The 9th Legal Practice Management Course is being organised under Section 75C of the Legal Procession Act (“the Act”). A Solicitor’s completion of this Course will count towards fulfillment of the requirement set out in section 75C(I)(a) of the Act. Delivered using a mixture of lectures, case studies and small group sessions, this Course is taught by subject matter experts in law practice management, accounting & financial management, professional standards and professional indemnity insurance. Since 2006, the Course has been restructured into a comprehensive 3-day programme based on participant feedback as well as the evolving needs of the legal profession. Topics covered include:

Day 1:

• Owning and Managing a Law Practice
• Priming Your Practice for Success
• Managing Operational Risk through PRIMELAW

Day 2

• Financial Management of Your Law Practice
• Understanding Solicitors’ Accounts Rules

Day 3

• A Lawyer’s Ethical Obligations
• The Law Society’s Mandatory Professional Indemnity Scheme
• The Legal Profession Act & Relevant Rules - Your Obligations & Privileges
• Inspection of the accounts of a law practice under rule 12 of the Solicitors’ Accounts Rules and a law firm’s AML processes under Rule 11I of the Professional Conduct Rules
• Anti-money laundering practice responsibilities under Rules 11D to 11H of the Professional Conduct Rules

MANDATORY REGISTRATION
If you are admitted to practice after 1 March 1997, you are required to complete this course in order to practice on your own or as a partner in a firm or director of a law corporation. Registration fees are $856 for members and $1,284 for non-members (inclusive of 7% GST). Where attendance is mandatory, please register your interest by completing the Notice of Registration.

VOLUNTARY REGISTRATION
This Course is vital for any member who wishes to start his own practice or to manage it better. If you wish to attend the Course on a voluntary basis, you can choose to attend one or more Modules. Please refer to the brochure for more details or to register.

This Course is organised pursuant to the provisions of Rule 11A of the Legal Profession (Solicitors’ Accounts) Rules and aims to provide approved book-keepers handling law practice accounts with a clear and in-depth understanding of the requirements of the Legal Profession (Solicitors’ Accounts) Rules, Solicitors’ Trust Accounts Rules and the books of accounts required to be kept under the Rules. The Course will also explain the duties of an approved book keeper under the SAR.

Fact scenarios of real-life cases would be used to illustrate various pitfalls and situations often encountered by book-keepers in their course of work as well as provide useful tips and strategies on how book-keepers could deal with these issues in compliance with the Rules.

Register now!

This Workshop aims to provide anyone who wishes to take meeting minutes well, paralegals and legal support staff in law practices and legal departments with a practical nuts and bolts overview of writing good meeting minutes.

Topics covered will include:

1. Introduction
2. Importance of minutes
3. Purposes of minutes
4. Problems of the minutes-taking
5. Preparing to take the Minutes
6. Preparation and planning
7. Summarising skills
8. Taking notes for minutes
9. Preparing the agenda

Limited to 30 places only so register early! Register now!

Annual Practice Management Seminar: Effective Business & Credit Management
30 Nov 2007, 4-7pm, Law Society Conference Room

Law practices today face formidable challenges and unparalleled opportunities in a competitive service industry. In this light, the Law Society’s practice management seminars started in 1995 as an annual programme of the Practice Management Committee with twofold aims:

1. create awareness of new initiatives in law practice management; and
2. provide opportunities for lawyers and support staff to meet and learn about best practices in law firm management.

The first speaker will deal with critical lessons for law practices in Credit and Cash Management, including:

1. Financing options available to law practices
2. Documentation required from law practices for loan evaluation
3. Security/collateral requirements
4. Cash management for law practices

The second speaker will explain how implementing best practices, can take you very far on the road to profitability. Topics covered will include:

1. Reducing Overheads v Increasing Revenue
2. Understanding Your strengths and Your Market
3. Self Assessment and Achievable Actions
4. The Billing Continuum – and its correlation to profitability
5. Valuing your Clients
6. Creating Key Practice Management Goals
7. Applied Technology & Outsourcing.

This seminar is supported by the PI Education Fund of the Law Society, so Law Society members and employees of Singapore law practices pay $5.35 only!

Limited places so do register early to secure your place. Register now!

Recent Developments in Pure Economic Loss
23 Nov 2007, 5-7.30pm, FTSE Room, Capital Tower

The recent decisions of the CA in Spandeck Engineering v DSTA and Sunny Metal v Ng Khim Ming have contributed significantly towards the growth of Singapore’s jurisprudence in an area of the law which is as commercially relevant as it is legally challenging – Pure Economic Loss.

These developments present an ideal juncture to take stock of Singapore’s current position on pure economic loss, through an analysis of the key Singapore decisions on pure economic loss.

The talk will analyse the development of Singapore’s pure economic loss principles from Ocean Front and Eastern Lagoon, which marked Singapore’s departure from the English position, through Man B&W Diesel v PT Bumi and United Project Consultants v Leong Kwok Onn, to the most recent CA decisions on pure economic loss, Sunny Metal v Ng Khim Ming and Spandeck Engineering v DSTA.

The talk will be presented by Mohan Pillay, who will share insights gained through his involvement as Counsel in Ocean Front, Eastern Lagoon and Spandeck Engineering v DSTA.

Register now!

This Course is organised pursuant to the provisions of Rule 11A of the Legal Profession (Solicitors’ Accounts) Rules and aims to provide approved book-keepers handling law practice accounts with a clear and in-depth understanding of the requirements of the Legal Profession (Solicitors’ Accounts) Rules, Solicitors’ Trust Accounts Rules and the books of accounts required to be kept under the Rules. The Course will also explain the duties of an approved book keeper under the SAR.

Fact scenarios of real-life cases would be used to illustrate various pitfalls and situations often encountered by book-keepers in their course of work as well as provide useful tips and strategies on how book-keepers could deal with these issues in compliance with the Rules.

Register now!

For the first time, the Law Society together with the renown Dale Carnegie Training® are pleased to present an interactive and practical workshop designed for all in leadership positions, including in law practices, corporate legal departments and professional services firms.

If you've been in management for any length of time, you've undoubtedly come to realize that it's a multi-faceted profession - a somewhat complex calling that includes the classic and academically-described duties of "planning, directing, controlling"... and much more.

Led by the Managing Director of Dale Carnegie Training® in Singapore presented, this premium programme benefits anyone who interacts with internal or external customers, project team leaders, employees who serve on teams and managers who want to achieve outstanding results.

Limited places, so register now!

The Law Society is pleased to present a talk by leading administrative and public law practitioner, The Honourable Michael Beloff QC.

Chaired by our President Philip Jeyaretnam SC, this talk will deal with issues that include:

1. the pros and cons of having fundamental rights in a written constitution as distinct from as a matter of common law;
2. the approach the judiciary (and public authorities) should take to enforcement or recognition of such rights, especially the concept of balance;
3. how human rights instruments should be construed; and
4. the utility of comparative jurisprudence in this arena.

Register now!

The Law Society of Singapore is pleased to present the following two banking law seminars featuring Mr. Paul Downes, Head, Banking and Finance, 2 Temple Gardens, London:

Recent Developments in Letters of Credit (23 October 2007, 9.30am- 1.00pm, FTSE Room)

Last year, the ICC Banking Commission unanimously approved the first change to the UCP for Documentary Credits for 13 years, ICC Publication 600. The new regime is said to be more streamlined and simplified with improved definitions and an expanded discussion of what "original documents" are. The new provisions came into force on 1st July 2007. The speaker will explain all the major changes to the rules and illustrate with case studies what these changes will mean in practice.

Recent Developments in Banking Documentation (23 October 2007, 2.30-6.00pm, FTSE Room)

Over recent years, the issue of preventing money laundering has become critical for law enforcement agencies and banks alike. However the case law has shown that frequently the banks' standard terms and conditions leave the bank exposed when faced with complaints from its customer that funds have been wrongly suspected as being the proceeds of crime. In the next edition of the Encyclopedia of Banking Forms and Precedents to be published by Butterworths in 2008, the speaker will recommend certain changes to the way that banks draw up their documentation. This seminar will examine the difficulties that arise and explain the changes that are thought to be necessary.

Participants may sign up for either seminar or both. Register now!

As foreign direct investment becomes an increasingly important element of the global economy, today's businesses, their counsel, and international lawyers need to be familiar with the basic tools to manage the risks of governmental interference. This seminar will address issues such as:

• Drafting commercial contractual provisions with state entities and commercial entities to address political risk
• Insuring political and other investment risks: Ensuring you have coverage
• Using international treaties to ensure investor recourse against the host state
• Planning for and managing disputes
• Dealing with government disputes when you have no insurance or BIT protection

Register now!

The Singapore Academy of Law and the Law Society of Singapore present an update on recent competition law developments in 2 key areas:

1. “Economic Analysis of Competition Law” which will address the following issues:

   a. Market definition
   b. Elasticity
   c. Market share vis-à-vis market power
   d. Mergers
   e. Countervailing efficiencies
   f. Computation of loss

2. “Competition law implications for trade associations, professions and self-regulating bodies”:

   a. Why trade and professional associations are subject to competition law scrutiny
   b. Treatment of trade associations v professional associations - is there a valid distinction?
   c. Association activities likely to be caught by competition law prohibitions
   d. United States approach v EU/UK - differences & similarities
   e. Treatment of associations in Singapore under section 34

Register now!

Join us for a timely discussion of the following recent Singapore cases:

1. Singapore Land Authority v Virtual Map (Singapore) Pte Ltd [2007] SGDC 216
2. Alliance Entertainment Singapore Pte Ltd v Sim Kay Teck [2007] SGHC 43
3. ODEX Pte Ltd v Pacific Internet Ltd (OS 159/2007)
4. Orchard KTV & Lounge Pte Ltd v Recording Industry Performance Singapore Pte Ltd [2006] SGCRT 1

Hear first-hand from the speaker, who was Counsel for the Plaintiff in the Alliance Entertainment case which was cited by the Court in the ODEX decision, his insights into the intricacies of copyright claims. A MUST ATTEND for IT/IP lawyers, in-house counsel, technology managers and IP managers.

Register now!

By popular demand, the Family Law Practice Committee and the Continuing Professional Development Committee jointly present the 2nd run of this Nuts & Bolts update on family law and practice. Topics covered include:

Discovery & Interrogatories

1. Applicable Rules for Discovery (different time frames)
2. Current Regime:
   (i) Requirements prior to taking out application
   (ii) Contents of Application / Supporting Affidavit
   (iii) Examples of discovery / interrogatories allowed by the Court / Relevant Case Law

Injunctions

1. Practice and Applications of the law involving Injunctions in the Matrimonial context
2. Procedures for Applying for an injunction
3. Mandatory Injunctions and the enforcement of Maintenance Orders within and outside of Singapore
4. The Mareva Injunction, its Protection and Enforcement

Recommended for all lawyers and paralegals engaged in family practice or anyone interested in developments in this area of practice. Register now!

Back by popular demand, the Law Society of Singapore and Temasek Polytechnic present the 4th installment of this foundational certification course dealing with various aspects of Procedural & Substantive Law, Legal Communication Skills and Practice Management specifically designed for paralegals, legal executives and secretaries and other legal support staff. Each aspect of this Course, from its content to structure to duration, has been crafted based on the feedback from key users of paralegal services, including Managing Partners/Directors of law practices and Heads of Legal Departments.

This run comprises the following 6 Modules on:

1. Module 1 (13 September 2007) – Basic Principles of Wills & Probate
2. Module 2 (20 September 2007) - Basic Principles Of Drafting Pleadings In A Civil Action
3. Module 3 (27 September 2007) – Introduction to Conveyancing [NEW!]
4. Module 4 (4 October 2007) – Basic Legal Research for Law Office Staff
5. Module 5 (18 October 2007) – Basic Contract Law
6. Module 6 (25 October 2007) – Matrimonial Proceedings

Each Module is conducted using a combination of lecturettes, case studies, exercises and concluding with a simple written test.

Participants who attend each Module in full and pass the written test at the end of each Module will be awarded a joint “Certificate of Completion” for the Module by the Law Society of Singapore and Temasek Polytechnic. Register now!

The success of business in modern society depends not only on the ethics of individual executives and managers, but on the legal framework that empowers and constrains the corporation itself. For businesses to flourish in a sustainable fashion, the legal infrastructure must encourage the creation of wealth, while simultaneously constraining the inevitable excesses brought about by an unrelenting drive to increase profits.

Singapore has addressed this tension between empowerment and constraint by establishing corporate law that has successfully developed and groomed the country’s corporate landscape into one of the most well regulated, organized, sustainable and vibrant in Asia. Recognizing the need for corporations to constantly adapt and align themselves to a fast moving marketplace, Singapore Company Law has evolved through time, to better facilitate corporate performance in the pursuit of collective good and the sustainable creation and equitable distribution of corporate wealth.

Once again, the Law Society of Singapore and LexisNexis are proud to present the 5th Annual Company Law Update Conference which aims to provide business leaders, executives, scholars, and leaders of NGOs updates on the corporate regulatory regime. Besides underpinning the importance of applied corporate governance and raising awareness in the area of market misconducts and market rigging, this program discusses the latest changes and proposed amendments, in particular the Singapore Code on Takeovers & Mergers, listing manual / rules to the new board as well as interesting developments in the area of Real Estate Investment Trusts.

Register now!

By 2050, population projections show that, there will be four times as many people aged above 65 compared to people under 65. Within Asia, the United Nations estimates that the number of elderly will triple by 2050. Yet, unlike aging western European countries such as Italy, Germany and Spain where generous pensions and early retirement incentives have been available for years, retirement financing systems are not well developed in Asia.

Closer to home, Singapore is the world’s second most rapidly ageing society with Baby Boomers (individuals born between 1946 and 1964) representing the bulk of the group gradually moving into retirement age in the coming decades. Over one-third of this group is expected to live well into their 80s or beyond (especially women and the more educated). The Singapore government has been exploring alternatives, such as tweaking the Central Provident Fund scheme, so as to provide for a higher aged population that is also expected to spend a long time in the retirement phase. However, the private sector too has a critical role to play in this age of rapidly changing demographics, as employer.

The Law Society’s Continuing Professional Development Committee presents this seminar which aims to provide lawyers, in-house counsel, HR practitioners and company managers with a timely discussion on private pension schemes - what they are, their benefits as well as how to set-up and structure such schemes.

Register now!

Our 101 Workshops provide basic & practical knowledge of the industry or business related to areas of practice. Conducted by industry experts, they aim to equip legal professionals to better serve their clients’ needs through a clearer understanding of their industry and business.

At this Workshop, Dr. Ivan Png will introduce various techniques for quantification of economic damages. These will be presented in an intuitive way, with reference to international and regional arbitration and court cases. The workshop will start with a basic framework for quantification of economic damages, and then develop to include the concepts of:

• net present value;
• contingency analysis;
• cost of capital;
• event study;
• options;
• elasticity analysis.

Register now!

The Family Law Practice Committee and the Continuing Professional Development Committee jointly present this Nuts & Bolts update on family law and practice. Topics covered include:

Discovery & Interrogatories

1. Applicable Rules for Discovery (different time frames)
2. Current Regime:
   (i) Requirements prior to taking out application
   (ii) Contents of Application / Supporting Affidavit
   (iii) Examples of discovery / interrogatories allowed by the Court / Relevant Case Law

Injunctions

1. Practice and Applications of the law involving Injunctions in the Matrimonial context
2. Procedures for Applying for an injunction
3. Mandatory Injunctions and the enforcement of Maintenance Orders within and outside of Singapore
4. The Mareva Injunction, its Protection and Enforcement

Recommended for all lawyers and paralegals engaged in family practice or anyone interested in developments in this area of practice. Register now!

This comprehensive 2-day workshop aims to enhance competencies, behaviours and skills critical for newly appointed managers, existing managers who wish to enhance their managerial skills and executives with a desire to enhance their performance in the organisation. You will pick up the tools and knowledge to:

1. Understand the concept of management and your role as a manager
2. Understand the basics of supervision
3. Cultivate positive culture and values
4. Manage with leadership initiative
5. Manage teams more effectively
6. Motivate and build trust with your staff
7. Manage conflict and change
8. Be more effective in time management

Through experiential learning, role-plays, exercises and games, you will learn to apply management concepts and be equipped with the skills to achieve higher productivity for your organisation. Sign up for either Module 1 (day 1) or Module 2 (day 2) or both. Register now!

STEP Singapore is pleased to invite members of the Law Society to an evening update on UK and international trust and taxation. Topics to be covered include:

1. The impact on the future of trusts for tax planning and asset protection following the changes in the UK’s 2006 Budget
2. Alternatives to “ordinary” family trusts, such as employee trusts, unapproved pensions and collective investment schemes
3. An update on recent UK and International trust and company law cases relevant to offshore trustees
4. The latest news on tax and legal issues of owning UK land by non resident individuals, companies and trusts
5. Taxation issues generally for UK resident beneficiaries/settlors of international trusts
6. Update on recent case law regarding domicile and, in particular, residency
7. The new aggressive regulatory environment – initiatives by the international community, the EU and Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs
8. International Tax Planning – the role of Singapore and other “non haven” jurisdictions
9. The increasing role of the EU Treaty in international tax planning

Law Society members enjoy a preferential rate of S$30.00 only.

More details are available in the brochure. For enquiries, please contact the STEP Secretariat at secretariat@step.org.sg or 62252393.

Recommended for all lawyers and paralegals engaged in family practice or anyone interested in developments in this area of practice. Register now!

For the 3rd time, the Law Society of Singapore and the Society of Construction Law (Singapore) are proud to present this collaborative feature in the annual calendar of the construction industry, with the aim of promoting an exchange of perspectives and experiences between the various industry stakeholders.

This MUST-ATTEND Conference brings together well-known practitioners in construction law and practice for a discussion on recent developments and current issues affecting the construction industry, as well as in-depth sessions on handling technical evidence and workplace safety and health. Attend the full-day Conference or select one of 2 Modules:

Morning Module

Afternoon Module

Register now!

The Conference programme features Judge of Appeal Justice VK Rajah as Keynote Speaker as well as a host of speakers from participating jurisdictions on current topics relating to arbitration, including:

1. Legislative framework for arbitration
2. Nature & role of the tribunal
3. Role of the courts
4. Legislative & procedural framework for enforcement
5. Practical considerations to assist enforcement

This will be an important meeting point for arbitration practitioners in the region, as well as anyone interested in the vibrant regional dispute resolution industry.

For more details, visit the Conference website at www.intellitrain.biz/SIArb or contact the Conference Secretariat at 65572750 or SIArb@intellitrain.biz.

The UK’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM) is considered by many to be the world's most successful growth market. Over 1,600 companies have listed on AIM, many of which are from overseas. AIM listings are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative source of raising capital for small, medium and large businesses from all industry sectors and particularly now from the Asia Pacific region. AIM's light regulatory touch and the speed of entry into the market make a listing on the AIM Board an attractive alternative to other methods of raising finance. AIM offers a platform for listed companies to achieve global recognition.

As Singapore contemplates its own AIM platform in the future, join us for this timely seminar with experts in this area who will provide an overview of the UK AIM, discuss the role of brokers, lawyers and how to prepare for an AIM listing, as well as share learning points for Singapore. Register now!

After the successful first run in 2005, the CPD Committee of the Law Society is pleased to present its second Roundtable Discussion on legal ethics and professional responsibility which aims to:

1. Provide practitioners with updates on recent case law developments
2. Discuss the practical implications ensuing from recent judgments including include conflicts of interests, warrants to act, client care best practices and ethics for conveyancers
3. Provoke discussion on the role and relevance of ethical issues and challenges confronting the profession today.

Join us for an engaging and interactive session chaired by LP Thean and featuring as Prof Tan Yock Lin and Michael Hwang SC as speakers. There will be an interactive panel discussion with the chairperson, speakers and practitioners practicing in corporate, conveyancing and litigation, followed by a Q&A session where audience participation where participants are encouraged to come prepared with heir own experiences to share and questions to ask. Register now!

Whether you practice civil or criminal law, you will come across instances where there is a need to examine documents or handwriting more closely.

The 2nd run of this introductory session, which has been brought back by popular demand, discusses the following issues:

1. the scope of the field of forensic document examination;
2. how to recognise and preserve the evidential potential of a document; and
3. the role of the forensic document examiner in court.

Register early as places are limited!

The GST rate in Singapore will increase from 5% to 7% effective from 1 July 2007. With just 1-2 months to the implementation of the increase in GST, businesses need to understand GST better and the various accounting and administrative requirements which would businesses are required to comply with. Our speaker will share with you his experience of implementing change of GST rate in Singapore. Attend this timely seminar to learn or be updated on the following:

• Basic Concept and Mechanics of GST
• Definition and Scope of Supply
• Types of Supply
• Place, Time and Value of Supply
• Registration threshold
• Transitional issues pertaining to the increase of GST and its impact
• Implication for Accounting and documentation

Register early as places are limited!

This MUST-ATTEND seminar will cover the following:

1. spam and its application
2. structure of the SCA
3. remedies provided under the SCA
4. practical implications on businesses
5. possible impact on lawyers

Register early to secure your place!

In today’s globalised market, gaining financial knowledge is no longer an option for most of today’s managers and executives. They need to understand ideas and concepts of investment and finance, and obtain hands-on experience with the most current tools to help their organizations gain a competitive advantage.

This 2-day interactive program delves beneath the surface into various aspects of financial management by examining topics such as financing the business, risk and return, investment appraisals, and valuation. You will walk away with powerful insights and frameworks that you can apply immediately to help achieve your business objectives. Topics covered include:

Module 1 (Financing Management)

1. Introduction To Financial Management
2. Financing The Business
3. Measuring the Financial Health
4. Cost of Capital

Module 2 (Investment Management)

5. Time Value Of Money Concept
6. Investment Appraisals
7. Valuation Models
8. Dividend Policy

Register for either Module 1, or Module 2 or both Modules 1 & 2. Register now!

The knowledge-based economy of this new era demands that the individual allocates more time and resources to learn new things and learn them fast. What has been learnt becomes outdated equally fast as well. In particular, professionals face an overload of information relating to their work around the clock, which their clients expect them to digest as well as respond to quickly and accurately.

In this highly interactive Workshop, participants will be required to engage in activities that test their reading speed and comprehension, as well as try out a variety of speed-reading techniques. At the end of the workshop, you would be able to:

1. Improve efficiency to increase productivity
2. Use less time to read and comprehend, leaving more time available for decision making
3. Broaden your horizon by keeping up to date with new information

Very limited places, so register now!

The “Book-keeping Essentials for Law Practice Accounts” Workshop aims to provide approved book-keepers and law practice employees handling law practice accounts with a clear understanding of the requirements of the Legal Profession (Solicitors’ Accounts) Rules (“Rules”) and the books of accounts required to be kept under the Rules. In addition, a case study would be used to illustrate various pitfalls and situations often encountered by book-keepers in their course of work as well as provide useful tips and strategies on how book-keepers could deal with these issues in compliance with the Rules.

This 2nd run will also discuss the amendments to the Rules which come into effect in April 2007 on withdrawals of more than $ 30,000 from a client account requiring a second signatory, the prohibition on holding or receiving Conveyancing moneys unless a law practice has 2 solicitor signatories, as well as Council of the Law Society’s 8 January 2007 Practice Direction on duties of solicitor signatory to a cheque or other authorisation for withdrawal. The Workshop would conclude with an interactive panel discussion on red-flagging by book-keepers.

A Certificate of Completion will be awarded for participants who attend the Workshop in full. Register now!

Do not miss this timely Seminar which will provide legal and construction industry professionals and in-house counsel working in the Singapore construction industry with an update and review of the recent case law developments, with a special focus on professional negligence issues.

The Case Law Updates section will examine a number of important 2006 Singapore decisions including:

• Jet Holdings v Cooper Cameron [2006] 3 SLR 769 (CA)
• Panwah Steel v Koh Bros. [2006] 4 SLR 571 (CA)
• Econ Piling v Aviva [2006] 4 SLR 501 (CA)
• Sunny Metal v Ng Khim Ming [2006] SGHC 222 (HG)
• Spandeck Engineering v DSTA [2006] SGHC 229 (HG)

Then, in the session on “Professional Negligence Issues”, gain a comprehensive update of developments in:

• Joint and several liability
• Economic loss and defective buildings
• Claims by contractors in tort against consultants
• Independent contractors
• Standard of care
• Duty to warn

Register early to book your place! Register now!

The topic of governance is much debated. On all sides there is growing acceptance of the need for the governing bodies and trustees of charities to ensure that their charities perform well and maintain appropriate standards. Nations and states have in varying degrees differing agenda.

This Seminar featuring Mr. Hubert Picarda QC, an international doyen on charity governance, draws on initiatives originating in the United States, England under New Labour, the European Union and some of its constituent members to discuss best practices for improving and sustaining the confidence of donors and grant givers and bettering the performance of trustees and governors in the charity sector to the benefit of the community at large. The Singaporean reaction to the National Kidney Foundation case has lessons for other jurisdictions to learn. Issues discussed at this talk, organized with the support of the UK Trade & Investment Commission, include:

1. Conflicts of interest and their avoidance or resolution
2. Trustees remuneration and indemnity insurance
3. Identification of breaches of trust and ultra vires activity
4. Compliance with accounting and reporting obligations
5. Dangers of political activity
6. Fundraising methods and hazards
7. Investment control and the earmarking of funds
8. Fiduciary duties in distribution and distribution policies
9. Funding foreign charitable endeavours
10. The future of public benefit audits
11. Voluntary and statutory codes
12. Permissible partnership and collaboration and the dangers of dancing to governmental tunes

Do not miss this rare opportunity to benefit from Mr. Picarda’s expertise and experience. Register now!

After successful runs in 2005 and 2006, the Law Society of Singapore and Temasek Polytechnic are pleased to present the 3rd run of the Paralegal Certification Course. This year’s course comprises five ˝-day Modules on:

Each Module is conducted using a combination of lecturettes, case studies, exercises and concluding with a simple written test.

Participants who attend each Module in full and pass the written test at the end of each Module will be awarded a joint “Certificate of Completion” for the Module by the Law Society of Singapore and Temasek Polytechnic.

Limited places so register early! To register, please download the form here!

Intellitrain, an Approved Training Provider of the Law Society, invites you to 2 workshops led by Simon Tupman, a former lawyer. Sign up for one workshop and either (1) bring along a guest at 1/2 price or (2) attend other the workshop at 1/2 price! Law Society members enjoy preferential rates.

For more details, please visit www.intellitrain.biz/events.php, e-mail customerservice@intellitrain.biz or call June/Janice at 6557 2750.

The Society of Construction Law (Singapore) presents a talk by speakers from The Academy of Experts on “What Makes a Good Expert Witness in Construction Litigation and Arbitration?”.

What makes a good expert witness depends on who is asking the question. Instructing solicitors’ ideas may not necessarily coincide with their client’s desire to win. Also in the equation are the requirements of the court or tribunal and even these vary in different jurisdictions. Of importance too is the need for cost effective dispute resolution.

Dispute Resolution whether by litigation, arbitration or ADR, cannot live in a vacuum. Singapore practices have to be competitive with its competitors. In this seminar, The Academy of Experts will present a review and possibly fresh ideas on this fascinating subject. What is ‘best practice’ when instructing your Expert? What about ethical dilemmas and conflicts? Could some of the UK high profile ‘suspect expert evidence’ problems occur in Singapore? These are a few of the questions that panelists will tackle.

Law Society members have been extended preferential rates of $50. For enquiries & registrations, please contact Yenny of the SCL Secretariat or download the form here!

The Law Society launched its Voluntary Minimum Continuing Professional Development Scheme (“vMCPD”) on 1 April 2005 as a 2-year pilot project to deliver more varied and value-added Training & Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes to members and to gather data for the future implementation of a mandatory CPD scheme for the profession. During vMCPD, members are encouraged to attend CPD Programmes voluntarily and no mandatory standards or reporting requirements are imposed. More about vMCPD here.

To continue gathering data as well as feedback from members and training providers on the scheme, the Law Society will be extending the pilot scheme for a further 1 year to 31 March 2008. We look forward to your continued support by taking part in the CPD events organised by the Law Society and its Approved Training Providers.

This 'Regional Practice' series aims to provide legal and other professionals with exposure to the legal systems of and latest legal developments in the region, with particular focus on how they affect the role of such professionals and the conduct of business by their clients. In this talk, topics covered include:

1. Update on Recent Trends & Developments in FDI into China
2. Overview of M&A in China - Private vs Public Companies vs SOEs
3. Highlights of the 2006 CSRC Rule Changes & their Implications for M&A of Publicly Traded Companies
4. An Insider’s Perspective of the Common Practical, Legal & Other Challenges for M&As in China

The talk will conclude with an interactive Panel Discussion on 'The Role of & Opportunities for Singapore Lawyers'. Participants are encouraged to come prepared with questions for the Panel.

This talk will be conducted in Mandarin and simultaneously translated into English. Limited places so register early!

To register, please download the form here!

The “Management Essentials for Lawyers” series aims to provide cross-disciplinary training for legal professionals by:

1. Exposing them to the latest management theories, tools and best practices; and
2. Illustrating how these may be applied in real life to the business of law.

Recommended for lawyers, law practice managers & support staff involved in the financial management of their law practices and in applying various analytical techniques to make quality decisions, this Workshop will discuss and apply the key management accounting concepts, with a special focus on Professional Services Firms. Topics covered include:

You can choose to attend the foundational Module 1 only or both Modules. 24 places only, so register early!

To register, please download the form here!

This interactive and practical programme is brought to you by Adler Consulting and the Center for Transnational Law (CENTRAL), University of Cologne and taught by Prof Dr Klaus Peter Berger (founder of CENTRAL and professor of domestic and international business law, comparative law and private international law) based on Dr. Berger’s book “Private Dispute Resolution in International Business”.

Participants will gain an overview of all stages of negotiation, mediation and international arbitration, demonstrated by video recordings of the workshop leader and other professionals performing as negotiators and arbitrators. This programme provides an excellent opportunity for practitioners to compare their methods with the practices used by experienced international professionals.

Certificates of participation from CENTRAL - Adler will be awarded to participants. Law Society members enjoy preferential rates.

To register, please download the form here!

This seminar, jointly organised with the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators, addresses a range of non-mediation alternative dispute resolution processes, particularly hybrid ones, and invites participants to join the speakers on a voyage to the outer limits of Known Space – and Beyond.

To register, please download the form here!

After successful runs in 2005 and 2006, the Law Society of Singapore and Temasek Polytechnic are pleased to present the 3rd run of the Paralegal Certification Course. This year’s course comprises five ˝-day Modules on:

1. Basic Principles of Drafting (Minutes & Resolutions)
2. Brief Overview of the Civil Litigation Process
3. Effective Oral & Written Communication
4. Basic Concepts in the Law of Real Property
5. Basic Overview of the Singapore Legal System

Each Module is conducted using a combination of lecturettes, case studies, exercises and concluding with a simple written test.

Participants who attend each Module in full and pass the written test at the end of each Module will be awarded a joint “Certificate of Completion” for the Module by the Law Society of Singapore and Temasek Polytechnic.

Limited places so register early! To register, please download the form here!

Limited places so register early! To register, please download the form here!

This seminar will explain the fundamental "capital versus revenue" distinction in income tax law which is one of the key factors for determining the deductibility of expenses and also the taxability of receipts. There will be particular focus on the recent Singapore Court of Appeal decision in Comptroller of Income Tax v. IA which held that borrowing expenses incurred in connection with loans obtained to acquire and develop trading stocks are deductible revenue expenses and that guarantee expenses incurred to refinance revenue loans are also deductible revenue expenses.

The implication of the decision in CIT v IA is far-reaching for all traders. Following this decision, the manner in which borrowings are structured can therefore affect the deductibility of borrowing expenses incurred in connection with such borrowings.

To register, please download the form here!