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 …

Big, medium or small firm? Corporate work or litigation? Private practice or Legal Service? Local or offshore firm?
Addressing a packed lecture theatre of students, the six panelists who graced “Pupillage and You”, a talk organised as part of the NUS Pro Bono Group’s Annual Seminar Series 2009, sought to shed light on the common dilemmas that confront students deciding between pupillage options. The talk was organised by the NUS Pro Bono Group in partnership with KhattarWong.
“Litigation is destructive and corporate law is constructive. I never liked destroying things as a …

The Small Claims Tribunal is not a place where lawyers frequent – they are not permitted to represent any of the parties in proceedings before the tribunals at all. But thanks to the new University Court Friends Scheme, students from NUS and SMU get to experience and learn from a part of the legal process that internships cannot offer.
Proposed and organized by District Judges Mr. Earnest Lau and Ms. Joyce Low, in collaboration with the NUS Pro Bono Group, the scheme allows participants to assist in the procedure of lodging …

Disneyland, delicious Dimsum and delightful Hong Kong University hosts were just icing on the cake for the 23 participants of the inaugural LSIRC-Pro Bono Group Collaboration Trip to Hong Kong.
Other experiences were more educational. Visits to law firms Tanner de Witt, Dechert LLP and Clifford Chance provided insights from local medium to large sized international firms and provided a glimpse into Hong Kong’s vibrant and competitive legal scene.
Discussions with the Law Society Chairman, Mr. Lester Huang, as well as visits to the Legal Aid Department and Legal Aid Services Council …

The Pragmatic Way to an Idealistic Goal
PAMELA YEO
Second Year NUS Law
It was particularly encouraging, if not uplifting, to see that the group U60SG has taken upon itself the task of being the spark to light the fire amongst Singaporeans in raising awareness of human rights. Singaporeans have oft been cast as apathetic not only in political matters, but also towards those who are less fortunate or those who have been deprived of their fundamental liberties. Pegged as pragmatists, it is easy to assume that Singaporeans could not care less about …