LawSoc travel perks dispute: Let's talk, say parties

LawSoc travel perks dispute: Let's talk, say parties
05:55 AM Feb 11, 2011
by Ong Dai Lin
SINGAPORE - The date may have been set for a showdown between the Law Society and some members unhappy over the decision to allow the society's president and two vice-presidents to travel Business Class on society business.

But both parties have signalled their intention to settle the matter without a face-off.
Prominent criminal lawyer Subhas Anandan, who led 88 lawyers to call for an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to vote against Law Society president Wong Meng Meng and its governing council, is hoping to settle the matter without having to go ahead with the EGM.
Mr Anandan told MediaCorp: "We are trying to work with the Law Society to see if we can do without the EGM."
Declining to say more, he said each side would have to give and take. "If this can be settled without confrontation, it's better for all parties involved ... it will be good for the Law Society and the profession."
When contacted, Mr Wong said: "A settlement is always in everyone's interest if parties can agree on a workable solution. So, if parties can settle something without slogging it out, that is always preferred."
In early January, the disgruntled lawyers filed a petition for an EGM to revoke the right of the society's top brass to Business Class travel. This was rejected by the Law Society, which said that members do not have the power to pass a resolution to revoke the council's travel protocol. It said, though, that it would call a townhall meeting to discuss the issue.
Mr Anandan and his group then asked for a freeze on the Business Class entitlement, saying the issue was about accountability to society members.
Talks between Mr Wong and Mr Anandan failed to resolve the matter. The group of opposing lawyers then filed for a motion of no-confidence to be passed against Mr Wong and the council at an EGM.
The townhall session is to be held on Feb 25, before the EGM, which is also scheduled for the same day.
URL http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110211-0000235/LawSoc-travel-perks-dispute--Lets-talk,-say-parties
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