Tributes pour in for law icon Harry Elias, who dies at age 83

Founding chairman of Criminal Legal Aid Scheme lauded for his work and character

Members of the Jewish community taking the body of Mr Harry Elias, founder of Harry Elias Partnership, for burial at the Jewish Cemetery yesterday. He had a long illness and died on Wednesday. Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam conveying his
Members of the Jewish community taking the body of Mr Harry Elias, founder of Harry Elias Partnership, for burial at the Jewish Cemetery yesterday. He had a long illness and died on Wednesday. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
Members of the Jewish community taking the body of Mr Harry Elias, founder of Harry Elias Partnership, for burial at the Jewish Cemetery yesterday. He had a long illness and died on Wednesday. Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam conveying his
Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam conveying his condolences to Mr Elias' wife Thelma at the Jewish Cemetery yesterday. Mr Shanmugam said the late senior counsel was a much sought-after lawyer and "a gem of a man". ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
Members of the Jewish community taking the body of Mr Harry Elias, founder of Harry Elias Partnership, for burial at the Jewish Cemetery yesterday. He had a long illness and died on Wednesday. Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam conveying his
Senior Counsel Harry Elias ST FILE PHOTO
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Local law giant Harry Elias, who was the founding chairman of the Law Society's Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (Clas) some 35 years ago, died on Wednesday.

He was 83.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 28, 2020, with the headline Tributes pour in for law icon Harry Elias, who dies at age 83. Subscribe