Singapore, 26 June 2013 – From 22 to 25 July 2013, the Singapore Academy of Law (“SAL”) and the Law Society are offering free talks and clinics in the evenings at the Subordinate Courts. These sessions are part of a Law Week event which is aimed at raising public awareness of their legal rights. Law Week 2013 which will be officially launched by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon on 22 July 2013 is part of SAL’s 25th anniversary celebrations.

The free legal talks on 22 and 24 July 2013 from 6.00 pm to 8.00 pm will cover a spectrum of topics that will be of interest to the public. These include criminal proceedings such as illegal money lending, employment matters, personal insolvency, family law, estate management and consumer protection.

The free legal talks on 22 and 24 July 2013 from 6.00 pm to 8.00 pm will cover a spectrum of topics that will be of interest to the public. These include criminal proceedings such as illegal money lending, employment matters, personal insolvency, family law, estate management and consumer protection.

A book entitled “Know the Law Now!” will be given complimentary to those attending the talks. The book provides brief information on areas of law that touch the lay person. “It is written for the lay person to give him a better understanding of his legal rights. A Mandarin version of the book which was translated by the Chinese Interpreters’ Section of the Subordinate Courts will also be available,” said Ms Jennifer Marie, Deputy Chief District Judge, Subordinate Courts and Chairperson of the Law Week Organising Committee.

Members of the public who wish to seek legal advice can sign up for a free one-on-one session at the legal clinics which will be conducted over two evenings on 23 and 25 July 2013. Each person will be given up to 20 minutes to consult any of the lawyers who have volunteered their services at the clinics. The sessions will also be facilitated by law student volunteers from the National University of Singapore Pro Bono Group and Singapore Management University Pro Bono Centre. There will be no means testing at these legal clinics.

“People especially the poor, uneducated, and mentally challenged often find themselves in a bind when they get into trouble. They don’t know their legal rights and where they can seek help. Most of them also cannot afford the legal fees involved. Thus, legal advice provided pro bono by volunteer lawyers can be a tremendous source of relief,” said Josephus Tan, Associate Director, Patrick Tan LLC. Josephus who spends one third of his time on pro bono work is one of 16 lawyers who have volunteered his service during Law Week.

Currently, members of the public who need free legal help can approach the Legal Aid Bureau, the Pro Bono Services Office of the Law Society and the Community Justice Centre (CJC) at the Subordinate Courts. There are close to 60 legal clinics scattered across the island run by various organisations including the Law Society Pro Bono Office.

The CJC was set up in late 2012 as a one-stop hub to provide legal, emotional and social support to unrepresented litigants. Through the support of the CJC, unrepresented litigants can better present their case and follow the legal proceedings. Those who need services across different bodies can be ensured that it would be met through timely referral to the appropriate agencies.

How to sign up for free legal talks and clinics

Legal Talks
Email to [email protected] or call +65 6332 5126/ 6332 837

Legal Clinics
Email: [email protected] or call +65 6536 0650

About Singapore Academy of Law 25th Anniversary celebrations

The Singapore Academy of Law (“the Academy”) turns 25 this year. To mark this significant milestone, the Academy is organising a series of signature events.

In July this year, the Academy is holding a Law Week from 22 to 26 July for the first time. The two main themes of Law Week are pro bono services and recent developments in Singapore Law. Activities for the legal profession and public include a seminar series, free legal talks, free legal clinics and an exhibition on Criminal Justice and Family Law entitled #Law & Community.

The LeX Factor - Law has Talent, a musical extravaganza will be held on 12 September 2013. This concert is held in support of the Yellow Ribbon Fund ("YRF"). Proceeds from ticket sales will go directly to the YRF-SAL STAR (Skills Training Assistance to Re-start) Bursary.

For more details on our anniversary, visit www.sal.org.sg/sal25.

About Singapore Academy of Law

The Singapore Academy of Law (the “Academy”) is the umbrella body of the legal community in Singapore and has close to 10,000 members.

The work of the Academy is focused on three key areas: supporting the growth and development of the Legal Industry; building up the intellectual capital of the legal profession by enhancing Legal Knowledge; and improving the efficiency of legal practice through Legal Technology. The work of the Academy is driven by these three core mandates. This in turn is directed towards raising the standard and quality of legal practice and building a strong and dynamic legal community in Singapore.

Besides its role as the official law reporting agency in Singapore, the Academy’s other functions include providing continuing legal education for its members, publishing legal literature, promoting legal research and legal studies, the reform and development of the law and alternative dispute resolution.

For more details on the Academy, visit www.sal.org.sg.