Thu, 4 Sep 2008 18:00:00 +0800 http://sblawg.hopto.org/ This Blawg provides its readers with news, comments and insight on Singapore legal matters en-us http://sblawg.hopto.org/images/ http://sblawg.hopto.org/ sblawg@wwlegal.com http://sblawg.hopto.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1012 China’s Vice Premier Wang Qishan and Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng today announced the successful conclusion of negotiations for the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (CSFTA). The announcement was made at the 5th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) meeting co-chaired by Vice Premier Wang and DPM Wong in Tianjin, China. Thu, 4 Sep 2008 18:00:00 +0800 http://sblawg.hopto.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1013 The Office of Commissioner of Charities is seeking feedback on the proposed amendments to the Charities Act. The last amendments to the Charities Act were made in March 2007. The changes then were primarily to incorporate the new charity regulatory model and the various recommendations as proposed by the Inter-Ministry Committee on the Regulation of Charities and Institutions of a Public Character. To facilitate and further enhance the levels of governance and accountability in the charity sector, the Commissioner of Charities is proposing to further amend the Charities Act. Wed, 3 Sep 2008 19:00:00 +0800 http://sblawg.hopto.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1014 The public consultation by the Competition Commission for Changes to Leniency Programme will be held from 3 September to 3 October 2008. The media release is below. Wed, 3 Sep 2008 18:00:00 +0800 http://sblawg.hopto.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1015 The Ministry of Manpower (MOM would like to invite feedback from members of the public on the proposed amendments to the Employment Act (EA). Tue, 2 Sep 2008 20:00:00 +0800 http://sblawg.hopto.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1011 The Government will with immediate effect waive the collection of building premium where lease extensions are granted. Mon, 1 Sep 2008 22:00:00 +0800 http://sblawg.hopto.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1016 Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX) today announced measures to manage the transition process of Catalist Non-Sponsored (Catalist-NS) companies to the Catalist’s sponsored regime. It was announced on 4 February 2008 that Catalist-NS companies would be given a period of at least two years to undertake this process. Mon, 1 Sep 2008 21:00:00 +0800 http://sblawg.hopto.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1009 The Advisory Council on the Impact of New Media on Society (AIMS) together with the launch of its new website (www.aims.org.sg) on 29th August 2008 has also released a consultation paper on liberalising the internet for feedback. Fri, 29 Aug 2008 22:00:00 +0800 http://sblawg.hopto.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1010 The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) is gathering public feedback in its review of the planning guidelines for restaurants, food shops and pubs located in non-HDB private shophouses near residential estates. Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:00:00 +0800 http://sblawg.hopto.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1008 The Ministry of Finance will be conducting public consultations on the draft Stamp Duties (Amendment) Bill 2008 and the GST (Amendment) Bill 2008 to seek public feedback. This exercise will last from 28 August 2008 to 19 September 2008. Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:00:00 +0800 http://sblawg.hopto.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1007 Speech by Minister for Law, Mr K Shanmugam, during the 2nd Reading of The Legal Profession (Amendment) Bill 2008 on 26 Aug 2008. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 21:00:00 +0800 http://sblawg.hopto.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1006 The Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Law have jointly released a Consultation Paper containing a draft Civil Law (Amendment) Bill 2008 for public consultation. Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:00:00 +0800 http://sblawg.hopto.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1005 The Ministry of Finance is conducting a public consultation exercise on draft guidelines for what constitutes Research & Development (R&D) for income tax purpose. This exercise will take place from 21 August 2008 to 10 September 2008. Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:00:00 +0800 http://sblawg.hopto.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1003 Deputy Prime Minister and former Law Minister Prof S Jayakumar has received highest honours from the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) for his contributions to Singapore legal system. Thu, 21 Aug 2008 07:00:00 +0800 http://sblawg.hopto.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1002 The Ministry of Law has released a draft Moneylenders Bill 2008 for public consultation. Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:00:00 +0800 http://sblawg.hopto.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1004 Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng, Minister-In-Charge of Population Issues and Chairman of the National Population Committee (NPC), announced the details of the enhanced 2008 Marriage and Parenthood (M&P) Package today. Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:00:00 +0800 http://sblawg.hopto.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1000 The National Environment Agency (NEA) has set up a grant to support companies in engaging carbon consultancy services, to develop the documentation needed for Clean Development Mechanism projects under the Kyoto Protocol. The grant will provide co-funding up to S$100,000 per project. Thu, 14 Aug 2008 20:00:00 +0800 http://sblawg.hopto.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1001 The Legal Profession (Amendment) Bill 2008, which is currently before the Singapore Parliament, provides for the enactment of the proposed Legal Profession (International Services) Rules 2008 and the proposed Legal Profession (Modified Application of Act for International Services) Rules 2008. Thu, 14 Aug 2008 20:00:00 +0800 http://sblawg.hopto.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=996 The Singapore Government has announced plans to liberalise the legal services sector, through the introduction of a Qualifying Foreign Law Practice (QFLP) Scheme. The Scheme provides for licences to be given to foreign law practices (FLPs) to practice Singapore law in permitted areas through Singapore-qualified solicitors employed by them. Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:00:00 +0800 http://sblawg.hopto.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=997 Twenty-six individuals and five organisations received various National Day awards and the President’s Certificate of Commendation for their significant contributions towards the successful outcome of the Pedra Branca issue. Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0800 http://sblawg.hopto.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=993 From 1 January 2009, all entities that are registered in Singapore, such as businesses, local companies, limited liability partnerships (LLPs), societies, representative offices, healthcare institutions and trade unions, will have a Unique Entity Number (UEN) as its identification number. This shall be used for correspondence and interaction with government agencies. Wed, 6 Aug 2008 21:00:00 +0800 http://sblawg.hopto.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=994 In the World Bank’s annual survey on “Doing Business” in 2007, Singapore beat 178 countries to take the top position in the “Ease of Doing Business”, and 9th in “Starting a Business” categories. Following the rankings, the World Bank had expressed interest to do a case study on the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority’s (ACRA) e-filing system, BizFile. Wed, 6 Aug 2008 19:00:00 +0800 http://sblawg.hopto.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=992 The Competition Commission of Singapore (“CCS”) has, on 25 June 2008, informed the Institute of Estate Agents (“IEA”) that its Professional Fees/Commission Guidelines are likely to infringe the Competition Act. The IEA has been advised to remove its recommendation on fees and fee structures. Tue, 5 Aug 2008 20:00:00 +0800 http://sblawg.hopto.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=991 The Accounting Standards Council (ASC) is seeking views from the public and the charity sector on the draft accounting proposals and reporting requirements pertaining to charities and Institutions of a Public Character (IPCs). Mon, 4 Aug 2008 18:00:00 +0800 http://sblawg.hopto.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=999 CCS has met with the SSTA on its recommendation of a fuel surcharge to its members. CCS has advised them to take appropriate remedial action. We understand from SSTA that it has since clarified its position with its members. Fri, 1 Aug 2008 20:00:00 +0800 http://sblawg.hopto.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=998 A new licensing regime for managers of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) has been introduced under the Securities and Futures Act (the ”SFA”). The legislative and regulatory changes prescribe the management of REITs as a regulated activity under the SFA and set out the appropriate business conduct requirements for REIT managers. The new regulatory framework came into operation on 1 August 2008. Fri, 1 Aug 2008 07:00:00 +0800