Charles Yeo struck off roll after court finds him unfit for legal profession

Charles Yeo Yao Hui, a former lawyer and chairman of Singapore’s Reform Party, has been struck off the roll of advocates and solicitors following a damning decision by the Court of Three Judges.

The judgment, released on 28 November 2025, found that Yeo had engaged in conduct that “unequivocally signified serious defects of character” and rendered him wholly unfit to continue in the profession.

Yeo, who absconded from Singapore in 2022 while facing criminal proceedings, is currently in the United Kingdom. He is fighting an extradition request filed by the Singapore government.

Severe breaches of professional duties

The Law Society of Singapore (LawSoc) initiated five disciplinary applications against Yeo, citing breaches across four categories:

1. Mismanagement of client monies and accounting records under the Solicitors' Accounts Rules (SAR).

2. Mishandling of workplace injury claims for migrant workers.

3. Misconduct in court proceedings, particularly involving last-minute applications to delay executions.

4. Public attacks against the judiciary and Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) via social media.

In a detailed judgment delivered by Justice of Appeal Steven Chong, the Court condemned Yeo’s conduct as going “far beyond one-off lapses”, stating that the “quantity and quality” of his breaches showed systemic disregard for his legal obligations.

Financial misconduct and negligence towards clients

Among the most serious findings were at least 185 breaches of the SAR during Yeo’s time as director of Whitefield Law Corporation. These included unauthorised cash withdrawals from client accounts, single-signature cheques exceeding permissible limits, and failure to segregate client funds from office monies.

The court further criticised Yeo’s conduct in three separate workplace injury suits involving Bangladeshi migrant workers. In each case, Yeo failed to verify client identities or obtain proper instructions, relying instead on a non-lawyer intermediary, Mr Ranjit. Settlements were reached and disbursed without the knowledge or consent of the injured workers.

In some cases, the settlement sums never reached the intended clients. The court described Yeo’s actions as showing a “cavalier disregard” for clients’ welfare and professional responsibilities.

Contemptuous conduct in court and social media

The judgment also highlighted Yeo’s court conduct in filing urgent applications just before the execution of two prisoners on death row. These applications were found to be “abuses of process” and were riddled with misleading representations about legal policy, psychiatric diagnoses, and the prison system’s practices.

Yeo’s Instagram account, which bore the handle @toxicstatenarrativeinsg, was also a central subject of the disciplinary proceedings.

Yeo was said to have levelled vulgar, unfounded, and inflammatory accusations—across multiple posts—against the judiciary, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), fellow lawyers, and public institutions.

The court said his conduct brought the legal profession into “disrepute” and demonstrated an “unbecoming comportment” incompatible with the responsibilities of an advocate and solicitor.

He also used his public platform to attack those involved in disciplinary proceedings against him, describing the courts as “kangaroo courts” and stating on Instagram that he would “spit” on them. The court emphasised that such behaviour, coupled with his complete absence of remorse, cemented the decision to disbar him.

Court finds no chance of rehabilitation

Justice Chong noted that Yeo refused to participate in the disciplinary process, boycotting both the Disciplinary Tribunal and the Court of Three Judges hearings.

The DT hearing took place on 25 May 2023, and the Court of Three Judges hearing was held on 11 September 2025. Despite being given the opportunity to attend the latter remotely via Zoom, Yeo failed to appear.

The court concluded that there was “little to no chance” of rehabilitation, and Yeo had shown no insight into his misconduct. As such, the only appropriate sanction was to strike him off the roll with immediate effect.

Following the release of the judgment, Yeo posted a series of statements on Instagram rejecting the decision and characterising the process as politically motivated due to his opposition to the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP).

Extradition proceedings underway in the UK

As Singapore’s courts handed down the disbarment order, legal proceedings in the United Kingdom are underway for Yeo’s extradition. He surrendered to UK authorities last November after a formal request was made by Singapore.

According to AGC, the extradition request relates to several criminal charges, including abetment of cheating, harassment of a public servant, and remarks deemed to wound religious feelings. These are separate from the disciplinary matters and stem from police investigations launched prior to his departure.

Yeo was released on bail amounting to £75,000 (approximately S$128,000). He is contesting the extradition with legal representation and is also seeking asylum in the UK, citing alleged political persecution.

His legal team argues that the charges against him are politically motivated, citing his opposition to Singapore’s handling of human rights and capital punishment cases.

However, the AGC maintains that due process has been followed and has refrained from commenting further as the matter is before the UK courts.