MinLaw looks forward to ‘full and thorough’ probe into allegations of workplace issues at Law Society
[SINGAPORE] The Ministry of Law (MinLaw) on Thursday (Dec 18) said it looks forward to a “full and thorough investigation” into allegations of workplace issues at the Law Society of Singapore, and the probe being completed “as expeditiously as possible”.
Responding to queries from The Straits Times, a MinLaw spokesman said the ministry first received information regarding the allegations in September.
After receiving the information, the ministry sent the claims to the Law Society for review “given the serious nature of these allegations”.
The spokesman said the Law Society is a statutory body established under the Legal Profession Act, and added that matters relating to internal workplace policies and conduct fall under the purview of the society’s management and council.
MinLaw said the Law Society informed it on Oct 11 that the matter had been referred to their audit committee for investigation, and that a report would be furnished to its council in due course.
“We requested to be kept informed of the findings,” the spokesman said.
“The Ministry has not received any reports or findings to date from the Law Society, including the progress report which has been referred to in the media.”
“We look forward to a full and thorough investigation into the allegations, to be completed as expeditiously as possible.”
The spokesman added that the ministry’s interest is in upholding Singapore’s standing as a leading legal hub built on strong institutions and high professional standards.
“We expect all organisations within the legal sector to uphold professionalism and maintain appropriate workplace standards,” the spokesman added.
ST had reported on Dec 16 that TSMP Law was commissioned by the Law Society to conduct investigations into allegations of workplace bullying at the organisation.
The society is the representative body for all lawyers in Singapore, with about 6,400 members.
The allegations had first appeared online.
TSMP’s joint managing partner, Senior Counsel Thio Shen Yi confirmed that there was an ongoing probe, and said a progress report had been submitted to the audit committee. He declined to give further details.
Following ST’s report, the outgoing Law Society president, Lisa Sam Hui Min, said in a LinkedIn Post that she was asked to provide information to TSMP for the purpose of investigations.
She added in her post that she had repeatedly asked TSMP for written details of the allegations to no avail.
ST learnt that a number of issues were highlighted during the probe.
They include claims of excessive spending during overseas trips, and a complaint about how an allegation of sexual harassment was handled.
Sam said in her post that she was “surprised and deeply troubled” because details of an independent, confidential process were provided to the press, even before she was given the details.
She also noted that some of the allegations from anonymous complaints had occurred even before her time in office.
Sam, who has been president of the organisation since 2024, said she is at a loss to understand “what meaningful update on progress or interim report could have been provided”.
“The review must still be ongoing and nowhere near complete, given that TSMP (has) yet to provide me with written details of the actual allegations,” she added. THE STRAITS TIMES
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