Politics · Singapore Bureau
Rule of law must evolve with society's values: Chief Justice
Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon has emphasised that the rule of law must adapt as social circumstances and community values change. He pointed to Singapore's repeal of Section 377A as a key example of this evolution.
LSN Singapore ·
The rule of law is not static but must evolve in tandem with shifts in societal values and circumstances, Singapore's Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon has said. Speaking on the principle that underpins the nation's legal system, he highlighted how legislative changes reflect the judiciary's understanding that law must remain relevant and responsive to the community it serves.
Chief Justice Menon cited the repeal of Section 377A—the colonial-era provision that criminalised consensual same-sex conduct—as a prominent example of how legal frameworks adapt over time. The provision was removed from the Penal Code in 2022, marking a significant shift in Singapore's approach to legislation governing private conduct between consenting adults.
His remarks underscore a broader principle recognised across common law jurisdictions: that legal systems must balance fidelity to established principles with the capacity to reflect contemporary understanding. The Chief Justice's comments suggest that Singapore's courts and lawmakers view the rule of law as a living framework capable of accommodating societal development without abandoning its foundational commitments to justice and fairness.
The statement comes as Singapore continues to navigate complex questions about the relationship between legal tradition, democratic values, and social change in a diverse, multicultural society.