Mark Yeo

Criminal Defence Litigation | Civil and Commercial Litigation | Corporate Law | Helping individuals and small businesses navigate through their legal problems

[Mark Yeo @markyeokt]

Many things have been said about the passing of Adrian Tan, the Law Society President and the King of Singapore, as well as that of Prof Tan Yock Lin.

Death has a way to force us to consider our own mortality, and to reckon with…https://t.co/OcyvBIyzUg https://t.co/YmOoEFwids

[Mark Yeo @markyeokt]

Often times, when faced with the stress of impending investigations, it is natural for suspects to think about how to get themselves out of trouble.

This isn't always the best course of action to take.

In the article below, a c…https://t.co/mBXOV3TmZU https://t.co/H5BRjZDomI

[Mark Yeo @markyeokt]

"She was asking for it - who asked her to wear such clothes"?

When victims are sexually harassed, or if they have been a victim of a voyeur, one of the first things that people ask is what the victim was wearing.

It's thus inter…https://t.co/SF5TY4adD1 https://t.co/5hnIvpH07n

[Mark Yeo @markyeokt]

Amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Act rolled out on 1 June 2023, relating to the increase in penalties for the unauthorised possession of controlled drugs.

Interestingly, the amendments appear to cater for the situation whereby a…https://t.co/c0w2WxCOrE https://t.co/wY84wR6wTq

[Mark Yeo @markyeokt]

Disclosure-related duties of directors (especially independent and nominee directors) is an important duty that all directors must note. However, risks in taking up directorship positions extends well beyond that.

Within the past…https://t.co/4jTO8Lfx5J https://t.co/AtgxxlRl3V

[Mark Yeo @markyeokt]

What is the most make-or-break type of evidence in criminal defence trials?

A smoking gun is probably it, but witness statements probably come in a close second.

What a witness tells the investigating authorities during investig…https://t.co/Pt52h4Zdun https://t.co/NUZwNQtShx

[Mark Yeo @markyeokt]

A helpful explainer on corruption offences in (and out of) Singapore.

A key thing that businesses need to know is that Singapore's corruption laws are far ranging. Even for the most creative of businesses, it is difficult to avoi…https://t.co/EkLQOM4eVF https://t.co/ffiCm8fLUw

[Mark Yeo @markyeokt]

"How should I behave in Court? Do I need to do or say anything?"

As this case suggests, impressions matter. When considering the appropriate sentence to be imposed on an accused person, the judge would consider, amongst other thin…https://t.co/YN9vSCpJc6 https://t.co/RRpHATB8hG

[Mark Yeo @markyeokt]

Another example of a case where criminal law and civil litigation intertwine. Getting into trouble for conflict of interest has resulted not only in a civil claim (that was settled), but to an imprisonment term of four years.

On…https://t.co/SKgxx6ETVP https://t.co/nqWnLE7FzQ

[Mark Yeo @markyeokt]

Do good intentions justify breaches of natural justice?

The answer is, evidently, no.

The right to be heard (and the right to a fair trial) is a central tenet of the judicial system. This is especially so for criminal litigation…https://t.co/QiI4pLUXLz https://t.co/QqvoBsD0r9

[Mark Yeo @markyeokt]

Thanks @LydiaLamCNA for this helpful (if not deeply distressing) read about the recent "wife-sharing" case.

From the article, it appears that the entire criminal enterprise was made possible by the Sammyboy Forum. The men had "me…https://t.co/JYPHNwsgLd https://t.co/maR36q1iSo

[Mark Yeo @markyeokt]

Another one done and dusted, and in the books!

Very happy that Chloe Chen and I were able to assist our client to successfully appeal against the sentence imposed on him by the District Court, reducing his global sentence from 14 months’ imprisonment to…https://t.co/oM09i57OrL

[Mark Yeo @markyeokt]

This morning, my colleague Justin Ng and I walked into the Court of Appeal...

And emerged in one piece.

In the process, we successfully appealed against the sentence that was imposed against our client in the High Court. The Cou…https://t.co/r0lVAYGjx7 https://t.co/UplMmhDYRR

[Mark Yeo @markyeokt]

"It's easy to do dangerous things dangerously. It's way more difficult to do dangerous things safely".

This quote by Chief of Army, MG David Neo, during the Army Safety Day was something that resonated with me. MG Neo said this in the context of the Arm…https://t.co/rtDaDu2AOH

[Mark Yeo @markyeokt]

How do you view training of young lawyers? Is it a burden or a value adding exercise?

This, in my view, is the key differentiator between the two sets of opinions expressed in this article. One viewpoint focuses the costs of train…https://t.co/tPOEPZrgR3 https://t.co/Txa5Asbs8M

[Mark Yeo @markyeokt]

Physical disciplining of children is a contentious issue - especially for young parents today.

Can/should I cane my children?

This debate has been ongoing for many years. While it was seen as the norm in the past (as when I was…https://t.co/eoTurbmsdu https://t.co/k5mpC1Ozn0

[Mark Yeo @markyeokt]

In criminal litigation, getting the Prosecution to agree with you on a sentencing position (if at all possible) is only the first step in obtaining the desired outcome. It is not enough.

Why?

Sentencing in criminal proceedings is…https://t.co/OFpqkG4VW7 https://t.co/VAkCQVM2rT

[Mark Yeo @markyeokt]

What is the role of remorse (or lack thereof) in sentencing for criminal offences?

Remorse is relevant in a few ways:

1. As a mitigating factor.
Where an offender pleads guilty, a sentencing discount is often given where the ple…https://t.co/vC3JG3ut8t https://t.co/j83SRo3RFD

[Mark Yeo @markyeokt]

Another case of an aspiring lawyer who had committed academic misconduct has been reported in the news.

This time, the applicant withdrew his application, and undertook not to file a fresh application in four months' time.

Hav…https://t.co/vZuJhaFqPM https://t.co/V1i9gy22gP

[Mark Yeo @markyeokt]

To specialise, or not to specialise, that is the question.

The obvious cop-out answer is that there are benefits to both approaches. However, while there are benefits to specialisation in specific areas of law, we are increasingly…https://t.co/keyN0yrPuU https://t.co/bWq1rg8tSS