Council Update

9 March 2007

Law Society Arbitration Scheme
Mr Chan Leng Sun, chairman of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, appeared before Council. Mr Chan reported that preparatory work for the launch of the Society's Arbitration Scheme (the 'Scheme') was proceeding according to plan and that the Scheme was expected to be launched in July 2007 as scheduled. The scheme, if successful, will benefit members as it will increase the number of smaller cases which are taken through a full hearing.

Council approved the revised criteria for admission as arbitrator of the Scheme, the revised Arbitration Rules and the renaming of the 'Law Society Arbitration Scheme Rules' as 'LawSoc arbitration Rules'.

General Fund Budget of the Society for Financial Year 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008
The Treasurer, Mr Michael S. Chia, briefed Council on the budget of the Society for the financial year 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008, drawn up based on the proposed budgets for activities of various committees submitted by the respective committee chairpersons.

Council approved and adopted the Budget with certain revisions to various committee budgets.

Mr Michael S. Chia and Council member, Mr Andrew Ong, were appointed to consider and present a proposal to Council on fund raising to support the Society's activities.

IBA Conference 2007
Council considered a member's suggestion that the Society subsidise small firm practitioners to attend the Conference and decided against it. The Society will explore other ways of involving small firm practitioners in the IBA Conference in October 2007, for example, by providing opportunities for them to network and interact with international bar leaders.

Two Year Work Plans of Standing Committees 2007
Council noted and approved the two year work plans of various committees for 2007 and 2008. 

30 March 2007

Commemorative Issue of the Singapore Law Gazette

Council approved the Publications Committee's proposal for the contents of the commemorative issue of the Singapore Law Gazette to commemorate the Society's 40th anniversary, scheduled to be published in the third quarter.

Law Awareness Project 2007
Mr Edwin Sim and Mr Patrick Tan of the Law Awareness Committee appeared before Council to give an update to Council on the progress of the Law Awareness project 2007, which was scheduled to be held in early September 2007. The event, to be held at a public venue, would include an exhibition, a public forum and legal clinics. The topics for the exhibition and public forum would be of social relevance to members of public.