Singapore's rule of law a ‘continuing endeavour’ as future generations face unfamiliar challenges: SM Lee

Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong stated that Singapore's rule of law is a "continuing endeavor" as future generations confront novel challenges such as artificial intelligence, online harms, misinformation, climate change, and geopolitical uncertainty. He emphasized that while Singapore has benefited from sound laws and strong institutions, the rule of law is "never a finished project."

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Artificial intelligence will raise new questions about accountability, responsibility, and human agency. Digital technologies will continue to test established legal concepts.

Lee highlighted that artificial intelligence will introduce new questions regarding accountability, responsibility, and human agency, while digital technologies will continue to test established legal concepts. He also noted that demographic shifts, climate change, and geopolitics will present difficult policy and governance challenges without straightforward answers.

To address these evolving issues, Lee explained that the next phase of Singapore's legal development involves building upon existing foundations to ensure laws remain relevant, the constitution is fit for purpose, institutions retain trust, and society upholds the values that support the rule of law. He stressed that each generation must adapt the legal system to new realities and pass it on in an improved state.

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Such issues will not have straightforward answers.

Lee's remarks were made at the launch of a four-volume book series documenting Singapore's legal reform journey over the past 25 years. The series, part of the SGLaw200 celebration marking the 200th anniversary of the country's modern legal system, covers various legal domains including criminal, public, family, civil, and international law, as well as legal innovations and the COVID-19 pandemic response.

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Each generation must adapt the legal system to new realities and pass it on, "updated and improved", to the next generation.

Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam noted that Parliament has passed nearly a thousand bills in the last 25 years, with the Ministry of Law handling approximately 20 percent. Minister for Law Edwin Tong added that these reforms have strengthened institutions, supported businesses, and improved lives, reflecting Singapore's philosophy that legal reform should serve the nation's needs and foster trust and progress.

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have strengthened institutions, supported our businesses, and improved lives, shaping the social compact that we enjoy.