Ng Wing Cheong

Ng Wing Cheong was admitted to the Bar on 21 June 1963. He started practice as a legal assistant with Chung & Co soon after his admission to the Bar. Subsequently, he set up the firm of Ng & Ng with Jackie Ng Lian Chian. When Jackie Ng retired from the firm, he continued to practise in the firm of Ng & Ng until his untimely death on Chinese New Year’s day on 1 February 2003 at the age of 67.

Ng Wing Cheong was an exceptionally good solicitor with a sound knowledge of the law and outstanding drafting skills. His relaxed manner and nonchalant attitude often belied a sharp intellect and an uncanny ability to handle difficult situations with great patience. He served with distinction as a member of the Council of the Law Society from 1978 to 1986. His grasp of the Rules of Court were well known particularly to the junior members of the Bar who sought his guidance regularly. In fact, he served as Chairman of the Subordinate Courts Rules Committee from 1980 to 1983 and later from 1985 to 1986. He also served as a member of the Inquiry Panel appointed by the Chief Justice under s 84 of the Legal Profession Act (Cap 161) from 1991 to 30 November 2001 when he had to retire from the Inquiry Panel due to ill health.

Ng Wing Cheong had many friends, not only amongst members of the Bar but also amongst those whom he had come in contact with whilst in practice — whether they were clients, friends or those who had sought his services as a Commissioner for Oaths or Notary Public. Though stricken with cancer some three years before his death, he went faithfully to his office to attend to his clients until a few days before his death. Such was the level of his conscientiousness towards his responsibilities to the very end.

Ng Wing Cheong has in his own way played ‘many parts’ — as lawyer, draftsman, Council Member, husband, father and friend. One is reminded of the words of Shakespeare in Act II scene 7 of As You Like It:

All the world’s a stage
And all the men and women merely players
They have their exits and their entrances
And one man in his time plays many parts
His acts being seven ages.

Ng Wing Cheong leaves behind his widow and two children who are both law graduates. We want to assure them that they do not mourn alone.

Giam Chin Toon, SC
Wee Swee Teow & Co