Champerty: An improvement in access to justice for the poor?

After reading the following article by Andy Ho, I believe that there is a place for champerty [legal dict.][Wikipedia] in Singapore... (I u'stand that this form of charging does not separate legal fees from damages sought: it is all just one lump sum and the lawyer takes cut of 1/3 of damages won) however, if this form of charging is used, then it must be clearly declared to the court before any hearing (along with the damages sought)- each side should also lay clear one's legal costs and the case proceed either by mutual agreement on legal costs (looser pays the bill)- or else get a government order that the case would be heard and the government determines the eventual award and if necessary-legal cost (fixed or by champerty to each party as the case may be).

Lawyers ordered to dig into S'pore history: Hougang by-election case

Lawyers ordered to dig into S'pore history: Hougang by-election case
Straits Times; 15 Jan 2013; Goh Chin Lian
Legislation in 1963 may shed more light on by-elections: Court of Appeal
THE Hougang by-election case is now before the Court of Appeal, which yesterday ordered lawyers on both sides to dig into Singapore's legislative history in 1963 to shed more light on the law and the calling of by-elections.

Taxman claws back $3.2m from doctors after checks

 Taxman claws back $3.2m from doctors after checks
Straits Times: 06 Jan 2013: Theresa Tan
Audits show that most doctors made errors in tax claims, and some meant to cheat
A doctor under-declared his income by $1.6 million over a six- year period and claimed that various family members were highly paid staff at his clinic.

[Aug2010]: It's final - SMA's medical fee guidelines anti-competitive

It's final - SMA's medical fee guidelines anti-competitive
By Claire Huang | Posted: 19 August 2010 1323 hrs
 http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1075966/1/.html
SINGAPORE: The tussle between the Singapore Medical Association (SMA) and Competition Commission of Singapore on guidelines on doctors' fees has finally ended.
After an 18-month review, the Commission concluded that the Guidelines On Fees set by the SMA are anti-competitive.

No true democracy with US Electoral College system

The Straits Times, Published on Nov 06, 2012
No true democracy with US Electoral College system
TODAY'S presidential election in the United States raises the question of whether the country is really a democracy with the Electoral College system.
Does every vote count?

Regulating tightly 'not always feasible'

News: The Straits Times - 8 October 2012
Regulating tightly 'not always feasible'
by Elgin Toh
THE desire to regulate banks more tightly in the aftermath of the global financial crisis is understandable but not always practicable, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said last night.

HOLDING EXTERNAL AUDITORS ACCOUNTABLE (2 letters)

The Straits Times; Published on Jul 23, 2012
HOLDING EXTERNAL AUDITORS ACCOUNTABLE
Action will be taken if...
MR YEOW Hwee Ming asked if external auditors are taken to task in investigations into fraud or financial malfeasance ('Fraud: Hold external auditors accountable'; last Thursday).

Without discretion, can there be equity, justice in law?

Without discretion, can there be equity, justice in law?
Updated 08:44 AM Jun 27, 2012
From Dudley Au
I refer to the letter "Shore up judicial discretion in sentencing" (June 19). There are two considerations in evaluating the exercise of discretion. One is equity.

Shore up judicial discretion in sentencing

Shore up judicial discretion in sentencing
04:45 AM Jun 19, 2012; From Winston Chew Choon Teck
I support Member of Parliament Hri Kumar Nair's call, "Judges should have more flexibility: MP" (June 16), although the issue of sentencing is a complex one, involving various considerations.
While our judges have discretion in sentencing, this is circumscribed by existing precedents, guidelines and legal principles. A judge who fails to observe these would be in dereliction of his duties, with consequences to his career.

Judges should have more flexibility: MP

Judges should have more flexibility: MP
Allow option of suspending driving licences of those who get others to take the rap for traffic offences, says Hri Kumar; Updated 04:45 AM Jun 16, 2012
by Teo Xuanwei
SINGAPORE - Admitting he was "surprised" by the S$1,000 fine imposed on well-known plastic surgeon Woffles Wu, Member of Parliament Hri Kumar Nair has argued for "more flexibility in sentencing so that the punishment truly fits the crime".

Victim wins civil suit against Ionescu

Victim wins civil suit against Ionescu
Mr Bong has sought more than $630k in damages. The default judgment was given to Ionescu, but the amount of damages to be paid will be decided later. -TNP
Sat, Aug 21, 2010; The New Paper
A VICTIM allegedly knocked down by Romanian Silviu Ionescu has won the first civil suit filed against the former diplomat.
The High Court, in a default judgment on Aug 12, ruled that Ionescu pay Mr Bong Hwee Haw, 24, for damages, said court papers.

Perpetual securities not the same as perpetual bonds

The Straits Times; Published on Apr 16, 2012
Perpetual securities not the same as perpetual bonds
THERE are major differences between perpetual capital securities and perpetual bonds, and these terms should not be used interchangeably ('Genting S'pore reaches out to retail investors', last Tuesday; and 'Genting may be a sure bet but know risks of perpetual bonds', last Wednesday).

'Customers who still prefer ATM cards can visit any branch to replace their debit cards.'

The Straits Times; Published on Apr 14, 2012
Bank's reply
'Customers who still prefer ATM cards can visit any branch to replace their debit cards.'
MS OOI HUEY TYNG, Senior Vice-President & Head, Unsecured Lending & Cards, Consumer Banking Group (Singapore), DBS Bank: 'We thank Mr Chia Chee Keong ('DBS debit card'; Monday) for his feedback.

Vellama d/o Marie Muthu v Attorney-General [2012] SGHC 74

Vellama d/o Marie Muthu v Attorney-General [2012] SGHC 74
High Court — Originating Summons No 196 of 2012
Philip Pillai J 30 March 2012; 3 April 2012
Administrative Law — Judicial Review — Leave Application under O 53 of the Rules of Court; 09 April 2012; Philip Pillai J:

There should be a rule prohibiting banks from issuing cards that customers do not nee

The Straits Times; Published on Apr 9, 2012
DBS debit card
'There should be a rule prohibiting banks from issuing cards that customers do not need.'
MR CHIA CHEE KEONG: 'After the recent ATM security breach, DBS Bank sent me a new ATM debit card instead of an ordinary ATM card, claiming the former had more security features. The terms and conditions seemed to imply that the bank had the right to impose charges in the future. I do not need a debit card but was forced to use it because the bank required my original card to be replaced.

Bank shouldn't be so blase about releasing personal details

The Straits Times; Published on Mar 21, 2012
Bank shouldn't be so blase about releasing personal details
MY MOTHER received a call last week from an agent claiming to represent insurer Aviva who told her that DBS Bank had furnished Aviva with her personal details such as her account and identity card numbers and address.

July 13, 2005: Mrs Goh: I've full trust in NKF and its CEO

Source: [link]

STI Home > Singapore > Story > Print
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July 13, 2005: 
Mrs Goh: I've full trust in NKF and its CEO THE NKF's patron, Mrs Goh Chok Tong, told reporters at the close of the case that she had complete trust in the organisation and its chief executive, Mr T.T. Durai.
She had come to court on both days of the hearing and sat on the NKF side. Yesterday, she was there for part of the morning and again in the afternoon.

Rogue lawyer's victims recover 60% of losses

Rogue lawyer's victims recover 60% of losses
Source: Straits Times; Date: 06 Mar 2012; Author: K C Vijayan

Ex-CNB, SCDF chiefs' cases addressed in Parliament

Ex-CNB, SCDF chiefs' cases addressed in Parliament
14 February 2012 1541 hrs (SST)
SINGAPORE: Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean has stressed that any wrongdoing by public service officers will be dealt with, even if it "causes embarrassment to the government".

Patient falls after wife's request goes unheeded

[pict source]

The Straits Times; Published on Feb 8, 2012
Patient falls after wife's request goes unheeded
MY 74-YEAR-OLD father was admitted to Tan Tock Seng Hospital after suffering an acute stroke last October. While he needed help to walk to the toilet, he could sit and eat by himself. However, he was placed in a 'high fall-risk' cubicle.