Always getting chided for being too argumentative? NUS Law alumnus Hairul Hakkim might say it is a skill.
Now a Magistrate at the State Courts of Singapore, Hairul still hasn’t forgotten the formative school experiences that have helped him get to where he is today.
From passion to mission
Hairul is no stranger to hard work. At the tender age of 14, his father, the breadwinner of the family, passed away. Hairul’s family was saddled with astronomical medical debts — not just from the months leading up to his father’s demise, but also from his long-time diabetes treatment.
Even as a teenager, Hairul knew he needed to buckle down and push ahead. Determined to steer his family out of any future financial trouble, he vowed to achieve academic success and attain financial liberty.
However, many obstacles stood in his path. Hairul mostly spoke his mother tongue of Tamil, and having failed English all the way until Primary 4, was still not the most fluent in the language. He knew he needed additional tutoring, but his family could not afford such a luxury.
He took the initiative to seek help from the Singapore Indian Development Association’s (SINDA) STEP Tuition, and after months of diligence, his overall results improved by leaps and bounds.
Things continued looking up in junior college when he discovered his natural flair for argumentative essays, which he channelled into his General Paper. That was when the initially hazy view of his future cleared up, and he decided that pursuing law might be just the thing he was looking for.
“I knew I would enjoy law because I enjoyed crafting arguments, strategically presenting them and convincing another person of my viewpoint,” says Hairul.
Taking charge of his future
Thinking strategically, Hairul chose the course that he felt would help him develop a general proficiency across the different specialisations of law — NUS’ 4-year LLB Programme.
He explains his reason for this decision: “Once you learn the basic skills in the first two years, you’ll be able to pick up virtually any area of law. It’s all about how you read cases and craft arguments.”
He also made it a point to enrol in courses from other NUS faculties such as NUS Business School, as well as participate in organising NUS-wide orientation programmes where he met and befriended students from all walks of life, some of whom later became his closest friends.
Learning from the best
Hairul (first row, second from right), Prof Eleanor Wong (second row, eighth from left) and Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon (second row, tenth from left) with all the NUS Jessup Moot Competitors over the years at the NUS Law 60th anniversary gala dinner.
Bonding with his peers was just one part of Hairul’s vibrant experience at NUS. One of his biggest sources of motivation was his law professors, all of whom created a stimulating learning environment that challenged their students’ limits.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the discussions with my professors and peers. They really challenged us, and encouraged open conversations in the class. They were also very structured and knowledgeable.“
Some professors who made him truly fall in love with law were Professor Thio Li-ann, and Associate Professors Eleanor Wong and Goh Yihan (now a Judicial Commissioner of the Supreme Court). “They’re able to engage in the readings in a very vivid manner, and were very amenable to having consultations outside of class.”
As an example, he fondly remembers the efforts of Prof Wong, who, after giving him his first-ever ‘C’ grade, took care to explain how he could have done the assignment better.
“She did one-on-one mock training sessions with us, and even gave me additional books to read,” he recalls with immense gratitude.
Stepping up to the plate
Hairul unfortunately had to miss out on a key NUS experience — the Student Exchange Programme — due to financial difficulties and his mother’s poor health.
In spite of what was happening at home, Hairul decided to make the best of his situation, and pushed himself to flourish at school while juggling his responsibilities at home. He took the time to participate in one of his biggest passions — mooting, which is a competitive simulation of a court trial.
Hairul (second from right) with the NUS Law 2016 Jessup team.
When the NUS team was selected to participate in the Jessup, one of the most prestigious mooting competitions held yearly in Washington DC, Hairul was elated and seized the opportunity.
“Going to the United States was an eye-opening experience,” he says. “It was enriching to see how different cultures approach the same issue, especially since it was on international law, which, ideologically speaking, is meant to be uniform across the world.”
It did not matter that the team did not make it to the finals, because he gained much more than a trophy: an invaluable, once-in-a-lifetime experience and — more importantly — friends for life.
“The process was what is most important,” shares Hairul, “because that is how we learnt to improve our arguments and deal with setbacks. In the long haul, that is what will help us in our careers.”
Lawyering up
Hairul pictured in his judicial robes at the State Courts of Singapore.
Currently working at the State Courts of Singapore as a Magistrate, Hairul is primarily responsible for presiding over criminal trials, overseeing regulatory summonses, regulatory offences, and making decisions on bail methods. He is also presently an LLM Candidate in Harvard.
The programme, a Master of Laws (Magister Legum or Legum Magister), is an advanced postgraduate academic degree, pursued by those either holding an undergraduate academic law degree, a professional law degree or an undergraduate degree in a related subject.
Each year approximately 1,600 applicants compete for the prestige, and Hairul is now one of 184 candidates in the LLM programme.
While it may sound intensive, Hairul’s self-discipline has prepared him well. Coupled with the management skills he picked up from NUS Law, he is living proof that “working smarter, not harder” is key to succeeding in life.
Hairul is currently a Master of Laws candidate in Harvard.
Apart from his many academic accolades, Hairul is also a passionate volunteer, and frequently gives back to society by lending a hand to youth programmes like Northlight and SINDA Youth Club.
As a previous beneficiary of social aid and various welfare programmes, Hairul is empathetic to those going through similar situations, and eager to help however he can. During his time in NUS, he was also heavily involved in pro bono activities. “I organised and participated in activities involving primary school students from disadvantaged backgrounds and non-ambulant and financially disadvantaged elderly folk, amongst others,” Hairul says.
Today, he is also an Advocacy Trainer for The Law Society of Singapore, training young lawyers for the Singapore Bar Exam, as well as Facillator with the Singapore Institute of Legal Education, where he teaches Evidence Law to overseas undergraduates.
It’s not all work and no play with the young magistrate, though. To unwind, Hairul keeps up a healthy lifestyle by going for runs, playing soccer and frequenting the gym.
How does he do it all?
“Choose courses you’re really interested in and enjoy the learning experience,” he advises aspiring law students. “Because at the end of the day, grades can only get you to the door. The skills and experiences you pick up along the way will take you further than studies ever can.”
“In these four years, you will forge strong friendships and create indelible memories of law school that you will deeply miss and treasure after you graduate. Make the most out of it. Don’t get too caught up in the chase that you forget to stop and smell the roses. We are next to Botanic Gardens after all!“
Hairul (right) and his best friends from NUS Law, Kevin Ho (left) and Ernest Wong (centre).