Media Release: Retirement of Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon and Appointment of Justice Sushil Nair as Chief Justice

Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon will retire as Chief Justice of Singapore with effect from 26 February 2027. The President has appointed Justice Sushil Sukumaran Nair, Justice of the Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court, as the 5^th Chief Justice of Singapore with effect from 26 February 2027.

Commenting on his retirement, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon said:

" It has been a peerless privilege for me to have been entrusted with the responsibility of leading the Singapore Judiciary for almost a decade and a half. This was not something I would have dared to even dream about, much less to have sought. Instead, it was a calling to serve and I am deeply grateful to the Government for having given me the opportunity to answer that call in 2012.

As Chief Justice, I have been richly blessed to have had the support of our most important stakeholders during my tenure, and I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to them. I begin with the Government, whose support for many of the initiatives and reforms that were launched during this time was simply indispensable. Initiatives such as the establishment of the Family Justice Courts, the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC), the International Committee of the SICC, and the Appellate Division, among others, could never have been undertaken without such support, given that they required legislative and even Constitutional amendments, and in one case, a Treaty to be entered into.

In this year when we celebrate the bicentennial of the Singapore judiciary and legal system, I am constantly struck by the centrality of the rule of law to all that we, in Singapore, do in terms of our governance. That begins with the Government’s attitude to the law, which is very much rooted in the vision of the Founding Fathers of modern Singapore.

Second, I had the benefit of the support of an outstanding group of people: Judges, International Judges, Judicial Service Officers, Court Administrators and staff at every level. Our people are our most precious resource. The commitment of each of them to the mission of delivering justice has inspired and sustained me. It has been a privilege for me to serve with them.

Third, the AGC and the Bar have been close and invaluable collaborators in the project to develop our judicial and legal system into what it has become today. The special relationship between our Bench and Bar is not something we can take for granted.

When I took office in 2012, I pledged to work towards handing over to my successor an institution that would be stronger than the one I inherited. This has always been, and must continue to be, the way in the Singapore Public Service. I have given it my best. The time is coming when I will pass this responsibility on, and I know that my successor, Justice Sushil Nair, will similarly work to further strengthen and nurture this cherished national institution. I wish him all the very best and look forward to working closely with him in the coming months to ensure a successful transition."

Commenting on his appointment as Chief Justice, Justice Sushil Nair said:

"I am deeply honoured by the President's appointment and profoundly conscious of the responsibilities that come with the office of Chief Justice.

I would like to express my deepest appreciation to Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon for his exceptional leadership and distinguished service to Singapore. Under his stewardship, the Judiciary continues to strengthen public confidence in the administration of justice and develop a principled, coherent body of Singapore law which is internationally recognised and cited in other jurisdictions. By embracing innovation while remaining faithful to enduring legal principles, he has elevated Singapore’s reputation for judicial excellence and deepened our engagement with both the legal profession and the wider community. It is a privilege to build upon these strong foundations.

Together with my colleagues on the Bench and across the Judiciary, I will strive to uphold the independence and integrity of our courts, safeguard the rule of law, and ensure that justice continues to be administered impartially, fairly and effectively in service of the people of Singapore."

ISSUED BY:

SINGAPORE COURTS

17 July 2026