13 October 2006

Promoting Work-life Balance in Law Practices

Council noted the Young Lawyers Committee’s support of the Ministry of Manpower’s (‘MOM’) draft pamphlet on quality part-time work for lawyers in order to enhance their work-life balance, particularly young lawyers who were still leaving practice due to work pressures and demands.

Council agreed to the Society hosting a meeting with the managing partners and directors of large law practices early next year, jointly with the MOM. At the meeting, employment practices to promote work-life balance will be shared as the majority of lawyers, especially young lawyers, worked in larger law practices.

A New Pastoral Care Scheme – Disciplinary Proceedings Defence Scheme (‘the Scheme’)

Vice-President Ms Malathi Das briefed Council on the implementation of the Scheme which would compile a list of members on a yearly basis who volunteer to defend lawyers on an honorarium basis or on a gratis basis before the Disciplinary Committee.

Council noted that the Scheme would be administered by the Communications and Membership department of the secretariat of the Society. Council agreed that the Scheme be implemented by January 2007.  

A Draft Practice Direction (‘PD’) of Council on Duties of a Second Signatory to Client or Trust Account

Council reviewed a draft PD prepared by the Solicitors’ Accounts Rules Committee on direction of Council. This PD was prepared in view of feedback members had given Council at its dialogue sessions on review of the Solicitors’ Accounts Rules.

This PD, the meeting noted, would particularly assist members from other law practices that had consented to be the second signatory to a client or trust account of a sole solicitor’s practice.

Council gave its comments to the CEO, Ms Yasho Dhoraisingam and she was requested to submit a revised draft for Council’s approval.

10 November 2006

Revised Practice Direction (‘PD’) for Second Signatory on Duties of a Second Signatory to Client or Trust Account

Council reviewed the second draft of the PD submitted by the CEO and approved the same. The PD would take effect from 
1 December 2006.

Review of the Penal Code

The Society was invited by the Ministry of Home Affairs to comment on the proposed amendments to the Penal Code. Council agreed to form an ad hoc committee consisting of criminal law practitioners and members of the Criminal Practice Committee to review the same and give its written feedback to Council by January 2007.

Review of the Law Society’s Scholarship Funds

Council adopted the recommendations to revise the Bar Memorial Scholarship and the Palakrishnan Memorial Scholarship Fund Rules to set a timeline for applications to be received by 15 July each year, and to include the Singapore Management University as an accepted university for both scholarship applications.

Project Law Help 
– Special Thanks for 2006

The Law Society is grateful to the following law practices for being part of Project Law Help in its inaugural year:

1    Messrs Christopher Bridges 
(not matched with organisation)

2    Messrs David Nayar & Vardan 
(not matched with organisation)

3    Grays LLC

4    Messrs Harry Elias Partnership

5    Messrs Kelvin Chia Partnership 
(not matched with organisation)

6    Keystone Law Corporation 
(not matched with organisation)

7    Messrs Kishan & V Suria

8    Messrs Lau & Gur

9    Messrs Leonard Loo & Partners

      (not matched with organisation)

10 Messrs N K Rajarh

      (not matched with organisation)

11 Messrs Ong Tay & Partners

12 Messrs Rodyk & Davidson

13 Messrs Sim Yong Chan & Co

14 Messrs Sobhraj Tay Low Subra & Teo