M Ravi suspended until psychiatrist certifies him fit to practise

SINGAPORE — The High Court has ordered lawyer M Ravi’s suspension until he is certified fit to practise by an approved psychiatrist.

The decision by Justice Quentin Loh was issued in a closed-door hearing yesterday, after the Law Society (LawSoc) directed the lawyer to suspend his legal practice on Feb 10, after it received information relating to his “impaired fitness to practise”.

Under the Legal Profession Act, LawSoc had to seek a court order for the suspension to stand.

Mr Ravi was previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder and the society was informed this month that his psychiatrist, Dr Munidasa Winslow, had diagnosed him as being hypomanic. Hypomania is part of bipolar disorder and characterised by a distinct period of elevated or irritable mood.

In a statement issued after Justice Loh’s decision, the society said the judge found that it had acted reasonably, with good grounds, to direct Mr Ravi to stop practising. The judge was satisfied that Mr Ravi’s fitness to practise had been impaired by his medical condition, it added.

Should Mr Ravi, 45, wish to apply to lift the suspension, he will need a medical report from Dr Winslow or another psychiatrist approved by LawSoc to certify he is fit to practise, it said.

“In this case, the Court was satisfied this was an appropriate case for an order for suspension. The Law Society hopes that Mr Ravi will take this opportunity to seek the appropriate treatment with a view to making a recovery before seeking to resume practice,” it added.

Speaking to reporters after the hearing yesterday, Mr Ravi called his suspension “indiscriminate, unfair, discriminatory and politically motivated”.

He alleged that the society’s actions began when he announced his intention to contest in Ang Mo Kio group representation constituency in the next General Election. LawSoc president Thio Shen Yi has previously said the organisation does not hinder or assist any political ambitions practising lawyers may have.

Mr Ravi said he would see Dr Winslow on March 5 when the latter returns from overseas, and pursue a judicial review to quash his suspension by LawSoc and the High Court.

Later in the evening, Mr Ravi issued a more muted response via email, expressing concern over the impact of his suspension on his clients, some of whom “have no prospects of obtaining other legal representation”.

He added: “The only thing I can do is use the suspension as a compulsory rest. It is then for me to provide the Court with a clean bill of health from a physician as soon as possible. In the meantime, I am making every effort to arrange interim locum care for my clients.” NEO CHAI CHIN