ASEAN Law Association Governing Council Meeting

10 to 12 December 2002, The Regent Hotel, Singapore

‘ASEAN Laws in the 21st Century’. This is the theme of the upcoming 8th General Assembly of the ASEAN Law Association (‘ALA’), the preparations for which were recently finalised at the meeting of the ALA Governing Council from 10 to 12 December 2002 at The Regent Hotel, Singapore.

Sixty-eight representatives from six ASEAN nations attended the Governing Council meeting. Among the foreign representatives were three Chief Justices (from Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand), the Attorney General of Brunei Darussalam, two Deputy Chief Justices, Supreme Court Judges, prominent academics and private practitioners. The Singapore delegation was led by Justice Chao Hick Tin. Attending as delegates from Singapore were the then President of the Law Society, Palakrishnan SC; former Law Society President, TPB Menon (who was also the President of ALA from 1984 to 1986); Charles Lim, Secretary of ALA (Singapore); Dean of the Faculty of Law, Assoc Prof Tan Cheng Han; Chelva Rajah, SC; Deborah Barker, SC and several other senior members of the profession.

The key item on the meeting’s agenda was the finalisation of arrangements for the 8th General Assembly to be held in Singapore in May 2003. Even before the meeting commenced, one could immediately sense the delegates’ enthusiasm about returning to Singapore in May for the General Assembly. This will be the first General Assembly to be held in Singapore since 1984 when TPB Menon was (at the 3rd General Assembly) elected President of the ASEAN Law Association, a post that is currently held by the Chief Justice of Malaysia Tun Mohamed Dzaiddin.

During their short visit to Singapore, delegates were also invited to various hospitality events such as a welcome dinner reception attended by Chief Justice Yong Pung How and a formal dinner where the Attorney General Chan Sek Keong was present. A programme was also organised for the accompanying spouses of the ASEAN delegates.

The upcoming 8th General Assembly will focus on the major issues of our times affecting the legal fraternity, such as: (a) electronic commerce; (b) challenges to legal education in a changing landscape; (c) arbitration and mediation; (d) insolvency; and (e) cross-border legal services under the WTO. Experts have been nominated to present papers over the three-day conference. The Law Society will be represented by its President, Arfat Selvam, who will present a paper on cross-border legal services. Other highlights will include the Opening Ceremony presided by President SR Nathan, and hospitality events such as the Welcome Banquet and the Closing Gala Dinner.

ALA President, Chief Justice of Malaysia Tun Mohamed Dzaiddin (right) chaired the meeting, assisted by Acting ALA Secretary General Bharti Seth (left). In the foreground is Attorney General of Brunei Kifrawi (back to photo) with another member of the Brunei delegation.

This conference will present a unique opportunity for Singapore lawyers to network with their ASEAN colleagues.

The ASEAN Law Association (Singapore) is a non-government organisation and is sponsored by the voluntary support of members of the legal fraternity.

ASEAN Law Association (Singapore) Exco