Interview with Ching Meng Hang

Ching Meng Hang

Director

Get to know Ching Meng Hang, who recently joined the firm as a Director.

Tell me more about yourself

I count my blessings to have been given the privilege of practising law and through it serve my fellow men and women. Law is what I have spent my entire career on, and perhaps the only thing I know. I am particularly interested in the foundations of law, how that translates to legal rules and systems, and ultimately how that impacts individual lives.

At home I am trying to raise 2 young children to be their best selves yet not look away from others’ suffering.

What inspired you to become a lawyer?

I find myself inspired to by each new case I have handled. It is easy to forget the human face behind each dispute – the livelihoods at stake in each dispute and the dignity of each witness facing cross-examination. I find motivation from the privilege of helping deliver justice to each person involved in the legal process.

What are your areas of specialisation?

I specialise in resolving commercial disputes, especially in business partnerships, construction and projects.

Much of my work has been cross-border, involving foreign parties and laws, and is resolved through international commercial arbitration. I have acted as both counsel and arbitrator under the rules of various arbitral institutions.

I enjoy the challenge of bringing order and fairness to complex international disputes.

What was one case you handled that left a lasting impression on you?

My first trial and appeal as lead counsel remains a highlight. The client repeatedly expressed their confidence in my skills. The opponent was worthy and the fight was fair. The court commended both parties for mastering the legal authorities and factual evidence. It was a personally-rewarding example of the justice system functioning as it should.

What gives you the most satisfaction in your work?

I strive to live by Micah 6:8, and hope to do so even more here at Covenant Chambers:

 “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

I find the most satisfaction at the end of the day when I know the privilege of legal practice has been used to these ends.

How do you handle the stresses of work?

Legal practice is high-stakes and emotional. I find peace in the prayer attributed to St Thomas More:

“PRAY that, for the glory of GOD and in the pursuit of His justice, I may be trustworthy with confidences, keen in study, accurate in analysis, correct in conclusion, able in argument, loyal to clients, honest with all, courteous to adversaries, ever attentive to conscience. Sit with me at my desk and listen with me to my clients’ tales. Read with me in my library and stand always beside me so that today I shall not, to win a point, lose my soul.”

Ultimately I have to remind myself to surrender the matter to God, to whom justice truly belongs.

How do you like to spend your time outside of work?

I enjoy finding out about how the world works, and it is great doing “discovery” with my children who constantly challenge my assumptions. So it is with conversing with friends in different industries, visiting a new place, or simply breathing in the scent of nature.