C J Koh Law Library Image C J Koh Law Library Image

The Law Library was originally established in September 1963/64, catering primarily to the Faculty of Law. It was then part of the former Raffles College (now NUS at Bukit Timah).

In March 1980, the library moved to new premises at Kent Ridge, occupying two floors of the new Faculty of Law building. It was later renamed the C J Koh Law Library on 1st January 2001, in memory of the late Mr Koh Choon Joo who donated more than S$5 million towards the upgrading of the library and its collection.

On 27th February 2002, the late former Chief Justice Yong Pung How presided over the library's official opening under its new name.

Following the Government's announcement to reallocate the Bukit Timah premises to NUS on 28th May 2005, the Library made its historic return to its first home in August 2006. Three years later, on 11th November 2009, the C J Koh Law Library building was gazetted a national monument (cf Straits Times article).

The C J Koh Law Library is home to a noteworthy collection of legal resources of Singapore and other common law jurisdictions, extensive collections on international and comparative law as well as international trade law. It caters to the needs of the Faculty of Law, and its various institutes and centres.

Facility Booking

The NUS Law Library entered a major chapter in its history on 1 January 2001, when it was renamed the C J Koh Law Library. All this was made possible with the generous donation from the late philanthropist and lawyer, Mr Koh Choon Joo, fondly known as Mr C J Koh. The late Mr Koh's pledge of $5 million in 1997 made it possible for the law library to embark on an extensive renovation and extension project in July 2000 at Kent Ridge. This culminated in the official opening of the C J Koh Law Library under its new name on 27 February 2002.

 

The late Mr Koh's generous nature can be seen in his many donations to various educational institutions. NUS has benefitted greatly from Mr C J Koh’s donation of more than 7 million, which includes a $5 million pledge for the Law Library building, $2 million to set up the C J Koh Professorship in Law (launched in October 1996), $200,000 for two law scholarships, a donation of $500,000 to the NUS Endowment Fund to initiate acquisition of law books for the C J Koh Collection at the Law Library and $30,000 to kick-start this collection.

 

Mr C J Koh was born in Indonesia in 1901, the second son of Mr Koh Ijin Keng. His father, a merchant from Tegal, Java, Dutch East Indies, sent him to England at the tender age of six for his early education. He stayed with a Welsh family and studied in North Wales. He later proceeded to London, where he was admitted to the Middle Temple on 17 March 1925. Our research shows that Mr C J Koh was called to the Bar at the Middle Temple on 26 January 1928. He was described in the Middle Temple records as being 28 years old, a headmaster holding a B.A. (Wales) and being resident at 5 Talgarth Road, West Kensington, W14. Upon being called, Mr Koh came to Singapore and joined Sir Song Ong Siang in his law firm and practised law till he set up his own practice.

 

Mr Koh is remembered as a quiet and reserved individual. He enjoyed writing poetry and fiction. He read the works of great philosophers like Socrates and Aristotle, and even kept a scrap book with his thoughts on these philosophical works and his own observations on life. Mr Koh was an enthusiastic artist and avid art collector. In his retirement years, he completed some 400 oil paintings, several of which are now displayed in the C J Koh Art Gallery on level 2 of the Law Library. A self-taught artist, Mr Koh only stopped painting when he was too feeble to do so. As a lawyer, he inspired great loyalty among his clients, so much so they always insisted that he was their lawyer when they needed legal advice. He also served as a magistrate in the Juvenile Court in Singapore in an honorary capacity at the age of 50. This remarkable and unassuming gentleman passed away peacefully on 6 September 1997, at the ripe old age of 96.

 

NUS will always remember the generosity and vision of this remarkable man. The C J Koh Law Library, in particular, wishes to express its sincere gratitude and thanks to the late Mr Koh. His invaluable donation has helped the Law Library take its place among the premier law libraries of the world. We would also like to express our gratitude to his Trustee, the late Mr Ong Tiong Tat, for his sincerity and enthusiasm in perpetuating Mr C J Koh’s name and vision.

C J Koh Law Library features a variety of spaces and resources available for the NUS Community’s learning, research, and teaching needs. Explore some of the featured spaces or visit the Facilities page to view the full list.

 

 

 

 

 

NUS Libraries Virtual Tours

Take a virtual tour of our libraries. Virtual tours are available for the following libraries:

CentralC J Koh Law • Hon Sui Sen Memorial • Medicine+ScienceMusic • Wan Boo Sow Chinese

Finding your way within the library? Access the

Take a virtual tour of each level:
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
C J Koh Law Library

469D Bukit Timah Road Singapore 259773

Tel: +65 6516 2043

Fax: +65 6468 3407

cjkohlib@nus.edu.sg

For detailed directions, please use  NUS Campus Map Directions or  Google Maps journey planner.

By MRT

Nearest MRT station: Botanic Gardens (CC19)

Take a 10-min walk through the Botanical Gardens (Bukit Timah Core) in the direction of the Tower Block. Follow directional signs to the Law Library once you are on campus.

Alternatively, cross the pedastrian bridge from Bukit Timah Road to the bus stop along Dunearn Road and take the Internal Shuttle Bus BTC (DD1/DD2) to the campus.

For train information, see: SMRT MRT (includes Station Info & Network Map)


By Public Bus

Bus stop locations:

  • Bukit Timah Road - bus stop outside Jacob Ballas Children's Garden (number 41011)
  • Dunearn Road - bus stop just after Kheam Hock Road (number 41019)

SMRT buses: 67, 171 (see: Bus eGuide)

SBS Transit buses: 48, 66, 151*, 153 154, 156, 170, 186 (see: Bus: Service Information)

See: NUS Bukit Timah Campus - Public Transport Services

*Direct bus service between Kent Ridge Campus and Bukit Timah Campus.

BTC 1 provides transport between Bukit Timah Campus and Kent Ridge Campus.

See: Internal Shuttle Bus BTC (DD1/DD2)


 

 

Limited parking lots are available at BTC for visitors.

See: Car Park Map
See also: Parking Information

For detailed directions, please use NUS Campus Map Directions or Google Maps journey planner.

 

Opening Hours

Libraries are closed on the following dates:
Mon, 1 Jan 2024
(New Year's Day)
Fri, 29 Mar 2024
(Good Friday)*
Fri, 9 Aug 2024
(National Day)*
Thu, 4 Jan 2024
(Staff Event)
Wed, 10 Apr 2024
(Hari Raya Puasa)*
Thu, 31 Oct 2024
(Deepavali)*
Sat, 10 Feb 2024
(Chinese New Year)*
Wed, 1 May 2024
(Labour Day)*
Fri, 1 Nov 2024
(NUS Well-Being Day)*
Mon, 12 Feb 2024
(Chinese New Year)*
Wed, 22 May 2024
(Vesak Day)
Wed, 25 Dec 2024
(Christmas Day)
Thu, 28 Mar 2024
(NUS Well-Being Day)*
Mon, 17 Jun 2024
(Hari Raya Haji)

*except Yale-NUS College Library

Opening hours are shortened on the following dates:
Fri, 9 Feb 2024 (Chinese New Year's Eve) - Closes at 2:00pm (except Yale-NUS College Library)
Additional notes:
C J Koh Law Library
Angsana Rooms 1 and 2 are open to NUS staff and students 24/7.
Medicine+Science Library
Level 1 Atrium and Level 2 Study Area are open to NUS staff and students 24/7.
Wan Boo Sow Chinese Library (雲茂潮中文图书馆)
Closed 1-hour before Central Library's closing time during term time.

15 JUL - 21 JUL 2024

Jul 15 Mon

09:00 AM - 06:00 PM

Jul 16 Tue

09:00 AM - 06:00 PM

Jul 17 Wed

09:00 AM - 06:00 PM

Jul 18 Thu

09:00 AM - 06:00 PM

Jul 19 Fri

09:00 AM - 06:00 PM

Jul 20 Sat

10:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Jul 21 Sun

CLOSED

Angsana Room 2 (L1)

Jul 15 Mon

12:00 AM - 11:59 PM

Jul 16 Tue

12:00 AM - 11:59 PM

Jul 17 Wed

12:00 AM - 11:59 PM

Jul 18 Thu

12:00 AM - 11:59 PM

Jul 19 Fri

12:00 AM - 11:59 PM

Jul 20 Sat

12:00 AM - 11:59 PM

Jul 21 Sun

12:00 AM - 11:59 PM

Angsana Room 1 (L1)

Jul 15 Mon

12:00 AM - 11:59 PM

Jul 16 Tue

12:00 AM - 11:59 PM

Jul 17 Wed

12:00 AM - 11:59 PM

Jul 18 Thu

12:00 AM - 11:59 PM

Jul 19 Fri

12:00 AM - 11:59 PM

Jul 20 Sat

12:00 AM - 11:59 PM

Jul 21 Sun

12:00 AM - 11:59 PM

15 JUL - 21 JUL 2024 Jul 15 Mon Jul 16 Tue Jul 17 Wed Jul 18 Thu Jul 19 Fri Jul 20 Sat Jul 21 Sun
C J Koh Law Library 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM 10:00 AM - 05:00 PM CLOSED
Angsana Room 2 (L1) 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Angsana Room 1 (L1) 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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