About
Gino Hardial Singh is a battle-tested criminal defence lawyer who has built his reputation the hard way—inside contested trials, not on paper.
He is known within the Singapore criminal bar as a relentless and highly strategic trial advocate, particularly in cases where the stakes are highest and the evidence is most aggressively pursued by the Prosecution. His practice is not volume-driven; it is results-driven, with a consistent focus on dismantling cases at their weakest points.
He is frequently instructed in matters where clients face significant custodial exposure, and where a passive or technical defence will not suffice.
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Practice Focus
* High-value white-collar and financial crime
* Corruption and CDSA matters
* Criminal breach of trust, cheating, fraud
* Drug trafficking and capital offences
* Serious violent offences, including robbery and sexual offences
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What Sets Him Apart
* Trial-First Lawyer: Not a plea negotiator by default—prepared to run cases fully and decisively
* Cross-Examination: Direct, controlled, and often uncomfortable for witnesses; focused on breaking credibility, not scoring points
* Case Dissection: Known for identifying inconsistencies in statements, investigative gaps, and evidential weaknesses early
* Pressure Handling: Comfortable operating in high-risk, high-consequence cases
His approach is simple: if the case can be broken, he will break it. If it cannot, he will control the damage.
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Track Record
* 200+ acquittals and discharges over the past 12 years
* Regularly achieves:
* Discharges amounting to acquittals
* Conditional warnings
* No further action outcomes at investigation stage
These outcomes are not incidental—they reflect a deliberate strategy of early pressure on evidential weaknesses and aggressive trial positioning.
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Notable Matters
* Acted in matters linked to the USD 100 million bunker theft from Shell’s Pulau Bukom refinery
* Involved in the “Slim 10” litigation, one of Singapore’s most widely reported negligence cases
* Secured a discharge amounting to an acquittal in a $263,000 cheating case (The Straits Times, 26 September 2025)
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Professional Standing
* Recognised as Top CLAS Volunteer (2014)
* Led Abbots Chambers’ commitment to undertake and complete 50 pro bono cases under CLAS
* Firm recognised by The Straits Times as one of Singapore’s Best Law Firms (Criminal Law) in 2021, 2025, and 2026
* Secretary, Association of Criminal Lawyers of Singapore
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Reputation Among Peers
Gino is regarded as a serious trial lawyer—not ornamental, not academic, and not risk-averse.
He is known for:
* Running difficult arguments where others may advise retreat
* Challenging prosecution evidence head-on rather than working around it
* Maintaining pressure throughout trial, particularly on inconsistencies in testimony
Reviews (144)
Featured Services
Criminal Defence
Gino Hardial Singh, a Barrister of the Middle Temple, is the founder of Abbots Chambers LLC. He is an experienced and dedicated trial lawyer who focuses his litigation practice on white collar crime involving offences under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act, the Prevention of Corruption Act, Organized Crime, Criminal Breach of Trust, Fraud as well as Cheating offences. He is also adept in handling matters involving Murder, Drug Trafficking, Robbery, Rape, Sexual Assault, Rioting and offences against Public Servants. Prior to becoming an Advocate & Solicitor in Singapore in the year 2000, he had a 3-and-a-half-year stint in law enforcement.
In the past 9 years, he has managed to obtain more than 200 acquittals (pre-trial and post-trial) and discharges for clients accused of committing various kinds of offences including those under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act, Rape, offences against Public Servants, Robbery, outrage of modesty etcetera. This includes warnings in lieu of prosecution and no further actions at the investigations stage.
In 2014, he was recognized as being the top volunteer under the Law Society’s Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (“CLAS”) and continues to assist the underprivileged on a Pro Bono basis as best as he can. In 2020 Abbots Chambers entered into a memorandum with CLAS pledging to take 50 cases. Thanks to a strong and dedicated team, the memorandum was honoured. Gino is also on the panel of the Legal Assistance Scheme for Capital Offences (“LASCO”).
“I learned quickly that Gino is a fighter, he cares for his clients, shows passion and is open with you. I was not alone from the moment I called Gino.” – Client’s testimonial dated Feb 2018
Gino started off his career as a shipping lawyer 21 years ago and is no stranger to matters involving commercial disputes. He has acted for plaintiffs in medical negligence law suits and was one of the lawyers who acted for parties involved in the “Slim 10” case where TV Media had been sued by a local television personality for negligently advertising and promoting a slimming pill, the consumption of which caused her liver to fail.
Abbots is currently handling a number of ongoing high profile matters, one of which is the USD100 Million dollar bunker theft from Shell’s Pulau Bukom refinery.
Presently, he is the Secretary of the Association of Criminal Lawyers of Singapore.
Civil Litigation
Gino Hardial Singh, a Barrister of the Middle Temple, is the founder of Abbots Chambers LLC. He is an experienced and dedicated trial lawyer who focuses his litigation practice on white collar crime involving offences under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act, the Prevention of Corruption Act, Organized Crime, Criminal Breach of Trust, Fraud as well as Cheating offences. He is also adept in handling matters involving Murder, Drug Trafficking, Robbery, Rape, Sexual Assault, Rioting and offences against Public Servants. Prior to becoming an Advocate & Solicitor in Singapore in the year 2000, he had a 3-and-a-half-year stint in law enforcement.
In the past 9 years, he has managed to obtain more than 200 acquittals (pre-trial and post-trial) and discharges for clients accused of committing various kinds of offences including those under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act, Rape, offences against Public Servants, Robbery, outrage of modesty etcetera. This includes warnings in lieu of prosecution and no further actions at the investigations stage.
In 2014, he was recognized as being the top volunteer under the Law Society’s Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (“CLAS”) and continues to assist the underprivileged on a Pro Bono basis as best as he can. In 2020 Abbots Chambers entered into a memorandum with CLAS pledging to take 50 cases. Thanks to a strong and dedicated team, the memorandum was honoured. Gino is also on the panel of the Legal Assistance Scheme for Capital Offences (“LASCO”).
“I learned quickly that Gino is a fighter, he cares for his clients, shows passion and is open with you. I was not alone from the moment I called Gino.” – Client’s testimonial dated Feb 2018
Gino started off his career as a shipping lawyer 21 years ago and is no stranger to matters involving commercial disputes. He has acted for plaintiffs in medical negligence law suits and was one of the lawyers who acted for parties involved in the “Slim 10” case where TV Media had been sued by a local television personality for negligently advertising and promoting a slimming pill, the consumption of which caused her liver to fail.
Abbots is currently handling a number of ongoing high profile matters, one of which is the USD100 Million dollar bunker theft from Shell’s Pulau Bukom refinery.
Presently, he is the Secretary of the Association of Criminal Lawyers of Singapore.
Media & Publications
- “Jail for 2 men who drove up to 203kmh on CTE, leading to crash in Stamford Road“ – The Straits Times, 29 June 2026
- “Ex-SAF captain admits breaking into home, took picture of crypto wallet access info, stole funds“ – The Straits Times, 1 October 2025
- “Man gets jail, caning for repeatedly molesting younger colleague on night shift“ – Channel NewsAsia, 21 August 2025
- “Contractor On Trial: Alleged Rape of Woman Who Hired Him For Repairs“ – Batam News Asia, 31 July 2025
- “Cop charged after he allegedly forged police documents in cases he investigated“ – The Straits Times, 21 May 2025
- “Ex-employee of SIA Engineering Company gets 9 months’ jail for cheating” – The Straits Times, 19 February 2025
- “Former SIA Engineering supervisor pleads guilty to cheating charges involving almost $100k” – The Independent Singapore, 28 January 2025
- “Ex-employee of SIA Engineering Company admits to cheating charges involving over $96k” – The Straits Times, 28 January 2025
- “Wake Up Singapore founder and contributor fined for defaming KKH in false miscarriage story” – Channel NewsAsia, 26 August 2024
- “More clarity needed on type of cases to be handled by new public defender’s office, say lawyers” – Today Online, 7 April 2022
- “Serial cheater scammed his boyfriends to sign phone lines, wrote $1 trillion cheque” – Yahoo News Singapore, 16 March 2022
- “Explainer: What are the legal powers of Covid-19 safe distancing enforcement officers?” – Today Online, 3 August 2021
- “Weekly wrap up: Racial intolerance has no place in Singapore” – MoneyFM 89.3, 11 June 2021
- “Sleepless nights, sad goodbyes: Seasoned lawyers and cops on the emotional toll of handling sex crimes” – Today Online, 3 April 2021
- “Utterly heinous: Paedophile jailed for repeatedly raping, sexually abusing his 3 daughters for 14 years” – Today Online, 9 March 2021
- “IMDA principal consultant among 2 who allegedly conspired to cheat statutory boards” – Channel NewsAsia, 26 January 2021
- “NUS student charged with masturbating in school library flees Singapore, tells lawyer he will not return” – Today Online, 8 December 2020
- “2 months’ jail for trainer who asked for pictures of underage student in underwear” – The Straits Times, 1 December 2020
- “Jail for man who tried to bribe police, thinking he was in trouble with the law” – Today Online, 20 November 2020
- “捡到财物不犯法，占位己有可坐牢” – Lianhe Zaobao, 8 November 2020
- “Man jailed over revenge attack on footballers who roughed up his nephew during match” – Today Online, 31 October 2020
- “Judge rejects fresh alibi evidence adduced by death-row convict accused of masterminding drug operation” – The Online Citizen, 14 September 2020
- “Fewer people applying for free legal services” – Channel NewsAsia, 13 September 2020
- “CNA Singapore Tonight – Sun 13 Sep 2020” (around 10-minute mark of video) – Channel NewsAsia, 13 September 2020
- “Man jailed 16 weeks for burning Singapore flag at Woodlands block; 7 other flags caught fire” – 27 July 2020
- “Over 6,600 fines issued for flouting Covid-19 rules” – The Straits Times, 5 July 2020
- “Man who admits to sexually abusing 2 underaged girls seeks probation” – Yahoo News, 5 May 2020
- “Online shaming of those flouting Covid-19 circuit breaker rules could amount to doxxing, say lawyers” – Today Online, 27th April 2020
- “Moviegoer punched man who asked him to stop shaking his leg in cinema, gets jail and fine” – Channel NewsAsia, 3rd December 2019
- “Jail, fine and caning for man who molested maid while family was away on holiday” – The Straits Times, 2nd October 2019
- “Jail for math tutor who abused 12-year-old pupil, leaving him with bruises” – Channel NewsAsia, 1st October 2019
- “Death-row convict’s appeal reopened for new evidence to be received” – The Online Citizen, 5th August 2019
- “Decision to set aside doc’s conviction, fine cheered” – The Straits Times, 26 July 2019
- “NUS voyeur leaves Great Eastern, after firm suspends him for ‘misconduct’ – Today, 22 April 2019
- “Religious teacher gets jail for molesting woman in mosque on guise of curing her infertility” – Channel NewsAsia, 11 April 2019
- “Insurance agent who posed as ‘Lord Voldermort’ jailed after demanding Bitcoin from clients” – Channel NewsAsia, 29 January 2019
- “Victims of voyeur sites can file criminal charges and seek compensation, say lawyers” – Today, 13 January 2019
- “First member of 5-person syndicate jailed over $40m SkillsFuture claims scam” – Channel NewsAsia, 27 November 2018
- “Married man jailed for sexting unknown victim believed to be a minor” – Channel NewsAsia, 21 September 2018
- “Man who attacked victims with knife and knuckle duster jailed, caned” – Yahoo News, 11 July 2018
- “Man who had sex with 15-year-old girl sentenced to 5 years’ jail” – Channel NewsAsia, 9 July 2018
- “Decorated Traffic Police inspector who molested 4 NSFs jailed: reports” – Yahoo News, 2 July 2018
- “Traffic police inspector who molested 4 NSFs was a decorated officer of 31 years” – Yahoo News, 21 June 2018
- “Prosecution calls for cop who molested four male subordinates to be jailed 32 months” – The Straits Times, 21 June 2018
- “Taxi driver sentenced to 11 months’ jail for repeatedly molesting stepdaughter” – The Straits Times, 27 February 2018
- “‘Which is better – let him go scot-free, or get him back to face trial?’: Shanmugam on StanChart suspect” – Channel NewsAsia, 22 Feb 2018
- “Iron ore broker jailed for assaulting taxi drivers while drunk” – The Straits Times, 1 Feb 2018
- “Stalker who caused woman to quit her job is jailed for a year” – The Straits Times, 17 Jan 2018
- “Jailed for pocketing $27k in cash, cheque found in wallet” – The Straits Times, 4 Jan 2018
- “Man on his way to lunch molested woman” – The Straits Times, 23 December 2017
- “Man jailed for cheating via dark web” – The New Paper, 3 November 2017
- “曾捅外遇夫又偷乌鸡‘问题女’开车撞挡路车监四周” – Lianhe Zaobao, 28 September 2017
- “Private-hire driver jailed four weeks for inching car forward against a man” – The Straits Times, 27 September 2017
- “Cleaner jailed nine weeks for hugging 13-year-old girl” – The Straits Times, 22 September 2017
- “Reformative training for abetting rape” – The Straits Times, 30 August 2017
- “New Zealander jailed for grabbing police officer’s collar at Changi Airport” – The Straits Times, 24 August 2017
- “Robber jailed for two years and three months, gets six strokes of the cane” – The Straits Times, 5 July 2017
- “Man jailed 17 months after attacking four people in separate incidents” – The Straits Times, 15 May 2017
- “Jail for woman who got ex-hubby and boyfriend to beat up former lover” – The Straits Times, 24 March 2017
- “Singaporean brothers held hostage in Penang case: Woman jailed 7 years, 6 weeks for extortion” – The Straits Times, 22 February 2017
- “18 months’ jail, 3 strokes for father who molests daughter after sniffing glue” (Chinese) – Zaobao, 16 January 2017
- “Man jailed for assaulting policewoman, causing her to lose consciousness” – The Straits Times, 13 December 2016
- “Jail, caning for man who pushed girlfriend’s son off bed, cracking his skull” – Channel NewsAsia, 19 September 2016
- “Man gets 6 1/2 years’ jail, 6 strokes for pushing baby off bed, breaking his skull” – The Straits Times, 19 September 2016
- “Wedding dreams turn into nightmares” – The New Paper, 27 August 2016
- “Man gets 14 months for molesting domestic worker and punching wife” – The Straits Times, 24 August 2016
- “Man gets 12-and-a-half-years’ jail for sex attacks on own daughter” – The New Paper, 26 July 2016
- “Man jailed 12 and a half years for rape and molest of his daughter” – Yahoo News, 25 July 2016
- “Taxi driver jailed 6 weeks for slapping, punching and kicking another motorist” – The Straits Times, 18 July 2016
- “Convicted killer gets last-minute stay of execution” – The Straits Times, 20 May 2016
- “Last-minute stay of execution granted for Kho Jabing” – Channel NewsAsia, 19 May 2016
- “Jabing Kho, due for execution tomorrow, launches appeal again” – Today, 19 May 2016
- “Ex-Cheers franchisee jailed 2 years for misappropriating $319,000” – The Straits Times, 10 May 2016
- “Unable to pay loans, Cheers franchisee steals $300,000 from own store” – The New Paper, 25 March 2016
- “Court clears man of robbing cabby” – The Straits Times, 24 March 2016
- “Cabby acquitted of acting rashly and endangering policeman” – The Straits Times, 17 March 2016
- “Man, 32, faces trial for raping his 56-year-old mother” – The Straits Times, 19 November 2015
- “Welder jailed for molesting woman on train” – Asiaone, 12 June 2015
I was a tourist under criminal investigation for rape, a case that could take more than a year, but with Gino stepping in the case was resolved in 2.5 months with no further action taken against me.
Through a series of meetings and calls I noticed that he has an impeccable attention to detail, picking up aspects of the case that other lawyers might overlook. He also put in significant field work, visiting the scene to gather as much information as possible before submitting an appeal to the prosecution.
Working with Gino was a very reassuring experience. He is highly knowledgeable and often “thinks outside the box” to provide legal support in a unique and effective way.
In addition to his hardworking nature, Gino is very responsive and personable, which helped me feel much calmer throughout my difficult situation in Singapore. I’m very grateful for his support and highly recommend him to anyone looking for a capable lawyer in a range of criminal matters.
I engaged Gino Hardial Singh from Abbots Chambers in 2018 to assist in my complex case of CBT brought on by the AGC in relation to misappropriation of gasoil from Shell Sg.
With charges mounting monthly n docs to be reviewed becoming too overwhelming, the professional and structured manner in which Gino approached the caseload with me and dealings with AGC was really outstanding.
He remained calm in spite of the sheer volume of paperwork we had to go through and even though this case took years, never did he give up but kept assuring me that he will see this through and gave his all in getting the best outcome.
Never once did he promise me any favourable outcome but always reminded me of the possible end results.
Communication was easy and honest which is rare coming from a lawyer in my opinion. Gino always ensured the correspondence with AGC was handled meticulously and his dealings in court were exemplary.
Post sentencing, he saw disposal affairs and other settlement issues through, ensuring that my family’s welfare were taken care of and even visited me in prison to keep me informed.
His human approach to a case is highly commendable. He is someone who neither gives up nor gives in and I highly recommend Mr Gino Hardial Singh from Abbots Chambers.
Best Regards
I was facing charges under the SAF Act and the prospects of over 3 months’ detention. From our first meeting, Gino was reassuring and clearly knowledgeable. He represented me in Court Martial Proceedings and, through his arguments, helped secure a sentence 30% lower than what the prosecution had sought. Thanks to his efforts, I was able to keep my job and continue my studies without disruption.
Gino provided me amazing legal support. I was facing a series of charges that I was expecting to have to fight in court. Gino designed and submitted a thorough legal defence that led to me receiving a formal warning with all changes dropped. Highly recommended law firm.