As well as an IP masterplan the Singpore Law Ministry appears to have pronounced on a number of subjects yesterday
Here goes ....
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Law ministry to tighten regulations on moneylending
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SINGAPORE - The Law Ministry will be tightening the regulatory framework on moneylending to protect borrower's interests.
These include strengthening the enforcement powers of the Registry of Moneylenders, safeguarding borrowers' information from loansharks, as well as clarifying the provisions governing moneylenders's place of business.
Senior Parliamentary Secretary Sim Ann said moneylenders meet the needs of people who are unable to borrow from the banks.
Abolishing the industry would only drive it underground.
So the government prefers the approach whereby the industry is allowed to operate but it is regulated to give protection to borrowers.
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Law Ministry working to encourage pro bono work
http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC120306-0000162/Law-Ministry-working-to-encourage-pro-bono-work
SINGAPORE - The Ministry of Law is working to encourage pro bono work among lawyers.
Measures currently under consideration include making pro bono work a mandatory component of legal education.
Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Law, Sim Ann, said in Parliament that this will help foster the pro bono spirit in law students, and allow them to gain practical skills outside the classroom.
The Singapore Institute of Legal Education (SILE) will work with the two law schools to implement these plans in the next academic year.
The measures will also encourage existing lawyers to get involved.
"We will also be expanding the Legal Aid Steering Committee (LASC) chaired by former Senior Minister of State for Law, Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee. A wider cross-section of the legal community, including the judiciary, academia and practitioners, will be involved. This will bring key stakeholders in the legal community together in the Legal Aid Steering Committee to set the strategic direction for pro bono efforts, and rally the legal community to do more pro bono work," said Ms Sim.
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Law Ministry to review criteria of lawyers qualifying to practice
http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC120306-0000158/Law-Ministry-to-review-criteria-of-lawyers-qualifying-to-practice
SINGAPORE - The Law Ministry will review the criteria of lawyers qualifying to practice, with a view to increase the pool of lawyers in Singapore.
Law Minister K Shanmugam said he has convened a (Fourth) Committee on the Supply of Lawyers, headed by Judge of Appeal V K Rajah.
The committee will review the current admissions policy, including the policy on external law degrees.
"I think to re-look not just at external law degrees but also at the needs of the smaller law firms. How we can get people who have the aspirations to become lawyers, but who can't afford to go overseas? And how can we do it in a rational manner so that we have lawyers who are then able to use their skills in our marketplace. I think that's important as well," said Mr Shanmugam.
