Singapore legislation
Section 79
Section 79
Acting for housing developer and purchaser prohibited
(1)
Where a solicitor acts for a housing developer in a sale of immovable property developed under a housing development, a specified person must not, in the sale of any immovable property developed under the same housing development, act for the purchaser of the property unless a certificate of fitness for occupation in respect thereof has been issued by the Commissioner of Building Control or other relevant authority.
(2)
In subsection (1) —
Definition
“develop”, “housing developer” and “housing development” have the meanings given by the Housing Developers (Control and Licensing) Act 1965;
Definition
“sale of immovable property” includes the grant of a lease for a term exceeding 3 years;
Definition
“specified person”, in relation to a solicitor, means —
the solicitor himself or herself;
any member or assistant of the firm of which the solicitor is a member either as a partner, a consultant or an employee;
any director or employee of the law corporation of which the solicitor is a director or an employee; or
any partner or employee of the limited liability law partnership of which the solicitor is a partner or an employee.
(3)
Subsection (1) is without prejudice to any law affecting solicitors who act for parties where there is a conflict of interest or where a conflict of interest may arise.
(4)
Disciplinary proceedings may be taken against any solicitor who acts in contravention of subsection (1).