Over 20 people have already signed up for Law Society's first two clinics this week By Tan Dawn Wei
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WAITED for legal advice at the Mountbatten Community Club last Thursday. Lawyer Anuradha Sharma (far left, behind the screen) of Eng Leong and Partners was one of the professionals who helped them out with their queries. -- ST PHOTOS: WANG HUI FEN
EVEN before the Law Society's free community legal clinic opens its doors, a queue has formed.
Since registration started last weekend, more than 20 people have signed up for free advice from volunteer lawyers on issues ranging from divorce and employment disputes to problems with time-share companies.
The first clinic will be held tomorrow evening at the North West Community Development Council (CDC) and the second, at the South East CDC on Tuesday night.
MS YANG BISUEN, 57, has provided free legal consultation for 22 years.Given the demand for legal aid, the law fraternity has also stepped up its involvement: 17 law firms so far are committed to running the clinic - which will be held four times a week - on a rotational basis.
Most of the big firms - such as Drew & Napier, KhattarWong and Harry Elias Partnership - are on board. A few small and mid-size outfits have also volunteered their time, such as the five-person Clifford Law Corporation.
The clinic is a pilot project of the Law Society's new Pro Bono Services office, set up on Aug 1 to coordinate all its pro bono efforts.
It has the support of the two CDCs, the Ministry of Law and the Singapore Academy of Law.
Some of the society's existing programmes come under this new office. These include the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme, which provides legal help to those charged in court with a criminal offence but cannot afford a lawyer; and Project Law Help, which assists charities and voluntary welfare groups.
Before this, pro bono legal work was undertaken largely by individual lawyers or law firms.
The man running this new office is 38-year-old Mr Lim Tanguy, who heads a staff of seven at its new 900 sq ft premises in the Subordinate Courts building.
Mr Lim, who has been doing pro bono work for the migrant worker welfare group Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics, fought his last court case in July. He helped to acquit Miss Sri Uli Darti, an Indonesian maid accused of stealing from her employer.
'My most fulfilling moments in my career were when I was doing pro bono work,' said the father of two who took a pay cut - he declined to say how much - with his new job.
His top three targets as new director: inculcating a pro bono culture in the profession, finding roles in pro bono work for all lawyers across specialities and seniority, and making sure those who need help have access to justice.
He already has a few ideas brewing, such as organising legal clinics at youth-oriented malls targeted at the younger set and making legal help accessible to the elderly with mobile clinics.
If the community legal clinic takes off, it could be rolled out at the other three CDCs.
Law firm Rajah & Tann already has 50 volunteers who signed up for the clinic out of its pool of more than 200 lawyers.
Partner Andrew Ong calls the better-than-expected response a 'happy problem', since the firm is expected to man the clinic only once a month, with two lawyers at a time.
It is looking for other legal clinics to offer its services to.
The firm has been running refresher courses for its lawyers who may not specialise in the legal issues that usually crop up at such clinics, such as matrimonial disputes, bankruptcy and minor criminal offences.
Partners of the firm will also be on hand to mentor younger volunteer lawyers at the clinics.
Law undergraduates from the National University of Singapore and the Singapore Management University will join the act, with students serving as translators.
'This helps to inculcate a heart for pro bono work,' said Mr Lim.
Those seeking free legal advice at the clinics have to be interviewed first, either at the Pro Bono Services office or at a Family Service Centre. This is to determine if an applicant is eligible for the service. At the clinic, each person has 20 minutes with a volunteer lawyer.
Singaporeans and permanent residents who have no current legal representation are welcome. There is no income ceiling but advice is dispensed only for personal matters.
So don't show up if all you want is a second opinion or someone to look through your business contract.
Hire a lawyer.
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