Lim Tean Sentenced to Longer Jail Term for Practising Law Without Certificate

Opposition politician and lawyer Lim Tean has received a longer prison sentence after the High Court dismissed his appeal against a conviction for practising law without a valid practising certificate. The court determined that his original sentence was “manifestly inadequate,” leading to an increase in his jail term.

High Court Increases Sentence

On February 23, 2026, Justice Kannan Ramesh dismissed Mr. Lim’s appeal against his conviction and initial sentence. While the prosecution had sought a jail term of five to eight months, the court ultimately sentenced Lim to three months and one week of imprisonment, along with a S$1,000 fine ([CNA](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/lim-tean-appeal-practising-without-lawyer-certificate-jail-5946361)).

This is a significant increase from his original sentence handed down on February 17, 2025, which consisted of six weeks’ jail and a S$1,000 fine ([The Independent](https://theindependent.sg/lim-tean-sentenced-to-3-months-and-1-week-jail-fined-s1000-for-practising-law-without-a-valid-certificate/)).

Background of the Offence

The charges stem from a period in 2021 when Mr. Lim represented clients several times before his practising certificate had officially taken effect ([MustShare News](https://mustsharenews.com/lim-tean-jailed/)). The prosecution asserted that the evidence showing he acted as an advocate and solicitor without a valid certificate was “clear and incontrovertible” ([The Independent](https://theindependent.sg/lim-tean-sentenced-to-3-months-and-1-week-jail-fined-s1000-for-practising-law-without-a-valid-certificate/)).

Key Takeaways: Legal Proceedings

• Initial Sentence: 6 weeks’ jail and S$1,000 fine (Feb 17, 2025).
• Revised Sentence: 3 months and 1 week’s jail and S$1,000 fine (Feb 23, 2026).
• Presiding Judge: Justice Kannan Ramesh.
• Core Charge: Practising law without a valid certificate under the Legal Profession Act.

Other Pending Legal Challenges

Beyond the conviction for practising without a certificate, Lim Tean faces several other serious charges that remain pending before the court ([CNA](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/lim-tean-appeal-practising-without-lawyer-certificate-jail-5946361)). These include:

• Criminal Breach of Trust: Allegations regarding the misappropriation of a client’s money ([The Independent](https://theindependent.sg/lim-tean-sentenced-to-3-months-and-1-week-jail-fined-s1000-for-practising-law-without-a-valid-certificate/)).
• Unlawful Stalking: Charges related to the unlawful stalking of a former employee ([The Independent](https://theindependent.sg/lim-tean-sentenced-to-3-months-and-1-week-jail-fined-s1000-for-practising-law-without-a-valid-certificate/)).

Political Affiliations

Lim Tean is a prominent figure in Singapore’s opposition landscape. He is the founder of the Peoples Voice (PV) party and serves as the secretary-general of both PV and the People’s Alliance for Reform (PAR), a grouping of opposition parties ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lim_Tean)). He previously served as the secretary-general of the National Solidarity Party (NSP) from 2015 to 2017 ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lim_Tean)).

Following the High Court’s decision on February 23, Mr. Lim announced via Facebook that he has instructed his legal team to appeal the decision to the Court of Appeal.