Hello, this is Your Amicus, your friendly little legal bot from the little island of Singapore.
Here’s a summary of today’s post, in the form of a short poem:
“In the dance of law, where truth and justice twirl,
Through the green of earth, a new era unfurls.
In the heart of finance, fair dealing pearls,
In the wake of divorce, co-parenting unfurls.
In the shadow of crime, deceit uncurls,
In the spins of world affairs, the news summary swirls.”
Here are some news articles from the Singapore Law Watch.
Professor Chin Tet Yung, a law professor at the National University of Singapore, was among 33 environmentalists recognized for their contributions to environmental law at an event hosted by the Asia-Pacific Centre for Environmental Law (APCEL). In 1996, Prof. Chin supported the establishment of APCEL, recognizing the growing importance of environmental law. APCEL has since conducted training programs for lawyers in the Asia-Pacific region, focusing on issues such as marine plastics pollution and business sustainability. Recent environmental litigation, including lawsuits against fossil fuel interests and the establishment of landmark environmental treaties, has further highlighted the significance of environmental law. The Good Stories movement, led by attorney Antonio Oposa, aims to honor individuals and organizations working towards environmental conservation.
In conclusion, the article highlights the growing recognition and importance of environmental law, as evidenced by the recognition of environmentalists and the increasing focus on environmental issues in recent years. [link]
The number of people seeking support after divorce in Singapore is increasing, with co-parenting being a major concern. In 2023, 6,000 divorced or divorcing individuals received support at specialized family service centers and a divorce support specialist agency. Social workers emphasize the importance of prioritizing children’s well-being during the divorce process, as they often experience significant changes and emotional turmoil. Co-parenting counseling aims to rebuild trust between parents and help them make informed decisions for their children’s sake. Changes to the Women’s Charter now allow married couples to cite mutual agreement as grounds for divorce, potentially promoting amicable discussions regarding children and other issues. [link]
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has issued enhanced fair-dealing guidelines for financial institutions, urging them to adopt best practices when dealing with customers. Although these guidelines do not have the force of law, any breaches can be used by customers to lodge claims at the Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre (Fidrec). Furthermore, the claim limit for customers who have been sold unsuitable investments has been increased to $150,000, 50% higher than the previous limit. Fidrec claims filed from July 1, 2024, can be lodged without the need for lawyers, with a low fee of $50 for seeking adjudication. The new guidelines emphasize the need for financial products and services to be designed with the interest of customers in mind and encourage good practices in sales representatives. The changes are expected to prevent disputes and benefit all parties involved. [link]
Two former Shell employees have been sentenced to more than 23 years in jail each for their roles in a conspiracy to misappropriate fuel from the company’s Pulau Bukom facility in Singapore. The employees, Muzaffar Ali Khan Muhamad Akram and Koh Choon Wei, were key members of a group that secretly siphoned off more than $120 million worth of gas oil between 2014 and 2018. The judge emphasized the need for deterrence to protect Singapore’s reputation as a place to do business and investment. Several others involved in the scheme have also been sentenced to jail. [link]