Singapore Law Blog

Mr Lim Seng Siew shared his experiences and views on the Knowledge Management Systems in a Small Law Practice. The presentation made during the Law Society's Annual Practice Management Seminar is found at this link.

In July 2005, MAS announced that it is prepared to consider mortgage insurance as an alternative risk mitigant to higher capital charge on certain loans and that it would study the appropriate regulatory framework for mortgage insurers. The consultation paper sets out the proposed regulatory framework for mortgage insurance business. The paper also describes how mortgage insurance will be treated in the calculation of the capital requirements for locally incorporated banks.

Three Australian law firms - Talbot Olivier, Durack Zilko and Brett Davies Lawyers - may become the first-ever listed legal practices, following the launch of Integrated Legal Holdings’ (ILH’s) A$14m initial public offering.

Come 2007, Singaporeans will be ushering the new year with at least 24 months, or two years, of free (basic tier) wireless connectivity at up to 512 kbps speeds almost everywhere - thanks to IDA's 'Wireless@SG' programme.

Little boy caught romping around in public naked
Charged for possession of illegal weapons as well

Fort Canning Park - A little boy, aged between 2 to 4 years old, was arrested by police for indecent exposure and possession of an illegal weapon.

The Accountants Amendment Act 2006 will come into force on 6 October 2006. The Act enables public accountants to set up accounting limited liability partnerships (accounting LLPs) through which they may provide public accountancy services.

Professor Walter Woon Cheong Ming was appointed as Second Solicitor-General on 3 October 2006.

The Consumer Association of Singapore (CASE) is taking out injunction proceedings against Orion’s Belt Network, a timeshare company that also provides timeshare termination services, for repeatedly breaching the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act (CPFTA). This is the first time ever CASE is taking injunction proceedings against a company, as authorised under the CPFTA where CASE is empowered to protect consumers against unfair practices.

The NUS Faculty of Law, which is celebrating 50 years of legal education in Singapore, and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy will launch in 2007 a new concurrent degree programme in Law (Bachelor of Laws) and Public Policy (Master in Public Policy).

The Ministry of Finance (MOF) has accepted 28 out of 49 suggestions related to the drafting of the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill 2006, that were received during the consultation exercise held from 9 June to 8 July 2006.

When the Workplace Safety and Health Act came into effect on 1 March 2006, 11 factories subsidiary legislation were repealed as most of them were transferred into the new WSH subsidiary legislation (e.g. WSH (General Provision) Regulations). However there are still 18 remaining factories subsidiary legislation that are still in force by virtue of section 67(14) of the Workplace Safety and Health Act. Please refer to Annex A for the list of 18 legislations. The Ministry will carry out the review of the subsidiary legislation in phases over the next few months to update and align the provisions to the new Workplace Safety and Health Act.

Minister of State for Trade and Industry S. Iswaran announced on Wednesday, 27 September 2006, that the provisions would come into effect from 1 July 2007, instead of 1 Jan 2007. He was speaking at an annual dinner of the Singapore Venture Capital and Private Equity Association.

Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong said that sentencing guidelines for major offences carrying jail terms are being reviewed in order to strike a new balance between punishing and rehabilitating offenders.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) released a consultation paper that sets out two proposals in relation to the Securities and Futures Act (SFA) and the Financial Advisers Act (FAA). This is the first in a series of amendments MAS will make following a review of the SFA and FAA.

At the Architectural Heritage Awards held on 25th Sept 2006, Minister Of State for National Development, Ms Grace Fu, announced that the Bukit Timah Campus will be conserved.

An Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income was signed today between the Government of the Republic of Singapore and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

An Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income was signed today between the Government of the Republic of Singapore and the Government of the Republic of Estonia.

The IMF and World Bank have alleged that the decision by the Singapore government not to allow certain individuals to participate in the 2006 Annual Meetings is a breach of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between IMF/WB and the Singapore government three years ago. Singapore is aware of its obligations under the MOU and will continue to honour them. However, the MOU also obliges Singapore to take all necessary measures for the safe passage of all persons in and out of Singapore and for their personal security and the safety of their property and the property of the Organizations and delegations. We take this duty seriously, especially in view of the prevailing international security environment.

On 7th September 2006, the High Court in Malaysia ruled that a Malaysian Indian food outlet, McCurry, cannot use the expression "Mc" and use similar colours in its signage as that of McDonald's.

Mr Lim Seng Siew shared his experiences and views on the Solicitors' Accounts with other members of the legal profession. The presentation made during the Law Society Seminar is found at this link. The seminar is part of the 3rd Small Firm Practice Management Series.

New worm virus on the Net

Navidad, 3rd Isle on the Right - W32.Shoddycode is a mass mailing worm program capable of offending its recipients upon viewing of the email.

The Ministry of Finance invites members of the public to give their comments on proposed amendments to the Goods and Services Tax ("GST") Act.

For the first time, entrepreneurs can access a one-stop shop portal – MarketInfo.sg – for market intelligence tailored to meet the needs of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). Many of the market reports from this portal have been newly developed by private sector research firms with the SME in mind. Through a public-private partnership, these reports bundle Government data with private sector analyses to offer SMEs relevant business insights at affordable prices.

Every country reserves the right to determine whether a foreigner would be eligible for entry into the country. Under the current security environment, we will be cautious on who we allow into our borders, especially when a high-profile event like the IMF/WB meetings are held here. The meetings will attract the attention of many, not least those who may want to use the ready platform and presence of the international media to stage events that will pose a security threat to Singapore, and compromise the level of security arrangements we have put in place.

The World Bank and International Monetary Fund have accredited nearly 500 civil society representatives from more than 45 countries to attend the 2006 Annual Meetings in Singapore, a record number. Jointly with many of these Civil Society Organizations, we have organized what promises to be a dynamic Civil Society Forum at the Annual Meetings, with more than 40 sessions planned on critical development issues.