Council Updates

2 August 2002

Launch of a Members-only ‘Forum’ Section on the Law Society’s Website

Council approved the setting up of a ‘Forum’ section for members on the Law Society’s website. Members, using assigned individual passwords would be able to participate in the online Forum to express their views on specific issues concerning practice and the profession. Only members of the Law Society, comprising practising and non-practising lawyers, law firms and law corporations would be able to access the ‘Forum’. The ‘Forum’ section would be launched in October 2002.

Second Status Report on the Implementation of the Lexcel Standard

Council was informed that the Lexcel Implementation Sub-Committee was awaiting the Law Society of England and Wales to revert with a draft contract on the terms for the knowledge buyout.

Launch of e Jus News

Council noted that the inaugural issue of e Jus News would be sent out by e-mail to all Law Society members on 6 August 2002.

Legal Mission to China

Council member, Mr Goh Phai Cheng, SC, together with another member of Council, Mr Yang Ing Loong, would lead the Law Society’s delegation to China from 19 to 29 August 2002, with visits to the cities of Beijing, Hefei, Huangshan, Hangzhou and Shanghai.

Council was informed that part of the Law Society’s mission would include joining a ministerial mission from Singapore during its visit to Hefei, Huangshan and Hangzhou.

Guidelines on the Prevention of Money Laundering

Council member, Mr Suresh Damodara, informed Council that in view of the recent Anti-terrorism Act, the Law Society’s proposed Guidelines would have to be revised. He would report back to Council with revisions in October 2002.

Launch and Sale of the ‘Know the Law’ Booklets

The Law Awareness Committee has completed a new edition of the ‘Know the Law’ booklet to be published in the four national languages and sold at a nominal fee to the public. The publication would be launched at the National Library.

Proposed Young Lawyers Award

The Young Lawyers Committee proposed initiating a ‘Young Lawyer of the Year’ award at this year’s annual Dinner and Dance. A criteria has been drawn by the Committee for the purposes of nominations for the Award, which nominations would be sought from junior members of the Bar, who would then vote in the winning candidate. Council agreed to adopt the proposal.

Proposal on an Informal Association with the Bar Council Malaysia

Council had no objections to the International Relations Committee forming an informal body to work with Bar Council Malaysia on specific areas of law of mutual interest to both organisations.

Proposed Meeting between the Economic Development Board (‘EDB’) and Law Society on Promoting Legal Services in Singapore

As part of the EDB’s initiative towards developing Singapore’s enterprise ecosystem, the EDB has undertaken to promote the Professional Services sector. To that end, they have sought a meeting with the Law Society on views of how this can be done. Mr Palakrishnan, SC, and Mr Yang Ing Loong were nominated to meet with EDB and report back to Council.