Code of conduct suggested for lawyers

SINGAPORE — A new regulatory body and a code of conduct: These were some of the recommendations made for improving consistency in regulating the legal profession here.

The Committee to Review the Regulatory Framework of the Singapore Legal Services Sector has submitted its recommendations to the Ministry of Law. The recommendations include a Professional Conduct Council to oversee new professional conduct rules, which will apply to all lawyers practicing Singapore law, and a new Legal Services Regulatory Authority to regulate all law practice entities here.

The committee aims to update and bring about greater consistency in the regulatory regime of the legal profession, which now comprises a growing number of lawyers qualified in foreign jurisdictions (FLs) and FLs practicing Singapore law.

The Ministry of Law today (Jan 27) said it welcomes the report.

The 13-member Regulatory Committee, chaired by then Attorney-General Sundaresh Menon, was formed in January 2012 and comprises senior representatives from the legal fraternity, including local and foreign lawyers.