Singapore Law Blog

Parliament on 16 May 2005 amended the Companies Act once again.

In a Press Conference on 17 May 2005, the Ministry of National Development accepts the Committee of Inquiry?s (COI) findings on the causes of the Nicoll Highway Collapse and agrees with its key recommendations.

The Prime Minister's Office of Singapore issued a Statement on 15 May 2005 concerning the appointment of Mr Andrew Ang as a Judge of the High Court.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has said that Singapore and Pakistan will begin negotiations next month on a bilateral Free Trade Agreement.

Joint Information Systems Committee and BAILII (British and Irish Legal Information Institute) on 5 May 2005 announced the Open Law project which has the potential to transform the delivery of legal teaching and public access to legal materials in the UK.

With the deposit of the Instrument of Accession on 1 May 2005 at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in London, Singapore became party to Annex IV of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL 73/78). Of greater significance is that Singapore has acceded to all six Annexes of MARPOL , an achievement shared by few countries in the world.

The Governments of Malaysia and Singapore signed a Settlement Agreement in the Case Concerning Land Reclamation by Singapore In and Around the Straits of Johor, in a ceremony on 26 April 2005 hosted by Singapore.

HDB has relaxed its rules to allow all kiosk tenants to assign, transfer and sublet their tenancies with immediate effect.

The Copyright (Excluded Works) Order 2005 has been introduced to provide for exemptions of certain works for which circumvention activity is beneficial.

Detailed guidelines for Network Service Providers (NSPs) to comply with the Copyright Act are now provided for in the Copyright (NSP) Regulations and comes into force on 18th April 2005.

From 17 April 2005, the Hague Agreement concerning the international registration of industrial designs has become operative in Singapore. Under this agreement, it will become easier and cheaper for Singapore individuals or companies to extend their design rights to 41 countries in certain circumstances.

The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) will exempt SingTel from Dominant Licensee obligations for the provision of a suite of international capacity services.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) is considering legislation to regulate the possession, use, import, transfer and transportation of biological agents and toxins that are known to be hazardous to human health. The legislation will provide for the safe practises and security in the handling of such agents and toxins.

The Limited Liability Partnerships Act will commence operation on 11 April 2005 and will be administered by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) according to ACRA's News Release.

Singapore and Bahrain have signed an open skies agreement (OSA) that removes all restrictions on passenger and cargo flights by airlines of both countries. The agreement was signed in Singapore today by Bahrain's Minister of Transportation, H.E Shaik Ali Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, and Singapore's Minister for Transport, Mr Yeo Cheow Tong.

The Human Genetics Subcommittee (HGS) of the Bioethics Advisory Commitee (BAC) has been reviewing the rapid developments in human genetics and gene technology over the past year. Increased understanding of the human genome and advances in gene technology have changed the conduct of genetic testing in medicine and research. Following deliberations on these issues, the HGS has prepared a consultation paper entitled "Ethical, Legal and Social Issues in Genetic Testing and Genetics Research".

The Singapore Department of Statistics on 1st April 2005 announced the release of the publication, Singapore Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) 2005.

From 1 Apr 2005, all HDB resale flat transactions involving a bank loan and the use of CPF savings for the purchase of the flat and servicing of the loan will require a valuation report from a private valuer assigned by HDB.

Come 1 April 2005, the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act (BMSMA) will take effect. The new Act will impact mainly on the subsidiary proprietors or homeowners, management corporations, developers and managing agents from 170,000 strata units and 2,800 Management Corporations in Singapore.

As part of the preparation for Phase II implementation of the Competition Act 2004 (Act), the Competition Commission of Singapore (CCS) today issued draft guidelines for public consultation. Guidelines indicate how the CCS will interpret and give effect to the provisions of the Act, which will come 1 January 2006.

With effect from 1 Apr 2005, HDB flat owners no longer need to seek HDB?s approval for 19 more renovation items to their flats.

As part of Bank Negara Malaysia’s continuous effort to further enhance the business environment, increase efficiency of the regulatory delivery system and promote wider risk management options, further relaxations of the foreign exchange administration rules are made with effect from 1 April 2005. In addition, Bank Negara Malaysia has also reviewed and further liberalised the fixed deposit rate placed by non-SME corporations and non-residents with immediate effect.

The Ministry of Manpower on 10 March 2005 unveiled a new occupational safety and health (OSH) framework to improve the safety and health of workers.

IDA, after its triannual review of the Code, published the 2005 Code on 18 Feb 2005.

The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) had on 4 March 2005 released a consultation paper to review the COPIF to ensure that the requirements specified remain relevant and accurately reflect the current needs of the industry and consumers.