Turning Forty

2007 brings the 40th anniversary of the Law Society. When 1967 began, Singapore had been independent for only 17 months. Across the Pacific, in San Francisco, 1967 turned into the Summer of Love, with Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band dominating the airwaves, and The Graduate appearing on the big screen. Another cultural milestone occurred when Thurgood Marshall became the first black justice of the US Supreme Court. Seen in one light, it marked an intoxicating blossoming of flower power, of peace and love as the world rapidly decolonised. But elsewhere the skies were darkening – Vietnam was slowly turning into a psychedelic quagmire, China was exploding its first hydrogen bomb and Israel, as a result of its overwhelming military triumph in the Six Day War, first occupied the Gaza Strip and West Bank. Back at home, 1967 saw the first year of National Service, and the formation of ASEAN.

Forty years later, there’s no doubt that the legal profession – and Singapore – have come a long way. Numbers at the Bar have increased tenfold, and this is before considering the rapid growth in numbers of in-house counsel. We are recognised as a leading centre for international arbitration in Asia.

But severe challenges loom. And I’m not talking about quagmires in the Middle East or nuclear bombs being exploded in North Asia, although these do suggest that not as much has changed in 40 years as we might have hoped. While Singapore lawyers and law firms have a good reputation internationally, our law firms are dwarfed by the size and scale of international law firms, and can probably expect law firms in the emerging markets of India and China to bulk up rapidly, not just through legal process outsourcing but with high end legal capabilities.

Most critical for all of us in the coming years is burnishing the brand of the Singapore Lawyer. 2007 will see Singapore and the Society host the International Bar Association. This is the premier event on the international legal calendar. It is a tremendous opportunity for us to give a collective lift to the standing and image of the Singapore profession. Our major law firms have all expressed their commitment to making the conference a success, and we have received heartening assurances of support from the Ministry of Law, the Judiciary and the Attorney-General.

A key part of the brand is the profession’s reputation for integrity. In the early part of 2007, we plan to introduce enhanced safeguards for clients’ monies, as well as encourage those who are able to do without this traditional function of holding clients’ monies not to do so. We cannot overstate the importance of the profession re-establishing its covenant of trust with the public.

And the coming year will see us begin to implement the recommendations of our very diligent and dedicated Committee on Legal Aid and Pro Bono work. This too, is part of keeping faith with the public.

2007 will be my final year as President of the Society. It has been an exciting three years so far, but the end of the tightrope is in sight. Then someone else will have the honour of leading the Society. I am pleased that my final year will be undertaken with the support of Ms Malathi Das and Mr Michael Hwang, SC as Vice-Presidents. I also thank Mr Yap Teong Liang for his excellent commitment to the Society, demonstrated during the past year as Vice-President.

My New Year’s wish is that the profession will understand its common interest in the brand of the Singapore Lawyer, so that all sections pull together to build it up. I am confident that much good work will be done in the coming year.

Philip Jeyaretnam, SC

President

The Law Society of Singapore