FROM a small-town upbringing in the West to studying law in Europe, Deepesh Singh’s path reflects a clear sense of purpose.
In 2014, he moved from Nadi to Suva to pursue law and commerce at the University of the South Pacific. His commitment to his studies earned him the Gold Medal for Most Outstanding Law Graduate.
He went on to spend more than seven years in corporate law, developing a strong, practical understanding of legal systems. Along the way, his ambitions expanded beyond Fiji, eventually leading him to further his legal journey in Europe.
But it was his recent academic milestone that set him apart. Singh became the first Fijian to complete the European Master of Law and Economics program, graduating with distinction and ranking fourth overall.
Beneath that achievement, however, lies a more complex story.
“The start of the programme was, without a doubt, the most difficult period,” he said.
“I had moved halfway across the world into a completely unfamiliar environment where I didn’t speak language and where I was surrounded by individuals with very strong academic backgrounds.”
In those early days, the challenge was not just academic.
“There were times when I genuinely felt like I did not belong there,” he said.
“I was always trying to ‘catch up’ with my peers while learning how to navigate an entirely new environment.”
The unfamiliar extended into the everyday.
“Even something as basic as buying groceries felt like a challenge,” he said. “What would normally be a simple supermarket visit turned into something closer to a treasure hunt.”
Yet, it was within that discomfort that clarity began to take shape.
“What helped me through that period was focusing on my purpose,” he explains.
“I reminded myself that this was less about me and more for my family and in some way, my country.”
Singh specialised in markets, corporations and regulators – a field that examines how laws function beyond paper.
“Usually, we assume that once laws are written and passed, the job is done,” he said. “But the important bit is what happens after that? Does the law actually have the desired effect? What is the actual effect on consumers, businesses and the broader economy?
For him, the intersection of law and economics is about accountability.
“Economic principles allow us to move beyond intention of the law and focus on actual outcomes,” he said.
“They encourage us to continuously evaluate and improve rather than assume that the law is functioning as intended.”
His approach to study mirrored that philosophy – deliberate and grounded.
“I tried to be very intentional with my time,” he said.
“I placed a strong emphasis on understanding the underlying principles and applying them to real life examples in Fiji or the region.”
Now, his focus turns homeward.
“I hope to contribute to nation building by applying what I have learned,” he said, pointing to a long-term goal of strengthening legal and economic systems for the benefit of society.
Success, for Singh, has taken on a different meaning.
“Its about contributing in a meaningful way,” he said.
Ensuring that laws achieve their intended outcomes and genuinely benefit people in Fiji.
And behind it all remains a constant.
“My family has always been there for me,” he said.
“Their support has been constant and relentless. This has allowed me to pursue every dream that I have had. All that I am, I owe to them.”
His advice to aspiring lawyers aiming to study abroad is to take the leap.
“There will be uncertainty and challenges but that is part of the process,” he said.
“The most important thing is that you believe that you belong in those spaces.”
