Legal Profession Act 1966 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 7 · Disciplinary Proceedings
98. Application for order that solicitor be struck off roll of advocates and solicitors, etc.
Feedback & supportLast amended by an amending law of 2023. 5 amendments in all.
Each of the following applications must be made by originating application:
an application for an order that an advocate and solicitor —
be struck off the roll of advocates and solicitors;
be suspended from practice for a period not exceeding 5 years;
pay a penalty of not more than $100,000;
be censured; or
suffer the punishment referred to in sub‑paragraph (iii) in addition to the punishment referred to in sub‑paragraph (ii) or (iv);
an application for an order that a regulated foreign lawyer —
have his or her registration under section 36B, 36C or 36D cancelled or suspended (for such period as the court may think fit), have his or her registration under section 36P (if any) cancelled or suspended (for such period as the court may think fit), or have the approval given to him or her under section 176(1) cancelled or suspended (for such period, not exceeding 5 years, as the court may think fit), as the case may be;
pay a penalty of not more than $100,000;
be censured; or
suffer the punishment referred to in sub‑paragraph (ii) in addition to the punishment referred to in sub‑paragraph (i) or (iii);
an application for an order that a lawyer (NP) —
be struck off the roll of lawyers (NP);
be prohibited from applying to the court for admission as an advocate and solicitor until after a date specified in the order;
pay a penalty of not more than $100,000;
be censured; or
suffer the punishment mentioned in sub‑paragraph (iii) in addition to the punishment in sub‑paragraph (ii) or (iv);
an application for an order that an advocate and solicitor, a lawyer (NP) or a regulated foreign lawyer be required to answer allegations contained in an affidavit.
If the advocate and solicitor, lawyer (NP) or regulated foreign lawyer named in the application under subsection (1) is believed to be outside Singapore, an application may be made by summons in the same proceedings for directions as to service.
advocate and solicitor
“advocate and solicitor”, “advocate” and “solicitor” mean an advocate and solicitor of the Supreme Court;
If the advocate and solicitor, lawyer (NP) or regulated foreign lawyer named in the application under subsection (1) is or is believed to be within Singapore, the provisions of the Rules of Court for service of originating claims apply to the service of the application.
regulated foreign lawyer
“regulated foreign lawyer” means a foreign lawyer who is registered under section 36B, 36C or 36D, or who is granted an approval under section 176(1), and includes, for the purposes of Part 7, a foreign lawyer whose registration under section 36B, 36C or 36D or approval under section 176(1) is cancelled or suspended, or lapses, after the commencement of disciplinary proceedings against the foreign lawyer;
A copy of the affidavit or affidavits in support of the application under subsection (1) must be served with the application upon the advocate and solicitor, lawyer (NP) or regulated foreign lawyer named in the application.
There must be at least 8 clear days between the service of the application under subsection (1) and the day named therein for the hearing.
Any order on an application under subsection (1) that is made in any case where personal service of that application has not been effected may be set aside on the application of the advocate and solicitor, lawyer (NP) or regulated foreign lawyer on good cause being shown.
The application under subsection (1) is to be heard by a court of 3 Supreme Court Judges, and from the decision of that court there is no appeal.
court
“court” means the General Division of the High Court or a Judge sitting in open court in the General Division of the High Court;
The court of 3 Judges —
has full power to determine any question necessary to be determined for the purpose of doing justice in the case, including any question as to the correctness, legality or propriety of the determination of the Disciplinary Tribunal, or as to the regularity of any proceedings of the Disciplinary Tribunal; (b)may make an order setting aside the determination of the Disciplinary Tribunal and directing —
the Disciplinary Tribunal to rehear and reinvestigate the complaint or matter; or
the Society to apply to the Chief Justice for the appointment of another Disciplinary Tribunal to hear and investigate the complaint or matter; and
in the case of a regulated foreign lawyer, may direct the Registrar to inform either or both of the following of the decision of the court of 3 Judges:
the foreign authority having the function conferred by law of authorising or registering persons to practise law in the state or territory in which the regulated foreign lawyer is duly authorised or registered to practise law;
any relevant professional disciplinary body of the state or territory in which the regulated foreign lawyer is duly authorised or registered to practise law.
The court of 3 Judges may, when making an order that an individual (being one who is on both the roll of advocates and solicitors and the roll of lawyers (NP)) be struck off one of the rolls, make an additional order that he or she be struck off the other roll, and may do so whether or not an application for the latter is made.
roll
“roll” means the roll of advocates and solicitors of the Supreme Court kept under section 16;
The Chief Justice or any other Supreme Court Judge is not to be a member of the court of 3 Judges when the application under subsection (1) is in respect of a complaint made or information referred to the Society by him or her.
Judge
“Judge” means a Judge sitting in chambers in the General Division of the High Court;
Where a regulated foreign lawyer’s registration under section 36P has been cancelled pursuant to an order of the court of 3 Judges —
in any case where the order prohibits the regulated foreign lawyer from reapplying for registration under section 36P until after a date specified in the order, the regulated foreign lawyer is prohibited from reapplying for such registration until after that date; or
in any other case, the regulated foreign lawyer is permanently prohibited from reapplying for registration under section 36P.
[Deleted by Act 25 of 2021 wef 01/04/2022]