Singapore Law Blog

The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS), has teamed up with the Law Society of Singapore and four international accounting firms (Deloitte & Touche, Ernst & Young, KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers) to set up the Tax Academy of Singapore.

The following list is not original. The list is claimed to be from an unknown and long-dead lawyer in 1836. It is said to have been discovered during the 1980s in the ruins of an old Episcopal church in a northern Virginia town near Washington DC, USA. I know it has nothing to do with Singapore law, but it is fun.

The Minister for Information, Communications, and the Arts ("Minister") has, on 26 July 2006, issued his decision on SingTel's 30 November 2005 appeal against IDA's 16 November 2005 decision on reconsideration. The Minister's decision was to uphold IDA's 16 November 2005 decision on reconsideration in full.

The Association of Employment Agencies and Casetrust have come up with standard contracts for maid employers.

The Subordinate Courts launched the iCourtLab to look into harnessing the latest innovations in technology to improve the court system.

The Minister for Trade and Industry has today issued a block exemption order (BEO) to exempt liner shipping agreements[2] relating to liner shipping services[3] from section 34 of the Competition Act (Cap. 50B) ('Act')[1]. This is provided that they fulfill certain conditions and obligations, such as allowing member liner operators to offer their own service arrangements on a confidential basis.

Workplace Safety and Health Advisory Committee ('WSHAC') and the Ministry of Manpower ('MOM') are co-developing the first National Workplace Safety and Health Strategy for Singapore. This strategy is currently in the drafting stage. WSHAC and MOM would like to invite views and feedback on the draft strategy. Based on feedback received from various industries, WSHAC and the MOM hope to develop a comprehensive strategy towards attaining their target of halving work-related fatalities to 2.5 fatalities per 100,000 by 2015.

The Government encourages individuals and businesses to fly the National Flag during the National Day celebrations. Residential premises can fly the flag for an extended period from mid-July to end August 06.

God of Happiness opts out of deal due to nature of legal work

Fu Lu Shou Court, Rochor Road - Three Gods have decided to come together to form a legal firm that may eventually oust the major law firms established here.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Dental Council is amending the Dentists Act (DA) 1999 to ensure that it is relevant to the current practice and new developments in the field of dentistry.

The National Internet Advisory Committee (NIAC) today issued its ninth Annual Report for the period April 2005 to March 2006, renewing its calls for a coordinated, multi-pronged approach in making the Internet and new media platforms safe for all, especially children.

In a special event held in New York, Singapore along with China and Sri Lanka the United Nations Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts 6 July 2006.

Although not strictly Singapore related news, it should of general interest to Singapore lawyers. Last month (June 2006), a UK law practice, Nabarro Nathanson, was hit by an email scam with bogus messages claiming to be from the law practice being sent around the world. The scam is similar to what is commonly known as the Nigerian Scam.

Following the Korea-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (KSFTA) that went into force on 2 March 2006 , International Enterprise (IE) Singapore and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Singapore today to further enhance collaboration between the two agencies. The MOU was negotiated under the “Cooperation” chapter of the KSFTA. It was signed by Mr Chong Lit Cheong, Chief Executive Officer of IE Singapore, and Mr Ki Hwa Hong, President and Chief Executive Officer of KOTRA.

It has been reported in the Singapore Press that the Subordinate Courts has launched a scheme which uses full time lawyers as specialist judges to hear certain comples cases that requires expert knowledge.

Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX) announced that it will accept listing of hedge funds, with effect from 29 June 2006.

It was reported in Singapore media that the Law Society of Singapore has come up with a proposal to tighten laws surrounding solicitors' accounts rules aimed at being fool-proof against fraud. This follows the case of David Rasif who is reported to have disappeared with over S$10 million of his clients' money.

Diplomatic Conference for the Adoption of a revised Trademark Law Treaty (TLT), which was held in Singapore from 13 March to 28 March 2006 culminated in a new Treaty on the Law of Trademarks named "The Singapore Treaty on the Law of Trademarks". The text of the treaty can be found in WIPO's website at http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/ip/singapore/index.html.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) today announced its response to recommendations made by the Singapore Investment Banking Association Equity Derivatives and Structured Products Taskforce.

Singaporeans will soon get to enjoy the ease and convenience of using one card to make seamless electronic payments (e-payment) for their everyday needs - from retail purchases to public transport payments.

The Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) has published an Age-Friendly Employment Practices guide to encourage employers to adopt human resource practices that can help them better tap on the strengths of older workers.

Indonesia and Singapore today marked the first step in renewing investor interest and confidence in Batam and Bintan with the signing of the “Framework Agreement on Economic Cooperation in the Islands of Batam, Bintan and Karimun”.

From 26 Jun 2006 , massage establishments will see changes in the regulations under the Massage Establishment Act.

LTA.PROMPT or the "Permit for Road Occupation Management Portal" is a new internet-based service that gives applicants the ability to apply for all road permits from all necessary agencies in one application online.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) announced today that the Payment Systems (Oversight) Act 2006 [PS(O)A] will take effect on 23 June 2006. The PS(O)A provides a comprehensive framework for MAS to oversee payment systems and stored value facilities (SVF) in Singapore. The Act was passed in Parliament on 16 January 2006.