Singapore Law Blog

The Statutes (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Act 2005 and the Rules of Court (Amendment No. 3) Rules have been gazetted. These amendments rules reduce the four existing modes of commencement of proceedings to only two: the originating summons and writ of summons. In addition, all interlocutory applications are to be made by way of summons only.

From 1 February 2006, new funds will have to meet more stringent admission criteria to be included into the CPFIS. Existing funds will not be affected.

Bank Negara Malaysia today announces that the locally-incorporated foreign banking institutions (LIFBs) operating in Malaysia will be allowed to establish up to four additional branches within a period of one year with effect from 1 January 2006. This operational flexibility represents the first of a phased approach of branching liberalisation, in line with the broad strategies outlined in the Financial Sector Masterplan.

The Ministry of Health has moved to make charities under its watch more transparent and accountable by asking them to disclose key information.

The Competition Commission of Singapore (CCS) has today, completed its issuance of all the guidelines of the Competition Act 2004 (‘Act’) in relation to the prohibitions which will commence on 1 January 2006.

The Ministry of Manpower has introduced a new piece of subsidiary legislation under the Employment Agency Act, namely the Employment Agencies (Composition of Offences) Rules 2005, and amended the Employment Agency Rules with the Employment Agency (Amendment) Rules 2005.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore has issued Guidelines and Notices under the Trust Companies Act which comes into force on 1 February 2006.

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

In Singapore's first case involving shape marks, Justice Andrew Phang in the case of Nation Fittings (M) Sdn Bhd v Oystertec Plc, [2005] SGHC 225 decided that trade marks registered prior to 15 January 1999 as two-dimensional marks cannot be treated as three-dimensional shape marks under the Singapore Trademarks Act.

Singapore, 16 December 2005... The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has released a consultation paper on draft recommendations to enhance the Policy Owners' Protection Fund (PPF) Scheme.

Asean member countries are expected to establish a legal framework to expedite implementation of the Asean Single Window (ASW), a customs initiative to ensure faster clearance of goods and services.

myGovernment is the single gateway to information and services provided by Malaysian Government agencies on the Internet. The myGovernment initiative was undertaken by Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU). MAMPU is a central agency under the Prime Minister Department entrusted with the task of introducing administrative reforms in the public sector to upgrade the quality, efficiency, effectiveness and integrity of Malaysian public service in accordance with national goals.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force is seeking public views on proposed amendments to Fire Safety (Fire Safety Managers) Regulations.

The President acting in his discretion has concurred with the advice of the Prime Minister to appoint Judicial Commissioner Andrew Phang Boon Leong, age 47, as a Judge of the High Court under Article 95 of the Constitution with effect from 8 December 2005.

Singapore, 7 December 2005... The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has released a consultation paper on a proposed framework for the nomination of beneficiaries in respect of the proceeds of insurance policies.

A new Agreement, which was signed on 19th May 2005 between the Government of the Republic of Singapore and the Government of the State of Israel for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income enters into force on 6 December 2005 following the completion of ratification formalities. The provisions of the new Agreement shall apply with effect from the Year of Assessment 2007.

ASEAN stepped up its efforts in the enforcement of CITES and other legislation for wildlife protection with the launch of the ASEAN Wildlife Law Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN) on 1 December 2005 in Bangkok.

The Ministry of Finance invites members of the public to give their views on the proposal for a unique identification number, also known as Unique Establishment Identifier (UEI), for establishments in Singapore.

Singapore and China have signed an expanded air services pact which allows airlines of both countries to operate passenger and all-cargo services between China and Singapore with no restrictions on capacity, routing or aircraft type.

1 Singapore will become the first Asian country to host a diplomatic conference in the field of intellectual property (IP), when IP policy makers from all member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) meet to negotiate a key international treaty in the field of trademarks next year.

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a patent-infringement lawsuit involving eBay and MercExchange that eBay lost in 2003.

The Ministry of National Development (MND) today announced: (a) The Government Land Sales (GLS) Programme for private residential, commercial and hotel development for the first half of 2006; and (b) The supply of private residential, commercial and hotel space from projects that will be initiated by various Government agencies in the first half of 2006, apart from the GLS programme.

The Ministry Of Manpower presents the draft Workplace Safety and Health (General Provisions) Regulations, Workplace Safety and Health (First Aid) Regulations and Workplace Safety and Health (Registration of Factories) Regulations for consultation.

Speech by Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee, Senior Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs , 21 November 2005.

Second Reading Speech on Small Claims Tribunals (Amendment) Bill 2005 by Deputy Prime Minister, Co-ordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Law Prof S Jayakumar, Mon, 21 November 2005.