It was not quite a gathering of King Arthur's knights with goblets of wine, but a gathering of young lawyers seated at the feet of three of our more revered and respected senior litigation lawyers from our bar. It was an entertaining and enriching evening with Mr Harry Elias, SC, Mr Chandra Mohan and Mr Philip Jeyaretnam at a Round Table Discussion organised by the Young Lawyers' Committee held at the Law Society's Conference Room on 15 September 2000.
The event was attended by more than 50 participants comprising mainly of young lawyers who came to imbibe what the senior lawyers had to impart. The Conference Room was bursting at its seams, but it certainly showed the Conference Room's capability to accommodate such numbers for similar future events!
The evening began with Mr Philip Jeyaretnam donning 'The Helmet of Truth: Trial preparation and effective research'. He shared with the participants the importance of being familiar with the territory before going to battle. In essence, it involves thorough preparation, reviewing all the relevant documents in advance and getting up to speed with the latest legal position by way of effective research.
Mr Chandra Mohan then proceeded to explain that if we, as lawyers, are sensitive and careful when providing our service to the client, the client may eventually even become a true friend. Indeed without clients, there can be no legal practice. Mr Chandra Mohan then reviewed the finer points of dealing with clients, taking instructions and directions in his topic of 'The Sword of Truth'.
The evening's last speaker was Senior Counsel Mr Harry Elias. With his usual wit and eloquence, Mr Elias impressed on all present the importance of maintaining integrity as a solicitor. In discussing 'The Breastplate of Honour: Integrity at the Bar and other unwritten rules', Mr Elias stressed that the Professional Conduct Rules basically codified principles that were intrinsic to honourable conduct. Without honour, we should cease being lawyers.
Moving on to a different type of vintage, the young lawyers then proceeded to the lobby of the Law Society for some fine wine and a buffet dinner which brought the event to a close.
Perhaps the old weapons of war are not quite so different from the modern missiles, after all …
Daniel Koh
M/s Engelin Teh & Partners
 |
 |
 |
 |