The Law Society of Singapore is applying to have Workers' Party chief Pritam Singh struck off the roll of lawyers [1].
This legal action targets the professional standing of the opposition leader, which could have significant implications for his public role and legal status in Singapore. As a non-practising lawyer, Singh's presence on the roll is a matter of professional conduct and licensure.
The application comes after Singh was convicted on two counts [2] of giving false evidence and lying under oath. The Law Society said these actions are a breach of professional conduct, necessitating the disciplinary proceedings [1].
A Court of Three Judges in the Singapore High Court will hear the case [1]. The disciplinary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 13, 2024 [1].
The process of being struck off the roll is the most severe disciplinary sanction available to the legal profession. It effectively removes an individual's qualification to practice law in the jurisdiction, regardless of whether they are currently practising or non-practising.
The proceedings focus on the integrity of the legal profession. The Law Society said it is seeking this remedy because the convictions for perjury strike at the core of a lawyer's duty to the court [3].
“The Law Society of Singapore is applying to have Workers' Party chief Pritam Singh struck off the roll of lawyers.”
The move to strike Pritam Singh from the legal rolls signifies a severe professional penalty that transcends his current status as a non-practising lawyer. By focusing on the breach of professional conduct and the act of lying under oath, the Law Society is asserting that the integrity of the legal profession is compromised by such convictions. This creates a legal precedent where professional licensure is tied strictly to judicial honesty, potentially impacting the political optics of the Workers' Party leadership.
