FAZAL MOHD BIN ABDUL KARIM
senior partner, Commissioner for Oath & Notary Public
Mr Fazal graduated in 1979 in the United Kingdom with his Degree in Bachelor of Laws. He was called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn in July 1980 and read his Masters’ Degree at University College London in 1981, majoring in General Insurance Law. In October 1982, he was admitted in the Supreme Court as an Advocate and Solicitor in Singapore.
Fazal has been in practice for the last three decades. He started practice in General Litigation, dealing with a myriad of disputes such as criminal matters, landlord and tenancy, as well as family matters for the first seven years. For the past 23 years, he has carved a niche for himself in Insurance Law, particularly, dealing with Personal Injury and damage claims related to motor insurance, workmen compensation insurance, contractors’ all-risk policies and public liability insurance. Over the years, he has appeared in the Subordinate Courts, Supreme court and Court of Appeal on both issues of liability and quantum.
Fazal has also done work and appeared before the President of the Syariah Court and the Appeal Board. He had sat for a while on the Appeal Board to hear Appeals from the Syariah Court. He still advises on matters on Syariah Law. He has also appeared before University Tribunals representing students who were disciplined by the University in Singapore.
As a father to 4 children, Fazal strikes a balance between spending time with his family and being at the helm of a fulfilling practice.
MR FAZAL’s notable cases
Fazal has appeared in many cases involving the issues of liability and quantum which arose from Road Traffic Accidents and Workmen’s Compensation.
He has also dealt with claims for contribution by one insurer against another on the principles of double insurance. The High Court held that the policy whose existence was alleged to give rise to double insurance had not taken effect in respect of the loss, because it had been effectively excluded from cover by the terms of the policy.
Fazal has acted on many occasions for Insured drivers who had been charged with Road Traffic offences, in particular, in one case, where the driver was charged with causing death by negligent driving. The matter proceeded to trial, and the driver was acquitted of the charge. As a consequence of the acquittal, the civil claim was discontinued against the Insured driver.
Fazal had also defended his insurer client in a complex claim intimated by a 27-year-old who sustained severe brain injuries in a road traffic accident.
