News

Interim MDP Report of the Multi-disciplinary Practice ('MDP') Committee
Council accepted an interim report by Council's MDP Committee that proposed the concept of a MDP Group Law Practice. The final report of the Committee would be presented to Council later this year.

Guidelines for Conveyancing Costs Following the Abolition of Scale Fees
Mr Gan Hiang Chye, Chairman of the Conveyancing Practice Committee, informed Council that the Committee would submit its draft guidelines to Council in August, and that they would hold a dialogue with members in the later part of the year.

Guidelines on the Prevention of Money Laundering
The Criminal Practice Committee submitted revised draft Guidelines on money laundering. These Guidelines constitute best practice recommendations for lawyers in combating money laundering. Council issued the last Guidelines in 1988. Council member, Mr Suresh Damodara, was requested to study the draft Guidelines and report to Council.

Law Society's Legal Mission to China
Council member, Mr Yang Ing Loong, reported that the legal mission to China was scheduled between August and September 2002. International Enterprise Singapore was assisting the Society in the mission.

Mr Yang Lih Shyng, a former member of Council, and Mr Yang Ing Loong, were tasked to re-look at the Law Society's Memorandum of Understanding ('MOU') with the All China Lawyers Association. They would also look at the request of the Shanghai Bar Association to enter into a MOU with them.

Legal ARMOR in Partnership with LexisNexis
The Law Society signed a Memorandum of Understanding with LexisNexis to work together to provide an online research database to meet the needs of the small firms. Legal ARMOR was formally launched on 1 July 2002.

Nominations for 'Friends of the Law Society' Awards and Plaques of Appreciation
Several committee chairpersons have placed their nominations for the above awards to be given at the Annual Dinner and Dance. The nominees would be notified and invited to receive their awards at the Dinner and Dance.

Annual Dinner and Dance
The programme and entertainment (by the famed Malaysian duo, Comedy Court) for the Annual Dinner and Dance, scheduled for Saturday, 19 October 2002, proposed by the Social and Welfare Committee, were approved by Council.

American Bar Association - Invitation to the President to Attend the Annual Meeting 2002
Council approved the President attending this meeting scheduled to be held in Washington DC from 8 to 13 August 2002. The President would put up a report upon his return.

12 July 2002

Draft Annual Budget for the Financial Year 1 August 2002 to 31 July 2003
Council approved the annual budget for the Society proposed by the Finance Committee.

Legal Mission to China
Council was informed that the proposed Legal Mission would now be jointly conducted with a Ministerial mission to China from 22 to 31 August 2002. A travel and accommodation subsidy of 50% would be available to members who participate in the Mission.

The proposed MOU with the All China Lawyers Association would be discussed in Beijing during the mission.

Launch of 'Justice-on-Line'
Council requested the Information Technology Committee to look into the various initiatives raised by the Chief Justice in his speech at the launch of Justice-on-Line, such as electronic alternative dispute resolution, use of broadband and video conferencing by law firms to conduct their business and utilisation of Web-based research tools.

Proposed Strategic Manpower Conversion Programme for Non-legal Professionals to Train as Paralegals
The Ministry of Manpower was seeking to partner with the Law Society and Temasek Polytechnic to develop and implement the Strategic Manpower Conversion Programme to convert non-legal professionals and executives into paralegals to support the law industry.

Beer Bash
Council was informed that a total of 209 tickets were sold at the Beer Bash event organised for members by the Social and Welfare Committee. A nett surplus made from the proceeds for the event, would go towards the Law Society's Welfare Fund in aid of needy lawyers and their families.

Debrief with the Supreme Court on the Annual Practising Certificate Renewal Exercise 2002
The 2002 Practising Certificate renewal exercise saw 80% of the renewals done via e-filing. With effect from 2003, legal officers in statutory boards and officers of the Law Society would also be able to e-file their applications.

Law Society's Sponsorship of a Book Prize for the Top Student of the Part-time Diploma in Paralegal Studies
Council agreed to sponsor a S$500 book prize.

Singapore Corporate Counsel Association
Council noted the registration of the Singapore Corporate Counsel Association, as well as the acceptance of the Honourable Attorney General to be patron of the Association.

Council Updates