Address by Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development and Law Eric Chua at the Memorandum of Understanding Signing for Pro Bono SG’s Inclusive Justice Law Centre
16 Mar 2026 Posted in Speeches
Mr Jimmy Budiarto, Chairman of the Rao Family Foundation,
Ms Yohana Limarno, Co-founder of the Rao Family Foundation,
Mr Dinesh Dhillon, Chairman of Pro Bono SG,
Mr Tanguy Lim, CEO of Pro Bono SG,
Ms Peggy Yee, Co-chair of the Inclusive Justice Taskforce
Distinguished guests and friends of Pro Bono SG,
Introduction
1. A very good morning to everybody, and thank you to Pro Bono SG for inviting me to officiate at this MOU signing with the Rao Family Foundation to establish the Inclusive Justice Law Centre.
2. MinLaw warmly welcomes this initiative, which will provide legal awareness, guidance and representation tailored to individuals with “invisible disabilities” and their caregivers.
3. This partnership marks an important step in Pro Bono SG’s efforts to strengthen access to justice in Singapore, especially for the more vulnerable. And this is an issue that is very close to my heart personally.
4. It is also timely that we gather in the year we commemorate SGLaw200, the bicentennial of Singapore’s modern legal and judicial system.
Measures to enhance access to justice
5. Advancing access to justice, especially for those who need it most, remains a core priority for MinLaw.
6. A strong justice system must serve everybody, not just those with means, but also those with limited resources, disabilities, or special needs.
7. Broad access to justice strengthens public confidence in institutions and keeps our social fabric strong.
8. Over the years, the Government has put in place significant civil and criminal legal aid programmes.
a) The Legal Aid Bureau has provided civil legal aid since 1958 and now receives about 7,000 applications each year.
i. We recently announced that the per-capita household income threshold for civil legal aid will be raised from $1,050 to $1,650, benefiting up to 1,000 more Singaporeans and PRs annually.
ii. The savings and investments threshold for both civil and criminal legal aid will also be increased from $10,000 to $12,000.
b) The Public Defender’s Office set up in December 2022, continues to see rising demand, with about 2,400 applications last year. And this is up from 1,500 in 2023, the first full year of operations.
i. Some cases are referred to Pro Bono SG under a co-delivery model through the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme.
9. We have also reduced barriers to the courts through specialised forums such as the Small Claims Tribunals and the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals, where procedures are simplified and fees are kept affordable.
10. Partnerships with the legal fraternity and community organisations like Pro Bono SG are equally important.
a) With our support, Pro Bono SG set up Community Law Centres in Hougang in 2023 and Woodlands in 2024, bringing legal aid closer to the heartlands and our residents.
b) Just last week, SMS Murali officiated the renewal of the MOU for the Community Law Centre at Tian De Temple, reaffirming the long-term commitment of partners to this initiative.
c) Pro Bono SG also runs legal clinics with the CDCs and other community partners.
d) In the last financial year alone:
i. Over 1,700 clients were assisted at the Community Law Centres,
ii. More than 2,000 residents attended legal clinics, and
iii. Over 1,300 individuals supported through legal representation schemes.
11. Now without these partnerships, it would not be possible to provide the holistic socio-legal support that many in our community need.
Inclusive Justice Taskforce
12. So much has been done to enhance access to justice in Singapore, but let me now turn to the theme of inclusive justice.
13. We have been studying how to better support persons with disabilities and mental health conditions, especially those with “invisible disabilities”.
14. From my time in the past, many years, at MSF and also as an MP on the ground, I have seen how easily these individuals can be misunderstood. Some struggle to communicate their needs, and their behaviour may be misread by others.
15. Their families and caregivers carry often a heavy responsibility of care, advocating for them while managing everyday caregiving needs.
16. Now these challenges are even greater when they must navigate the justice system.
17. Over the years, we have taken steps to better support them.
a) Community-based sentences such as the Mandatory Treatment Order allow appropriate offenders to receive treatment instead of incarceration.
b) MINDS runs the Appropriate Adult Scheme and forensic support services for persons with intellectual disabilities.
c) In the Singapore Prison Service, inmates with mental health conditions receive psychiatric care, with continuous support after release through IMH, MINDS and other community partners.
18. But in our heart of hearts, we know we can do more.
19. That is why we launched the Inclusive Justice Taskforce earlier this year.
20. I am grateful to co-lead the Taskforce with Peggy. The Taskforce brings together lawyers, policymakers, law enforcement officers, social service professionals, healthcare experts, community partners and caregivers.
21. I also thank Pro Bono SG, including CEO Mr Tanguy Lim, for your strong support.
22. The Inclusive Justice Law Centre that we are launching today is exactly the kind of ground-up initiative we hope to see more of in our community.
23. Through this Centre:
a) A dedicated lawyer will assist individuals with “invisible disabilities”,
b) Legal education and training will be strengthened, and
c) Specialist legal services will be made available where needed.
d) This will provide more customised and tailored support and deepen understanding of the challenges faced by this particular group of individuals in our midst.
24. I also thank the Rao Family Foundation for your generosity. Your support shows the important role philanthropy plays in advancing social causes in Singapore.
25. The Taskforce will continue to study how we can better support persons with disabilities and mental health conditions who may encounter the justice system, whether as accused persons, victims or witnesses.
26. These issues cut across law, healthcare and social services, and solutions must therefore bridge all these areas. Different individuals will also need different forms of support, depending on their conditions and circumstances.
27. The work has begun, and I am very encouraged by the strong commitment from all involved.
Looking ahead
28. Access to justice is not just about legal processes. It is about dignity, fairness, and the assurance that no one is left behind simply because their challenges are not immediately seen or understood.
29. Building an inclusive society requires all of us to play our part: Government, the legal fraternity, community organisations, families, and individuals, working together to support those who need help the most.
30. As we mark 200 years of Singapore’s modern legal system this year, we should not only look back with pride but also look ahead with purpose. Our task is to strengthen a justice system that recognises the diverse needs of our people: one where disabilities and mental health conditions do not become invisible barriers, and one where every person, regardless of circumstance, can stand before the law with confidence that they will be heard, understood, and treated fairly.
31. So let us continue this work together, so that our justice system remains not only strong, but also caring, compassionate, inclusive, and worthy of the trust that Singaporeans place in it.
32. Thank you very much.
Last updated on 16 March 2026