WHO SHE IS: Justice Judith Prakash is Singapore’s first woman to be appointed as a permanent Judge of the Court of Appeal. A pioneer in arbitration law, she has played a key role in strengthening Singapore’s judicial excellence. An NUS Law alumna, she was named Her World Woman of the Year 2024 for her trailblazing contributions.
In 1970, when Justice Judith Prakash filled in her course application for the University of Singapore, her father strongly encouraged her to pursue law. “My mother died when I was 13,” she recalled. “She had ambitions to be a lawyer. Living in Penang, her family didn’t have money to send her to London, which was the only way one could become a lawyer then.” Undeterred, her mother apprenticed at a law firm as an articled clerk, but her training was cut short by the Japanese Occupation. After the war, she worked for David Marshall, Singapore’s first elected Chief Minister and a celebrated criminal lawyer, as his secretary. “My father saw me filling in for her,” said Justice Prakash with a laugh. “It was emotional blackmail.”
What began as filial obedience became a genuine love for the law. “I started enjoying law school pretty early on,” she said. “I was happy with the kind of reasoning you had to do — it suited me very well.”
Among her most memorable lecturers were Professor Tan Sook Yee — “a very elegant woman with a sharp and quick wit” — and Professor Tommy Koh (Law ’61, HonLLD ’22), who taught criminal law and served as Dean. Her 1970 cohort was the first to have 50 per cent women. It also had a strong Malaysian contingent. “National Service started in 1969, so the boys went into the army, except the top 20 per cent who could defer,” she recalled.
Law school gave her more than a career foundation. It also gave her lifelong friends — and a husband. She met Mr Jaya Prakash (Law ’74) earlier when they were on the debating teams of Raffles Girls’ School and Raffles Institution, respectively. “Our teams didn’t debate against each other, but we met through that. Later, when we ended up in the same law class, things developed. There were quite a lot of romances in my class, I can tell you!” The couple graduated in 1974, were called to the Bar in 1975, and married in 1976.
BREAKING GROUND IN THE COURTROOM
Justice Prakash began her career at Chor Pee & Hin Hong, handling commercial law, before joining Drew & Napier’s shipping division. In 1992, then-Chief Justice Yong Pung How invited her to join the Supreme Court as a Judicial Commissioner. Three years later, she became a High Court Judge — and in 2016, made history as the first woman appointed a permanent Judge of the Court of Appeal.
Over her 31 years on the Bench, she also served as the lead judge for arbitration cases and has been a role model for women in law. Her poise, intellect and discipline have earned admiration far beyond the courtroom, earning her recognition as Her World’s Woman of the Year 2024.
BALANCING FAMILY AND THE BENCH
“It was helpful that I became a judge quite young,” she reflected. “As a judge, I had a routine. I didn’t travel anymore or attend to clients, so I could be there for my family much more.” With four daughters and now three grandchildren, she knows the challenges working mothers face. “During court sessions between 10am and 1pm, and again from 2.30 to 5pm, my children couldn’t reach me directly. They’d call my secretary, who would pass me notes for urgent matters. I could adjourn for a few minutes and call home to sort things out.”
Her husband’s support was invaluable. “He was very helpful and involved with the children,” she said. “And I was lucky my mother-in-law cared for my two older children and later moved in when my third daughter was born. Having her and my father-in-law under one roof was such a blessing — I never had to worry about what was happening at home.”
Her advice to working mothers? “Choose work that allows regular family time. And check out your spouse very carefully — see how helpful he’s going to be! The right partner or reliable childcare makes all the difference.” With characteristic humour, she added: “My daughters have helpful husbands, but they still rely on nursery and childcare. As for me, I’m not the type to mind my grandchildren the way my mother-in-law did. I’m going to work till I drop!”
PAVING THE WAY FOR WOMEN IN LAW
Justice Prakash has witnessed — and helped shape — great change for women in the profession. “My mother would have been a very good lawyer, but women then were expected to stay in the office, run things for the men, and be grateful for it,” she said. “We didn’t have many women in court or the judicial service.” Today, she sees a far more level playing field. “Women are on a good course,” she said, crediting Chief Justice Yong for recruiting talented women into the judiciary. “The judicial clerkship system he introduced brought many bright young women into public service and private practice.”
CONTINUING TO SERVE — WITH GRATITUDE
Since 2024, Justice Prakash has served on the NUS Board of Trustees — returning to the institution where it all began. “When I was at university, there were 5,000 undergraduates, and 80 of us in law. Now there are 50,000 students across so many faculties. I’m amazed at how forward-thinking the University is — improving not only its reputation but also the student experience. It’s been eye-opening.”
In 2025, she received the NUS Distinguished Alumni Award for her exceptional career and public service — an honour that still humbles her. “I’m very grateful I went to law school. It suited me down to the ground,” she said. “And I’m even more grateful to have come to the Bench — it suited me even better than being a litigator. It’s the icing on the cake to be recognised for something that has given me so much satisfaction.”
