SINGAPORE ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN LAWYERS

About Us

SAWL was formed in 1974 by a small group of 16 women lawyers with a cause to serve the community. Membership is open to women lawyers, legally qualified non-practitioners and law students.

SAWL is an affiliate of the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO), the national umbrella organization of women’s organizations.

Some of SAWL’s objects are:
1. to spread the knowledge of the laws of Singapore and other countries;
2. to enhance and promote the welfare of women and children;
3. to advance opportunities for women in industry, business, education and the professions;
4. to press for laws for the advancement and protection of women and children.

Some of SAWL’s major projects include:

1. TAN AH TAH – SAWL SCHOLARSHIP FUND FOR PHYSICALLY DISABLED STUDENTS
The Fund was established by SAWL in December 1987 and it awards scholarships to physically disabled students annually. The students are from secondary schools to tertiary Institutions who demonstrate both financial need and academic promise. The Trustees of the Fund are SAWL exco members and a representative from the National Council of Social Service.

This Scholarship was founded in memory of the late The Honourable Mr Justice Tan Ah Tah. To date, some 340 people have been helped with more than $200,000 worth of scholarships. Two young ladies went to the varsity; one using the binoculars to decipher the lecturer’s scribbles on the board, the other needing the magnifying glass to read the volumes of notes. Both were beneficiaries of SAWL’s help through this scholarship. One graduated with a first class honours, the other with a 2nd Upper. Both are today working as research officers and contributing to the nation.

This is what the first class student has to say more than 10 years after receiving the scholarship: “Without the worry of financial constraints, I was able to concentrate more on my studies and managed to do well. With the qualifications, I was able to get a stable job and am leading a happy life now.” The other, not content, with what she has already achieved is today pursuing a masters degree, even though she has to read with a magnifying glass.

2. Free Legal Clinics
SAWL has been conducting free legal counselling to members of the public since the legal counselling project was first launched at the Kallang and Queenstown Community Centres in 1976. This is currently provided to all members of the public at about 11 community centres and the Family Court.

3. Talks/Seminars/Forums on Law
These are given at the request of schools, People’s Association, Community Centres and other organizations. SAWL has also participated in regional seminars and conferences held in ASEAN countries. SAWL has also given talks in radio stations, the latest being a talk by Miss Foo Siew Fong on Divorce in FM95.8. SAWL also sent 3 representatives to the First World Women Lawyers Conference in London in 2001.

4. Legal Letterbox
Over the years, SAWL members have been answering letters addressed to “Legal Columns” in Lianhe Wan Pao, Tamil Murasu, Her World, the Singapore Women’s Weekly and on NewsRadio 93.8.

5. SAWL – Justice F.A. Chua Library
Located in the SCWO Centre. The library was established in memory of the late Justice F.A. Chua, the library houses an impressive collection of articles, books, magazines and materials on all aspects of family issues with special focus on women and children. This Library is also a resource centre for research on legal literacy and socio economic issues.

6. Involvement with subordinate and Family Centres
a. Peer Mediation: it has been demonstrated that resolution of disputes through peer mediation is effective and acceptable to all concerned and, as resolution is achieved without the intervention of the police or the courts, the larger community benefits significantly. In keeping with SAWL’s commitment to be of direct service to our community through its outreach activities, SAWL members were involved in peer mediation workshops conducted by Peer Mediator Trainers.

b. Court Appointed Counsel for children in high conflict custody cases