- A proposal has been made for ethics modules to be a compulsory part of the bar exam and in continuing education modules for lawyers
- Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon said that every legal practitioner needs to have a strong foundation in legal ethics as part of continuous learning
- A committee was set up in 2023 to develop a strategy to re-establish the values of the legal profession
- Chief Justice Menon also touched on other key recommendations relating to the reform of legal education
- He spoke about initiatives for family justice, which included the introduction of the new rules and a triage process for fresh divorce cases
SINGAPORE — To ensure that lawyers and law students remain up-to-date with their ethical obligations, a report by a working group has recommended that ethics modules become a mandatory part of the bar exam and in continuing education modules for lawyers.
Referencing the report in his speech at the opening of the legal year on Monday (Jan 8), Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon said that the move, which is being considered by a standing committee of legal representatives from relevant agencies, would address “notable gaps” in ethics education within the profession.
These gaps include young lawyers who may be exempted from Part B of the bar examinations, which lists ethics as a compulsory subject.
This typically applies to students who are admitted to practise here with an approved law degree from a recognised Singapore university, and have at least two years of relevant legal training.
Part A and B refers to the exams, legal training and practice training that a law graduate will need to undertake to qualify for the bar.
“Each practitioner must have a strong foundation of legal ethics… Ethics education must be a mandatory component of continuous learning,” Chief Justice Menon said, adding that he accepted the recommendations.
His address also touched on moves to bring in initiatives relating to other aspects of the legal profession.
These include simplifying the process for civil and family court proceedings as well as recommendations on the reform of legal education to support Singapore’s aspirations for the legal services sector.
STRENGTHEN ETHICAL AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
The legal profession has faced some ethical issues in recent years.
In April 2022, 11 trainee lawyers were found to have cheated in the Part B Bar exams in 2020, which graduates have to pass in order to be qualified to practise law in Singapore.
At the opening of the last legal year, Chief Justice Menon had spoken about the need to re-affirm values and ethical standards for legal practice so that Singapore could thrive as an excellent centre for law.
