MICA (P) No. 064/05/2005 March — April 2006 interSINGAPOREinterSINGAPORE ACADEMYACADEMY seseOFOF LAWLAW ModesModes ofof CommencementCommencement ofof Proceedings:Proceedings: PhasePhase 22 NewNew SearchSearch ToolTool onon LegalLegal ProspectorProspector 22 Peer-to-PeerPeer-to-Peer TechnologiesTechnologies andand RelatedRelated CopyrightCopyright IssuesIssues INTER ALIA A number of projects, on both the Singapore courts and the Singapore Academy of Law (“SAL”) fronts, are entering new phases. At the level of the courts, the changes to the modes of commencement of proceedings enter a second phase of implementation. With effect from 1 April 2006, there will be only two modes of commencing legal proceedings in the courts, the writ, and the originating summons for winding up, judicial management and bankruptcy proceedings, as well as for all matrimonial proceedings. As part of this effort to streamline court processes, the relevant subsidiary legislation have also been consolidated. A summary of the changes to the court applications and the relevant subsidiary legislation is featured in this issue of Inter Se. At SAL, LawNet launches its most recent addition to the Legal Prospector 2 search engine. The “Reference Trace” research tool will allow LawNet users to accurately trace references to and annotations of primary legal sources within the Singapore Law Reports (“the SLR”). The search function is also available for all references to secondary legal sources cited in cases reported in the SLR from 2006 onwards. Additionally, the LawNet secretariat is working towards extending the search tool to cover all references to and annotations of primary and secondary legal sources in reported and unreported decisions of the Supreme Court. Every effort is being taken to ensure that the legal infrastructure is as efficient and comprehensive as possible. Yet, the legal system and all its processes and machinery would mean very little if we did not have great men and women administering and serving in it. The legal community lost one such leading light in February. After grief, what remains is the legacy of legal insight and robust case law delivered with fairness and wit that the late Justice Lai Kew Chai will be remembered for. Through the Honourable Justice Chao Hick Tin and the Honourable Justice Choo Han Teck, we pay tribute to the late Justice Lai Kew Chai in a fitting final farewell. Serene Wee Director/Chief Executive Officer Singapore Academy of Law Director/Chief Executive Officer: Ms Serene Wee • Editor: Anita Parkash • Editorial Committee: David Quark and Sherina Chan • Singapore Academy of Law, 1 Supreme Court Lane, Level 6, Singapore 178879, Tel: 6332 4388, Fax: 6334 4940 • Design: Chiang Weiyah • Advertising Sales: Florence Long, 9382 0381, [email protected] • Publisher: Lyon Low • fffffdddddddddctive Mediactive Pte Ltd, 65 Ubi Crescent, #06-07 Hola Centre, Singapore 408559, Tel: 6846 4168 • Printed in Singapore by KHL Printing Co Pte Ltd 01 INTER SE mar — apr 2006 19 Hot & Wired 14 Dos & To-DosTo Dos 21 Tech Law Watch 27 17 Dos & To-Dos Laws & Orders Contents March – April 2006 01 Inter Alia [Cover]: Photodisc Green Our director on recent developments 03 Here & Now Phase 2 changes to the modes of commencement of proceedings 11 Post-Its ogether with this issue of Inter Se, we Judicial appointment at the Singapore Academy of Law have 12 Fare Thee Wells & Farewells prepared a handy little membership In memoriam: The late Justice Lai T Kew Chai privileges booklet especially for our members. The SAL’s membership privileges 14 Dos & To-Dos scheme has been up and running since 2002. • Law students learn from legal practitioners • Wet and mild – the waterfront lifestyle The scheme was introduced to extend to and you members special discounts and offers from a range of dining, retail and leisure outlets 19 Hot & Wired New search tool in LawNet’s Legal Prospector 2 across the island. In 2002, there were little over 25 vendors participating in the scheme. 21 Tech Law Watch This year, members can look forward to To P2P or not to P2P – the copyright liability issues enjoying privileges at over 60 outlets and the membership privileges booklet will ensure 27 Laws & Orders Residential property, electricity and that members have all the information they mutual assistance in criminal matters need, at their fingertips. 02 INTER SE mar — apr 2006 HERE & NOW CHANGES TO MODES OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROCEEDINGS: PHASE 2 By CaroLYN Woo and DAVinia FILZA AbdUL AZIZ, DepUTY Registrars, SUbordinate COUrts, and Dorcas QUEK Ern Ling, Assistant Registrar, SUpreme COUrt INTRODUCTION parent Acts were effected in the Statutes (Miscellaneous n 1 January 2006, the first phase of Amendments) (No 2) Act (“the Act”). Amendments amendments to the Rules of Court to the relevant subsidiary legislation have also been (Cap 322, R 5) and other relevant statutes, effected. These amendments are scheduled to enter O 2 providing for only two modes of commencing into force on 1 April 2006. This article highlights the legal proceedings, was implemented.1 The second key features of the amendments. phase extends the amendments to the following classes of proceedings: WINDING UP, JUDICIAL MANAGEMENT AND BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS (a) bankruptcy proceedings under the Bankruptcy Act (Cap 20) and the Bankruptcy Rules Winding up proceedings (Cap 20, R 1); Applications for winding up of companies and (b) proceedings relating to the winding up of limited liability partnerships will be made by way companies under s 410 of the Companies Act of originating summons instead of petition. These (Cap 50) and the Companies (Winding Up) applications will continue to be heard in open Rules (Cap 50, R 1); Court according to r 5 of Companies (Winding (c) proceedings relating to judicial management Up) Rules and the Limited Liability Partnerships of companies under s 227A of the Companies (Winding Up) Rules. Act (Cap 50) and the Companies Regulations The originating summons will state the relief (Cap 50, Reg 1); sought for. The supporting facts, which are currently (d) proceedings relating to the winding up of in the petition, will be averred to in an affidavit filed limited liability partnerships under the Limited in support of the originating summons. Presently, the Liability Partnerships Act 2005 (No 5 of 2005) affidavit verifying the petition may be filed within and the Limited Liability (Winding Up) Rules four days after the petition. Under the amended 2005 (S 532/2005); and r 25 of the Companies (Winding Up) Rules and the (e) proceedings under Pt X of the Women’s Charter Limited Liability Partnerships (Winding Up) Rules, (Cap 353), the Women’s Charter (Matrimonial the supporting affidavit is to be filed together with Proceedings) Rules (Cap 353, R 4) and the Women’s the originating summons. Charter (Matrimonial Proceedings – Fees) Rules In voluntary winding up applications, the party (Cap 353, R 5) (“matrimonial proceedings”). is to be named as “applicant” in the originating summons. In all other winding up applications, The necessary amendments to each of the relevant the parties should be listed as “plaintiff” and 1 A general overview of the 2006 amendments to the Rules of Court may be found in “Changes to Modes of Commencement of Proceedings”, Inter Se, September/October 2005 at p 3. The article, as well as the relevant legislative materials, may be accessed on the Supreme Court website (http://www.supremecourt.gov.sg). 2 Statutes (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No 2) Act Commencement (No 2) Notification 2006. 03 INTER SE mar — apr 2006 HERE & NOW “defendant”. Necessary changes have been (Winding Up) Rules 2005, as well as their made to both the Companies (Winding Up) parent Acts. The table below summarises the Rules 2005 and the Limited Liability Partnerships amendments: Type of changes Existing Companies Amended Companies (Winding Up) Rules (Winding Up) Rules Mode of commencement Originating petition (“petition”) Originating summons (“OS”) and affidavit verifying petition with supporting affidavit Form to be Application by Form 2 (petition) and Form 2 (OS) and Form 5 used company Form 7 (affidavit) (affidavit) Application by Form 3 (petition by unpaid Form 3 (OS) and Form 5 other person creditor on simple contract) (affidavit) and Form 7 (affidavit) When to file supporting Within 4 days after petition To be filed together with OS affidavit is presented Names of Application by Petitioner Applicant parties on company originating process Application by Petitioner and respondent Plaintiff and defendant other person Validity of originating process No validity period 6 months (for purpose of service) Table 1: Amendments to winding up proceedings. Annex A shows a sample of Form 2 of the Court. An application has to be made to renew the amended Companies (Winding Up) Rules. This is originating summons in the event that it is not served an originating summons by a person other than within six months. the company. The person applying for the order is There are no amendments made to other time- listed as “plaintiff” and the company is referred to lines such as the requirement of advertising the as “defendant”. The hearing date will be annotated winding up application seven clear days before directly in the originating summons instead of being the hearing. annotated at the top portion of the originating summons, below the case number. A note has been Judicial management proceedings inserted at the end of the originating summons, The amendments to these proceedings are largely stating that the originating summons is to be served similar to the changes to winding up proceedings. together with the supporting affidavit. A second Rule 30 of the Companies Regulations (Judicial note in the form alludes to the new r 17A of the Management) has been amended to provide that Companies (Winding Up) Rules and the Limited an application for a judicial management order is Liability Partnerships (Winding Up) Rules, which to be made by originating summons (Form 63A).