Independent practice · Singapore
Lawtrace Advocates LLP
We are an independent legal practice on Upper Cross Street, established in 2014, with seven people who advise and represent private individuals and companies in criminal, civil, family, employment, regulatory and appellate matters.
Our work is consultation and representation by qualified people. This website describes who we are, what we handle, and how proceedings in Singapore are structured.
The writing here is general information. It is not legal advice on any particular matter.
Areas of work
The practice is organised so that each matter has a responsible lawyer and a written record of scope. A first attendance is arranged by telephone or e-mail. The client brings documents already in their possession. Counsel reads the material, records what was discussed, and sets out the next procedural step in writing where appropriate.
Work is allocated according to area and stage: criminal trials sit with the criminal team; civil pleadings with the civil partners; regulatory correspondence with consultants who focus on written responses. Files are stored securely and only those working on the matter have access.
The practice room on the seventh floor — documents read here before any court date.
The people in the practice
Seven lawyers and consultants work from one office beside Hong Lim Park. Three are described here; the full list is on the counsel page.
Gerald Toh Kim Seng
Managing Partner
22 years in practice · criminal defence and appellate work
Gerald reads the investigative record before any conference with a client. He asks for the sequence of events in the client's own words, then maps those facts against the charge sheet and the disclosure that has arrived. His attendance notes record what was said, what documents were received, and what the next procedural step is. He prefers written representations where the facts allow, and he explains each court date before it happens so that a client knows who will attend and why.
Winston Chia Meng Kiat
Head of Criminal Practice
19 years in practice · criminal trials and pre-trial procedure
Winston tests the prosecution's theory against the disclosed material line by line. He prepares clients for interviews and for the witness box by rehearsing the sequence of questions without telling them what to say. Before a mention or a pre-trial conference he summarises the position in writing for the client and for counsel appearing that day. He retains experts only where the facts require a report, and he explains what that report can and cannot establish.
Serene Ho Mei Fong
Partner
15 years in practice · civil disputes and employment matters
Serene begins with the documents the client already holds: contracts, correspondence, termination letters, and any tribunal or court papers. She drafts a short note on limitation periods and on the routes available before any letter is sent. In employment matters she maps the internal process the employer followed and identifies what is missing from the record. She prefers early written exchange where it narrows the dispute.
All counsel profiles
How a first attendance is arranged
01Enquiry by telephone or e-mail. The office confirms whether the matter falls within the areas handled and proposes a time for attendance.
02Attendance in the office at People's Park Centre. The client brings existing documents. Counsel records the account and lists what else is needed.
03Scope recorded in writing. The note sets out what work will be done, who will do it, and what the next procedural step is.
04The next procedural step — filing, a mention, representations, or further conference — is scheduled and explained before it happens.
14 March 2026
A note on joint charges, common intention and weapon-related allegations in a publicly reported multi-party proceeding.
Winston Chia Meng Kiat
Full article index
Beyond the counsel list and the six areas of work, the site holds a procedural note on criminal defence, a plain history of the practice since 2014, and six open articles on statute and court procedure. Each article is reachable from the index and opens on its own page.
The criminal defence page follows the sequence of a matter from investigation through to the appeal window. It describes work at each stage without promising any outcome. The history page describes categories of matter only — never a named case, a client, or a result.
Readers who want practical answers about attendance, documents, or confidentiality will find them on the questions page. That page does not discuss fees or predict results.
The practice occupies level seven of People's Park Centre on Upper Cross Street, beside Hong Lim Park. Attendance is by appointment. Chinatown MRT is the nearest station; Clarke Quay and Maxwell are within walking distance along covered walkways when it rains.
101 Upper Cross Street, #07-16 People's Park Centre, Singapore 058357
Directions and hours
