KhattarWong LLP

2 Feb 2012 – Mr Gurbachan Singh, Managing Partner of KhattarWong LLP – one of Singapore’s most established law firms – and a leading expert on trusts and estates, was conferred today the Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners (STEP) George Tasker Outstanding Achievement Award for 2011.

The award was presented by Ms Goh Seow Chee, President STEP Singapore, in appreciation for Mr Singh’s exceptional and outstanding contributions to the Society above and beyond that normally expected of a member. Mr Singh was a founding member of STEP’s Singapore Chapter which is now the second most important STEP branch after United Kingdom

STEP is a professional body for practitioners specialising in trusts and estate field. It aims to unite practitioners around the world.  It is now represented in 33 countries with 17,000 members worldwide who are highly experienced practitioners in the field of trusts and estate. It was founded by Mr George Tasker in 1991 in the United Kingdom.

With over 30 years’ experience in tax work, Mr Singh’s practices focus on revenue law, private client and trust matters. He is regarded as one of Singapore’s leading tax lawyers and is consistently ranked highly in legal publications such as Asia Pacific Legal 500, Who’s Who Legal and PLC Which Lawyer.

In addition to his membership of STEP, Mr Singh is also a member of the Revenue Chamber of the Editorial and Research Committee of the Malaysian Institute of Taxation.  He sits on the Board of numerous companies. He was until recently, Director of the Singapore Tax Academy as a representative of the Law Society.

Commenting on the award, Mr Singh said, “I am deeply honoured by this award by STEP, whose members have each contributed in their own ways to the development in Singapore of the trusts and estates industry. Singapore is now among the top five such centres globaly with a mature legal framework, financial sector and depth of legal and professional experience which support the growth of the sector.”

“Even as Singaporeans themselves become more aware of the importance of trusts and estate planning, Singapore, with its reputation as a reliable safe haven and a trusted judicial system, will continue to attract private capital flows from overseas. STEP members will continually need to upgrade and help redefine the industry to remain relevant,” he added.