The Straits Times reported yesterday the following…
http://www.straitstimes.com/forum/letters-in-print/law-society-clarifies-foreign-law-firms
In its letter last Thursday (“Damages-based legal billing: Law Society replies“), the Law Society of Singapore stated that “foreign law firms are permitted to offer contingency fee arrangements”.
In the context of the letter, the term “foreign law firms” refers to foreign law firms which practise foreign law solely.
Such firms do not practise Singapore law, including litigation, and are, therefore, not subject to the prohibition against contingency fee arrangements.
The term “foreign law firms” does not include joint law ventures, formal law alliances and qualifying foreign law practices which practise Singapore law.
In connection with their practice of Singapore law, those firms cannot offer contingency fee arrangements for litigation work.
Shawn Toh
Director
Communications
The Law Society of Singapore
