From 1 May 2008, all suppliers billing the Government will need to submit their invoices electronically. The e-Invoice system is another initiative of the Integrated Government 2010 (iGov2010) Masterplan which seeks to extend the reach and quality of Government e-services.

The International Court of Justice will deliver its judgement in the case concerning Sovereignty over Pedra Branca/Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge (Malaysia/Singapore) on 23 May 2008. A public sitting will take place at 10am at the Peace Palace in The Hague (Netherlands), during which the Acting President of the Court, Judge Awn Shawkat Al-Khasawneh, will deliver the Court's judgement.

On Friday 23 May 2008, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), principal judicial organ of the United Nations, will deliver its Judgment in the case concerning Sovereignty over Pedra Branca/Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge (Malaysia/Singapore).

Mr Foo Chee Hock has been appointed as the Acting Registrar, Supreme Court with effect from 11 April 2008.

Mrs Koh Juat Jong, will be appointed as the new Solicitor-General, AGC with effect from 11 April 2008.

The rule for computing the 30/70 fund-raising efficiency ratio, commonly known as the ''30/70 rule'', for charities and institutions of a public character (IPCs) will be revised. The revised rule will apply to fund-raising events for charities and IPCs whose financial year ends after 31 March 2008. These changes to the 30/70 rule will facilitate fund-raising efforts of charities and IPCs without compromising the principle that the costs of fund-raising should not exceed 30% of the total funds raised.

The United States, Abu Dhabi and Singapore have jointly released a set of Policy Principles for Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) and countries receiving SWF investment. The Policy Principles are aimed at contributing to the work of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in developing voluntary best practices for SWFs and inward investment regimes in countries receiving investments, respectively.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Law Professor S Jayakumar and the Minister of Justice of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Mr Ha Hung Cuong signed a Memorandum of Understanding today on legal and judicial cooperation.

The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) has officially released Singapore’s national strategy for addressing climate change.

The Singapore Budget 2007 has some initiatives that has an impact on legal practice. They include: (a) removal of estate duty on deaths occurring on or after 15 February 2008; (b) broaden tax reliefs for Singaporeans to top up their own CPF accounts and that of their family members; (c) tax incentives for expenses for fixtures and fittings by companies; and (d) unilateral tax credit claim for foreign income taxes.

The hearing concerns Singapore's and Malaysia's dispute over Pedra Branca, or Pulau Batu Puteh. It took place at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands. The dispute arose when Malaysia published its new map in 1979 of its territories which included Pedra Branca. Singapore disagreed claiming that it owns the island.

Two members of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terrorist group’s Al-Ghuraba cell who had been detained on Orders of Detention (ODs) under the Internal Security Act (ISA) since Nov 2003 have been released and placed on Restriction Orders (ROs) under the ISA.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will hold public hearings in the case concerning Sovereignty over Pedra Branca/Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge (Malaysia/Singapore). The hearing commences on 6 November 2007, at the Peace Palace in The Hague, seat of the Court.

The text of the Second Reading Speech On Inquiries Bill 2007, by Deputy Prime Minister in Parliament on 19 Sept 2007 is below.

The text of the Second Reading Speech for The Private Security Industry Bill 2007 by the Minister of Home Affairs in Parliament is below.

Vietnam and Singapore have agreed that both countries should also work together in the legal sector. This was discussed by Deputy Prime Minister Professor S Jayakumar when he met Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung during his official visit to Vietnam from August 16-18, 2007.

Following consultation with the Singapore Hotel Association (SHA), the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) has decided on the following rates for the Formula One (F1) levy on hotel room revenues:
a. 30% of the total revenues from rooms and room packages for trackside hotels; and

b. 20% of the total revenues from rooms and room packages for all other tourist hotels[1].

The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) has made revisions to the Animals and Birds (Dog Licensing and Control) Rules. The revised Rules will come into effect on 1 Sep 07.

At its second annual Public Accountants Conference on 24 July 2007 at the Raffles City Convention Centre, ACRA launched 3 consultation documents: (i) ACRA’s Regulatory Strategy on Auditing and Corporate Reporting; (ii) ACRA’s Public Consultation on the Registration Framework for Public Accountants and the Path to becoming a Public Accountant in Singapore; and (iii) The Public Accountants Oversight Committee (PAOC)’s Ethics Committee’s proposed Code of Professional Conduct & Ethics.

To promote charitable giving and develop Singapore as an attractive hub for philanthropic and other not-for-profit organisations, the Second Minister for Finance Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam announced several changes to the taxation and regulatory frameworks for the charity sector in his 2007 Budget Statement.

The Charity Council is seeking views from the public and the charity sector on the draft Code of Governance for charities and Institutions of a Public Character (IPCs).

The Singapore Armed Forces (amendment) Bill was read a second time in Parliament and subsequently passed. In the Minister's speeach during the second reading, Mr Teo Chee Hean, highlighted that the bill is to give legal powers to the SAF to conduct civilian security operations.

Second Reading Speech by Mr S Iswaran, Minister of state, ministry of Trade and Industry for the Gas (Amendment) Bill.

During the Budget speech, it was announced that there will be a 2-year assistance scheme to help locally registered SMEs adjust to rising business costs. Eligible firms will receive cash rebates pegged to their total employer and employee CPF contributions made over two years, between 1 July 2007 and 30 June 2009. Details of the Scheme were announced on 30 April 2007.

Indonesia and Singapore jointly concluded a Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) today, 27 April 2007. The DCA was signed by the Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean and the Indonesian Defence Minister Prof Juwono Sudarsono in Tampak Siring, Bali.