Council Update

19 October 2004

Minimum Continuing Professional Development (‘MCPD’)

Council appointed Mr Thio Shen Yi as co-chair of the steering committee on MCPD chaired by Mr Harry Elias, SC. This committee would steer Council’s study on a possible MCPD programme for the Singapore legal profession. This committee would examine developments on MCPD for legal professionals in other jurisdictions and other professions in Singapore.

This committee’s report would form the basis for a consultation with members to receive feedback on the implementation of a MCPD programme by the Society for its members.

Council approved of the Chairman of the committee co-opting members to serve on the committee.

A Strategic Communications Plan for the Profession

Council agreed to engage Bentley Porter Novelli (‘BPN’) to carry out, over a three-month period from November 2004, a strategic communications plan study to help Council implement a long-term strategy to build the image and reputation of the legal profession.

The terms of engagement of BPN would include a perception audit with a section of the profession on the issues and challenges that they face as legal professionals and how the Society can play a role, a survey with selected members of the media, the development of a clear and positive brand for the profession and a day’s training for Council, Committee Chairs and secretariat on communications.

Meeting with Law Practices that Undertake Legal Work for Foreign Work Permit Holders Pursuing Claims for Unpaid Wages and Personal Injuries

Council agreed to hold a dialogue session in November 2004 with law practices that undertook such legal work to explain Council’s guidance note published in the November issue of The Singapore Law Gazette on the ethical limits of providing welfare assistance to clients who were foreign workers. At this session Council also wished to hear feedback from members on practice concerns they had when they undertook legal work for foreign worker clients. The session would be chaired by Vice President, Mr Leo Cheng Suan.

Council agreed to write to the Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi High Commissions, the Chinese Embassy and the Ministry of Manpower for information on welfare services available for work permit holders.

Council also decided in view of the Straits Times report dated 19 October 2004 on foreign workers who hire lawyers for injury claims to write to the Ministry of Manpower for feedback on how the profession dealt with the Ministry on workmen injury compensation claims.

Status Report on the Work of the Ad-hoc Committee on Separate Representation for Conveyancing Matters and Dialogue Session with Members

Council noted at this meeting that Mr George Pereira and Mr David Wong would respond by end October with their views on the report of the ad-hoc committee that was presented to Council at its last meeting.

Council agreed to hold a dialogue session before the end of 2004 with members to obtain views/feedback on the report of the ad-hoc committee.

Status Report on Three Projects Undertaken by the Criminal Practice Committee

Mr Chia Boon Teck as Council representative on the Criminal Practice Committee (‘the Committee’) reported on the three projects that the Committee had been working on, namely, police investigations, custody and bail and criminal discovery. Relevant agencies have been approached by the Committee for a dialogue and the Committee had been requested to provide further particulars on the concerns raised. The Committee recommended that Council write to members to invite them to assist by providing particulars to enable the Society to further engage in discussions with relevant agencies. Council agreed to the Committee proceeding to do so.

Preparations for Council’s Workplan for 2005

The CEO took Council through the Workplan ad-hoc Committee’s plans for Council members, Council elect of 2005 and secretariat staff to be divided into four working groups for the purpose of discussing four issues relevant to Council for 2005. Council accepted the proposals of the ad-hoc committee. The issues identified for the four working groups were as follows:

•     Recap and Reflect on the Workplan for 2004.

•     Future membership needs and improving membership value.

•     Growth and continuity of leadership and volunteers of the Society.

•     Future challenges of the legal profession.

Law Society Premises

The ad-hoc committee of Council appointed to look at the repair and renovation needs of the Society’s premises advised Council that renovations for the ground floor and rooftop of the Society’s premises would be required, including painting and maintenance of the building after five years of occupation. The renovation and maintenance costs were estimated at not more than $100,000 and would be funded from the Building Fund.

Council approved of the ad-hoc committee of Council proceeding to obtain three quotations for renovation and maintenance works for submission to the Finance Committee of Council before final approval by Council.

Marking the 20th Anniversary of CLAS

Council approved the names of the members to be invited to serve on the ad-hoc committee that would plan celebrations to commemorate the 20th anniversary of CLAS in 2005. Council also approved the concept paper to mark the anniversary for circulation to the ad-hoc committee.

Choice of Vendor for the Re-design and Enhancements to the Law Society’s Membership Database

The CEO advised Council that the Exco who had been delegated this decision by Council had approved the Information Technology Committee’s recommendation after a tender exercise to appoint Bizibody Technology Pte Ltd to develop the Society’s new enhanced database.

Going Paperless for Council Papers

Ms Malathi Das as Treasurer advised Council that the Finance Committee had accepted a recommendation of the secretariat to save paper and printing costs by converting the ‘Information Bundle’ given to Council before each meeting into a CD-rom format. Council approved the recommendation and it would be implemented from November 2004.