SINGAPORE: The Subordinate Courts' top judge, Richard Magnus, will be stepping down on August 27, capping 40 years in the public service.

A statement from the Courts said 16 of those years were spent as Senior District Judge, helming the Subordinate Courts' judiciary. Mr Magnus will be succeeded by Principal District Judge Tan Siong Thye.

During this time, Mr Magnus, who has been credited as a "key architect" of Singapore's judicial reforms by the World Bank, implemented various reforms that reshaped the Courts and the administration of justice.

Among his achievements is the virtual court, a first in the world, where offenders can plead their case by electronic means.

He also introduced a court-based mediation in civil and family processes, pre-trial conferences of criminal cases, and status evaluation sessions for family cases.

The 63-year-old judge also laid the ground for judicial education programmes, which included overseas attachments for judicial officers.

He also forged many alliances with foreign judiciaries and organisations, which helped to strengthen the international standing of the Subordinate Courts.

Mr Magnus retired in 2006 but was re-appointed as Senior District Judge subsequently.

On April 2, 2008, he was appointed Chairman of the new Casino Regulatory Authority, and will serve as board member of the Land Transport Authority from September.

- CNA/vm