Law students recognised
Vanessa was presented with the SINDA Excellence Award for academic excellence
Two NUS Law students have been recognised for their efforts — one for overcoming the odds to achieve academic distinction and the other in volunteerism.
On 23 September, Vanessa Zavir received the SINDA (Singapore Indian Development Association) Excellence Award, presented to Indian students for excellence in academic performance, sports and the arts. Currently a Year 1 NUS Law student, she did not arrive at NUS by a traditional route, having initially failed to enter NUS Law after completing her A Levels in 2010. Vanessa embarked on a three-year break from studies to work, after which she enrolled in the Law and Management diploma programme at Temasek Polytechnic.
Things were not all smooth-sailing as Vanessa found herself studying alongside course mates who were five years younger. “There was a disconnect at times in terms of the things we were exposed to and the resulting conversations,” she admitted. Deciding to put a positive spin on the situation, Vanessa began to be more appreciative of others’ perspectives. Earlier this year, she graduated as the valedictorian.
Speaking of her keen interest in law, Vanessa said, “I enjoy the thinking behind it, and I think that it’s very interesting in that it takes apart a small idea.” She enjoys what she is studying, and has a particular fondness for contract law.
Vanessa worked as a paralegal for some eight months prior to entering NUS Law and found the experience useful. “Having seen the practical side of law, when I do the theory now, I make the linkage and the picture becomes whole,” she shared.
Year 4 NUS Law student Shaun Lim was honoured with the Outstanding Court Volunteer Award (Student Category) — the only winner in this category — by the State Courts on 14 September for his unstinting commitment and dedication to pro bono work.
Shaun (right) with Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon during the Judiciary Volunteers Appreciation Dinner 2017, when he was honoured with the Outstanding Court Volunteer Award (Student Category) by the State Courts for dedication to pro bono work (photo: State Courts)
Shaun has been volunteering in the State Courts Student Representatives Programme, a joint initiative between the Community Justice and Tribunals Division of the State Courts (CJTD) and NUS Law Pro Bono Office, since it was launched in June 2016. He assists in harassment cases, community disputes, small claims and employment claims cases, while guiding the litigants-in-person through the court process. Currently a Senior Student Representative, Shaun has taken on a leadership role to coordinate the efforts of student volunteers, manage the case load of the programme and assist NUS Law Associate Professor (Professional Practice) Lim Lei Theng in training and supervising fellow students.
Shaun is able to manage his school and volunteer work by keeping close tabs on academic deadlines, court sessions and training of new volunteers. “If push comes to shove, a few pots of tea help with getting work out before looming deadlines,” he quipped.
Sharing that volunteering has benefitted his legal studies, he said, “Helping people to draft claim forms keeps my legal writing skills sharp and in practice, it is something we don't really get after our first year.” Inspired by the work carried out at CJTD, he also completed a research paper on relevant statutes.
In addition to his current activities, the industrious student is a research assistant for NUS Law Dean Professor Simon Chesterman, working on the research topic “Can Money Buy Justice”.
