Amid rising reports of legal misconduct, the online community questions the integrity of the profession.
Netizens have expressed concern over a recent wave of news involving lawyers in Singapore, with one user remarking, “Suddenly we seem to see many lawyers in trouble with the law.”
On Wednesday (May 11), the Singapore Police Force (SPF) announced that Violet Netto, who represented Malaysian drug trafficker Nagaenthran K. Dharmalingam earlier this year, is under investigation for allegedly acting as an advocate or solicitor without authorization. A police report was lodged against Ms. Netto on April 27, as she allegedly represented clients on at least three occasions despite her practicing certificate being expired.
The day prior to the announcement regarding Ms. Netto, it was reported that lawyer and opposition leader Lim Tean would be charged in court on Thursday (May 12) for criminal breach of trust, unlawful stalking, and unauthorized practice as an advocate or solicitor. The SPF indicated that in November 2019, Mr. Lim was entrusted with S$30,000 awarded to a former client as part of a settlement for a motor injury civil suit, but he allegedly misappropriated these funds.
Additionally, the police noted that Mr. Lim faces charges related to the alleged harassment of a former employee at his law firm in 2020. He is also accused of acting as an advocate or solicitor without a valid practicing certificate on 66 occasions between April 1, 2021, and June 9, 2021.
Further complicating the narrative, recent news also highlighted 11 trainee lawyers who cheated on the 2020 Bar exams. Following objections from the Attorney-General, six of these trainees experienced delays in their admission to the Bar.
In response to these developments, netizens have been questioning the increasing number of lawyers who seem to disregard legal standards. However, some users have come to Ms. Netto’s defense, suggesting that the focus on her case might be an attempt to “point fingers,” especially since Nagaenthran was judicially executed on April 27.
UPDATE: On Wednesday afternoon (May 11), in a Facebook video, Mr. Lim stated that the individual who lodged a complaint against him, Suresh Kumar, did not appear at his disciplinary tribunal for criminal breach of trust and has been unreachable. He also mentioned that the Law Society has withdrawn the charge against him.
