Looking back now in 2026, one moment in my career still fills me with immense gratitude and pride. It was the evening I received the Outstanding Court Volunteer Award in the Advocate and Solicitor category, presented by the Honourable Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon.
I remember standing there feeling humbled in a way that is hard to put into words. It was not simply an award. It was an affirmation of something deeply meaningful to me. Volunteer mediation has always been close to my heart, and to be recognised specifically in the Advocate and Solicitor category made the honour even more personal. It reflected the work I had invested over the years, the many hours spent helping parties find common ground, and the emotional investment in each case that came before me. Work that reflects not only legal skill but empathy, patience and the ability to help people regain clarity during difficult moments.
I have served as a volunteer mediator since 2011. Over the years I have guided many parties through conflict, sitting with their emotions, frustrations and fears. My focus has never been on pushing them toward settlement. It has always been about creating a safe and honest space. The press release that year noted that I achieved a one hundred percent settlement rate for the matters assigned to me.
But what mattered to me was not the number. It was the human lives behind each case and the relief that appeared on faces when resolution finally became possible.
Today, in 2026, the justice system continues to evolve. We are more intentional about making the process clearer and more supportive for the public. But despite these developments, the heart of the work has remained exactly the same. It is still about people. It is still about dignity. It is still about guiding parties toward peace.
Receiving the Outstanding Court Volunteer Award in the Advocate and Solicitor category remains one of the proudest moments of my career. It reminded me why I volunteer. It reminded me why mediation matters. Most importantly, it reminded me that service is a privilege. I am grateful for every opportunity to contribute to a judiciary that values compassion as much as it values the law.
