The message sent out by all the speakers of the public forum “Criminal Law and Pro Bono” was unequivocal: Every person accused of a crime should have access to legal representation. When such persons cannot afford lawyers, pro bono work becomes a crucial part of the system of justice.

Held on the 6th March, the seminar—organised by the NUS Pro Bono Society as part of its Seminar Series 2009—involved four distinguished speakers, Mr. Foo Cheow Ming, Partner, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, KhattarWong; Mr. Sunil Sudheesan, Legal Associate in KhattarWong; Mr. Lim Tanguy, Director, Pro Bono Services Office; and Mr. Gopinath Pillai, Chairman of the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme Committee of the Law Society of Singapore sharing their perspectives on this crucial area of Singapore’s legal framework.

“Formal pro bono schemes indicates progress from the past, where pro bono work took place largely in an ad hoc fashion,” noted Mr. Lim. Indeed, all speakers agreed that pro bono work in Singapore has improved, with greater sections of the public having access to a myriad of schemes and legal clinics run by non-profit organizations such as the Legal Aid Bureau, the Association of Criminal Lawyers, and the Law Society’s Pro Bono Services Office.

The current requirement for lawyers to pledge at least 25 hours to pro bono work, together with the diversification of the profile of volunteers to include lawyers from previously under-represented practices such as corporate and conveyancing law are also indicators that pro bono in Singapore is making progress.

Speakers also shared the invaluable lessons they gained from pro bono work. Mr. Sudheesan shared how his first pro bono case – defending Took Leng How in a high-profile murder case– impressed upon him that there lies a deeper story behind even cases that seem the most heinous at first blush.

Addressing a large audience of students, the speakers encouraged all to get involved in pro bono work as student volunteers, and subsequently in their capacity as lawyers. By the end of the seminar, the notion that many held previously– that passion for pro bono has no place in a lawyer’s hectic schedule– was dispelled.