The Singapore Law Review

After almost a year of hard work and endless hours at the drawing board, the 26th volume of the Singapore Law Review is finally seeing publication this March 2009. The 250 page volume boasts articles not only from Singapore, but also from Canada and the United Kingdom amongst others. A wide range of topics were also included in this volume of the SLR, from the Rule of Law in Estonia and Ukraine to an enlightening interview with the Right Honourable Baron Leonard Hoffmann. The 26th volume of the SLR promises to be an exciting vibrant journey through various aspects of the law that holds something for everyone.

Copies can be bought by sending your full name, postal address, e-mail address, contact details, and the number of copies you wish to purchase to queries@singaporelawreview.org.

Prices (inclusive of postage) for purchase of one copy in various jurisdictions are as follows:

Singapore: S$30
ASEAN (other than Singapore): $35
North America: $40
Other jurisdictions: $40

An invoice will be sent to you along with the journal(s) ordered, and payment should be made by cheque to “National University of Singapore”.

We hope that all will enjoy this new volume of the SLR as much as we enjoyed preparing it.

If you should have any queries, do feel free to email us at queries@singaporelawreview.org.

It’s never going to be a judicial talking point but Colin Ng & Partners LLP (CNP) actively took part in Earth Hour, joining a global mega observation.

From The Great Pyramids to The Acropolis, The London Eye to The Las Vegas strip, The Singapore Flyer to The Merlion, nearly 4,000 cities in 88 countries celebrated Earth Hour at 8.30pm local time on Saturday, March 28, 2009.

Under the Earth Hour initiative, households, communities and businesses around the world turned off their lights for one hour to show that it’s possible to take unified action on global warming.

Yes, the obvious question: What importance do legal-eagles read into this?

One says the world is “finished without change,” another sees “trouble for the world” without action and most say it brings a much needed “local awareness” to a deadly global threat.

CNP’s initiative was subtly inspiring to send a timely message that CNP supports increased environmental awareness and care for the planet: Staff switched off their computer monitors during lunchtime between 1pm to 2pm on Friday, March 27 also declaring it  a “No Lift Day”. All staff with the exception of expectant ladies, senior citizens and people with disabilities were encouraged to use the stairs of CNP’s six-storey office building at Carpenter Street instead of the lift.

(Staff taking the stairs of CNP’s six-storey building at Carpenter Street.)

Mr Quek Li Fei, partner at CNP, said: “We have actively supported the Green cause for years. We implement environmentally-friendly practices in our office on a daily basis, including recycling recyclable-use materials like PET bottles and paper, sourcing stationery and printer ink cartridges using recycled content wherever possible. We also do our bit to conserve electricity by using energy efficient light bulbs in our office, buying energy efficient appliances and installing motion detector lights in our stairwell. We have regular “No Lift”  days once a month, hold green awareness activities like quizzes, contests, screening films on environmental consciousness and have given small plants as prizes to our staff to help “green” our work environment.

“We encourage  our lawyers and staff members to also implement these simple steps at home. We believe that ‘The Green Life is a Good Life’.”

Colin Ng & Partners LLP (CNP) has, had a Green Committee (“CNP Green” since 2007 which has promoted, and implemented environmentally-friendly business practices within the firm. 

Starting 2009, CNP has also assembled a team to provide legal advisory services for companies and businesses undertaking or desirous of undertaking “green” business practices and/or involved in “green” technologies, or who are just keen to explore green business practices.

ABOUT COLIN NG & PARTNERS LLP

Colin Ng & Partners LLP (“CNP”) is an independent Singapore-based law firm with a regional focus. Established in 1988, CNP celebrated its 20th anniversary and converted to a limited liability law partnership in 2008.  The firm has established itself among the top full-service law firms in Singapore, and its commitment to quality work has been recognized in leading legal publications such as the Asia Pacific Legal 500, Global Counsel, Leading Lawyers and AsiaLaw Profiles as well as through the loyalty of many valued clients. CNP is recognized for its expertise in various practice areas, including Banking & Finance, Corporate & Commercial, Capital Markets, Dispute Resolution and Real Estate.

Combining the best in the business world and the legal profession, CNP consists of more than 150 personnel, of which over a third are lawyers qualified in Singapore, England & Wales, the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong SAR, India, Malaysia, Australia, the Philippines and Romania.

CNP GREEN PRACTICE FOCUS GROUP

Our Green Practice Focus Group advises on three (3) general areas:

Compliance with Environmental Statutes and Regulations
We are able to assist clients in complying with general and industry-specific cross-border environmental statutes and regulations and reviewing company policies, practice and supplier/customer agreements for compliance with such.
In this regard, we provide assistance to companies in applying for and obtaining licences under the Environmental Management and Protection Act (“EPMA”) and advise companies on compliance with the Jurong Town Corporation’s environmental regulations.

Taking Advantage of “Green” Incentives
We can advise and assist clients in applying for grants and incentives offered by the National Environment Agency (“NEA”) and the Building and Construction Authority (“BCA”) including Energy Efficiency Improvement Assistance Scheme (“EASe”), Design for Efficiency Scheme, Grant for Energy Efficient Technologies (GREET), the BCA Green Mark Incentive Scheme and the WEC incentive package.
Our Tax Advisory Services can advise on tax incentive schemes available for “green” practices, such as the “One Year Accelerated Depreciation allowance for Energy Efficient Equipment and Technology” and the “One-year Accelerated Depreciation Allowance for Highly Efficient Pollution Control Equipment”.

Green Business Opportunities / Certification
We can review and advise on environment-related requirements and policies of clients’ customers, clients’ supply chain vendors, assist to document environmental practices and policies to comply with requirements of their customers, assist and advise on ISO 14000/14001/14004 requirements, as well on the legal aspects of financing and protecting “green technologies”.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Eliza TAN
Corporate Communications Manager
Colin Ng & Partners LLP
DID: 6349 8610
Fax: 6323 8282
E-mail: etan@cnplaw.com

Or
 
QUEK Li Fei
Partner, Head of CNP Green Practice Focus Group
Colin Ng & Partners LLP
DID: 6349 8687
Email: lfquek@cnplaw.com

Editorial: Preparing for Better Times

Nobody expects Juris Illuminae to provide sound financial advice, but here is a first: bad times provide the best impetus for change. Sacred cows, such as the use of reserves, are challenged and “improbable” events, such as the election of Barack Obama as the United States’ first African-American President, are actually happening.

Bad times, however, do not necessarily bring about the best changes. The effects of the Great Depression in the 1930s are key to understanding the rise of Nazi Germany and the subsequent demise of the rule of law there.

When spending habits are reconsidered, “luxuries” such as donating to charity and the practice of corporate social responsibility are first to suffer. While resources can be used more effectively, giving up on good causes only serves to bring out our worst.

This month, the Singapore Law Review will be publishing the 26^th edition of its journal. The year-long process was at best harrowing as our editors, fearing that this volume would not come into being due to financial constraints, were distracted from putting their best efforts into sourcing and editing articles.  Yet it presented to us the opportunity to seriously consider the significance of publishing a journal-a crucial thought process that will help us decide how the next edition should be published so as to avoid the problems faced this time.

A second piece of advice is in order. In bad times, prepare for better ones. Myopia dictates that the poor climate today is an exception, but we must not forget that our decisions in dire circumstances are really precedent for what we deem permissible from now on.

(Read the Print Version: Juris Illuminae Vol. 5 Issue 4 Print Edition)

Project Dimsum
A Hong Kong learning journey. (Read More)

New University Court Friends Scheme
Lets students know about Small Claim Tribunal Courts here. (Read More)

“Pupillage and You”
NUS Pro Bono Group Annual Seminar Series 2009, in partnership with KhattarWong. (Read More)