Benjamin Joshua Ong is an Assistant Professor of Law and the Director, Undergraduate Admissions at the Yong Pung How School of Law, SMU. Benjamin studies public law in common-law Southeast Asia and other common-law jurisdictions from a variety of perspectives: he has written about the history of standing rules; Malaysian doctrinal approaches toward constitutional rights; the ‘basic structure doctrine’ in Malaysia in practice; and the theoretical issues raised by ouster clauses in Singapore and the UK. His work also extends to intersections with criminal and civil procedure and private law: he has considered the investigatory powers in Malaysia and prosecutorial powers in Trinidad and Tobago and the common-law world generally, as well as victim compensation in Singapore; the High Court of Singapore has accepted his views examining the law of civil procedure through a constitutional lens; and he has appeared as amicus curiae in a leading case involving novel issues relating to compensation for “frivolous or vexatious” prosecution. Through his teaching activities, Benjamin aims to contribute toward law and social science students’ growth through interactive seminars that combine foundational knowledge, the development of analytical skills, and exploration of the latest legal developments.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Civil Law, University of Oxford
- Bachelor of Arts (Jurisprudence) (First Class), University of Oxford
- ACCA Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Business
Courses Taught in SMU
- Constitutional and Administrative Law
- The Singapore Legal System
- Governance Through Law in Singapore: Institutions, Jurisprudence, and Values (with Eugene K B Tan)
Research Areas / Areas of Specialisation
- Constitutional law
- Administrative law
- Criminal procedure
- Civil remedies