Amendments to the Legal Profession (Solicitors’ Accounts) and Legal Profession (Accountant’s Report) Rules

CEO advised Council that the Amendment Rules would be gazetted on 9 March 2004 and would take effect on 1 April 2004.  

Council approved the application forms that were devised for the approval of engagement or employment of book-keepers as well as the precedent statutory declarations (‘SDs’) to assist law practices in submitting the required SDs under the Amendment Rules.  

Solicitors’ Real Estate Scheme (‘SRES’)

Council was advised that the President had sent to the Attorney-General the Society’s proposal for the above. Members were advised of the same via the Society’s weekly newsletter EJus News on 9 March 2004 and the report submitted to the Attorney-General was posted on the Members’ Homepage. 

Final Report of the MDP Committee

Mr George Tan reported that a dialogue session to present the final Report to members was planned for 22 April 2004. An executive summary of the report had also been done to assist members review the recommendations of the final report. 

Law Society’s Participation at the Subordinate Courts’ Workplan 2004

Mr Peter Low advised Council that the respective chairpersons of the Family, Criminal Law Civil Practice Committees had their views sought by the Subordinate Courts on various practice issues pertaining to these specific practice areas. Council agreed to meet on 10 March 2004 at 8am to review all reports of the Society’s committees before submission to the Subordinate Courts later in the week. 

Report on the First Meeting of the Small Firms Committee

Mr Loo Ngan Chor reported on the terms of the first meeting of the Committee and the projects the Committee would possibly undertake. Council was advised that a sub-committee was established to look into ways to help small law firms decrease expenses and increase profits. 

Communications Channels with Members — Dialogue Sessions with Members

Council had to-date held dialogue sessions with sole proprietors, medium sized law practices and large practices. A session with the senior counsel caucus was also held on 9 March 2004.  

Council would discuss at its meeting in April what further dialogue sessions focusing on specific areas would be held with members.  

The Impact of the Consumer Fair Trading Legislation on the Legal Profession

Mr Stephen Loke appeared before Council to brief Council on the new legislation. He advised Council that legal services and therefore lawyers and their support staff would fall under the ambit of the legislation. Mr Loke kindly agreed to write an article for the SLG to advise members of the impact of the legislation (to be published in the May issue). Council also decided to refer to the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee the issue of the Society looking at offering mediation services to settle any disputes between members of the public and law practices under the ambit of the new legislation. 

Malaysia-Singapore Bench and Bar Games 2004

Mr Montague Choy advised Council that the Games would be held in Kuantan, Pahang from 29 April to 1 May 2004. The Sports Committee would recommend that pupils and first year practitioners be fully subsidised by the Society while other Games participants receive a 50% subsidy. The budget for the Games would be submitted to Council for approval on 26 March 2004. 

The Law Society’s Premises

A sub-committee of Council comprising Mr Tan Siah Yong, Mr Lutfi Hussin, Mr Anand Nalachandran and Ms Jacintha Thannimalai was formed to look into maximising the premises of the Secretariat at 39 South Bridge Road for members’ benefit.