Singapore lost a great man.. as can be seen by the numerous condolences from people of all walks of life. Even Law Minister K Shanmugam (KS) penned a beautiful eulogy befitting this wonderful soul. All our condolences are with his family.
Criminal lawyers should follow in his steps, to give fair representation and not use their skill of intimidation, emotional harassment instead to handle cases.. . His stature is unmistakable even without any high sounding title.
In 2000, when the Law Society's Director of Media & Publications did an article "Focus:Standing in the Spotlight: The Criminal Lawyer", she surprisingly did not think to ask Subhas for his view? is it possibly because he has no high sounding titles?
http://www.lawgazette.com.sg/2000-8/Aug00-focus4.htm
Seems only lawyers with high sounding titles were asked for their views - "All the five lawyers interviewed became involved in criminal law cases in private practice following their earlier experiences in criminal work in the public service, either in the Attorney-General’s Chambers or the judiciary."
Yang Ing Loong, a partner in Allen & Gledhill, served in the Attorney-General’s Chambers for five years
Teck Leng entered private practice in 1997 after six years of varied experiences as a Deputy Public Prosecutor (Commercial Affairs Department), a Magistrate and a District Judge.
Edmond Pereira was a Deputy Public Prosecutor and State Counsel from 1979 to 1986, then served as a Magistrate and District Judge in the following two years,
Ang Sin Teck entered private practice in 1994 after a two year stint as a District Judge, and another seven-year stint in the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
Ismail Hamid had the longest career in the public service, spanning over 16 years, during which he held various positions, including that of Deputy Public Prosecutor, Magistrate and Deputy Senior State Counsel,
It is apparent in KS's eulogy that Subhas was a legend, where there is no other - "To the legal fraternity, Subhas was like an elder brother. His 40 years of experience in overcoming the odds in court, in cases that had originally seemed to be lost, made him a legend in the criminal bar, his incisive intellect and dogged perseverance were tempered by a sharp wit and infectious sense of humor."
Instead views were sought from lawyers like Edmond Pereira? Edmond Pereira -
" thinks that media attention can, at times, work against a well known criminal lawyer." - as if he is really one? perhaps after the article was written?
‘Clients are generally concerned and afraid that their cases may be reported in the press; their fear stems from the accompanying embarrassment caused to his family and friends,’ revealed Edmond. Another worrying aspect, he says, is that the public sometimes perceives a person who is prosecuted for a crime as being guilty of that crime." - he can learn from Subhas a thing or two, that is, to give fair representation and not use his criminal law skill of intimidation, emotional harassment instead to handle civil cases, on family members and people close to the defendant.
Lawyers are representing their clients and it is mind boggling when they instead are writing affidavit (s) for their client?
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My Eulogy for Subhas Anandan
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To his family, Vimala and Sujesh, Subhas was a loving husband and a loving father who often lamented that he should have spent more time with you. His love for you, Vimala, is expressed from these words he said to you just before he was wheeled into the operating theatre in 2008: "I see your face in every rose, I see your smile in every cloud."
Sujesh, your dad is immensely proud of your achievements, and it was one of the proudest moments of his life when you told him of your decision to take up law.
To the legal fraternity, Subhas was like an elder brother. His 40 years of experience in overcoming the odds in court, in cases that had originally seemed to be lost, made him a legend in the criminal bar, his incisive intellect and dogged perseverance were tempered by a sharp wit and infectious sense of humor.
To the people he defended, and the general public, he was a hero.
His reputation for taking up the toughest cases, often pro bono, and then succeeding against odds, made him a mainstay in the news, and a beacon of hope to the accused that he defended.
All this came from his steadfast belief in fair representation and in second chances. He was a fierce and combative champion of these principles and he was never shy in letting me know his views.
I consider Subhas a dear friend and have always found him to be upright, honest, full of integrity and wit. After the October event, he suggested that we have lunch. I agreed, he gave me a date. My diary is run by my PA, I forgot to tell her. At about 12.45pm on a Sunday afternoon, perhaps 1pm, he called me and said, "Where are you?" Thankfully I happened to be free and rushed down, and I'm glad I did.
I am, together with each one of you, saddened by his passing,
but his legacy will live on, in his writings, in the legal textbooks containing accounts of his cases, newspapers, websites,
and most importantly, in our hearts.
Even though he has passed on, he will live forever as a loving father, loving husband, a gentleman at the Bar and a dear friend to all of us.
We mourn together.
Soo Jenn
*The writer blogs at http://soojenn.blogspot.sg/