Singapore’s Ministry of Law (MinLaw) has sought a clarification from Essex Court Chambers Duxton (Singapore Practice Group) over reports that it was connected to London-based English barristers’ chambers, Essex Court Chambers.

Essex Court Chambers announced earlier this week that VK Rajah SC, the former attorney-general of Singapore, had joined as a member, along with Tham Lijing, Colin Liew and Calvin Liang. It said that the four lawyers would commence self-employed legal practice as members of Essex Court Chambers Duxton (Singapore Group Practice).

“We are delighted to be welcoming a lawyer of VK’s outstanding calibre to Essex Court Chambers, together with three young lawyers of such obvious promise and ability as Lijing, Colin and Calvin,” said David Foxton QC, head of chambers at Essex Court Chambers, in a statement. He added that Toby Landau QC, who was called to the Singapore Bar in May this year, would join the group practice shortly.

However following the publication of news reports, from a variety of local and international sources, which suggested that the Singapore chambers has been launched by the English barristers’ chambers, MinLaw sought a clarification from Essex Court Chambers Duxton (Singapore Group Practice).

“Essex Court Chambers Duxton (Singapore Group Practice) is an association of Singapore-qualified lawyers,” said MinLaw in a statement. “The applicant lawyers had expressly confirmed to the Ministry of Law that Essex Court Chambers Duxton (Singapore Group Practice) was separate and distinct from, and independent of, the English barristers’ chambers, Essex Court Chambers in London. This confirmation was given in their application submitted to the Ministry.

“Contrary to some suggestions which have been made, the position is also that barristers from Essex Court Chambers in England cannot practise Singapore law and cannot appear in Singapore’s courts unless they have been given leave by the Singapore courts to do so or have been admitted to the Singapore Bar,” it added.

MinLaw has given Essex Court Chambers Duxton (Singapore Group Practice) seven days to explain “how the misimpressions” came about, and what steps will be taken to correct them.”