel of lawyers of a number of embassies in Singapore.

Qualifications / Admissions

• LLB (Hons), National University of Singapore
• Advocate & Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore
• Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England & Wales

Memberships

• Irish Chamber of Commerce, Singapore;
• The Medico-Legal Society of Singapore;
• Association of Criminal Lawyers of Singapore;
• The Law Society’s Family Law Practice Committee
• The Law Society’s Criminal Law Practice Committee;
• Singapore Association of Women Lawyers
• AIJA - International Association of Young Lawyers

Selected Cases

• OMG Holdings Pte Ltd v Pos Ad Sdn Bhd [2012] 4 SLR 231: Pleadings, limitation issue
• BMR v BMS [2013] SGDC 421: Care and control and access of child, maintenance
• JAI v JAI [2014] SGDC 382: Maintenance for wife
• TDI v TDJ [2015] SGFC 11: Care and control, overnight access
• TAT v TAU [2015] SGFC 19: Custody, care and control, access, relocation
• THH v THI [2015] SGFC 135: Interim maintenance for wife and child
• PP v Rosdi Bin Joenet [2016] SGHC 58: Sentencing for homicide in case of mental illness.
• Public Prosecutor v ASR [2018] SGHC 94: Sentencing of intellectually disabled young person for aggravated rape.

Family lawyer Ray Louis has had 14 years of experience as a family counsellor to assist you with your separation, contested or uncontested divorce, and other family-related proceedings. Clients appreciate his affordable legal expertise and sensitivity to personal situations. He has worked on behalf of many local and overseas clients, in cases that include international…

In the field of litigation, Wei Chin was lead counsel for many types of matters and clients such as:

1. Civil and commercial disputes
2. Submitting and presenting mitigation pleas successfully to obtain lighter sentences for clients charged in criminal matters, including non-custodial sentences
3. Divorce and ancillary matters disputes, including helping parties through Court Mediation
4. Private prosecutions for a government statutory board and obtaining deterrent sentences against the offenders
5. General solicitors’ work in extracting Grant of Probate and Letters of Administration
6. General solicitors’ work in managing landlord and tenancy agreements and disputes
7. General Commercial Drafting and Advisory Work

His wide range of experience in litigation includes tenancy disputes, writs of possession, claims concerning breaches of director’s duties, probate matters, criminal matters, matrimonial matters and various other types of litigation work. Wei Chin recognises that not all matters need to proceed for a full-fledged trial. Having taken Mediation & Negotiation modules in NUS, Wei Chin can capably advise on settlement options, achieving an amicable resolution which is more affordable and efficient than going for trial. Wei Chin has also advised government agencies and statutory boards, helping them to resolve disputes through negotiations and litigation, depending on their goals and aims. Wei Chin also takes on commercial contract drafting and contractual negotiation work to protect the interest of his clients when they are entering commercial deals. He has experience being a legal advisor to a local tertiary educational institute and assisted in vetting their intellectual property contracts. Civil & Commercial Disputes

• Lead Counsel in a dispute involving an ex-finance manager of a renowned bakery being sued for breach of fiduciary duties and other money claims – successfully defended the manager such that all claims were dismissed.
• Lead counsel in contract dispute regarding business consultancy agreements, limitation issues and Legal Profession Act.
• Lead counsel in construction dispute with interior designer for defective works.
• Lead counsel in a supply agreement dispute concerning a local beautician boutique.
• Negotiating a successful settlement involving a potentially Michelin-starred restaurant and its renovation contractors, avoiding a lawsuit of close to $0.4 million.
• Lead counsel in a High Court claim for contractual breach: acted for an independent business consultant in suing 3 business owners for breach of consultancy agreement.
• Lead counsel in High Court defamation claim of a manager defaming a director of a listed company.
• Negotiating a successful settlement involving a defamation claim by a businessman against a university professor.
• Assisting counsel in obtaining a Mareva Injunction for a claim amounting to more than S$3 million.
• Negotiating a successful settlement involving an anti-competition lawsuit by a large rice supplier, thus preventing a prohibitive injunction.
• Advising and successfully negotiating a settlement for a government statutory board concerning a dispute with an oil supplier.

Criminal Matters

• Lead Counsel in a disposal enquiry between two victims of a Bitcoin scam.
• Lead counsel in securing an acquittal for client charged with criminal trespass and outrage of modesty in Marina Bay Sand hotel.
• Lead counsel in successfully securing probation for an Uber driver suffering from frotteurism who touched passenger’s thigh. During appeal by the Prosecution, the Accused did not appoint Mr Che as a lawyer (due to financial constraints). Accused’s sentence was later increased to imprisonment when fresh facts arose during appeal.
• Lead counsel in a shop theft matter where Accused took toys without payment from a well-known toy store.
• Lead counsel in various plead guilty matters for offences regarding:
  • Penal Code Section 377BB (voyeurism)
  • Penal Code Section s. 405 to 409 (criminal breach of trust)
  • Companies Act Section 157 (breach of company director’s duties)
  • Road Traffic Act (reckless driving, drink driving etc)
  • Common Gaming House Act (gambling)
  • Animals and Birds Act 1965 (importation of live animals etc)

Prior to incorporating Abbots, Gino headed the criminal litigation departments of firms he practiced in. He is an experienced and dedicated trial lawyer who focuses his litigation practice on white collar crimes. He is also confident of fighting for persons accused of committing Murder, Drug Trafficking, Robbery, Rape, Sexual Assault, Rioting and offences against Public Servants and has obtained good results.

Ashvin has represented accused persons in both the State Courts and High Court, in cases spanning a variety of offences, including cheating, criminal breach of trust, rioting, sexual offences, money laundering, corruption and road traffic offences. Ashvin has also assisted numerous clients through investigations and interviews by the Singapore Police Force, Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Ronald started off his career as an economist before deciding to pursue a second degree in law. He has worked as a legal counsel in both public and private sector including various international banks. However, the corporate career gave him less satisfaction as compared to helping the layperson. Coupled with his passion to serve and connect with people on the ground, Ronald decided to go back to his original roots and to practise community law.   A person-oriented individual with a practical and realistic mindset, Ronald is able to provide advice with sound reasoning, and at the same time, ensure that it is in the best interest for the client. Hardworking and output driven, he is a hands-on lawyer who sees through any matter from start to finish.   Ronald has a particular interest in family law. Being a father of 3 children himself, he is a strong advocate of being a present parent and understands the challenges one faces during the course of marriage. He believes that the child’s interest is of utmost importance in any marriage. Ronald is able to empathize and apply his legal mind in matters relating to child custody, care and control, and maintenance quantum for children. When push comes to shove and marriage is no longer possible, Ronald is able to represent clients for any divorce proceedings, both contested and uncontested. Ronald is able to speak both the Chinese and English language.

Rohit K. Singh is a criminal defence lawyer whose practice is focused primarily on criminal litigation, investigations, regulatory enforcement matters, and advocacy before tribunals and courts in Singapore. Having cut his teeth in criminal defence work from the outset of his career, Rohit has represented individuals at every stage of the criminal justice process, from investigations and arrest through to trial, sentencing, appeals, and post-conviction proceedings.

Rohit regularly acts as a criminal lawyer in Singapore for individuals facing police investigations, arrests, CNB investigations, commercial crime investigations, white-collar crime allegations, and regulatory enforcement actions. He frequently engages investigative and prosecutorial authorities before charges are preferred, with a view towards achieving the best possible outcome for his clients through strategic and early intervention.

Rohit regularly advises and represents clients in matters involving theft, cheating, criminal breach of trust, extortion, outrage of modesty, molestation, rape and sexual offences, criminal intimidation, harassment, voluntarily causing hurt, voluntarily causing grievous hurt, domestic violence, family violence, maid abuse, abuse of vulnerable persons, child-related offences, rioting, unlawful assembly, money laundering, corruption, customs offences, immigration offences, road traffic offences, vice-related offences, and offences under the Penal Code and various regulatory statutes. He has acted for both complainants and accused persons in domestic abuse and family violence matters, including applications involving Personal Protection Orders, as well as criminal proceedings arising from allegations of assault within family settings.

A significant aspect of Rohit's practice involves engaging authorities at the earliest possible stage of an investigation. He firmly believes that strategic intervention before charges are preferred can often have a decisive impact on the eventual outcome of a case. He regularly prepares representations to investigative and prosecutorial authorities with the objective of securing No Further Action outcomes, Stern Warnings, Conditional Warnings, composition offers, reduced charges, or alternative resolutions where appropriate.

Rohit has successfully acted for clients during police and regulatory investigations where early engagement resulted in investigations being discontinued or resolved without prosecution. He adopts a proactive and practical approach, guiding clients through statement recording sessions, interviews, arrests, bail matters, enforcement actions, search and seizure exercises, and regulatory investigations while safeguarding their legal rights throughout the process.

His criminal practice extends to drug-related offences and CNB investigations. Rohit has experience handling Drug Rehabilitation Centre ("DRC") matters, DRC appeals, and representations relating to Enhanced Drug Supervision Orders ("EDSO"). He regularly advances rehabilitation-focused arguments supported by medical, factual, and legal evidence, seeking outcomes that emphasise treatment and reintegration rather than incarceration where the circumstances permit. He believes that engaging CNB and relevant authorities at an early stage frequently provides the best opportunity to secure rehabilitative outcomes and has successfully obtained favourable outcomes for suitable clients.

Rohit also possesses significant experience in regulatory and enforcement matters involving the Ministry of Manpower ("MOM") and Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore ("IRAS"). He advises businesses and individuals facing employment-related investigations, work pass offences, CPF-related issues, tax investigations, compliance breaches, and enforcement proceedings. He is experienced in navigating complex statutory frameworks and engaging regulators to mitigate exposure and achieve practical solutions.

In addition to criminal litigation, Rohit regularly appears before disciplinary and regulatory tribunals. He has acted in proceedings before the Council for Estate Agencies ("CEA") involving allegations of professional misconduct, regulatory breaches, suspension proceedings, and compliance issues affecting property agents and real estate professionals.

His advocacy experience extends beyond conventional criminal proceedings. Rohit has undertaken work before military tribunals, including General Court Martial proceedings, as well as matters before the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act ("CLTPA") Advisory Committee. In CLTPA matters, he prepares detailed representations and submissions challenging detention orders and advocating for release, variation, or reduction of detention periods.

Rohit has represented clients before a broad range of forums, ranging from disciplinary tribunals and regulatory bodies to the State Courts and the Singapore High Court. He has also acted in matters involving youth offenders, probation applications, reformative training, community-based sentences, and regulatory disciplinary proceedings. This breadth of experience allows him to provide practical, strategic, and tailored advice regardless of the complexity of the matter.

He has a particular focus on youth offender cases and firmly believes that rehabilitation should remain a central consideration for young offenders. Rohit regularly advances applications for probation, community-based sentences, reformative training alternatives, and other rehabilitative sentencing options. His mitigation strategies focus not only on the offending conduct but also on the underlying circumstances that contributed to the offence, with the ultimate aim of promoting long-term reintegration into society.

Clients value Rohit's meticulous preparation, accessibility, pragmatic advice, and firm advocacy. He is committed to achieving proportionate and just outcomes while guiding clients through what is often one of the most challenging periods of their lives.

Areas of Practice

• Criminal Defence
• Criminal Investigations
• Police Investigations and Statement Recording
• Drug Offences and CNB Matters
• Drug Rehabilitation Centre (DRC) Matters and Appeals
• Enhanced Drug Supervision Order (EDSO) Representations
• Theft, Cheating and Criminal Breach of Trust Offences
• Money Laundering and Financial Crime
• Sexual Offences and Outrage of Modesty Cases
• Assault, Hurt and Grievous Hurt Offences
• Domestic Violence and Family Violence Matters
• Maid Abuse and Vulnerable Victim Offences
• White-Collar and Regulatory Crime
• Ministry of Manpower (MOM) Investigations
• Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) Investigations
• Singapore Customs Offences
• Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) Disciplinary Proceedings
• Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act (CLTPA) Matters
• Youth Offender Representation
• Probation and Community-Based Sentencing
• Bail Applications and Criminal Motions
• Criminal Appeals
• Personal Protection Order (PPO) Matters
• Family Law (Divorce, Probate, Letters of Administration, Adoption and Guardianship)
• Corporate and Commercial Matters

Education

Bachelor of Laws, Murdoch University (2021)

Admissions and Memberships

Advocate and Solicitor, Singapore

Member, Law Society of Singapore

Member, Singapore Academy of Law

Volunteer Lawyer, Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (CLAS)

Languages

English

Bahasa Melayu

Hindi

Urdu

Bhojpuri

Interests

Outside legal practice, Rohit is an avid football fan and a lifelong supporter of Liverpool Football Club. He enjoys both watching and playing football. He also has a longstanding passion for aquariums and maintains a collection of predatory freshwater fish. Away from work, he enjoys spending time with his four cats and is an enthusiastic watch collector with an appreciation for both luxury and vintage timepieces.