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Legal Profession Act 1966

Status:

Current version
as at 22 Nov 2024

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Legal Profession Act 1966

Table of Contents

Long Title

Part 1 PRELIMINARY

1 Short title

2 Interpretation

Part 1A DIRECTOR OF LEGAL SERVICES

2A Appointment of Director of Legal Services

2B Investigation of law practice entity by Director of Legal Services

2C Power to require documents or information

2D Power to enter premises under warrant

2E Cooperation between Director of Legal Services and Attorney‑General, Registrar, Institute, Council or Society, etc.

2F Power to require law practice entity to provide information

2G Refusal to provide information, etc.

2H Destroying or falsifying documents

2I Protection from personal liability

Part 2 SINGAPORE INSTITUTE OF LEGAL EDUCATION

3 Establishment of Institute

4 Functions and powers of Institute

5 Board of Directors of Institute

6 Appointment of Dean of Institute, officers and employees

7 Appointment of committees and delegation

8 Meetings of Board of Directors of Institute

9 Passing of resolution of Board of Directors of Institute by written means

10 Rules relating to legal education, continuing professional development, and admission of lawyers (NP) and of advocates and solicitors

10AA Extension or abridgment of time

10A Protection from personal liability

11 Dissolution of Board of Legal Education and transfer to Institute of property, existing contracts, etc.

Part 2AA ADMISSION OF LAWYERS (NP)

11A Admission as lawyer (NP) of Supreme Court

11B Requirements for admission as lawyer (NP) of Supreme Court

11C Powers of Minister in relation to requirements for admission as lawyer (NP) of Supreme Court

11D Roll of lawyers (NP)

11E Rules for this Part

Part 2A ADMISSION OF ADVOCATES AND SOLICITORS

12 Admission as advocate and solicitor of Supreme Court

13 Requirements for admission as advocate and solicitor

14 Powers of Minister in relation to requirements for admission as advocate and solicitor

15 Ad hoc admissions

16 Roll of advocates and solicitors

17 (Repealed)

Part 2B PROVISIONAL PRACTISING CERTIFICATES

18 Issue of provisional practising certificate

19 Power of Attorney-General, Registrar and Council with respect to issue of provisional practising certificates in certain circumstances

20 Power of Registrar to refuse or suspend provisional practising certificate for non-payment of certain sums

21 Appeals in connection with issue of provisional practising certificates

22 Medical examination required in certain circumstances

23 Disqualification for provisional practising certificates, etc.

24 Register of provisional practitioners

24A Imposition of conditions while provisional practising certificates in force

24B Referral to Disciplinary Tribunal and suspension of provisional practising certificates

24C Cancellation of provisional practising certificates

Part 3 PRACTISING CERTIFICATES

25 Practising certificates

25A Power of Attorney-General, Registrar and Council with respect to issue of practising certificates in certain circumstances

25AA Power of Registrar to refuse or suspend practising certificate for non‑payment of certain sums

25B Appeals in connection with issue of practising certificates

25C Medical examination required in certain circumstances

26 Disqualification for practising certificates

27 Register of practitioners

27A Imposition of conditions while practising certificates are in force

27B Referral to Disciplinary Tribunal and suspension of practising certificates

28 Cancellation of practising certificates

Part 4 PRIVILEGES OF ADVOCATES AND SOLICITORS

29 Privileges of advocates and solicitors

30 Appointment of Senior Counsel

31 Order of precedence of Senior Counsel in court

32 Requirements for practice and unauthorised persons

33 Unauthorised person acting as advocate or solicitor

34 Qualifications to section 33

35 Sections 32 and 33 not to extend to arbitration proceedings

35A Order to repay upon conviction under section 33

35B Sections 32 and 33 not to extend to mediation

36 No costs recoverable by unauthorised person

Part 4A REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN LAWYERS, SOLICITORS IN FOREIGN LAW PRACTICES AND NON-PRACTITIONERS, ETC.

36A Interpretation of this Part

36B Registration of foreign lawyer to practise both Singapore law and foreign law in Singapore

36C Registration of foreign lawyer to practise foreign law in Singapore

36D Registration of foreign lawyer to be director, partner or shareholder in, or to share in profits of, Singapore law practice

36E Registration of solicitor to practise Singapore law in Joint Law Venture or its constituent foreign law practice, Qualifying Foreign Law Practice or licensed foreign law practice

36F (Repealed)

36G Registration of regulated non-practitioner

36H Application for and renewal of registration under this Part

36I Compliance with guidelines, directions, undertakings and conditions

36J Appeal against decision of Director of Legal Services under this Part, etc.

36K Failure to register or furnish information

36L Civil penalty

36M Rules for this Part

36N Powers of Minister in relation to registration requirements

Part 4B REPRESENTATION IN SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL COURT

36O Interpretation of this Part

36P Registration of foreign lawyer to act in relation to relevant proceedings

36PA Registration of law expert to act in relation to relevant proceedings

36Q Appointing committee

36R Instructing authority

36S Complaints against foreign lawyers registered under section 36P and law experts registered under section 36PA

36T Application for review of decision of complaints committee

36U Application for cancellation of registration under section 36P or 36PA, etc.

36V Restriction of judicial review

36W Provisions as to penalties payable under this Part

36X Protection from personal liability

36Y Rules for this Part

Part 5 THE LAW SOCIETY OF SINGAPORE

Division 1 — Establishment, purposes and powers of Society

37 Establishment of Society

38 Purposes and powers of Society

Division 2 — Members of Society and subscriptions

39 Membership

40 Practising solicitors to be members

40A Associate members

41 Non-practitioner members

42 Honorary members

43 Privileges of membership

44 Expulsion and suspension of rights and privileges

45 Termination of membership

46 Annual subscription to Society

Division 3 — Council of Society

47 Council

48 Statutory members

49 Elected members

Division 4 — Election of members of Council

50 Compulsory voting

51 Elections

52 Nominations

53 Insufficient nominations

54 Council’s term of office

55 Casual vacancies

Division 5 — Officers of Council

56 President, vice‑presidents and treasurer

57 Vacation of office of member of Council

Division 6 — Powers of Council

58 General powers of Council

59 Specific powers of Council

60 Appointment of committees of Council

61 Power of Council to inspect files of proceedings in bankruptcy of solicitor or winding up of law corporation or limited liability law partnership

62 Power of Council to accept gifts, etc.

63 Representation in court

Division 7 — Proceedings of Council

64 Meetings of Council

64A Passing of resolution of Council by written means

65 Expenses of members

66 Proceedings of Council, Review Committee and Inquiry Committee to be confidential

Division 8 — General meetings of Society

67 Annual general meeting

68 Extraordinary general meeting

69 Voting

70 Convening and procedure

Part 5A PREVENTION OF MONEY LAUNDERING, TERRORISM FINANCING AND FINANCING OF PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION

70A Interpretation of this Part

70B Prohibition against anonymous accounts

70C Customer due diligence measures

70D Suspicious transaction reporting

70E Keeping of records

70F Powers of inspection by Council

70G Contravention of this Part

70H Rules for prevention of money laundering, terrorism financing and financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction

Part 5B UNCLAIMED MONEY FUND

70I Interpretation of this Part

70J Unclaimed Money Fund

70K Transfer of unclaimed client money to Fund

70L Application for payment of transferred unclaimed client money

70M Application of law

70N Rules for this Part

Part 6 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE, CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE

71 Professional Conduct Council and rules as to professional practice, etiquette, conduct and discipline, etc.

72 Rules as to keeping of accounts by solicitors

73 Accountant’s report

74 Intervention in solicitor’s practice

75 Compensation Fund

75A Professional indemnity

75B Redress for inadequate professional services

75C Qualification to practise as sole proprietor, partner or director of Singapore law practice

75D Qualification to use title of consultant

76 Solicitors who are commissioners for oaths or notaries public

77 Solicitor not to act as agent for any unauthorised person

78 Employment or remuneration of certain persons by solicitor

79 Acting for housing developer and purchaser prohibited

80 Account by solicitor

81 Interim certificate

Part 6A

[Repealed by Act 40 of 2014]

Part 6B

[Repealed by Act 40 of 2014]

Part 7 DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS

82 Jurisdiction of Supreme Court over solicitors, Judicial Service Officers, Legal Service Officers and PD Officers

82A Disciplinary proceedings against Judicial Service Officers, Legal Service Officers, PD Officers and non-practising solicitors

82B Disciplinary proceedings against regulated non-practitioners

83 Power to strike off roll of advocates and solicitors, etc.

83A Power to discipline regulated foreign lawyers

84 Appointment of Inquiry Panel

85 Complaints against regulated legal practitioners

86 Inquiry

87 Council’s consideration of report

88 Council’s power to give warning, reprimand or order penalty

89 Application to appoint Disciplinary Tribunal

90 Appointment of Disciplinary Tribunal

91 Proceedings and powers of Disciplinary Tribunal

91A Restriction of judicial review

92 Complaint made by Judge, etc., or Attorney-General

93 Findings of Disciplinary Tribunal

94 Society to apply to court if cause of sufficient gravity exists

94A Society to apply to court for cases involving fraud or dishonesty, or under section 33

95 Provisions as to penalties ordered by Council under section 88(1) or 94(3)(a)

96 Procedure for complainant dissatisfied with Council’s determination under section 87(1)(a) or (b)

97 Application for review of Disciplinary Tribunal’s decision

97A Remedial measures

98 Application for order that solicitor be struck off roll of advocates and solicitors, etc.

98A Provisions as to penalties ordered by court

99 Drawing up of order

100 Solicitor’s application to remove own name

101 Adverse orders to be noted on roll of advocates and solicitors

102 Replacement on roll of advocates and solicitors of name of solicitor who has been struck off

103 Costs

104 Absence of person under inquiry

105 Provisions as to evidence

106 No action in absence of bad faith

Part 8 REMUNERATION RECEIVED BY SINGAPORE LAW PRACTICES OR SOLICITORS, OR IN RESPECT OF PRACTICE OF SINGAPORE LAW

106A Application of this Part

107 Prohibition of certain stipulations

108 Orders as to remuneration of solicitors, law corporations or limited liability law partnerships for non-contentious business

109 Agreements with respect to remuneration for non-contentious business

110 Remuneration of solicitor who is mortgagee

111 Agreement as to costs for contentious business

112 Effect of agreements with respect to contentious business

113 Enforcement of agreements

114 Death or incapability of solicitor after agreement

115 Change of solicitor after agreement

Part 8A CONDITIONAL FEE AGREEMENTS

115A Application and interpretation of this Part

115B Conditional fee agreement for prescribed proceedings

115C Effect of conditional fee agreement

115D Enforcement of conditional fee agreement

115E Death or incapacity of solicitor or foreign lawyer or winding up or dissolution of law practice entity after conditional fee agreement made

115F Change of solicitor, foreign lawyer or law practice entity after conditional fee agreement

Part 9 RECOVERY AND ASSESSMENT OF COSTS

116 Interpretation and application of this Part

117 Charging orders

118 Solicitor not to commence action for fees until one month after delivery of bills

119 Court may authorise action for recovery of fees before expiry of one month after delivery of bills

120 Order for assessment of delivered bill of costs

121 Costs of order for assessment

122 Time limit for assessment of bills of costs

123 Applications for assessment to contain submission to pay

124 Order for delivery of bill of costs to be obtained as of course

125 Solicitor to deliver copy of bill of costs

126 Preparation of bills of costs as between solicitor and client

127 Interest in respect of disbursements and advances

128 How costs of assessment to be borne

129 Interest on client’s money

130 Costs of Government

Part 9A LAW PRACTICE ENTITIES

Division 1 — Law Firms

131 Licensing of law firms

132 Name of law firm

133 Regulatory control over law firm

134 Appeal against decision of Director of Legal Services under this Division

135 Register of law firms

136 Rules on law firms

Division 2 — Limited Liability Law Partnerships

137 Interpretation of this Division

138 Licensing of limited liability law partnerships

139 Name of limited liability law partnership

140 Effect of becoming limited liability law partnership

141 Relationship between client and limited liability law partnership

142 Professional misconduct

143 Effect of disciplinary action

144 Additional grounds for winding up limited liability law partnership

145 Regulatory control over limited liability law partnership

146 Appeal against decision of Director of Legal Services under this Division

147 Register of limited liability law partnerships

148 This Division to prevail over inconsistent provisions of limited liability partnership agreement

149 Application of Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2005 and other written law to limited liability law partnerships

150 Rules on limited liability law partnerships

151 Reference in other written law

Division 3 — Law Corporations

152 Interpretation of this Division

153 Licensing of law corporations

154 Name of law corporation

155 Effect of company becoming law corporation

156 Relationship between client and law corporation

157 Professional misconduct

158 Requirements as to alteration of memorandum or articles of association or constitution

159 Shares of law corporation, etc.

160 Additional grounds for winding up law corporation

161 Regulatory control over law corporation

162 Appeal against decision of Director of Legal Services under this Division

163 Register of law corporations

164 This Division to prevail over inconsistent provisions of memorandum and articles of association or constitution

165 Application of Companies Act 1967 and other written law to law corporations

166 Rules on law corporations

167 Reference in other written law

Division 4 — Joint Law Ventures, Formal Law Alliances, Foreign Law Practices, Representative Offices and Foreign Interests in Singapore Law Practices

168 Interpretation of this Division

169 Joint Law Venture

170 Formal Law Alliance

171 Qualifying Foreign Law Practice

172 Licensed foreign law practice

173 Representative office

174 Regulatory control over Joint Law Venture or Formal Law Alliance

175 Regulatory control over Qualifying Foreign Law Practice or licensed foreign law practice

176 Foreign interests in Singapore law practices

177 Measures to ensure compliance with section 176

178 Application for and renewal of licence or approval under this Division

179 Compliance with guidelines, directions, undertakings and conditions

180 Appeal against decision of Director of Legal Services under this Division, etc.

181 Failure to apply for licence, register or furnish information

182 Civil penalty

183 Liability of partners, directors and shareholders

184 Rules for this Division

Division 5 — Group practices

184A Formation of group practices

184B Rules for this Division

Part 10 MISCELLANEOUS

185 General provision as to rules

186 Offices of Institute and Society

187 Service of documents

188 Recovery of moneys by Institute and Society

189 Rules Committee to prescribe certain fees and costs

190 Relief to banks

191 Jurisdiction of court

192 Interlocutory applications in certain proceedings

193 Rules for certain proceedings

194 Court of 3 Supreme Court Judges may conduct hearing through electronic means of communication

FIRST SCHEDULE Intervention in solicitor’s practice

SECOND SCHEDULE Inadequate professional services

Legislative History

Abbreviations

Comparative Table

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Table Of Contents

Legal Profession Act 1966

Status:

Current version
as at 22 Nov 2024

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17 Jul 2024

Amended by
Act 37 of 2023
14 Jun 2024

Amended by
Act 37 of 2023
01 May 2024

Amended by
Act 6 of 2024
01 Dec 2022

Amended by
Act 23 of 2022
01 Oct 2022

Amended by
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04 May 2022

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01 Apr 2022

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14 Jan 2022

Amended by
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31 Dec 2021

2020 RevEd
02 Jan 2021

Amended by
Act 40 of 2019
30 Jul 2020

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Act 40 of 2018
15 Jun 2020

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01 Nov 2019

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Act 22 of 2018
31 May 2019

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01 Jan 2015

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Act 40 of 2014
01 Jan 2015

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01 Oct 2014

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07 Mar 2014

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01 Dec 2008

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01 Jun 2007

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01 Apr 2007

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01 Apr 2005

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31 Dec 2001

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01 Nov 2001

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01 Nov 2000

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01 Jan 1997

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01 Sep 1996

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15 Jul 1995

Amended by
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15 Mar 1994

1994 RevEd
01 Jan 1994

Amended by
Act 41 of 1993
01 Jul 1993

Amended by
Act 16 of 1993
27 Mar 1992

Amended by
Act 7 of 1992
01 Feb 1991

Amended by
Act 10 of 1991
20 Dec 1990

1990 RevEd
21 Apr 1989

Amended by
Act 15 of 1989
30 Mar 1987

1985 RevEd

Table of Contents

Legal Profession Act 1966
Long Title Part 1 PRELIMINARY

2 Interpretation

Part 1A DIRECTOR OF LEGAL SERVICES

2A Appointment of Director of Legal Services

2B Investigation of law practice entity by Director of Legal Services

2C Power to require documents or information

2D Power to enter premises under warrant

2E Cooperation between Director of Legal Services and Attorney‑General, Registrar, Institute, Council or Society, etc.

2F Power to require law practice entity to provide information

2G Refusal to provide information, etc.

2H Destroying or falsifying documents

2I Protection from personal liability

Part 2 SINGAPORE INSTITUTE OF LEGAL EDUCATION

3 Establishment of Institute

4 Functions and powers of Institute

5 Board of Directors of Institute

6 Appointment of Dean of Institute, officers and employees

7 Appointment of committees and delegation

8 Meetings of Board of Directors of Institute

9 Passing of resolution of Board of Directors of Institute by written means

10 Rules relating to legal education, continuing professional development, and admission of lawyers (NP) and of advocates and solicitors

10AA Extension or abridgment of time

10A Protection from personal liability

11 Dissolution of Board of Legal Education and transfer to Institute of property, existing contracts, etc.

Part 2AA ADMISSION OF LAWYERS (NP)

11A Admission as lawyer (NP) of Supreme Court

11B Requirements for admission as lawyer (NP) of Supreme Court

11C Powers of Minister in relation to requirements for admission as lawyer (NP) of Supreme Court

11D Roll of lawyers (NP)

11E Rules for this Part

Part 2A ADMISSION OF ADVOCATES AND SOLICITORS

12 Admission as advocate and solicitor of Supreme Court

13 Requirements for admission as advocate and solicitor

14 Powers of Minister in relation to requirements for admission as advocate and solicitor

15 Ad hoc admissions

16 Roll of advocates and solicitors

Part 2B PROVISIONAL PRACTISING CERTIFICATES

18 Issue of provisional practising certificate

19 Power of Attorney-General, Registrar and Council with respect to issue of provisional practising certificates in certain circumstances

20 Power of Registrar to refuse or suspend provisional practising certificate for non-payment of certain sums

21 Appeals in connection with issue of provisional practising certificates

22 Medical examination required in certain circumstances

23 Disqualification for provisional practising certificates, etc.

24 Register of provisional practitioners

24A Imposition of conditions while provisional practising certificates in force

24B Referral to Disciplinary Tribunal and suspension of provisional practising certificates

24C Cancellation of provisional practising certificates

Part 3 PRACTISING CERTIFICATES

25 Practising certificates

25A Power of Attorney-General, Registrar and Council with respect to issue of practising certificates in certain circumstances

25AA Power of Registrar to refuse or suspend practising certificate for non‑payment of certain sums

25B Appeals in connection with issue of practising certificates

25C Medical examination required in certain circumstances

26 Disqualification for practising certificates

27 Register of practitioners

27A Imposition of conditions while practising certificates are in force

27B Referral to Disciplinary Tribunal and suspension of practising certificates

28 Cancellation of practising certificates

Part 4 PRIVILEGES OF ADVOCATES AND SOLICITORS

29 Privileges of advocates and solicitors

30 Appointment of Senior Counsel

31 Order of precedence of Senior Counsel in court

32 Requirements for practice and unauthorised persons

33 Unauthorised person acting as advocate or solicitor

34 Qualifications to section 33

35 Sections 32 and 33 not to extend to arbitration proceedings

35A Order to repay upon conviction under section 33

35B Sections 32 and 33 not to extend to mediation

36 No costs recoverable by unauthorised person

Part 4A REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN LAWYERS, SOLICITORS IN FOREIGN LAW PRACTICES AND NON-PRACTITIONERS, ETC.

36A Interpretation of this Part

36B Registration of foreign lawyer to practise both Singapore law and foreign law in Singapore

36C Registration of foreign lawyer to practise foreign law in Singapore

36D Registration of foreign lawyer to be director, partner or shareholder in, or to share in profits of, Singapore law practice

36E Registration of solicitor to practise Singapore law in Joint Law Venture or its constituent foreign law practice, Qualifying Foreign Law Practice or licensed foreign law practice

36G Registration of regulated non-practitioner

36H Application for and renewal of registration under this Part

36I Compliance with guidelines, directions, undertakings and conditions

36J Appeal against decision of Director of Legal Services under this Part, etc.

36K Failure to register or furnish information

36L Civil penalty

36M Rules for this Part

36N Powers of Minister in relation to registration requirements

Part 4B REPRESENTATION IN SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL COURT

36O Interpretation of this Part

36P Registration of foreign lawyer to act in relation to relevant proceedings

36PA Registration of law expert to act in relation to relevant proceedings

36Q Appointing committee

36R Instructing authority

36S Complaints against foreign lawyers registered under section 36P and law experts registered under section 36PA

36T Application for review of decision of complaints committee

36U Application for cancellation of registration under section 36P or 36PA, etc.

36V Restriction of judicial review

36W Provisions as to penalties payable under this Part

36X Protection from personal liability

36Y Rules for this Part

Part 5 THE LAW SOCIETY OF SINGAPORE Division 1 — Establishment, purposes and powers of Society

37 Establishment of Society

38 Purposes and powers of Society

Division 2 — Members of Society and subscriptions

40 Practising solicitors to be members

40A Associate members

41 Non-practitioner members

42 Honorary members

43 Privileges of membership

44 Expulsion and suspension of rights and privileges

45 Termination of membership

46 Annual subscription to Society

Division 3 — Council of Society

48 Statutory members

49 Elected members

Division 4 — Election of members of Council

50 Compulsory voting

53 Insufficient nominations

54 Council’s term of office

55 Casual vacancies

Division 5 — Officers of Council

56 President, vice‑presidents and treasurer

57 Vacation of office of member of Council

Division 6 — Powers of Council

58 General powers of Council

59 Specific powers of Council

60 Appointment of committees of Council

61 Power of Council to inspect files of proceedings in bankruptcy of solicitor or winding up of law corporation or limited liability law partnership

62 Power of Council to accept gifts, etc.

63 Representation in court

Division 7 — Proceedings of Council

64 Meetings of Council

64A Passing of resolution of Council by written means

65 Expenses of members

66 Proceedings of Council, Review Committee and Inquiry Committee to be confidential

Division 8 — General meetings of Society

67 Annual general meeting

68 Extraordinary general meeting

70 Convening and procedure

Part 5A PREVENTION OF MONEY LAUNDERING, TERRORISM FINANCING AND FINANCING OF PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION

70A Interpretation of this Part

70B Prohibition against anonymous accounts

70C Customer due diligence measures

70D Suspicious transaction reporting

70E Keeping of records

70F Powers of inspection by Council

70G Contravention of this Part

70H Rules for prevention of money laundering, terrorism financing and financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction

Part 5B UNCLAIMED MONEY FUND

70I Interpretation of this Part

70J Unclaimed Money Fund

70K Transfer of unclaimed client money to Fund

70L Application for payment of transferred unclaimed client money

70M Application of law

70N Rules for this Part

Part 6 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE, CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE

71 Professional Conduct Council and rules as to professional practice, etiquette, conduct and discipline, etc.

72 Rules as to keeping of accounts by solicitors

73 Accountant’s report

74 Intervention in solicitor’s practice

75 Compensation Fund

75A Professional indemnity

75B Redress for inadequate professional services

75C Qualification to practise as sole proprietor, partner or director of Singapore law practice

75D Qualification to use title of consultant

76 Solicitors who are commissioners for oaths or notaries public

77 Solicitor not to act as agent for any unauthorised person

78 Employment or remuneration of certain persons by solicitor

79 Acting for housing developer and purchaser prohibited

80 Account by solicitor

81 Interim certificate

Part 6A [Repealed by Act 40 of 2014] Part 6B [Repealed by Act 40 of 2014] Part 7 DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS

82 Jurisdiction of Supreme Court over solicitors, Judicial Service Officers, Legal Service Officers and PD Officers

82A Disciplinary proceedings against Judicial Service Officers, Legal Service Officers, PD Officers and non-practising solicitors

82B Disciplinary proceedings against regulated non-practitioners

83 Power to strike off roll of advocates and solicitors, etc.

83A Power to discipline regulated foreign lawyers

84 Appointment of Inquiry Panel

85 Complaints against regulated legal practitioners

87 Council’s consideration of report

88 Council’s power to give warning, reprimand or order penalty

89 Application to appoint Disciplinary Tribunal

90 Appointment of Disciplinary Tribunal

91 Proceedings and powers of Disciplinary Tribunal

91A Restriction of judicial review

92 Complaint made by Judge, etc., or Attorney-General

93 Findings of Disciplinary Tribunal

94 Society to apply to court if cause of sufficient gravity exists

94A Society to apply to court for cases involving fraud or dishonesty, or under section 33

95 Provisions as to penalties ordered by Council under section 88(1) or 94(3)(a)

96 Procedure for complainant dissatisfied with Council’s determination under section 87(1)(a) or (b)

97 Application for review of Disciplinary Tribunal’s decision

97A Remedial measures

98 Application for order that solicitor be struck off roll of advocates and solicitors, etc.

98A Provisions as to penalties ordered by court

99 Drawing up of order

100 Solicitor’s application to remove own name

101 Adverse orders to be noted on roll of advocates and solicitors

102 Replacement on roll of advocates and solicitors of name of solicitor who has been struck off

104 Absence of person under inquiry

105 Provisions as to evidence

106 No action in absence of bad faith

Part 8 REMUNERATION RECEIVED BY SINGAPORE LAW PRACTICES OR SOLICITORS, OR IN RESPECT OF PRACTICE OF SINGAPORE LAW

106A Application of this Part

107 Prohibition of certain stipulations

108 Orders as to remuneration of solicitors, law corporations or limited liability law partnerships for non-contentious business

109 Agreements with respect to remuneration for non-contentious business

110 Remuneration of solicitor who is mortgagee

111 Agreement as to costs for contentious business

112 Effect of agreements with respect to contentious business

113 Enforcement of agreements

114 Death or incapability of solicitor after agreement

115 Change of solicitor after agreement

Part 8A CONDITIONAL FEE AGREEMENTS

115A Application and interpretation of this Part

115B Conditional fee agreement for prescribed proceedings

115C Effect of conditional fee agreement

115D Enforcement of conditional fee agreement

115E Death or incapacity of solicitor or foreign lawyer or winding up or dissolution of law practice entity after conditional fee agreement made

115F Change of solicitor, foreign lawyer or law practice entity after conditional fee agreement

Part 9 RECOVERY AND ASSESSMENT OF COSTS

116 Interpretation and application of this Part

117 Charging orders

118 Solicitor not to commence action for fees until one month after delivery of bills

119 Court may authorise action for recovery of fees before expiry of one month after delivery of bills

120 Order for assessment of delivered bill of costs

121 Costs of order for assessment

122 Time limit for assessment of bills of costs

123 Applications for assessment to contain submission to pay

124 Order for delivery of bill of costs to be obtained as of course

125 Solicitor to deliver copy of bill of costs

126 Preparation of bills of costs as between solicitor and client

127 Interest in respect of disbursements and advances

128 How costs of assessment to be borne

129 Interest on client’s money

130 Costs of Government

Part 9A LAW PRACTICE ENTITIES Division 1 — Law Firms

131 Licensing of law firms

132 Name of law firm

133 Regulatory control over law firm

134 Appeal against decision of Director of Legal Services under this Division

135 Register of law firms

136 Rules on law firms

Division 2 — Limited Liability Law Partnerships

137 Interpretation of this Division

138 Licensing of limited liability law partnerships

139 Name of limited liability law partnership

140 Effect of becoming limited liability law partnership

141 Relationship between client and limited liability law partnership

142 Professional misconduct

143 Effect of disciplinary action

144 Additional grounds for winding up limited liability law partnership

145 Regulatory control over limited liability law partnership

146 Appeal against decision of Director of Legal Services under this Division

147 Register of limited liability law partnerships

148 This Division to prevail over inconsistent provisions of limited liability partnership agreement

149 Application of Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2005 and other written law to limited liability law partnerships

150 Rules on limited liability law partnerships

151 Reference in other written law

Division 3 — Law Corporations

152 Interpretation of this Division

153 Licensing of law corporations

154 Name of law corporation

155 Effect of company becoming law corporation

156 Relationship between client and law corporation

157 Professional misconduct

158 Requirements as to alteration of memorandum or articles of association or constitution

159 Shares of law corporation, etc.

160 Additional grounds for winding up law corporation

161 Regulatory control over law corporation

162 Appeal against decision of Director of Legal Services under this Division

163 Register of law corporations

164 This Division to prevail over inconsistent provisions of memorandum and articles of association or constitution

165 Application of Companies Act 1967 and other written law to law corporations

166 Rules on law corporations

167 Reference in other written law

Division 4 — Joint Law Ventures, Formal Law Alliances, Foreign Law Practices, Representative Offices and Foreign Interests in Singapore Law Practices

168 Interpretation of this Division

169 Joint Law Venture

170 Formal Law Alliance

171 Qualifying Foreign Law Practice

172 Licensed foreign law practice

173 Representative office

174 Regulatory control over Joint Law Venture or Formal Law Alliance

175 Regulatory control over Qualifying Foreign Law Practice or licensed foreign law practice

176 Foreign interests in Singapore law practices

177 Measures to ensure compliance with section 176

178 Application for and renewal of licence or approval under this Division

179 Compliance with guidelines, directions, undertakings and conditions

180 Appeal against decision of Director of Legal Services under this Division, etc.

181 Failure to apply for licence, register or furnish information

182 Civil penalty

183 Liability of partners, directors and shareholders

184 Rules for this Division

Division 5 — Group practices

184A Formation of group practices

184B Rules for this Division

Part 10 MISCELLANEOUS

185 General provision as to rules

186 Offices of Institute and Society

187 Service of documents

188 Recovery of moneys by Institute and Society

189 Rules Committee to prescribe certain fees and costs

190 Relief to banks

191 Jurisdiction of court

192 Interlocutory applications in certain proceedings

193 Rules for certain proceedings

194 Court of 3 Supreme Court Judges may conduct hearing through electronic means of communication

FIRST SCHEDULE Intervention in solicitor’s practice SECOND SCHEDULE Inadequate professional services Legislative History Abbreviations Comparative Table

Legal Profession Act 1966

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Current version as at 22 Nov 2024

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30 Mar 1987

1985 RevEd
21 Apr 1989

Amended by
Act 15 of 1989
20 Dec 1990

1990 RevEd
01 Feb 1991

Amended by
Act 10 of 1991
27 Mar 1992

Amended by
Act 7 of 1992
01 Jul 1993

Amended by
Act 16 of 1993
01 Jan 1994

Amended by
Act 41 of 1993
15 Mar 1994

1994 RevEd
15 Jul 1995

Amended by
Act 15 of 1995
01 Sep 1996

Amended by
Act 40 of 1996
01 Jan 1997

Amended by
Act 40 of 1996
01 Oct 1997

Amended by
Act 7 of 1997
20 Dec 1997

1997 RevEd
17 Jul 1998

Amended by
S 383/1998
05 May 2000

Amended by
Act 4 of 2000
01 Nov 2000

Amended by
Act 28 of 2000
30 Dec 2000

2000 RevEd
01 Nov 2001

Amended by
Act 35 of 2001
31 Dec 2001

2001 RevEd
14 Sep 2004

Amended by
Act 23 of 2004
15 Dec 2004

Amended by
Act 45 of 2004
01 Apr 2005

Amended by
Act 23 of 2004
01 Jan 2006

Amended by
Act 42 of 2005
04 Dec 2006

Amended by
Act 41 of 2005
01 Mar 2007

Amended by
Act 10 of 2007
01 Apr 2007

Amended by
Act 20 of 2007
01 Jun 2007

Amended by
Act 20 of 2007
01 Jun 2007

Amended by
Act 19 of 2008
19 Sep 2008

Amended by
Act 19 of 2008
15 Oct 2008

Amended by
Act 19 of 2008
01 Dec 2008

Amended by
Act 19 of 2008
01 Jun 2009

2009 RevEd
09 Oct 2009

Amended by
Act 20 of 2009
01 Mar 2010

Amended by
Act 21 of 2008
01 Mar 2011

Amended by
Act 27 of 2010
03 May 2011

Amended by
Act 8 of 2011
01 Aug 2011

Amended by
Act 17 of 2011
01 Apr 2012

Amended by
Act 3 of 2012
01 Jun 2012

Amended by
Act 3 of 2012
07 Mar 2014

Amended by
Act 5 of 2014
01 Oct 2014

Amended by
Act 27 of 2014
01 Jan 2015

Amended by
Act 25 of 2014
01 Jan 2015

Amended by
Act 40 of 2014
01 Jan 2015

Amended by
Act 41 of 2014
23 May 2015

Amended by
Act 40 of 2014
18 Nov 2015

Amended by
Act 40 of 2014
18 Nov 2015

Amended by
Act 8 of 2022
01 Aug 2016

Amended by
Act 16 of 2016
01 Mar 2017

Amended by
Act 2 of 2017
11 Jul 2017

Amended by
Act 30 of 2017
01 Nov 2017

Amended by
Act 1 of 2017
18 Apr 2018

Amended by
Act 22 of 2018
01 Aug 2018

Amended by
Act 22 of 2018
01 Oct 2018

Amended by
Act 22 of 2018
01 Nov 2018

Amended by
Act 22 of 2018
31 May 2019

Amended by
Act 50 of 2018
01 Nov 2019

Amended by
Act 22 of 2018
15 Jun 2020

Amended by
S 461/2020
30 Jul 2020

Amended by
Act 40 of 2018
02 Jan 2021

Amended by
Act 40 of 2019
31 Dec 2021

2020 RevEd
14 Jan 2022

Amended by
Act 33 of 2021
01 Apr 2022

Amended by
Act 25 of 2021
04 May 2022

Amended by
Act 8 of 2022
01 Oct 2022

Amended by
Act 8 of 2022
01 Dec 2022

Amended by
Act 23 of 2022
01 May 2024

Amended by
Act 6 of 2024
14 Jun 2024

Amended by
Act 37 of 2023
17 Jul 2024

Amended by
Act 37 of 2023

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