The ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS of Singapore
ANNUAL REPORT
2013/2014 Contents
02 Foreword by the Attorney-General
06 Our Mission, Vision & Core Values
07 Our Roles
08 Our Corporate Structure
10 Our Appreciation & Congratulations
14 Our People
26 The Attorney-General’s Roles A. As the Government’s Chief Legal Adviser and Counsel
B. As Public Prosecutor
C. In Performing Other Assigned Duties of a Legal Character
47 Our Outreach & New Initiatives
59 Our Training & Capabilities Development
63 The Ties that Bind Us
68 Key Figures - Expenditure Indicators - Performance Indicators
ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 1 Foreword By In the first Annual Report published after Outside of AGC, I have strengthened our ties my appointment, I had highlighted the key with other stakeholders of the criminal justice initiatives undertaken by AGC in the pursuit system through our common purpose of The Attorney-General of transparency, modernisation, cooperation maintaining a fair, efficient and enduring and development of our resources. In this criminal justice system. To my mind, a report card highlighting the matters which collegial relationship between AGC and other occupied AGC during my second year in stakeholders of the criminal justice system The Office of the Attorney-General office, you will observe that these are recurring will necessarily be in the public interest is undoubtedly one that wields great themes which permeate our work ethos in as it will continually spur us to work together power and consequently immense AGC. Given my firm commitment that I for the good of our society. To this end, responsibilities. After all, this Office should build upon and strengthen the my officers have, in the past year, consistently provides direction for and exercises foundations laid before me, I have sought to collaborated with enforcement agencies and independent control of all criminal introduce initiatives which will institutionalise the Criminal Bar to improve the administration proceedings in Singapore, and acts as stability and continuity to the work of AGC of criminal justice. the Government’s principal legal adviser. that is independent of my term in office. As AG Chan Sek Keong (as he then was) By way of an example, the Embedment aptly observed at the inaugural Legal The need for continuity and stability is greater Project involves experienced Deputy Public Branch Conference in 1996, this Office now than ever before, in a changing society Prosecutors stationed for fixed terms in may also be viewed as “a public where, for example, my officers have had to enforcement agencies, such as specialised responsibility held in trust for the swiftly respond on multiple fronts (be it divisions of the Police, the Corrupt Practices public to be discharged in the public advising the Government, assisting the Investigation Bureau and the Central Narcotics interest”. To put it another way, the Committee of Inquiry, prosecuting the Bureau. These officers act as the first point of exacting standards to which this Office offenders or effecting legislative reforms) consultation for investigation officers at an is rightly held to, mandate that its in the wake of a violent and unprecedented early stage in the investigation process. In turn, responsibilities and duties should be riot in Little India that took Singapore by this has served the interests of justice – the discharged with integrity, impartiality, storm. It is from this perspective that this quality of investigations has improved; the time competence and professionalism at all Annual Report presents the highlights of taken for a case to be prosecuted or withdrawn times, regardless of the office bearer AGC’s past year. has reduced; and precious resources have been of the day. saved. As Public Prosecutor When I assumed this Office in 2012, In my role as the Public Prosecutor, I have The launch of the groundbreaking Code of I emphasised the importance of set in place various internal best practices to Practice for the Conduct of Criminal consistency, continuity and stability. To guide the work of my officers in the Crime Proceedings in March 2013 also bore me, these were the touchstones of my Divisions of AGC. Their work in the testimony to the close working relationship term in office that would be critical administration of criminal justice directly that has developed between my officers and to the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ impacts the lives of victims, witnesses, the Criminal Bar. This Code is a joint (AGC) mission to further the rule of suspects, accused persons, their families, and commitment by the Prosecution and the law and constitutional government in the general public. It is therefore vital for Criminal Bar to tap on our collective best Singapore; enhance good public prosecutorial discretion to be exercised in practices so as to align and enhance the administration; and protect the interests a clear and consistent manner, while being standards for advocacy and ethics in criminal of the State and of the people. mindful of the specific and unique facts of proceedings at the pre-trial, trial and post-trial each case. The constant updating of our stages. It is a clarion call to the Prosecution It is therefore not surprising that my internal prosecutorial guidelines, the and Defence alike as to the professional first year in office marked a time of consolidation of our internal sentencing standards that they should continually and consolidation of the policies and reforms databases and the formation of specialist consistently uphold in the criminal justice introduced by my predecessor, the teams to handle particularly sensitive cases process. We will continue to review and revise present Chief Justice, which I aligned are examples of such best practices that will this Code as appropriate and look forward to with my own vision for AGC. take us yet another step forward in meeting more collaborative opportunities with the these goals. Criminal Bar in time to come.
2 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 3 Apart from my best endeavours to cement are well aware of the need to continually Under my watch, the Legislation and Law Reform In Parting AGC’s ties with partner agencies and other advance their legal knowledge and skills, and Division (LLRD) remains unrelenting in its It is only fitting that I record my gratitude to stakeholders of the criminal justice system, to specialise in areas that are beneficial to worthy pursuit of continued accessibility to Mrs Koh Juat Jong SC who retired as the I have been steadfast in promoting our their work and professional development. our laws through its Plain Laws Understandable Solicitor-General on 1 February 2014. During engagement with the public. Over time, I Together with the Solicitor-General, the by Singaporeans (PLUS) Project. This formidable her years in office, her mentorship and tireless demystified the Office of the Public Deputy Solicitor-General and my Heads of Project will incorporate survey feedback dedication to public service was a constant Prosecutor by delivering a number of Departments, I have made sure that local and collected from stakeholders of the legislative source of support and inspiration for us all. addresses relating to my role as the overseas training opportunities are made process, in a bid by LLRD to modernise and That we are an institution with top quality Public Prosecutor and issuing press available throughout the organisation to simplify the manner by which legislation is officers and resources is, in no small part, due statements to explain AGC’s position in cater for my officers’ wide-ranging training presented and drafted by AGC. The PLUS to her immeasurable contributions. Mrs Koh’s certain cases. needs. Project will further ensure that the laws successor, Mr Lionel Yee SC, is no stranger of Singapore continue to be readily to AGC. He shares in the vision for AGC to Given the particular interest which the I am delighted that Civil Division has understandable by all for a long time to maintain its sterling reputation as an institution public has in criminal cases, and the speed embarked, during my term in office, on a come. I understand that AG Chan had, as far of excellence and will continue to provide and abundance at which information (and considerable expansion of its role by taking back as 17 years ago, propounded a similar stalwart leadership in the face of change. misinformation) is disseminated through social on all judicial review cases against statutory vision for the legislative department of the day, media, I set up a dedicated Media Relations boards and civil penalty cases enforced by and I am heartened that the PLUS Project is Even as I close this chapter of my term in Unit within AGC and staffed it with the Monetary Authority of Singapore under another key initiative that will foster continuity office, there is still more to be done; indeed, professionals of high calibre to ensure Part XII of the Securities and Futures Act. for AGC’s work across the passage of time. there will always be more we can aspire to that AGC is equipped with the resources This is a move which I had championed as achieve as AGC continues to deliver diverse to appropriately engage and educate the it will enable Civil Division to build up its Knowledge Management (KM) but consistent legal services of the highest public. I also gave my full support to the significant expertise in public law and At my first AGC Workplan seminar in 2012, quality. Notwithstanding the ever-increasing launch of the inaugural Public Prosecution securities regulation on a holistic basis, as I emphasised the need to maintain public demands made of my officers to deal with Outreach Programme in October 2013. This well as contribute to the local jurisprudence confidence in our integrity by ensuring increasingly complex cases within a faster was the first of what is intended to be in these areas of the law. Civil Division’s coherence and consistency in our work. To my turnaround time, I trust that each of them an annual series of outreach programmes collaboration with its partners to revise and mind, effective knowledge retention and will give unstintingly of their best. I have said that will provide a platform for AGC to reach modernise Government contract templates management within AGC will be instrumental on a previous occasion that at every stage of out to the wider community on a much larger will also enable public procuring agencies to achieving this goal. Having set up a full- one’s career, there are challenges to contend scale. to be more efficient in their work and time KM Unit on 1 June 2013, I have every with; but equally, there are callings which facilitate the adoption of a more coordinated confidence that my team will grow and will spur each officer to carry on. It is my It has been through such concerted and approach for contracts made with the strengthen under the able management of sincere belief that the privilege of working collective efforts on our part that the man on Government. AGC’s newly appointed Chief Knowledge in AGC is one such calling because my the street can now relate more easily to the Officer Mr Charles Lim. This year, the KM officers stand in the unique position of work that my Deputy Public Prosecutors At the same time, it is gratifying that I have team undertook a rigorous study of the KM assisting the office bearer of the day in and Assistant Public Prosecutors undertake been able to see to fruition the International best practices across leading global law firms carrying out his or her constitutional duties. on a daily basis and gain greater insight Affairs Division’s (IAD) establishment of a and organisations such as overseas prosecution It is therefore my earnest hope that my into our constitutional role within the context Treaties Section to formally support the agencies. My officers also held focus group officers will always continue to respond of Singapore’s justice system. In turn, our Government with a full suite of treaty-making discussions with a wide cross-section of AGC passionately to the high callings of interactions with the public serve as a related services, in addition to providing a to discern the heartbeat on the ground since safeguarding the public interest and the meaningful and constant reminder of the comprehensive database of treaties, international our KM System should be tailored to the administration of justice. trust reposed in us and the public interest documents and related information. The needs and requirements of the organisation. which we are duty-bound to protect. consolidation of IAD’s expertise in this We have traversed new terrain in our There is a saying that “It is good to have an extremely specialised area of the law will formulation of an AGC KM strategy and end to journey toward; but it is the journey As Chief Legal Adviser to the promote consistency in the negotiation, blueprint that will focus on “System – Content – that matters, in the end”. It has been my distinct Government drafting and conclusion of treaties across Culture”. When fully implemented, our KM honour and privilege to have worked with the In my capacity as the Government’s Chief all Government departments. I am also pleased System will feature state-of-the-art technology officers and staff of AGC. Legal Adviser, I have ensured that AGC is that a permanent post for a legal service to facilitate the search and retrieval of carefully poised to provide clear, consistent and officer has been set up at the Singapore curated information and precedents. I look Steven Chong Horng Siong, SC quality legal representation and support Mission in New York, which will not only raise forward to the day when our KM System Attorney-General, Singapore for all Government-related affairs at the Singapore’s international profile but also will become an indispensable tool to our (Mr Steven Chong SC relinquished his appointment as the Attorney- domestic and international level. My officers facilitate a cohesive approach to AGC’s legal production of consistent and quality work. General, and assumed appointment as a Judge of the High Court on 25 June 2014 upon completion of his term as the Attorney-General) representation at the international level.
4 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 5 Our Mission, Vision and Core Values
Our Mission is to enhance Our Core Values are: the rule of law and constitutional Government in Singapore by providing • The rule of law sound legal advice and assistance in • A just legal system developing a fair and responsive legal system, furthering good public • Integrity and impartiality administration and protecting the interests of the State and of the • Competence and professionalism people. • Teamwork and cooperation • The public interest Our Vision is to be an essential pillar upholding the rule of law for a just, harmonious and progressive society.
Our Roles The Attorney-General (AG) has three roles: (1) as the Government’s Chief Legal Adviser and Counsel; (2) as the Public Prosecutor; and (3) in performing other assigned duties of a legal character. The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) assists the AG in his roles. AGC directs and controls criminal prosecutions, provides legal services to the Government and serves as the guardian of the public interest.
6 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 7 Our Corporate Structure Corporate Structure (as at 31 March 2014) The Attorney-General The Solicitor-General
The Attorney-General (AG) is The Solicitor-General (SG) works the Public Prosecutor and closely with the AG in providing Attorney-General principal legal adviser to legal advice to the Government the Government of Singapore, of Singapore. and performs other assigned functions of a legal character. Under section 11(2) of the These are constitutionally- Criminal Procedure Code, the SG Solicitor-General enshrined roles. may act as the Public Prosecutor in the absence of the AG. As the Public Prosecutor, the AG has the Deputy Solicitor-General power to institute, conduct or discontinue The present SG of Singapore is Mr Lionel Yee proceedings for any offence. The AG acts Woon Chin, SC. He was appointed to the independently in this role, and is not subject position on 1 February 2014. Legal Profession Secretariat to the control of the Government.
Corporate Structure Parliamentary Counsel As principal legal adviser to the Government, Chief Operating Officer & (Special Projects) the AG has the duty to advise the Government Chief Information Officer on legal matters and to perform duties of a As at 31 March 2014, the Attorney-General’s & Chief Knowledge Officer legal character which may be referred or Chambers (AGC) was staffed by 307 legally assigned to him by the President or the Cabinet. trained officers and 243 management support Knowledge Management Unit and executive officers. Corporate Computer The AG is also responsible for discharging Information the functions conferred on him under the Services Division Systems Constitution or any written law in Singapore. The AG discharges his responsibilities and Division duties through six legal divisions, namely: Chief Prosecutor (Projects) All actions by or against the Government are made in the name of the AG. The i. Civil Division; AG represents, advances and protects ii. International Affairs Division; Singapore’s interests in the international iii. Legislation and Law Reform Division; arena and in international disputes. The AG iv. Criminal Justice Division; Legislation Economic is also responsible for drafting Singapore’s v. Economic Crimes and Governance International Criminal State Civil and Crimes and Division; and Affairs Justice Prosecution laws and producing revised editions of Division Law Reform Governance Division Division Division legislation. vi. State Prosecution Division. Division Division
The AG is the guardian of charities and acts The legal divisions are supported by the as guardian ad litem to adoptees. The AG Corporate Services Division, Computer also plays a part in the development of the Information Systems Division and the Singapore legal services sector, particularly Knowledge Management Unit. via his role in regulating foreign lawyers and foreign law practices in Singapore. The Legal Profession Secretariat also carries out the AG’s role under the Legal Profession The present AG of Singapore is Mr VK Rajah, Act in relation to Singapore advocates and SC. Mr Rajah assumed office as the AG on solicitors. 25 June 2014.
8 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 9 Our Appreciation & Congratulations Changes to the AGC’s Management Team (as at 31 March 2014)
1 May 2013 1 May 2013 1 August 2013 1 August 2013 Mr Ong Hian Sun Mr Tai Wei Shyong Mr David Khoo Kim Leng Mr David Chew Siong Tai relinquished appointment as assumed appointment as Chief assumed appointment as 2nd Deputy assumed appointment as 2nd Deputy Chief Prosecutor, State Prosecution Prosecutor, State Prosecution Division. Chief Prosecutor, State Prosecution Chief Prosecutor, Economic Crimes and Division, and was posted to the Division. Governance Division. State Courts.
1 June 2013 1 June 2013 1 August 2013 1 January 2014 Mr Charles Lim Aeng Cheng Mrs Owi Beng Ki Mr Hay Hung Chun Ms Lee Lit Cheng assumed appointment as Parliamentary assumed appointment as Parliamentary assumed appointment as 2nd Deputy relinquished appointment as Deputy Counsel (Special Projects) and Chief Counsel. Chief Prosecutor, Criminal Justice Chief Prosecutor, Criminal Justice Knowledge Officer and relinquished Division. Division and was posted to the Ministry appointment as Parliamentary Counsel, Mrs Owi was re-designated as Chief of Home Affairs. Legislation and Law Reform Division. Legislative Counsel, Legislation and Law Reform Division on 1 July 2013.
1 June 2013 1 June 2013 1 February 2014 1 February 2014 Ms Audrey Lim Yoon Cheng Ms Low Siew Ling Mrs Koh Juat Jong, SC Mr Lionel Yee Woon Chin, SC assumed appointment as Deputy assumed appointment as Director, retired from the Civil Service and assumed appointment as Solicitor-General. Parliamentary Counsel, Legislation and Knowledge Management Unit. relinquished the appointment as Law Reform Division. Solicitor-General. Ms Low was appointed concurrently as Ms Lim was re-designated as Deputy Director, Library on 5 Nov 2013. Chief Legislative Counsel, Legislation and Law Reform Division on 1 July 2013.
1 June 2013 1 June 2013 1 March 2014 1 March 2014 Mr Tan Ken Hwee Mr Alphonsus Pang Mr Ng Cheng Thiam Mr Hui Choon Kuen relinquished appointment as Chief Chong Soon was internally re-posted and assumed assumed appointment as Deputy Chief Information Officer. assumed appointment as Chief appointment as Deputy Chief Prosecutor, Prosecutor, State Prosecution Division. Information Officer. Criminal Justice Division.
10 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 11 AGC Management Team
(Seated): left to right (Standing): left to right
Bala Reddy Tan Ken Hwee David Chew Siong Tai Mrs Owi Beng Ki David Chong Gek Sian, SC Chief Prosecutor, Projects Deputy Chief Prosecutor, Ms Aurill Kam Su Cheun 2nd Deputy Chief Prosecutor, Chief Legislative Counsel, Chief Counsel, Civil Division Economic Crimes and Governance Division Deputy Chief Counsel, Civil Division Economic Crimes and Governance Division Legislation and Law Reform Division Lionel Yee Woon Chin, SC David Khoo Kim Leng Pang Khang Chau nd Solicitor-General Ms Hoo Sheau Peng Aedit Abdullah, SC Hay Hung Chun 2 Deputy Chief Prosecutor, Director-General, nd Deputy Chief Counsel, Civil Division Chief Prosecutor, Criminal Justice Division 2 Deputy Chief Prosecutor, State Prosecution Division Steven Chong Horng Siong, SC International Affairs Division Criminal Justice Division Attorney-General Ms Audrey Lim Yoon Cheng Tai Wei Shyong Charles Lim Aeng Cheng Deputy Chief Legislative Counsel, Parliamentary Counsel (Special Projects) & Ms Daphne Hong Fan Sin Jeffrey Chan Wah Teck, SC Chief Prosecutor, Legislation and Law Reform Division State Prosecution Division Chief Knowledge Officer Deputy Director-General, Deputy Solicitor-General International Affairs Division Alphonsus Pang Chong Soon Hui Choon Kuen Ms Mavis Chionh Sze Chyi Chief Operating Officer & Deputy Chief Prosecutor, Chief Prosecutor, Ng Cheng Thiam Chief Information Officer State Prosecution Division Economic Crimes and Governance Division Deputy Chief Prosecutor, Criminal Justice Division
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Headed by the Chief Counsel, the Civil Division’s mission is to provide Our quality legal advice and representation for the good governance of Singapore. The Civil Division advises Ministries and Organs of State on a broad spectrum of complex legal issues such as constitutional and administrative law, data protection, public procurement, and land People acquisition. The Civil Division also represents the Government and certain public institutions in legal proceedings and alternative dispute resolution. The Civil Division performs a critical role in protecting the State’s interests, facilitating the administration of justice and upholding the rule of law.
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The mission of the International Affairs Division (IAD) is to advance The Legislation and Law Reform Division (LLRD) is the central legislative and protect Singapore’s interests through international law. The IAD drafting office of Singapore. Officers of LLRD are responsible forthe provides legal advice and assistance to the Government on international drafting of laws to execute Government policies and to give effect to law issues, and represents Singapore in bilateral and multilateral Parliamentary intention, in a manner that is simple, clear and concise. negotiations, international dispute settlement proceedings, and various LLRD manages the main online repository of Singapore legislation, ensuring other regional and international fora. The IAD also discharges the ready access by the public to accurate and updated legislation. LLRD functions of the Central Authority of Singapore in the handling of also serves as the Secretariat to the Law Revision Commission and requests for extradition and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, produces revised editions of legislation under the direction of Law and is actively engaged in the development of international law Revision Commissioners. expertise in Singapore for the whole of Government.
16 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 17 THE Crime Cluster
As the organisational extension of the AG’s role as the Public Prosecutor, the Crime Cluster consists of three divisions:
the Criminal Justice Division, the Economic Crimes and Governance Division, and the State Prosecution Division. Criminal Justice Division The Crime Cluster Management Committee coordinates the work of these three divisions in order to maximise The Criminal Justice Division (CJD) handles all capital cases in the the efficient use of resources. It also formulates and High Court, prosecution of drugs and other specialised crimes in the coordinates criminal justice policy to ensure consistency State Courts and all appeals from these cases. CJD also renders in the application of procedural and substantive criminal law. advice on criminal justice matters to Government departments and agencies, supervises Ministry prosecutions and is actively involved in In addition, the Committee is responsible for the manpower law reform relating to criminal matters. CJD also houses directorates deployment and development of Crime Cluster officers and providing common services to the Crime Cluster, including common staff. It ensures that prosecutors within the Crime Cluster registry support, knowledge management and training. have the opportunity to rotate for a more varied work experience and to attain the highest standards of competence and professionalism.
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The Economic Crimes and Governance Division (EGD) is a specialist The State Prosecution Division (SPD) handles the bulk of prosecutions division responsible for prosecutions, appeals, and other related proceedings which are heard in the State Courts. These cover a wide range of offences, in respect of commercial crimes, including financial and securities offences, including crimes against persons and property, sexual offences, public and corruption cases. EGD also handles regulatory enforcement matters order offences as well as traffic offences. SPD is also responsible for the affecting the financial services sector, judicial review cases relating to prosecution of serious sexual offences in the High Court. In addition, criminal proceedings and contempt of court cases. EGD is organised into SPD officers also handle Coroner’s Inquiries and all appeals, revisions and four specialised directorates, namely, the Financial and Securities Offences references arising from the cases that SPD deals with. Directorate, the Corruption Directorate, the General Commercial Crime Directorate, and the Governance & Appeals Directorate.
20 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 21 Legal Profession Secretariat Knowledge Management Unit and the Library
The AGC, in its role as regulator of foreign lawyers and foreign law The Knowledge Management Unit (KMU) was set up in June 2013 under practices, fosters the growth and development of this part of the the AG’s office. KMU oversees and coordinates knowledge management Singapore legal services sector. This function is performed through efforts within Chambers. The Chan Sek Keong Library, an authoritative the Legal Profession Secretariat, which registers and licenses foreign repository of external legal knowledge with over 45,500 volumes in its lawyers and foreign law practices providing legal services in or collection, is also under the KMU’s oversight. from Singapore, and Singapore solicitors practising law in foreign law practices. This is in addition to carrying out the AG’s role under the Legal Profession Act in relation to Singapore advocates and solicitors.
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The Corporate Services Division (CSD) is responsible for the corporate The Computer Information Systems Division (CISD) assists AGC in affairs of AGC. Its roles cover corporate planning, organisational providing effective legal services through the use of information performance, organisational excellence, financial management, human technology and the management of knowledge assets. resource management and development, media relations, outreach and international relations, office management and travel management.
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A. As the Government’s such as the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act, the Visiting Forces Act Chief Legal Adviser and the Strategic Goods Control Act. It and Counsel also advises specialised groups such as the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Export I. Advisory Work And New Legislation Control which deals with the proliferation of strategic and controlled goods. AGC is the largest legal practice in Singapore in areas of law such as AGC as Legislative Draftsman administrative and constitutional law, public international law and legislative AGC works closely with Government drafting. AGC officers are well positioned ministries and statutory boards to assist not only to advise policy makers on the them with policy analysis; legislative law but also to call their attention to drafting proposals; legislative advisory The potential pitfalls and generate suggestions services; and alternative approaches to to overcome any envisaged difficulties. achieving policy objectives. 2013 was an eventful year as several new laws were Another of AGC’s key functions is to enacted in line with the Government’s Attorney- provide the Government and other pursuit of social objectives. public sector agencies with advisory services in the development of proposals 30 Bills comprising 917 pages were drafted General’s for legislation, the drafting of legislation, and introduced in Parliament between and the enactment and implementation April 2013 and March 2014. There were of legislation. also 925 pieces of subsidiary legislation Roles spanning over 3,667 pages drafted and AGC also provides advice to ministries published during the same period. Some of and other governmental agencies on the major Bills and subsidiary legislation general criminal legal matters as well included: A. As the Government’s Chief Legal Adviser as more specific areas of criminal law, and Counsel
B. As Public Prosecutor
C. In Performing Other Assigned Duties of a Legal Character
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Amendments to the Subordinate Courts Act Status of Children (Assisted Reproduction Public Order (Additional Temporary Employment, Parental Leave and Other Technology) Act Measures) Act Measures Act The Subordinate Courts were renamed the “State Courts” to better reflect their Measures were introduced to make clear In the aftermath of the riot in Little India The Act amends the Employment Act status as the primary dispensers of justice the legal status and parentage of children on 8 December 2013, a series of legislation to extend its coverage, improve in Singapore. The office of the Presiding conceived through assisted reproduction had to be drafted quickly to enable the employment standards for employees, Judge of the State Courts was created, technology. Among others, the Act ensures authorities to take steps to restore calm give employers greater flexibility in replacing the office of the Chief District that in a case of an in-vitro fertilisation and maintain public order in the area. To dealing with employment-related matters, Judge. The Presiding Judge of the State mix-up, the child will not be left ensure that such measures continued while enhance the penalties for certain Courts would be a Judge or Judicial parentless. the Committee of Inquiry completed its offences and enhance the investigative Commissioner of the Supreme Court inquiry into the cause of the riot, this Act powers of inspecting officers. The Act appointed by the Chief Justice. was prepared to provide a ban on public also amends the Child Development consumption of alcohol and restriction on Co-Savings Act to provide the manner the supply of alcohol during times when of reckoning the number of days on there are large congregations of persons which an employee is entitled to absent within the area. himself from work or a self-employed person is entitled to claim loss of income from the Government when on maternity, adoption, shared parental or paternity leave, where the leave entitlement is based on a number of days in one or more periods.
Protection from Harassment Act
The new law was introduced to provide a range of civil remedies and criminal sanctions to protect against harassment, including cyber bullying and unlawful stalking. The existing protection for public servants against indecent, threatening, abusive or insulting words, behaviour or communication is also extended to certain other workers who provide essential services.
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available to Singapore. The panel met in II. Litigation Work Singapore in May 2014 and produced Subsidiary legislation under the Personal Data Prevention of Human Trafficking Bill a report making important and novel AGC continued to cope with an increasing Protection Act recommendations for consideration. number of litigation cases in the reporting An inter-agency taskforce on Trafficking period. The significant cases in 2013/14 The national Do-Not-Call (DNC) Registry in Persons (TIP Taskforce), co-chaired Law reform and revision included the following: was officially launched in January 2014. by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Persons can block unsolicited phone the Ministry of Manpower, was set up AGC assisted the Law Revision l In Chiu Teng @ Kallang Pte Ltd v calls, text messages and faxes from in 2010 to implement holistic strategies Commissioners in revising the legislation Singapore Land Authority (High Court), telemarketers by registering their to combat trafficking in persons. As of Singapore to make it more user-friendly. the applicant sought judicial review Singapore telephone numbers with the part of the TIP Taskforce, AGC officers New Acts, subsidiary legislation and of the Singapore Land Authority’s DNC Registry. Telemarketers must now worked on a proposed Prevention of heavily amended or frequently used assessment of the differential check their call lists with the DNC Registry Human Trafficking Bill, which aims to legislation are consolidated into revised premium payable for the lifting of to ensure that the Singapore telephone criminalise the trafficking of persons for editions regularly. Legislative histories title restrictions for change of use of numbers they are calling are not registered. the purposes of sexual and labour and comparative tables are also updated land. The application was dismissed. exploitation and exploitation by the with each revision. As at March 2014, The High Court recognised the Subsidiary legislation under the Banking Act removal of organs. AGC published revised editions of 43 doctrine of substantive legitimate Acts (1,597 pages) including the Central expectation, and set out the conditions Credit card and unsecured credit rules were International Advisory Panel on Provident Fund Act and Income Tax Act. for the application of the doctrine in tightened to improve lending practices Transboundary Pollution In addition, five pieces of subsidiary Singapore. by financial institutions. These measures legislation (991 pages) including the included conducting proper credit checks AGC assisted the secretariat to voluminous and heavily-amended Revised on borrowers and increasing the level of the International Advisory Panel on Edition of the Rules of Court were disclosure to borrowers with regard to Transboundary Pollution. The Panel published. their liabilities to allow borrowers to make comprises experts on international law
more informed credit decisions. who are advising the Government on the international law aspects of transboundary pollution and the options
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l In Jeyaretnam Kenneth Andrew v Committee of Inquiry Attorney-General (Court of Appeal), the appellant applied for judicial In 2013/14, a cross-divisional team from Little India was the most severe riot review against the Government, AGC assisted the Committee of Inquiry Singapore had seen in more than four alleging that the offer of a contingent (COI) appointed by the Deputy Prime decades. The hearing of the COI was loan by the Monetary Authority of Minister and Minister for Home Affairs conducted in public and the COI sat Singapore to the International Mr Teo Chee Hean to inquire into the for a total of 23 hearing days. Over the Monetary Fund contravened Article causes, circumstances, and management course of the public hearing, the team 144 of the Constitution. The Court of the riot which occurred on 8 December examined 93 witnesses. The public hearing of Appeal affirmed the High Court’s 2013 in Little India, and to recommend of the COI concluded on 26 March 2014 ruling that the appellant had no locus measures to reduce the risk of such and the COI report was made public on standi to bring the application and that incidents occurring again. The riot in 30 June 2014. Article 144 only applied to the giving of guarantees and raising of loans, but not the giving of loans.
l In Wee Kim San Lawrence Bernard v Attorney-General (High Court), the applicant sought a declaration from the High Court that Article 12 of the Constitution prohibits workplace discrimination against homosexual men. The Attorney-General contended that the applicant’s real grievance (i.e., alleged workplace discrimination) was against his former employer, not the Government. The applicant’s application was struck out by an Assistant Registrar of the Supreme Court, who agreed that the applicant had failed to show an arguable case that the Government had violated his constitutional rights under Article 12. The applicant subsequently filed an appeal to a High Court Judge, which was later withdrawn.
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III. International Dispute Settlement States had three further rounds of conducted the prosecution of a wide technical discussions, as well as two range of offences aimed at protecting AGC assisted in preparing Singapore’s inter-sessional meetings of experts. An the interests of the State and the people. case against Malaysia in an international AGC officer headed the Singapore There were numerous notable cases of arbitration under the auspices of the delegation for the technical discussions. public interest involving corruption and Permanent Court of Arbitration. The financial crimes as well as other criminal dispute relates to development charges on Negotiations at the United Nations (UN) offences. parcels of former Malayan Railway land in and the Association of Southeast Asian Singapore. A team of AGC officers attended Nations (ASEAN) Cases involving corruption and financial the oral hearing in London in July 2014 crimes and coordinated the presentation of One of our officers attended the Singapore’s case. ten ASEAN Member States and Australia, 68th Session of the UN General Singapore takes a zero-tolerance China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea Assembly and put forward Singapore’s approach towards corruption and AGC officers were also involved in and New Zealand, and negotiations on position on the work of the International a strong, deterrent stance against Singapore’s participation as a third party in the investment provisions of the Law Commission and the International financial crimes. AGC is fully committed a dispute between Australia and five European Union-Singapore Free Trade Court of Justice, and negotiated the to support the fight against these crimes other World Trade Organisation members. Agreement. AGC also assisted in the omnibus resolution on the Law of the and has deployed significant resources in The dispute relates to plain packaging successful conclusion of the Agreement Sea. AGC also represented Singapore the prosecution of corruption and other measures introduced by Australia on between Singapore and the Separate at other UN fora, including discussions financial crimes. tobacco products. Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, on the issue of biodiversity in areas Kinmen, and Matsu in November 2013. beyond national jurisdiction, meetings at l PP v Yeo Seow Hiong Edwin: An IV. Negotiations the UN Commission on International Assistant Director with the Corrupt AGC continued to provide advice on Trade Law, and negotiations on the Practices Investigation Bureau AGC engages in both domestic and issues arising out of bilateral and UN Framework Convention on Climate dishonestly misappropriated more international negotiations in order to multilateral treaties which Singapore is Change. than $1.7 million in public funds over promote and safeguard Singapore’s party to. Our officers also provided a period of three and a half years. interests. The Civil Division attends to support or participated in negotiations on AGC continued to represent Singapore The offender pleaded guilty to three domestic negotiations with third parties numerous bilateral and multilateral trade in various ASEAN fora, such as the charges of criminal breach of trust as on matters such as contractual and and investment agreements, including the Meeting of Legal Experts on the ASEAN a public servant and one charge of financial issues. The Civil Division, the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Trade in Goods Agreement, which is forgery. He was sentenced to ten Crime Cluster and the International Partnership Agreement, the European chaired by an AGC officer. Our officers years’ imprisonment. Affairs Division work closely together in Union-Singapore Partnership and Cooperation have also been collaborating with other bilateral and multilateral international Agreement, and various regional and ASEAN Member States in developing l PP v Lim Cheng Hoe: The former Chief negotiations to safeguard Singapore’s bilateral air services negotiations. the ASEAN Convention on Trafficking of Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign interests. in Persons and the Regional Plan Affairs, whose duties included Negotiations on Singapore’s territorial of Action. overseeing the conduct of official visits Negotiations on economic and related boundaries by Singapore delegations overseas international agreements B. As Public Prosecutor and incoming visits by foreign Singapore and Indonesia continued delegations to Singapore, made AGC advised and participated in the bilateral technical discussions on the inflated claims amounting to $88,997 negotiation of the Trans-Pacific Prosecution of major cases delimitation of maritime boundaries for pineapple tarts and bottles of Partnership Agreement negotiations, between the two countries in the Eastern wine over four years. He was sentenced the Regional Comprehensive Economic In addition to the constitutional part of the Straits of Singapore. Between to 15 months’ imprisonment. Partnership negotiations, involving all April 2013 and March 2014, the two challenges and other civil cases handled by AGC, our legal officers also
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l PP v Timothy Nicholas Goldring & Ors: investors’ money went towards student at the Faculty. This was the l Chua Boon Chye v PP: The former Three directors and shareholders of meeting the expenses of Profitable first time that an offence of Managing Director of a bunker fuel Profitable Plots Pte Ltd claimed trial to Plots, including the payment of the corruption by a member of a local trading company claimed trial for 18 charges of abetment by conspiracy salaries and bonuses of the offenders tertiary institution had been dishonestly receiving stolen property to cheat investors of US$732,000. The and staff of Profitable Plots. The Judge prosecuted. The offender’s appeal in the form of marine fuel oil Judge agreed with the Prosecution convicted two of the offenders after against conviction was allowed as valued at approximately $69,000. that two of the offenders had deceived a 65-day trial and sentenced them the appellate judge took a different He was convicted and sentenced investors into believing that their to seven years’ and eight years’ view from the trial judge on some of to eight months’ imprisonment. The money would be used exclusively to imprisonment each. the evidence relating to the offender’s offender’s appeals against conviction finance the purchase of a product mens rea. and sentence were dismissed. This known as the “Boron CLS Bond”, and l Tey Tsun Hang v PP: The offender was one of a growing number of that Profitable Plots had firm orders was a former Assistant Professor of l PP v Uyeh Dennis Kluvert and PP v bunkering-related prosecutions. or contracts with major corporations the National University of Singapore’s Adewumi Olufemi Oumy: Two African to sell them the Boron CLS Bond Faculty of Law. He was prosecuted nationals claimed trial for an offence l Tan Kim Hock Anthony v PP: The (thus giving the impression that the for corruptly obtaining gratification of engaging in a conspiracy to former principal of Maris Stella High investment was safe and profitable). in the form of gifts and sexual dishonestly receive stolen property, School misappropriated $67,697.05 Instead, a large proportion of the intercourse from an undergraduate one of the first trials in Singapore for from the school’s Chapel Building Fund. a charge under s411 of the Penal He was convicted after a trial, and Code (dishonestly receiving stolen the conviction was upheld on appeal. property) against a money mule. They The offender was sentenced to five were convicted and sentenced to months’ imprisonment. 12 months’ imprisonment each in respect of the s411 charges.
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Cases involving other criminal offences l PP v Kew Guozhi: The offender, a Land During the Magistrate’s Appeal, Transport Authority engineer, faced the High Court had ordered the 2013 and 2014 also saw the prosecution 423 charges of insulting the modesty offender’s conviction to be set aside of many other offences against persons of women by using camera pens and the case to be remitted to the and property. AGC continued to work clipped to his shoe to capture District Court for a new trial. The closely with the enforcement agencies up-skirt videos of female colleagues Court of Appeal set aside the High to prosecute or take appropriate action and strangers. He was sentenced to Court’s orders and affirmed the against those who ran afoul of the law. 15 months’ imprisonment. District Court’s conviction of the offender. The Court of Appeal also l PP v Ramalingam Sakthivel: The offender l PP v Tang Huisheng: This case involved dismissed the offender’s appeal to was the first of the 25 persons charged a minor from China who was trafficked the High Court against sentence, in relation to the riot which occurred into Singapore and coerced into because the sentence imposed was on 8 December 2013 in Little India, prostitution by the offender, another the mandatory minimum for importing and was one of the worst public Chinese national. The offender had a Class A controlled drug. order disturbances Singapore had forced her into prostitution by seen in over 40 years. The offender drugging her, beating her, locking l PP v Lee Pit Chin: This case involved pleaded guilty to a charge of rioting her up, as well as seizing her identity the Public Prosecutor’s appeal against and was sentenced to 30 months’ documents and money. He was sentence for offences of operating the imprisonment and three strokes of sentenced to six years’ imprisonment, business of unlicensed moneylending the cane for his role in the riot. The with the District Judge noting that in contravention of the Moneylenders’ judge noted that he had displayed he had caused the minor extreme Act. The Prosecution highlighted that a defiant disregard for the law and physical and mental trauma. The the offender had exploited the law enforcement officers. District Judge also noted that there professional relationship between a was public interest in deterring others property agent and his client, brought l PP v Yue Liangfu: The offender from making Singapore a destination disrepute to the real estate industry committed theft of another passenger’s for human sex trafficking. Resulting and carried on his unlicensed luggage whilst on board a SilkAir from this case, 24 other persons were moneylending business in blatant flight. The Prosecution submitted charged with having commercial sex disregard of the law which prohibits that a deterrent sentence was with the minor. estate agents from issuing loans to warranted, citing statistics that HDB flat sellers. The appeal was showed a significant upward trend l PP v Adnan bin Kadir : This case involved allowed and the sentence was in thefts on board aircrafts. The an application by the Public Prosecutor enhanced. offender was sentenced to nine to refer a question of law of public months’ imprisonment, which has interest to the Court of Appeal, namely: l Edwin s/o Suse Nathen v PP: The become the benchmark sentence for offender was charged for driving such cases. The Senior District Judge Whether, in the case of a prosecution while under the influence of alcohol. noted that thefts on board aircrafts under s7 Misuse of Drugs Act, He was convicted, fined $3,000 were particularly egregious and that the Prosecution bears the burden of (in default 15 days’ imprisoment) such offences were hard to detect proving, beyond a reasonable doubt, and was sentenced to two years’ and prosecute. that the accused imported the disqualification (“DQ”) from holding controlled drug for the purpose of a driving license for all classes of trafficking. vehicles from the date of conviction. On appeal, the offender argued that The question was answered in the there were other precedents showing negative by the Court of Appeal. that a two-year DQ order would
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be imposed when there were of fact masquerading as questions of l PP v Mohamad Khalid Mohamad Yusop: as general deterrence was applicable aggravating factors present, and urged law, while the law in relation to the This case involved the vandalism of in vandalism cases; the Cenotaph the Court to accept the proposition threshold for appellate intervention the Cenotaph War Monument (“the (a national monument) deserved a that because no accident and/or was clearly set out in s394 of the Cenotaph”). The 33-year-old offender high degree of protection; and the injury was caused, a two-year DQ Penal Code. The Court of Appeal decided to spray paint on the Cenotaph. offence was premeditated and resulted order was excessive. The Prosecution agreed with the Prosecution’s position He sprayed an “X” over the dates in substantial public outrage submitted that the sentence meted out and dismissed the application accordingly. “1914 –1918” on the wall of the was in line with the sentences imposed Cenotaph followed by the word The District Judge, noted that the by the District Courts in a long line of “DEMOCRACY” on top of the “X”. principle of deterrence is dominant cases. in the sentencing of vandalism cases The offender was charged with and sentenced the offender to The Honourable Chief Justice allowed vandalism under s3 of the Vandalism three months’ imprisonment with the appeal and reduced the sentence Act and he pleaded guilty. The three strokes of the cane and a to a fine of $2,500 and a 21-month Prosecution submitted that a sentence compensation order of $208 for the DQ order. He then proceeded to set out between ten and 12 weeks’ repair of the Cenotaph (in default the sentencing benchmark for such imprisonment would be appropriate five days’ imprisonment). offences by first-time offenders categorised according to alcohol levels.
l PP v Spencer Gwee: The offender was a lawyer (and former Deputy Public Prosecutor) who claimed trial to an offence of commercial sex with a minor under s376B(1) of the Penal Code, disputing the age and credibility of the minor. Upon conviction, the offender applied for leave to refer three purported questions of law of public interest to the Court of Appeal, questioning: (1) the need for procedural safeguard when using photo-identification; (2) whether the Prosecution had to prove the victim’s age by the best evidence reasonably available; and (3) whether a court hearing a criminal appeal against conviction was obliged to consider if the accused’s guilt had been proven beyond reasonable doubt even if it found that the trial judge’s evidentiary findings were not wrong on a balance of probabilities.
The Prosecution pointed out that the first two questions were questions
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l PP v Abdul Haleem B Abdul Karim, l PP v Soh Wee Kian: This was a murder l PP v Lim Ghim Peow: In this case, the years would be appropriate noting and Muhammad Ridzuan B Md Ali: case, involving a 23-year-old National offender poured petrol over his the gravity of the offence; the high This was the first case where Serviceman who followed and stabbed ex-girlfriend (“the deceased”) and level of premeditation; the offender’s re-sentencing took place after the unsuspecting girls with a knife. One set her on fire with a lighter. The character and rehabilitation prospects; amendments to the Misuse of of his victims died after being attacked deceased sustained 75% total body and the protection of society at Drugs Act (“MDA”) establishing a by him. surface burns, with inhalation injuries, large. discretionary death penalty came into and passed away approximately 14 effect on 1 January 2013. The Institute of Mental Health found hours after the attack. The deceased’s Judicial Commissioner Tan Siong Thye that the offender was not of unsound cousin, who tried to come to her aid, (as he then was) described the case as Both offenders were convicted on mind at the time of the offences and sustained 23% burns over some parts “horrific” and pointed out that the two counts of trafficking 72.50g fit to plead in a court of law. The of his body. At the time of the offence, offender had both the intention and (“the first charge”) and 14.99g offender pleaded guilty to a reduced the offender suffered from major motive to kill the deceased, sufficient (“the second charge”) of diamorphine, charge of culpable homicide not depressive disorder, which was in for the offence for murder, save for his in furtherance of their common amounting to murder under s304(a) of remission by the time he came major depression. Though mindful of intention. The High Court found that the Penal Code, and another charge before the court for sentencing. The the offender’s mental condition, he both offenders had proven, on a under s326 of the Penal Code (two offender pleaded guilty to culpable noted that this condition was not one balance of probabilities, that they further charges for causing hurt homicide not amounting to murder, an that caused him to “suddenly snap” were ‘couriers’ under s33B(2)(a)(ii) and grievous hurt were taken into offence punishable under s304(a) of and be dispossessed of his self-control. and (iii) of the MDA. consideration for the purposes of the Penal Code. The offender was sentenced to sentencing). He was sentenced to life 20 years’ imprisonment, which was However, only Abdul Haleem was imprisonment for both charges, with The Prosecution submitted that a upheld on appeal. certified by the Public Prosecutor for both sentences to run concurrently. custodial term of between 16 to 20 having substantively assisted the Central Narcotics Bureau in disrupting l PP v Fang Gao San: This case involved drug trafficking activities. a 56-year-old Singaporean man, who stabbed a part-time Singapore Pools Abdul Haleem therefore qualified for draw announcer. The offender believed sentencing under the discretionary that the people working at Singapore death penalty regime and the Pools had cheated him and the general High Court sentenced him to public, and sought leave from the ‘Jade life imprisonment and 15 strokes of Emperor’ to kill them. The offender was the cane for the first charge. assessed to suffer from paranoid Muhammad Ridzuan did not qualify schizophrenia, leading to auditory and for the discretionary sentence and the olfactory hallucinations. The offender High Court imposed the death penalty. pleaded guilty to, and was convicted Muhammad Ridzuan appealed against of, one count of culpable homicide not his sentence and his appeal was amounting to murder under s304(a) of dismissed by the Court of Appeal. the Penal Code. He was sentenced to life imprisonment.
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l PP v Lim Wee Thong: This case involved Coroner’s Inquiries C. Performing Other admissions increased by 12.3% from the a prison sergeant who had stabbed previous year and are likely to increase one of his girlfriends (“the victim”) Our officers act as State Counsel in Assigned Duties of a in the coming years with Singapore’s plans to death. Investigations revealed that Coroner’s Inquiries, assisting the State Legal Character to set up a third law school. In addition, he was facing financial difficulties. Coroner in inquiring into the circumstances nine foreign lawyers have been registered After stabbing the victim, the offender surrounding unnatural deaths. State Developments and growth in the Singapore under s130I of the LPA as at 31 March made withdrawals from her bank Counsel assist by presenting the relevant Legal Services Sector 2014 after successfully completing the accounts amounting to $14,500. evidence for the Coroner’s consideration, Foreign Practitioner Examinations including medical, psychiatric and forensic Accreditation and qualifications administered by the Singapore Institute The offender was assessed to be evidence. of Legal Education. These foreign lawyers suffering from adjustment disorder The increasing recognition of Singapore’s are able to practise Singapore law in at the material time, and had mild l Death following liposuction procedure: status as a growing business hub has drawn certain permitted areas. cognitive impairment or other clinical One inquiry that attracted media more law firms to establish their offices conditions. attention was a case of death following in Singapore. In the reporting period, During the year, four applications were a liposuction procedure. The deceased AGC’s Legal Profession Secretariat (LPS) made to the Court for the ad hoc admission He pleaded guilty to committing underwent a liposuction and fat processed a total of 1,677 applications. of foreign senior counsel to appear in our murder, with the intention of causing transfer procedure and collapsed These included issuing two new Formal courts. None of these applications satisfied bodily injury as he knew to be likely thereafter. The State Coroner ruled Law Alliance (FLA) licences and one new the test for ad hoc admission set out in to cause her death, an offence under out foul play, and found that the Joint Law Venture (JLV) licence. Eight the LPA. AGC successfully objected to s300(b) and punishable under s302(2) death was a misadventure which new Foreign Law Practices (FLP) and all these applications. of the Penal Code. He was sentenced was caused by pulmonary fat six new Representative Offices were to life imprisonment and 24 strokes embolism, a rare but known established in Singapore as at 31 March Changes to the Legal Profession Act of the cane. complication of both liposuction and 2014, bringing the total number of fat transfer procedures. As there licensed FLPs to 135, including ten In March 2014, the LPA was amended were discrepancies in the records under the Qualifying Foreign Law Practice to establish a new structure for of the procedures done on the (QFLP) scheme. Besides significant revenue the regulation of the Singapore legal deceased, the State Coroner also contributions to the growth of Singapore’s services sector. A new regulatory body, noted that this case highlighted the legal sector, six of the QFLPs now the Legal Services Regulatory Authority importance of keeping contemporaneous employ more than 100 Singapore-qualified of Singapore (LSRA) is to be established and accurate documentation of medical lawyers registered to practise foreign law under the purview of the Ministry of procedures. and permitted areas of Singapore law. Law. LPS will transfer most of its present functions to the LSRA by 2015. l Death of security officer in the Supreme As at 31 March 2014, there were 1,204 Court: This was an inquiry into the foreign lawyers in Singapore registered Contributions to the Legal Community death of a security officer who was with AGC. The number of Singapore working in the Supreme Court. Police solicitors registered under s130N of The Legal Profession Secretariat has since investigations later revealed that the the Legal Profession Act (LPA) to practise January 2013 implemented an online deceased had committed suicide Singapore law in FLPs, QFLPs and JLVs portal for applications for licences for by using her own revolver, and had increased 29% from 151 as at 31 March Foreign Law Practices and Certificates of died from a single gunshot wound 2013 to 195 as at 31 March 2014. Registration for foreign lawyers to to her head. The State Coroner make it more convenient for applicants accepted the findings of the Police, The number of advocates and solicitors to make applications and to facilitate and found that there was no foul play admitted to the Singapore Bar continued data collection and analysis. Training involved. to grow in 2013. Applications for sessions have been conducted on the
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use of the online portal to familiarise Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Review applicants with the Secretariat’s registration and licensing assessment Singapore’s anti-money laundering and criteria. Three training sessions were terrorist financing regime will be evaluated carried out in October and November by the FATF in 2015. AGC is involved 2013, with 66 participants from 48 in the inter-agency preparations for law firms. Singapore’s evaluation and has actively engaged in formulating Singapore’s Central Authority report on technical compliance with the FATF’s recommendations and standards. AGC continues to be the Central Authority AGC also participated in the preparation of Singapore for extradition and mutual of a comprehensive National Risk legal assistance in criminal matters. Both Assessment of Singapore’s anti-money incoming and outgoing requests for laundering and terrorist financing risks. extradition and mutual legal assistance are processed by the International Affairs Division.
United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) Review Preparations
Singapore’s implementation of its obligations under the UNCAC is currently under review. In preparation for the review, AGC assisted the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau and other agencies, in areas such as the preparation of the UNCAC self-assessment checklist that was submitted to the UN in June 2014. Our Our officers were also part of Singapore’s delegations to the Conference of States Parties of the UNCAC as well as the Outreach related Working Group Meetings. and New Initiatives
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Outreach and New Initiatives Temasek Polytechnic Internship Programme
AGC continued to increase our outreach efforts on various fronts as part of AGC hosted interns from the Temasek our overall effort to maintain and enhance the confidence of the public in the Polytechnic from 11 September 2013 to justice system, and to address the local and international interest in our role 30 November 2013. The aim of this and functions. internship was to expose the interns to work in AGC, including litigation support and registry work. The interns A. Outreach were attached to prosecutors. They learnt about the various responsibilities prosecution work. Throughout their of a prosecutor such as drafting attachment, the students got to interact charges and statements of fact, and with prosecutors and law enforcement attended plead guilty mentions and officers and had the opportunity to trials. observe actual court proceedings. AGC Law Reform Essay Competition
Inaugural Public Prosecution Outreach Programme “Stories relating to criminal justice are not far from headlines. The inaugural Public Prosecution Outreach The criminal process is at the Programme (PPOP) took place over a few months in 2013. The PPOP was organised heart of the criminal justice with the objective of demystifying the system. It is not merely a subject As part of the PPOP, an exhibition was work of the Public Prosecutor and creating of practical importance; it is also also held on 1 and 2 November 2013 at awareness among the public, especially a reflection of society’s ideals the National Library. The interactive the youth. Prosecutors and officers from exhibition provided members of the AGC visited some 28 schools to and values as to the way in public with information on criminal interact with students and give which we can accord justice to offences as well as the investigative and presentations on their work. Students both the innocent and guilty. … court processes. The public was also To raise awareness and interest in law were also invited to participate in As part of our efforts in allowed to try their hands at forensic reform work, AGC organised its second mock court hearings, which helped them investigations such as fingerprinting. Law Reform Essay Competition in 2013. to learn more about court processes. reaching out to the public, we have implemented several In addition, AGC published a booklet, Students were invited to propose how the “Giving Evidence in Court”. This booklet definition of culpable homicide and murder In addition, a total of 74 students programmes… our efforts to explains what a criminal trial is about in the Penal Code could be reformed participated in an attachment programme reach out to the public and what happens before, during and or improved, and the winning entrant at AGC over three days in October 2013. will not end here.” after a person gives evidence. The was offered a 4-week attachment to the The students were given tours of the booklet was published in the English Legislation and Law Reform Division AGC premises, the State Courts, as well AG Steven Chong, SC language and copies of it were distributed of AGC. as various law enforcement agencies, in his speech at the opening of Public Exhibition during the exhibition. providing them with insight into
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Engaging Public Sector Officers and skills to manage legislative projects. Online Customers’ Satisfaction Survey The Legislation and Law Reform Division conducts legislative process and AGC conducted our annual Customers’ legislative drafting courses at the CSC Satisfaction Survey to gather feedback bi-annually to educate civil servants from our Ministry clients and other key on how to devise new laws; stakeholders on the services it rendered. overcome the hurdles to turning policy The areas surveyed included: into legislation; and devise policy specifications that can translate into i. Nature of service received from AGC; legislation without attracting controversy. ii. Level of satisfaction with the service received; Administration of the Jessup iii. Suggestions on improving services; and National Rounds iv. Suggestions for collaboration (newly AGC administered the Singapore National added in 2014). As part of AGC’s training outreach efforts, Round of the 2014 Philip C. Jessup the Civil Division organised the Public International Law Moot Court Competition The inaugural online survey was conducted Officers’ Law Seminar and published a for the fourth year running in February for two weeks from 14 February to Handbook on “Public Administration and 2014. The team from the Singapore 28 February 2014, and a total number the Law” on the legal implications of Management University emerged victors of 71 responses from 28 agencies was public officers’ administrative decisions and went on to represent Singapore at received. and the management of legal risks. the International Rounds, where they Slightly Not at all reached the finals and clinched the first Satisfied Satisfied AGC, in partnership with the Civil Service runner-up position. 3% 0% College (CSC), also organised the 7th International Law Seminar in October Reaching Out to Talent 2013. The Seminar educated public As the work of legal service officers at Extremely Satisfied service officers on topics such as diplomatic the AGC evolves to keep in tandem with Moderately privileges and immunities; international the ever-changing landscape, its corporate Satisfied 21% trade and investment law; and international officers’ roles have also grown. In addition, AGC started its first Non- 23% cooperation in criminal matters. AGC and One indicator is the increase in the Legal Internship @ AGC Programme CSC also jointly organised the International number of AGC’s corporate officers (NLIA) for students from junior colleges, Law Course held in January 2014 to train over the years as well as the increased polytechnics and universities. The interns Very Satisfied public service officers in international investment in their development. In order were given the opportunity to experience 53% law and the drafting and negotiation to further strengthen the corporate arm work in the Civil Service and in AGC. of international agreements. of AGC, we proactively reached out to potential recruits for these positions. Legislative Process and Legislative Drafting Courses One such initiative was the launch of 97% of the respondents rated their overall an AGC recruitment brochure in 2014. satisfaction with AGC’s service received In light of the increasing trend of new The brochure articulates AGC’s focus as “Extremely Satisfied”, “Very Satisfied” or legislation being introduced in recent years, on officers’ development as well as the “Moderately Satisfied”. it is important for policy officers to be importance of the roles that corporate equipped with the necessary knowledge officers play.
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International Outreach 04 - Bhutan The year saw AGC’s continued engagement with local agencies, foreign governments and international organisations. These engagements provided opportunities for the exchange of insights and discussion of key issues. 05 - China
06 - Myanmar
02 - INTERPOL
01 - Bermuda United Kingdom
Kazakhstan 07 - 2013 Tri-AGC Event Mongolia France Uzbekistan Switzerland China Japan Italy Palestine Bhutan Bermuda 03 - Zambia Republic Egypt Bangladesh of Korea Abu Dhabi India Myanmar Hong Kong Belize Thailand Vietnam Brunei Singapore 08 - Australia 09 - Workshop in Singapore Zambia Papua New Guinea
Mozambique
Australia
01 On 21 January 2014, Bermuda’s Attorney-General and Minister of 04 On 17 September 2013, Justice Rinzin Penzor of Bhutan’s Supreme 06 The reporting period saw several exchanges between AGC and 08 On 3 September 2013, the South Australian Attorney-General’s Legal Affairs, Mark Pettingill, and Minister of Tourism Development Court and his team visited AGC to learn about Singapore’s legal offices of the Government of Myanmar. This included a visit by Department visited AGC to understand more about our justice and Transport, Shawn G. Crockwell, led a delegation to learn system and discuss ways to enhance the working relationship between delegation members of the Supreme Court of the Union and Union system and productivity reforms. The delegation was led by about Singapore’s legislative and regulatory structure for gaming. Singapore and Bhutan. Attorney-General’s Office, in December 2013. The delegation was John Rau, Attorney-General (Attorney-General’s Department), here to learn about the use of information and communications Deputy Premier and the Minister for Planning and Consumer and technology in the judicial and legal system. Business Affairs. 02 On 20 August 2013, the Secretary-General of the International 05 AGC’s relationship with Chinese enforcement and prosecution Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL), Mr Ronald Noble visited agencies also grew rapidly. In the reporting period, there were In February 2014, AG Steven Chong called on His Excellency 09 In March 2013, AGC hosted the Workshop on the Harmonisation AGC to study Singapore’s role in the international community and how several visits to AGC by China’s enforcement and prosecution U Thein Sein, President of The Republic of the Union of Myanmar. of the Trade Laws of ASEAN Member States (Arbitration and Singapore could contribute to the work of the INTERPOL. agencies, as well as study visits from China’s regional offices. International Sale of Goods). These included visits by delegations from Dalian, Suzhou, 07 In October 2013, the Attorney-General’s Chambers of Singapore, Liaoning, Shanghai, Chongqing and Guangxi, as well as by Tsinghua Malaysia, and Brunei, met for the bi-annual Tri-AGC event in This workshop was a follow-up to the work of the ASEAN 03 On 2 December 2013, Zambia’s Director of Public Prosecutions, Law School. Mr Mutembo Nchito, led a delegation of Zambian officers to find Brunei Darussalam. The meeting was also joined by an observer Senior Law Officials Meeting (ASLOM) Working Group on opportunities to further develop Zambia’s prosecution service. delegation from Myanmar. the Harmonisation of Trade Laws of ASEAN Member States. The two-day event saw delegates from the ASEAN member states The event served to deepen the relationship among officers of as well as speakers from the ASEAN Secretariat, UNCITRAL, the various Attorney-General’s offices, and provided a platform to UNIDROIT and NUS providing information on the latest discuss areas of cooperation. The Singapore delegation was led developments in law and practice of arbitration and the international by AG Steven Chong. sale of goods.
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B. Initiatives and Treaties Section The PLUS survey received over 1,000 Users of Singapore’s legislation will responses. Approximately 75% of these see the first set of changes in drafting improvements to In 2013, AGC started work on setting came from non-lawyers, including styles rolled out in August 2014. our work up a Treaties Section to act as a central members of the public and civil service advisory body to the Government on officers. AGC has analysed the feedback AGC will also be embarking on a universal During the period under review, AGC treaty matters and will provide a gathered from the survey with a view to revision of existing legislation in stages rolled out several new initiatives to comprehensive treaties database and taking steps to improve and modernise to incorporate the changes in drafting improve the way we do our work. other treaty-related services to promote the text and design of legislation. styles and presentation. consistency in treaty-making practice. The Embedment of Deputy Public Prosecutors in Treaties Section is expected to be formally enforcement agencies launched in the last quarter of 2014. The embedment of Deputy Public Officer on Attachment to Singapore Mission Prosecutors (DPPs) in enforcement in New York agencies was initiated in the first half of 2013. Prosecutors continued to be In the second half of 2014, an AGC embedded in more Police divisions this officer was attached to Singapore’s year. This has increased the efficiency Permanent Mission to the United Nations and quality of the investigative and (UN) in New York to advise on legal issues prosecutorial process. arising at the UN and to contribute to the development of international law. AGC also maintains a satellite office in the Commercial Affairs Department of the Plain Laws Understandable by Singaporeans Singapore Police Force and has senior (PLUS) DPPs in the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau and the Central Narcotics Bureau AGC embarked on a project to improve to provide legal advice and facilitate the and modernise the Singapore statute book disposition of cases. in terms of its content and its design.
Streamlining work with other The first phase of the PLUS project was public agencies an online public survey with a view to modernising our legislative drafting In 2013, AGC started representing the practice and improving the readability Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) of our laws so that Singaporeans can in civil penalty cases for market misconduct better understand them. Public opinion under the Securities and Futures Act. was sought to better understand the In Monetary Authority of Singapore v needs, preferences and expectations of Norman Phua, AGC represented MAS in the the users of Singapore’s legislation. The civil penalty action against Norman Phua online public survey was conducted over for insider trading and the employment a period of one month from 12 November of manipulative and deceptive devices. to 12 December 2013. MAS obtained judgment of $2.97 million for both contraventions.
54 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 55 Our Outreach and New Initiatives Our Outreach and New Initiatives
Knowledge Management in AGC Upgrade of the AGC staff intranet Innovation and Synergies on Staff Welfare
The Knowledge Management Unit (KMU) KMU and the Computer and Information has been working on a single unified KM Systems Division (CISD) have been system for the whole of AGC, in order working to upgrade the AGC staff to enhance the internal sharing of intranet. KMU facilitated the Divisions’ knowledge across the organisation. migration of documents and did research Concurrently, there will be incremental and background work to set up the KM projects with a specific focus on the Divisions’ homepages and orientation Crime Cluster, including the introduction pages. The new AGC Portal is expected to of charge templates, Quickpacks and be launched by December 2014. “gold standard” submissions. This focus on the Crime Cluster dovetails with one Training of AGC’s core objectives – to maintain The Corporate Services Division (CSD) consistency in the exercise of prosecutorial KMU has started to organise KM training launched an interactive e-document discretion by each Deputy Public Prosecutor. sessions to groom our own KM champions “Happi-Q”. Derived from the words within the Divisions. A lunchtime talk by “Happy” and “Quotient”, the e-document KM learning journey an experienced KM practitioner was held provides a single platform for officers in February 2014 to give participants to browse information on staff well-being In the reporting period, KMU embarked a basic understanding of KM in the and benefits. on its own learning journey, visiting AGC. Participants included members of overseas, local and international law firms the AGC KM Working Group and Corporate Awards in 2013/2014 and other organisations to study their Legal Branch heads of department. KM systems. The objective was to learn ISO Surveillance Audit 2014 best practices, explore state-of-the-art Chan Sek Keong Library (CSK Library) – technology and to benchmark ourselves implementation of Radio-Frequency Awards and accreditations affirm AGC’s as we refined our KM strategy. Overseas Identification (RFID) gates commitment to organisational excellence. trips to the public prosecution offices AGC first attained the Singapore Quality in Canada and Australia and the RFID gates were installed at the CSK Class in February 2004 and successfully parliamentary counsel office in Australia Library and ground floor lobby with effect renewed the award under the integrated was undertaken. KMU also conducted from March 2014. RFID technology 3-in-1 Business Excellence Standards in a series of focus group discussions with enables the CSK Library to enhance the October 2011. In 2013, CSD successfully AGC’s six legal divisions to seek users’ management and circulation of library passed the audit of its work and system inputs from a wide cross-section of books, by enabling the automated processes, certified under the ISO9001: lawyers and para-legals, gather feedback borrowing and tracing of books. 2008 quality management standard, with on their requirements and gain ideas no non-conformances. for useful features to further fine-tune the KM system.
56 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 57 Our Outreach and New Initiatives
AGC’s Inaugural National Day Awards 2013 AGC organised the inaugural National Day Awards ceremony for award recipients in 2013. Nine AGC officers were recognised for their outstanding contributions and service to the nation.
(from left) Toh Shin Hao, Ms Shahrinah Bte Abdol Salam, Lee Chuan Huei, Owi Kek Hean (husband of Mrs Owi Beng Ki), Mrs Owi Beng Ki, Attorney-General Steven Chong SC, Solicitor-General Koh Juat Jong SC, Tai Wei Shyong, Ms Kelly Lim, Mrs Poh nee Tan Kooi Biaw, Phua Wee Chuan Not in picture: Ms Daphne Hong Fan Sin Awards Recipients Name Award Our Chief Legislative Counsel The Public Administration Medal Mrs Owi Beng Ki (Gold) Chief Prosecutor The Public Administration Medal Tai Wei Shyong (Silver) Training Deputy Director-General The Public Administration Medal Ms Daphne Hong Fan Sin (Silver) and Deputy Senior State Counsel The Commendation Medal Toh Shin Hao Deputy Senior State Counsel The Commendation Medal Ms Shahrinah Bte Abdol Salam Capabilities Assistant Director The Commendation Medal Ms Kelly Lim Fong Yin Clerical Officer The Efficiency Medal Development Mrs Poh nee Tan Kooi Biaw Senior State Counsel Long Service Medal Phua Wee Chuan Senior State Counsel Long Service Medal Lee Chuan Huei
58 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 59 Our Training and Capabilities Development Our Training and Capabilities Development
Training and Capabilities Development Competency Building and Exposure
The AGC Training Committee is responsible Scholarships were awarded to promising Legislative Drafting Courses and in July-August 2013, to discuss IT-related for all Chambers-wide training initiatives. officers to pursue continuing education and Parliamentary Counsel’s Committee IT developments relevant to a Parliamentary It sets the training direction and manages ultimately, to make greater contributions (PCCIT) Forum Counsel’s Office. the overall AGC training framework, to AGC upon completion of their studies. ensuring that all officers are equipped This year, AGC sponsored one officer to AGC’s Legislation and Law Reform Crime Cluster Training Day with the competencies required for their attend the Juris Doctor Programme at the Division (LLRD) organised a basic in-house jobs. The committee also supports AGC’s Singapore Management University for the legislative drafting course in December The Crime Cluster Training Day is held efforts in developing its human capital first time. 2013. The course was conducted by Mr annually for all officers and staff belonging through promoting and encouraging Paul Salembier, a former legislative drafter to the Crime Cluster. This year’s Crime continuing education and life-long learning. AGC also extended our training support and counsel with the Canadian Justice Cluster Training Day was held on 8 March to external agencies, notably legal officers Department who teaches legislative 2014 and encompassed a series of talks Significant emphasis is placed on in the Legal Branch departments and drafting at the University of Ottawa. It on disclosure issues in criminal cases. foundational level training. This year, statutory bodies. The Training Committee was held over five days and was attended The Crime Cluster also invited former we saw the largest intake for our organised the Legal Branch Conference by 19 legal service officers. The aim of the NUS professor and current law dean of Training Contract Programme for new 2014 on 14 March 2014, with more course was to supplement the current Hong Kong University, Professor Michael legal officers. A total of 31 officers than 230 legal officers participating in on-the-job training for drafters with Hor, to give a talk on the right to underwent training at both our legal the conference. classroom training. The course provided counsel. divisions and legal departments at an invaluable opportunity to learn modern external agencies. A customised, enhanced training drafting techniques from a foreign expert, Overseas Training, Visits and Attachments programme was also designed for legal and LLRD intends to organise similar Learning opportunities for more officers from other government agencies courses yearly to help our drafters sharpen As in previous years, AGC continued to experienced legal officers from Queen’s who were deployed on a temporary basis their skills. attach officers to foreign government Counsel were created through overseas to AGC. agencies and law firms. AGC officers also attachments and classroom-based training. AGC also participated in the attended overseas training courses such Other programmes covered public law, Additionally, to enhance consistency in Commonwealth Association of Legislative as the Advanced Advocacy Course advocacy skills, legislative drafting skills, training standards across prescribed Counsel Conference in Cape Town, conducted at Keble College, Oxford, the and legal writing skills. Senior officers statutory bodies, AGC hosted a three- South Africa in April 2013, as well as the Advocacy Teacher-Training Course organised were also given exposure to media training. month attachment for four practice PCCIT Forum in Wellington, New Zealand, by the Bar Council of Malaysia, the trainees.
60 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 61 Our Training and Capabilities Development
7th Hart Judicial Review Conference in Training our Officers in International Law London and legislation drafting courses in the United Kingdom and Brunei. AGC continued to send officers for specialist training courses and conferences Officers were sent for advocacy on international law in Singapore and attachments with leading barristers in abroad, such as the International Maritime Fountain Court Chambers, Essex Court Boundary Delimitation Workshop at Chambers, 39 Essex Street Chambers Durham University; the Singapore and the Treasury Solicitor’s Department International Arbitration Academy 2013; in the United Kingdom. Officers were and summer programmes at the Hague also sent to China and the Hong Kong Academy, the Rhodes Academy of Oceans Department of Justice for advocacy Law and Policy, and the WTI Summer attachments. Academy. An officer also obtained his LL.M. in International Legal Studies l An officer was attached to the Serious at New York University in mid-2013 on Fraud Office, United Kingdom, to a Legal Service Commission - Developing study how they handle serious and International Law Expertise Secretariat complex fraud and bribery cases. scholarship. Another officer also did an attachment with the International l There were also study visits to the Arbitration group of Wilmer Cutler Hong Kong Department of Justice’s Pickering Hale & Dorr LLC in London. Mutual Legal Assistance Unit and the United States Department of In addition, AGC hosted Judge Sir Christopher Justice to learn from them and Greenwood of the International Court of improve AGC’s mutual legal Justice for a fireside chat on the topic assistance policies and operational “Managing International Disputes Today”. processes. The Ties that Bind Us
62 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 63 The Ties that Bind Us The Ties that Bind Us
Celebrating our Heritage Tan Boon Teik Room Widely regarded as one of Singapore’s l Fund Raising for Typhoon Haiyan finest legal minds, Mr Chan Sek Keong Relief Efforts – AGC raised a total served as AG from 1992 to 2008. He of $15,000 for the victims and for was robust in protecting the public rebuilding efforts in the Philippines. interest as the Public Prosecutor, astute The funds raised were presented in advancing the nation’s interest, to the Red Cross and were matched principled as the Government’s legal dollar-for-dollar by a private adviser and a pioneer in many areas of organisation. legal reform. The AGC Library has been named the Chan Sek Kong Library after him, in acknowledgement of his vast learning, deep convictions and great humility. On 26 September 2013, AGC honoured AG Tan Boon Teik is the longest-serving two of our former Attorneys-General AG with a tenure spanning 25 years from Community Welfare Activities with the official opening of the Tan Boon 1967 to 1992, a crucial period of Singapore’s Teik Room and the Chan Sek Keong history when the nation faced many AGC’s Community Welfare Committee Library. economic and security challenges. During (CWC) aims to make AGC a more caring his tenure, he established many of the and compassionate organisation through “I am personally delighted to work processes that are still in place in involvement in community projects and AGC today and inspired generations initiatives. honour two of my predecessors of legal officers with his passion for – eminent lawyers, champions the law, his love for music, and his The CWC organises various fund-raising of the rule of law, strong visionaries, commitment as a public servant. The events and public outreach activities and great men who have dedicated Tan Boon Teik Room is the official where AGC officers can volunteer their reception room for visitors to AGC. time and effort. their lives to public service – former Attorneys-General the late Chan Sek Keong Library In the reporting period, AGC raised a Mr Tan Boon Teik and Mr Chan total of $25,000 for the less privileged Sek Keong. It is only right for AGC through various fund raising events:
to honour them as our pedigree as l Consignment of Ain Society Charity a public institution owes it to their Draw Tickets - raised a total of immeasurable contributions.” $2,570 in support of underprivileged chronically-ill people. AG Steven Chong, SC in his speech at the Official Opening of the l Racial Harmony Day Charity Bazaar– Tan Boon Teik Room and Chan Sek Keong Library raised a total of $6,000 dollars which was donated to The Lions Home.
l Sale of SPCA Merchandise – an estimated $2,000 was raised.
64 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 65 The Ties that Bind Us The Ties that Bind Us
AGC’s Staff Welfare at Upper Picking Street Committee (SWUPS) is responsible for promoting the well-being of AGC officers and fostering camaraderie in AGC.
Corporate Bonding and Innovation Day 2014 Annual Dinner and Dance 2013 Divisions’ bonding activities
In March 2014, SWUPS, together with The annual Dinner and Dance in October the Innovation Committee, organised the 2013 saw AGC’s officers enthusiastically Festivities Shopping Trips Other Staff Benefits Corporate Bonding and Innovation Day dressed to the theme of “Old School”. SWUPS continued with the tradition of Close to a hundred AGC officers underwent and to encourage camaraderie and organising festive activities such as health screening at the office premises teamwork among AGC officers, and also shopping trips to Geylang Serai and in August 2013. to showcase AGC’s various innovation Little India prior to Hari Raya Puasa projects. and Deepavali respectively. To promote staff welfare and family bonding, SWUPS procured annual memberships to the Singapore Zoo, Science Centre, River Safari and Sentosa.
66 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 67 Key Figures 2013/2014 Expenditure Indicators
FY 2012 FY 2013
$81,772,624 $93,431,249
Expenditure on Manpower
$18,000,000
$17,500,000 $2,564,100
$17,000,000 $2,564,000
$16,500,000 $2,563,900 $17,733,022 $16,000,000
$2,563,800 $2,564,041 $15,500,000 $2,563,700 $15,000,000 Capital Injections $14,500,000 $2,563,600 Grants, Subventions & Subventions Grants, $15,844,058 $2,563,759
Other Operating Expenditure Other Operating $14,000,000 $2,563,500 Key Figures FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2012 FY 2013
- Expenditure Indicators Development Expenditure Development Expenditure - Peformance Indicators $139,972,027 $3,475,983 FY 2013 FY 2012
$242,041,714 $115,315,049 Total Expenditure in FY 2012 Total Expenditure in FY 2013
68 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 69 Key Figures 2013/2014 Performance Indicators
Legislation Comparison of Urgent Advice Rendered for the period FY 2011-2013
99.9% 99.9% 99.9% 98.0% 286 96.6% 11,659 95.7% 9,739 FY 2013 1,104 2,638 5,319 294
Bills FY 2012 1,304 2,667
288 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2011 937 To achieve accuracy No. of cases responded within No. of 1,962 in publication (%) targeted period (%) typewritten pages
Within 48 hours (but more than 24 hours) Within 24 hours Total Advice Rendered
FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 Civil Hearings Subsidiary No. of typewritten Legislation pages 6,785 8,062 8,815 Number of Attendances1 (SL)
Revised No. of published pages 1,004 1,297 1,591 Edition of the FY 2013 142.50 Acts, Subject index to Acts and No. of Acts 23 26 43 Alphabetical FY 2012 182.50 List of Acts
Revised No. of published Edition pages 78 0 990 of the SL FY 2011 107.50
Law Reform No. of papers 3 0 0 Papers
1 1 attendance represents 8 hours
70 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 71 Key Figures 2013/2014 Performance Indicators
Investigation Papers International Legal Transactions 68.19% 67.82% 63.04% 768 1,554 Total Simple (No. of Advice) Total Complex and Extremely Complex (No. of Advice) 45,500 cases 41,915 cases 41,088 cases FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 2,322 No. of cases responded to within 7 working days (%)
Criminal Hearings International Legal Transactions - Workload (in attendances)
FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 Simple Advice rendered 136 129 96 7,000 Complex and Extremely Complex Advice rendered 970 823 971 5,888 6,000 300 International Negotiations / Conferences 652 522 756
5,073 250 245 Dispute Resolution/International Litigation 246 171 430 5,000 228 4,470 218 205 MLA Request 219 400 605 4,000 200 Total MLA Request and Extradition Hearings - 131 139 151 3,000 150 Meetings 652 522 756 125 122 126 Number of hearings Legal Education 115 112 85 61 2,000 100 (Includes Giving Talks/Organising Talks)
1,000 50 Inquiries / Adhoc Projects 310 666 342
Criminal Appeals Extradition Other Cases & Hearings Inquiries
72 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS Annual Report 2013/2014 73 Annual Report 2013/2014 Editorial Committee Chairperson Members Alphonsus Pang Ang Ching Pin Julie Melwani Jamie Foo Prakash Otharam Secretary Gay Hui Yi Shanthi Perumal Li Jin Haw Kong Kuek Foo Anthea Quay Rachel Lee Justin Seng Cheryl Lim Melvin Tan Eunice Lim Jalaludin Tarmizdi Jasmine Lim Kimberline Wong Kevin Lim
Our deepest appreciation to all who have contributed to this publication.
anApacheproduction A TTORNEY- G ENERAL’S SINGAPORE C HAMBERS
1 Upper Pickering Street, Singapore 058288 Tel: +65 6908 9000 Fax: +65 6538 9000 Email: [email protected] Website: www.agc.gov.sg