Singapore legislation
Regulation 9
Regulation 9
Powers of inspection by Council
Subregulation 1
For the purpose of ascertaining whether these Rules have been complied with, the Council acting —
on its own motion; or
on a written complaint lodged with it by a third party,may by order require a solicitor or responsible officer of a Singapore law practice to produce any document or record, or to provide any information or explanation, to a person appointed by the Council to conduct an inspection.
Subregulation 2
Upon being required to do so, the solicitor or responsible officer must produce the document or record, or provide the information or explanation, to the person appointed by the Council.
Subregulation 3
The person appointed by the Council must prepare for the information of the Council a report on the result of an inspection under paragraph (1), and the report may be used as a basis for proceedings under the Act.
Subregulation 4
An order of the Council under paragraph (1) —
must be made in writing by a member of the Council; and
must be served —
by giving it to the solicitor or responsible officer personally; or
by sending it by prepaid registered post to the last known residential address or last known business address of the solicitor or responsible officer,as the case may be.
Subregulation 5
Before appointing a person under paragraph (1), the Council must consider any objection made by the solicitor or responsible officer, on personal or other proper grounds, to the appointment of that person.
Subregulation 6
Before making an order under paragraph (1) on a written complaint lodged with it by a third party, the Council —
must be satisfied that there is prima facie evidence that a ground of complaint exists; and
may require the complainant to pay to the Council a reasonable sum to be fixed by the Council to cover the costs of the inspection, and the costs of the solicitor or Singapore law practice against which the complaint is made.
Subregulation 7
The Council may deal with any sum so paid in any manner it thinks fit.