Derek Choo Heng Han
Associate Director
Derek is an Associate Director at PKWA Law, specialising in divorce, wills, adoption and probate matters.
Awards and Recognition
Derek was named one of “Singapore’s Rising Stars” in 2024 by Asian Legal Business. This prestigious list highlights “exceptional lawyers who have shown remarkable potential and garnered consistent praise from clients.”
Derek was specifically recognised for his “impressive presence in handling complex divorce cases and high-value matrimonial disputes."
Derek is a specialized family lawyer, whose passion for family law dates back to his undergraduate years. He honed his skills through internships at prominent family law firms in Singapore before joining the legal profession. Throughout his career, Derek has focused exclusively on family law, although he has gained some experience in civil law, personal insolvency, and conveyancing matters.
Derek is a staunch advocate for therapeutic justice, possessing a remarkable ability to devise practical solutions for his clients. He is characterized by his thoughtfulness, attentiveness, and a deep understanding of the emotional needs of clients navigating the most challenging periods of their lives. His dedication extends to the well-being of children affected by their parents’ divorce, and he tirelessly endeavors to resolve legal proceedings efficiently and equitably for all parties involved. Notably, Derek contributed to the research and authorship of an article on children’s voices in divorce proceedings, which was published in the Asian Journal on Mediation in 2016.
Areas of practice
- Divorces, both contentious and non-contentious.
- Probate applications, both contentious and non-contentious.
- Grant of Probate.
- Grant of Letters of Administration.
- Mental Capacity Applications.
- Child Abduction Matters.
- Guardianship applications.
- Adoption Applications.
- Personal Protection Order Applications.
- Maintenance Applications.
- Variation and Enforcement Applications.
- Last Will and Testament.
- Lasting Power of Attorney.
- Bankruptcy Application.
- Deed of Separation.
- Pre-Nuptial and Post-Nuptial agreements.
Before embarking on his undergraduate studies, Derek served as a Commando Officer in the Singapore Armed Forces, demonstrating his commitment to discipline and leadership. In his leisure time, Derek indulges in creative pursuits like pottery, enjoys diving adventures, finds solace in baking, and is an avid traveler.