Mervyn Cheong

Associate Professor Mervyn Cheong is a faculty member at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Faculty of Law. He specializes in criminal litigation, particularly in capital offences, and has volunteered with the Legal Assistance Scheme for Capital Offences (LASCO) for over a decade. He received the LASCO Award 2024 for his pro bono contributions to ensuring access to justice.

• Role: Lead Counsel in LASCO cases since his 7th year of practice
• Notable Cases: Secured acquittal in a landmark 5-judge Court of Appeal case, handled Singapore’s first s 300(b) Penal Code murder charge case, and reduced a murder charge to culpable homicide to avoid the death penalty.

He teaches the Capital Offences Criminal Litigation Clinic at NUS Law, allowing students to work on pro bono cases. His work emphasizes ethical legal representation for marginalized defendants and mentorship of future lawyers.

Assoc Prof Cheong credits his achievements to collaborative efforts with volunteer lawyers, mentors, and his family. He views the LASCO Award as recognition of collective contributions to justice reform.