Welcoming Our Own

The blistering heat did nothing to quell the excitement and sheer exuberance of the 167 newly called advocates and solicitors as they posed on the steps of City Hall for their group photographs after the Mass Call held on 24 May 2003.

The air was still buzzing with the sound of happy chatter and clicking cameras as the new lawyers, and their equally exultant parents, congratulated one another and took more photographs in the reception area.

The keynote in the addresses made to the newly called this year focused on the many challenges that lay ahead for the legal profession, not least the impending likelihood of a global economic downturn caused by the recent Iraq war and the SARS outbreak, and how the profession as a whole must work together to face and rise above these hurdles.

Also highlighted were the unfortunate events that have recently brought the profession under scrutiny and the new lawyers were reminded of their responsibility to respect and uphold the honour and integrity that form the very basis of their vocation as advocates and solicitors. Mrs Arfat Selvam, President of the Law Society, said in her address: ‘Remember always that all the money in the world cannot buy good reputation and that you should jealously guard it at all times, at all cost.’

And as these 167 newly called lawyers join our ranks in one of the most time-honoured professions there are, may the proffered words of the heads of our profession guide them in their chosen course as officers of the court, and may we extend to them a warm welcome into our fraternity and wish them every success in all that they undertake.

Our Diplomatic Relations ...

Among those who were called to the Bar this year was our very own former Chief of Protocol at the Foreign Ministry, once High Commissioner to New Zealand, Cyprus and Zimbabwe, and Ambassador to Egypt and concurrently to Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, Mr VK Rajan, who was the oldest, at 64 years of age, of the 167-strong cohort at the Mass Call.

Asked how he felt about his call to the Bar, Mr Rajan said that he was happy to have achieved it and that it was a truly satisfying experience. A further chat revealed that Mr Rajan had been offered a place at the then University of Singapore in 1960 — 43 years ago — but had been unable to study law full-time due to financial constraints — ‘Bursaries and student grants were very hard to come by in those days.’ Mr VK Rajan now practises with Messrs G Raman & Partners.

So how does he feel about joining the profession at a time when the profession is facing crises not only economically, but some that threaten the very code of honour which the profession is meant to stand for? Said Mr Rajan: ‘The profession is facing tough times, but there are certain principles in life — honesty and integrity — and these will never change. I would personally like to see the profession as a whole strive together to gain a better standing with the public and protect the integrity of the profession. Trust must be earned from society.’

But what about the changing face of the profession in a world which demands more and more from our lawyers, and instantly to boot? ‘We as lawyers are here to serve the public and confidence in the system of justice is important. Change is not only for lawyers. To coin a phrase, “the only constant in life is change”. However, I also see that many lawyers, young and old, are under stress arising from increased overheads, including court costs, tight deadlines and frequent changes in law and practice. If I may suggest, these factors should also be addressed in the interest of the well-being of the profession and the concerns of the public.’

So is he confident that he can embrace the profession, change, crises and all? ‘All I can say is, I’ll try my humble best!’

Keeping it in the Family ...

Yes, it may indeed be true what they say about it ‘running in the family’! This year we had not one, but three new young lawyers following in the footsteps of their parents. The proud parents are Mr Derrick Wong, Mr Tan Jin Hwee and Mr Cheong Aik Chye, whose respective sons and daughter were warmly welcomed into the legal fraternity during the Mass Call.

I had the opportunity to steal a quick moment with Mr Derrick Wong and his son, Wong Tsung Wei before the family went off for their luncheon celebration in honour of Tsung Wei’s call to the Singapore Bar.

When asked what he intended to do post-call, Tsung Wei revealed that he is currently with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (‘A*Star’) and is also now reading for the New York Bar under the BAR/BRI New York Bar Review Course, a new course started this year by the Law Faculty of his Alma Mater, the National University of Singapore. He hopes to one day practise law in New York.

As for Mr Derrick Wong, he is amazed at how much the profession has broadened since his post-call days when ‘once you got called, you just became a lawyer’. ‘Nowadays, you can do almost anything with a law degree. There are so many different paths out there for them (the newly called) to take.’

The profession has indeed opened the doors to a great many opportunities for those newly called this year, but wherever they choose to go, may they take with them the sense of honesty, integrity and professionalism that has always been the mark of our calling, and may their future always shine bright before them.

Angeline Toh
Young Lawyers Committee
Law Society of Singapore