Council Updates

31 May 2002

Mid-year Workplan 2002 Review
A mid-year review of the Workplan 2002 would be held on 6 July 2002. The objective of the session would be to review how far the objectives for the year have been met, and whether there is a need to amend any of the previously identified programmes and activities for achieving the key strategies.

Paperless Communication with Members
Council adopted the recommendation to implement a paperless mode of communication with members that would take effect from 1 August 2002. Ex-Co would study the implementation timelines proposed by the Secretariat.

Implementation of the Concept of Practice Sections for the Law Society
At a meeting with the chairpersons of the identified practice sections, the chairpersons were generally of the view that the profession was too small to operate as effective practice sections. Besides, the manpower constraints of the Secretariat would also make it difficult to administer effective practice sections.

As several committee chairpersons were interested in receiving feedback from members on their practice areas, Council requested the Secretariat to look into creating chat rooms at the Society's website for members to provide feedback and comments on these practice areas: civil, criminal, corporate, intellectual property, family and real property.

Interim Report of the Multi-disciplinary Practices ('MDP') Committee
Mr George Tan, Chairman of the MDP Committee, presented before Council the salient points of the Committee's report which, in essence, recommends the adoption of a MDP Group Law Practice ('GLP') model.

Council was referred to the proposed draft Legal Profession (Multi-disciplinary Group Law Practice) Rules. The following four (proposed) rules were highlighted:

• Rule 6(3) that sets out specified categories of professionals who could form a GLP with lawyers.
• Rule 9 of the Rules that allows for fee sharing and profits sharing, subject to the conditions listed in r 9(1)(a) to (e).
• Rule 5 that provides for separate liability when lawyers and other professionals form a MDP Group Law Practice, including separate professional indemnity.
• Rule 8 which prohibits joint billing.

Council requested the MDP Committee to re-assess certain aspects of the Rules as put forth, and to forward its amended report to Council.

Proposed Law Society Legal Mission to China, MOU with Shanghai Bar Association and Participation in the Asian Outreach Programme of the Bar Association of the City of New York.

Mr Yang Ing Loong reported that the International Relations Committee has proposed a six-day Legal Mission to China. Thirteen law firms have indicated an interest in participating in the mission trip, following an invitation to all members. Council approved of the draft programme and for the Society to work with IE Singapore in organising the mission.

Council approved the recommendation of the International Relations Committee to discuss a possible Memorandum of Understanding ('MOU') with the Shanghai Law Association. Mr Yang Ing Loong and Mr Yang Lih Shyng would work on the project.

Council also approved of the Law Society co-operating with the State Bar Association of the City of New York under the auspices of its Asian Outreach Programme.

Report on the Annual Bench & Bar and Quadrangular Games 2002 Between Malaysia and Singapore
Mr Montague Choy reported on the results of the Games wherein Singapore had emerged winners of the annual Bench & Bar Games between Malaysia and Singapore for the second consecutive year. Mr Choy highlighted that this year's Games were a resounding success as the sense of camaraderie and belonging amongst the Singapore contingent was very strong.

Council congratulated the Sports Committee and the Secretariat for a job well done. Council also recognised the tremendous effort put in by the Sabah Law Association in hosting the Games and a letter of appreciation had been sent to its President.