The Law is an Ass

So said Mr Bumble in Oliver Twist. But Singapore lawyers have the late Justice Punch Coomaraswamy to thank for small mercies. Known for his humour, the late judge nonetheless anguished — whilst working on the draft legislation which subsequently became the Legal Profession Act — over the name he was to bestow upon the new association of Advocates and Solicitors. In the end, the late judge christened it the Law Society of Singapore. For to name it the Association of Advocates and Solicitors would have attracted a rather ignominious acronym!

Lights, Camera, Action!

A TCS actor who testified in a recent criminal trial was quoted at the end of the trial as saying that the lawyers in court were not as 'fierce' as they are on television (see The Straits Times, 8 January 2000). The defence lawyer in question was none too pleased that his courtroom theatrics had failed to impress, but he may have had the last laugh upon the acquittal of his client, the trial judge not accepting the witness' evidence. He (the lawyer, not the trial judge!) was reported as having said, tongue-in-cheek, that the actor had obviously not put on his best performance, either! No Star Awards this time, it seems.

Truly Paperless

One month into EFS and the initial uproar seems to have trickled in true Singapore style to a faint murmur.

One lawyer was overheard saying that the system was not truly paperless as he claimed there are at least five paper documents which have to be filled before a writ can be electronically filed. Perhaps, it should be more accurately called ‘lesspaper’ rather than ‘paperless’, he argued.

Practitioners who braved the e-filing their PCs were pleasantly surprised to receive an almost instantaneous printout, bearing the distinctive signature of the Registrar, Supreme Court, in electronic form. His Honour is keeping good company and has, in riding the electronic wave, overtaken at least one illustrious signatory. The Times (London) (11 February) reported the British Department of Trade and Industry still trying to persuade the Queen to abandon her fountain pen for once and her distinctive, elegant Elizabeth R, and give her Royal Assent to the first Bill of the 21st Century by electronic signature.

The legislation in question? Why, the Electronic Communications Bill, of course!

Blind Justice?

A new twist to the old adage that justice is blind. The 20 March edition of The Times (London) reported the appointment of John Lafferty as an assistant recorder in the criminal courts, by the Lord Chancellor, Lord Irving of Lairg, last week. The Lord Chancellor in calling more lawyers with disabilities to put themselves forward for appointment, had these inspirational words to say: 'Justice is about fairness and equality. Whether people are able-bodied, deaf or blind, or experience mobility problems, they should all have an equal opportunity to use the justice system to uphold their rights.'

After all, oftentimes, the truth is not so much seen as heard!