Court of Three Judges
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Use Singapore English|date = July 2023}}
{{Short description|Branch of Singaporean Supreme Court}}
The Court of Three Judges is a court of the Supreme Court of Singapore that adjudicates on professional misconduct of Singapore-qualified lawyers and doctors.{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=Jason |date=January 2021 |title=Professional Ethics |url=https://lawgazette.com.sg/practice/ethics-in-practice/professional-ethics-an-update/ |website=Law Gazette |publisher=Law Society of Singapore}}
Statutory framework
The Legal Profession Act 1966 and Medical Registration Act 1997 outlines that in the case where a disciplinary tribunal is convened by either the Law Society of Singapore or Singapore Medical Council, an application may thereafter be made for a hearing by three Supreme Court judges on liability for misconduct.{{Cite web |title=Legal Profession (Proceedings before Court of 3 Supreme Court Judges) Rules 2022 |url=https://sso.agc.gov.sg:5443/SL-Supp/S217-2022/Published/20220328?DocDate=20220328 |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=sso.agc.gov.sg |language=en}}s 59G (1), [https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Act/MRA1997 Medical Registration Act 1997]
= Legal misconduct =
Any individual may refer a complaint about the conduct of a lawyer to the Council of the Law Society of Singapore, who may then convene an inquiry panel with members appointed by the Chief Justice.Legal Profession Act, ss. 84 and 85. The inquiry panel investigates and reports on the complaint for the council. Upon considering the report, the council may decline further action, impose penalties, or apply for a disciplinary tribunal to be appointed.LPA, ss. 86–89. If a disciplinary tribunal is convened, it hears and investigates the matter and decides whether disciplinary action is warranted.LPA, s. 93. The tribunal may impose a fine or decline further action, but if it determines that disciplinary action is necessary, the Law Society must apply to the Supreme Court for the matter to be heard by the Court of Three Judges. Unlike the disciplinary tribunal, which may only impose fines, the Court of Three Judges may disbar or suspend a lawyer and fine them up to $100,000.LPA, s. 98.
Notable cases
Recent high-profile decisions of the Court have included the acquittal of MP Christopher de Souza,{{Cite web |date=31 July 2023 |title=Court acquits lawyer and MP Christopher de Souza of professional misconduct charge |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/court-acquits-lawyer-and-mp-christopher-de-souza-of-professional-misconduct-charge |website=The Straits Times}} the fine imposed on Lee Kuan Yew's daughter and niece Kwa Kim Li for her handling of Lee's will,{{Cite news |last=Yuen-C |first=Tham |date=2023-05-11 |title=Lee Kuan Yew's lawyer fined $13,000 for breaching confidentiality, misleading executors |language=en |work=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/lee-kuan-yew-s-lawyer-fined-13000-for-breaching-confidentiality-misleading-executors |access-date=2023-08-02 |issn=0585-3923}} and the suspension of human rights lawyer M Ravi for comments made about the Singapore judiciary.{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-03-21 |title=Lawyer M. Ravi suspended for 5 years over 'baseless' allegations against Attorney-General, Law Society {{!}} The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/lawyer-m-ravi-suspended-for-5-years-over-baseless-allegations-against-justice-system |access-date=2023-03-21 |website=www.straitstimes.com |language=en}} Historical cases have included the suspensions of David Marshall,Re Marshall David; Law Society of Singaporev Marshall David Saul [1971-1973] SLR(R) 554 Francis Seow,Re Seow Francis T; Law Society of Singapore v Seow Francis T [1971–1973] SLR(R) 727 and J. B. Jeyaretnam,{{cite news |date=2 October 2008 |title=Firebrand |work=The New Paper |url=https://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20081002-91250.html |access-date=19 November 2021}} the lattermost suspension subsequently being reversed by the Privy Council.{{cite web |url=http://www.wp.org.sg/party/history/1981_1986.htm |title=History of the Workers' Party: 1981 to 1986 |access-date=5 March 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050206232352/http://www.wp.org.sg/party/history/1981_1986.htm |archive-date=6 February 2005 |url-status = dead}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}{{Law of Singapore}}{{Singapore Legal Profession}}
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