A Gentleman of The Law: Essays in Memory of Tan Yock Lin (2026)
The late Professor Tan Yock Lin was my lecturer at NUS circa 1985-1986.
I recall a very studious young lecturer who has a strong sartorial style. Though small in size, he projected confidence and deep conviction in his lectures to us.
All I knew then was that he was a fellow Malaysian. Now, reading the editor’s preface, which I must say is brilliantly written, I discovered he was a very bright student.
Born in 1953 in Malacca, he won a scholarship to study electrical engineering at Imperial College London. He graduated and, like most bright Malaysians, was recruited to work in Singapore.
His employer was the Economic Development Board. They sent him to Oxford University to study economics, where he obtained a diploma in economic development. He remained at Oxford to pursue a degree in law.
He returned to Singapore and joined NUS Law as a tutor. NUS sponsored him to return to Oxford to get his master’s degree. He returned to NUS Law in 1984, which is the year I did Law 1 at NUS.
This hardback book, in memory of him, is beautifully curated in green. The photo typifies the man, a quiet and unassuming worker. The title ‘A Gentleman of the Law’ is apt.
The book begins with a series of reminiscences by colleagues and students.
The essays are on equity and trust, personal property, international law, evidence law, and criminal justice. All these are areas of interest of the late Tan Yock Lin.
May he rest in peace.
LWH, 1 Feb 2026.
KL