Eugene Singarajah Thuraisingam
About Eugene Singarajah Thuraisingam
Eugene Thuraisingam is the Founding Director of Eugene Thuraisingam Asia LLC, a boutique dispute resolution and criminal law firm based in Singapore. Of Sri Lankan Tamil descent, Thuraisingam is one of Singapore's most prominent criminal defence lawyers and a vocal opponent of the death penalty, having defended numerous accused persons in high-profile capital offence cases over two decades of practice.
Thuraisingam attended Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) and Anglo-Chinese Junior College before graduating from the National University of Singapore with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) on the Dean's List. Called to the Singapore Bar in 2001, he joined Allen & Gledhill, where he practised for nine years and made partner at the age of 31. After three years at Stamford Law Corporation, he founded his own firm in 2012, specialising in criminal defence, international arbitration, and commercial disputes. The firm now practises across nine areas including white collar crime, asset protection and recovery, insolvency, and employment law.
Between March 2025 and February 2026, Thuraisingam appeared as counsel in 7 cases before Singapore courts, with 5 matters in the High Court and 2 in the Court of Appeal. His practice centres on criminal law, constitutional law, and criminal procedure. His most widely known cases include the defence of Nagaenthran K. Dharmalingam on death row, the Woodlands double murder trial of Teo Ghim Heng, and the Toa Payoh child abuse case where he successfully reduced a murder charge to voluntarily causing grievous hurt. He also reopened Singapore's first concluded criminal appeal in the Ilechukwu case, a landmark procedural achievement, and co-defended Muhammad Salihin with Suang Wijaya, securing an initial murder acquittal at trial.
Thuraisingam received the Young Lawyer's Award in 2003 and the Legal Assistance Scheme for Capital Offences (LASCO) Award from the Chief Justice in 2016 for his defence of accused persons in capital cases. He is recognised by Doyle's Guide as a Leading and Preeminent Criminal Defence Lawyer, by Legal 500 in white collar crime, and by Benchmark Litigation as a Litigation Star. Named a Law Society Pro Bono Ambassador in 2021, he raised SGD 100,000 for Law Society Pro Bono Services through a Run For Justice event. His 2017 poem "Our Five Stars Dim Tonight," published on Facebook before a client's execution, led to a contempt fine of S$6,000 and a Law Society fine of S$5,000, though a disciplinary tribunal found it was not a deliberate attack on judicial integrity.
Education & Career
What areas of law does Eugene Singarajah Thuraisingam practice?
Eugene Singarajah Thuraisingam appeared most frequently in Criminal Law (9 cases), Constitutional Law (5 cases), and Criminal Procedure and Sentencing (3 cases) between March 2025 to February 2026, across 7 total case appearances in Singapore courts.
Criminal Law 9 cases
Eugene Singarajah Thuraisingam appeared as counsel in 9 Criminal Law cases between March 2025 to February 2026.
Constitutional Law 5 cases
Eugene Singarajah Thuraisingam appeared as counsel in 5 Constitutional Law cases between August 2025 to September 2025.
Awards & Recognition
Notable Matters
Publications
Pro Bono & Public Interest
How many cases has Eugene Thuraisingam appeared in?
Eugene Thuraisingam appeared as counsel in 7 cases before Singapore courts between March 2025 and February 2026. Five cases were heard in the High Court (General Division) and two in the Court of Appeal.
Which law firm does Eugene Thuraisingam belong to?
Eugene Thuraisingam is the Founding Director of Eugene Thuraisingam Asia LLC. He founded the firm in 2012 after practising at Allen & Gledhill (2001–2010) and Stamford Law Corporation (2010–2012). The firm specialises in criminal defence, international arbitration, and commercial disputes across nine practice areas.
Where did Eugene Thuraisingam study law?
Thuraisingam graduated from the National University of Singapore with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) on the Dean's List. He attended Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) and Anglo-Chinese Junior College before university, and was called to the Singapore Bar in 2001.
What notable cases has Eugene Thuraisingam been involved in?
Thuraisingam's most prominent cases include the defence of Nagaenthran K. Dharmalingam on death row, the Woodlands double murder trial of Teo Ghim Heng, the Toa Payoh child abuse case where a murder charge was reduced, and the reopening of Singapore's first concluded criminal appeal in the Ilechukwu case. He has also defended persons in the Circuit Road, Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, and Geylang hotel murder cases.
What awards has Eugene Thuraisingam received?
Thuraisingam received the Young Lawyer's Award in 2003 and the LASCO Award from the Chief Justice in 2016 for his capital offence defence work. He is named a Doyle's Guide Leading and Preeminent Criminal Defence Lawyer, a Legal 500 Recommended Lawyer in white collar crime, a Benchmark Litigation Star, an AsiaLaw Elite Practitioner, and a Law Society Pro Bono Ambassador (2021).
What areas of law does Eugene Thuraisingam practice?
Based on court records, Thuraisingam's recent cases involve criminal law, constitutional law, and criminal procedure. His firm practises across nine areas: criminal defence, white collar crime, international arbitration, business disputes, asset protection, private client, insolvency, employment, and crisis management.
Which courts does Eugene Thuraisingam appear in?
Between March 2025 and February 2026, Thuraisingam appeared in the High Court (General Division) in 5 cases and the Court of Appeal in 2 cases. His Court of Appeal appearances include constitutional challenges in capital offence matters.
What is Eugene Thuraisingam's career history?
Thuraisingam was called to the Singapore Bar in 2001 and joined Allen & Gledhill, where he practised for nine years and made partner at age 31. He spent three years at Stamford Law Corporation before founding Eugene Thuraisingam LLP (now Eugene Thuraisingam Asia LLC) in 2012.
Does Eugene Thuraisingam do pro bono work?
Yes, Thuraisingam has extensive pro bono involvement in capital offence defence, recognised with the LASCO Award from the Chief Justice in 2016. He was named a Law Society Pro Bono Ambassador in 2021 and raised SGD 100,000 for Law Society Pro Bono Services through a Run For Justice event that year.
What role does Eugene Thuraisingam typically play in litigation?
Between March 2025 and February 2026, Thuraisingam acted as counsel for the defendant in 4 cases and counsel for the applicant in 3 cases. His defence-side practice reflects his specialisation in criminal defence and constitutional challenges.