Council Update

11 March 2005

Dialogue on Amendments Made to the Solicitors’ Accounts Rules in 2004
Council agreed to obtain feedback on amendments made to the Solicitors’ Accounts Rules (‘Rules’) that were enacted in 2004 in order to study its effectiveness. Council agreed to hold a dialogue session with members in early May to obtain feedback on the workability and efficacy of the amendments.

The Future of the Law Society’s Building Levy
Ms Malathi Das, as Treasurer, advised Council that the Society’s mortgage on the building premises would be paid up by 2006. The Finance Committee proposed that a survey be conducted amongst members for views on the future of the levy.

Council agreed in principle to a survey and requested the Finance Committee of Council to submit a draft survey to Council at its meeting of 6 May 2005.

Second Status Report on Limited Liability Partnerships (‘LLP’)
The CEO, Ms Yasho Dhoraisingam, reported that the Society’s proposed amendments to the Legal Profession Act (‘Act’) (Cap 161) had been forwarded to the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the Practice Structures Committee was working on 
draft rules.

She also informed Council that past Council member, Mr Gan Hiang Chye, had kindly volunteered to assist the Practice Structures Committee to finalise the rule changes and amendments to the Act to form LLPs. Council welcomed his support.

Moving Forward on Liberalisation of the Rules of Ethics
Council requested the CEO to prepare a chart to compile the feedback received from members and law practices for Council’s deliberation at its next meeting.

Survey Findings on ‘How to Enhance Profit and Reduce Costs’ Conducted Amongst Small Law Firms in 2004
Mr Chia Boon Teck, as Chairman of the Small Firms Committee, reported that the Committee of 2005 had debated the findings and would publish in the Singapore Law Gazette (see page 10) the findings of the survey and the Committee’s recommendations on moving forward.

A Strategic Vision Platform for the Law Society
The CEO, Ms Yasho Dhoraisingam, informed Council that the Society’s communications consultants, Bentley Porter Novelli (‘BPN’) would submit a final revised strategic vision platform paper to the ad-hoc committee of Council appointed to review this matter. The paper would set out key strategies and primary programmes for members, Council, secretariat and external parties. The ad-hoc committee would review the same and then recommend a strategic vision platform to Council.

A training session on interacting with the media would be organised for Council members and secretariat of the Society in April by BPN.

Repair and Maintenance of the Law Society’s Premises
Council requested the Finance Director, Mr William Phua, to obtain a revised quotation from the chosen contractor and delegated to the Finance Committee of Council the final review of the work specifications for the repair and maintenance of the Society’s premises.