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M Ravi ‘ignored doctor’s advice’ to stop practice last week

SINGAPORE — The Law Society (LawSoc) today (Feb 12) broke from its usual practice of not issuing media statements on action taken against individual lawyers, shedding light on the circumstances in which it stopped lawyer Ravi Madasamy from practising until certified fit by a psychiatrist.

Lawyer M Ravi. TODAY file photo

Lawyer M Ravi. TODAY file photo

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SINGAPORE — The Law Society (LawSoc) today (Feb 12) broke from its usual practice of not issuing media statements on action taken against individual lawyers, shedding light on the circumstances in which it stopped lawyer Ravi Madasamy from practising until certified fit by a psychiatrist.

The society said its council decided to issue a statement to the media and its members because Mr Ravi had made public allegations against the LawSoc that were inaccurate.

Mr Ravi was previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder and had a public spat with the society in 2012, which ended when he agreed to stricter monitoring of his condition.

The LawSoc said its council was informed in the past week that Mr Ravi’s psychiatrist had diagnosed him as being hypomanic. Hypomania is part of bipolar disorder and characterised by a distinct period of elevated or irritable mood. Mr Ravi’s psychiatrist felt his condition was worsening and stated that his hypomania created risk of errors of judgment and emotional outbursts, the society said.

Mr Ravi had been certified medically unfit for duty from Tuesday to Friday last week and was advised not to practise during this period, the LawSoc said. He was also advised to be hospitalised for observation, but did not comply.

Mr Ravi continued to practise and the council became concerned about his mental condition and fitness to practise. It ordered him to stop practising in his own interests and those of the legal profession and the public, the society added. 

When contacted today, Mr Ravi said he was issued a medical certificate and acknowledged that his psychiatrist had deemed him hypomanic, but maintained that he was fit to practise. He had appeared in court last Friday, he added.

Mr Ravi told TODAY he was trying to get a quorum to call for an extraordinary general meeting to pass a vote of no confidence in the LawSoc council.

Two of his clients, bloggers Roy Ngerng and Han Hui Hui, are now represented by Mr Eugene Thuraisingam, he added.

Mr Thuraisingam, who runs his own law firm, confirmed that he began representing Ngerng and Han from yesterday in their court cases arising from a Hong Lim Park protest last September, and Ngerng in his defamation lawsuit brought by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

The LawSoc said Mr Ravi’s practising certificate for the year ending March 31 was subject to conditions, including the society’s right at all times to obtain information, from him or his psychiatrist, on his mental state and fitness to practise.

The society said it could have pursued more drastic measures against Mr Ravi. The lawyer had gone to the LawSoc’s office this week claiming that he was suspended because of his bid to stand in the next General Election. A video capturing his visit was also posted on the Internet.

On Feb 2, Mr Ravi declared at a  hastily-called press conference that he would stand in Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency, adding that he aspired to become the Prime Minister one day.
And in a five-minute video posted online last Saturday, Mr Ravi also went on a tirade against Ngerng.

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