Ethics & Professional Conduct

Ethics & Professional Conduct

Practice Directions and Guidance Notes

A list of the latest Practice Directions and Guidance Notes issued by the Council of the Law Society may be found below. Selected Practice Directions and Guidance Notes have been expunged for one or more of the following reasons:

  • The relevant forms have been made available on e-Litigation;
  • Contents are now covered by the Supreme Court / State Courts Practice Directions;
  • Contents are now covered by current Act(s) / Subsidiary Legislation (including the PCR 2015);
  • Contents are now covered by another Practice Direction / Guidance Note; or
  • It is no longer relevant to current practice.

Click on the headers to view the Practice Directions and Guidance Notes on a particular topic.

1. Client’s Interest

GN

  1. Clients’ Presence in Chamber Hearings
2. Communication with the Court

Expunge

  1. Vacating Dates Fixed for Hearing (Expunged)
3. Conduct of Criminal Prosecutions by Legal Practitioners

PD

  1. Request for Vacating or Adjournment of Criminal Cases in the State Courts
4. Court Etiquette

PD

  1. Extension of Time
  2. Punctuality for Court Hearings

Expunged

  • Counsel’s Robes and Gowns (Expunged)
  • Requests for Interpreters (Expunged)
  • Witnesses Attendances in the Subordinate Courts (Expunged)
5. Dealings with Witnesses

Expunged

  • Service of Subpoenas (Expunged)
6. Duty to the Court

PD

  1. Attestation of Documents
  2. Duty of Legal Practitioner to Lay Information of Criminal Offence

GN

  1. Guidelines on Reporting Subversion of the Administration of Justice
7. Legal Practitioner not to Act if he is a Witness

PD

  1. Legal Practitioners as Witnesses
8. Letters of Demand

PD

  1. Letters of Demand
9. Relationship with Client or Court

PD

  1. Appointment of a Solicitor or a Person Employed by a Solicitor to Act as Bailiff under Section 15A of the State Courts Act
  2. Commissioner for Oaths: Attestation by a Member of the Same Law Firm
1. Relationship with the Law Society

PD

  1. Challenging Another Legal Practitioner on Law Society’s Rulings
  2. Complaints under Section 85 of the Legal Profession Act
  3. Enquiries to Relevant Committee
  4. Representations Made by the Law Society

Expunged

  • Confidentiality of Law Society Circulars (Expunged)
1. Ad Hoc Admissions

GN

  1. Ad Hoc Admissions under Section 15 of the Legal Profession Act
2. Anti-Money Laundering Obligations

PD

  1. Practice Direction 3.2.1
3. Client and Conveyancing Accounts

PD

  1. Drawing Money for Legal Costs from Client Account
  2. Engagement of a Book-Keeper under the Legal Profession (Solicitors’ Accounts) Rules
  3. Query: Accountant’s Report Rules – Accounting Period Under Review and Reconciliation of Ledger Balance
  4. Query: Accountant’s Report Rules – Delivery of Accountant’s Report by Salaried Partners
  5. Query: Deposit Interest Rules – Application of Rule 2 to Client Moneys
  6. Query: Solicitors’ Accounts Rules – Application of the Rules on Cash, Cheques and Deposit Accounts
  7. Query: Solicitors’ Accounts Rules – Opening a Fixed Deposit Account with Finance Company
  8. Query: Solicitors’ Accounts Rules – Payment into Client and Office Accounts
  9. Query: Solicitors’ Accounts Rules – Self Representation by Solicitor or Representation by Firm Where Solicitor is Partner
  10. Responsibilities and Duties of a Second Signatory under the Legal Profession (Solicitors’ Accounts) Rules
  11. Online Digital Payments from Client Accounts

GN

  1. Deposit of Moneys in the Client Account of a Law Practice

Expunged

  • Moneys Drawn on Client Account in Satisfaction of Solicitor’s Costs (Expunged)
4. Cloud Computing

GN

  1. Cloud Computing
5. Description and Professional Stationery

PD

  1. Printing of Names on Envelopes
  2. Rule 33 of the Legal Profession (Professional Conduct) Rules 2015

Expunged

  • Corporate Stationery (Expunged)
6. Locum Solicitors

PD

  1. Client Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest for Locum Solicitors
7. Operating a Law Practice
PD
  1. Photocopy Charges
  2. Sole Practitioners – Arrangements for Continuance of Practice
  3. Telex and Facsimile Charges
GN
  1. Supervision of Paralegals
Expunged
  • Status of Associates (Expunged)
8. Outside Activities
PD
  1. Executive Appointments and Engagement in Business, Trade or Calling
9. Practice Trainees

PD

  1. Applications for Practice Trainees to Appear Before a Judge or Registrar
  2. Responsibilities in Supervising Practice Trainee

GN

  1. Practice Training and Relevant Legal Training

Expunged

  • Practice Training Contracts (Expunged)
10. Practising Certificates

GN

  1. Application for Practising Certificate when Section 25A of the Legal Profession Act Applies
  2. Replacement on Roll of Solicitor who has been Struck Off
11. Prohibitions Concerning Unauthorised Persons

PD

  1. Signing the Name of the Law Practice
  2. Work Done by an Unauthorised Person
12. Storage and Destruction of Documents
PD
  1. Storage and Destruction of Documents
GN
  1. Storage of Documents in Electronic Form
13. Tax Matters

PD

  1. Capital Allowances and Deductions on Law Books

Expunged

  • International Law Conferences – Tax Deductions Allowable (Expunged)
  • Withholding Tax on Interest (Expunged)
14. Unclaimed Money Fund

PD

  1. Unclaimed Money Fund Framework
15. E-mail Correspondence

GN

  1. Use of E-mail Correspondence
16. Workplace Harassment and Bullying Prevention

GN

  1. The Prevention of Workplace Harassment and Bullying
1. Admiralty

PD

  1. Breach of Undertaking in Admiralty Proceedings

Expunged

  • Out of Hours Arrest of Vessels / Cargo in Admiralty (Expunged)
2. Charities
Expunged
  • Charity Proceedings (Expunged)
3. Criminal Practice
PD
  1. Procedure to Visit and Interview Clients in Prisons
4. Family Practice

Expunged

  • Adoption Procedure(Expunged)
5. Insurance
PD
  1. Payment of Cheques by Defendant Insurer to Plaintiff for Motor Accident Claims
Expunged
  • Notification of Proceedings – Motor Insurers’ Bureau(Expunged)
6. Wills and Probate
PD
  1. Wills – Inquiry if Any Made
Expunged
  • Estate Duty – Delays in Assessment(Expunged)
7. Equity Capital Market
GN
  1. Disclosure Letters and Responsiveness-To-Form Letters
  2. Form of Disclosure Letter
1. Equity in Lieu of Fees
PD
  1. Equity in Lieu of Fees
2. Fee Agreements

PD

  1. Fee Arrangements with Clients
  2. Non-Refundable Deposit or Retainer
  3. Two-Thirds Rule

Expunged

  • Fee Agreements in Writing (Expunged)
3. Payment of Legal Fees by Electronic Payment Methods
PD
  1. Use of Electronic Payment Methods and the Treatment of Fees Associated with Payment of Solicitors’ Bills of Costs
4. Prohibition Against the Use of Debt Collectors

PD

  1. Use of Debt Collectors for the Recovery of Legal Fees and Expenses
5. Sharing of Fees
PD
  1. Sharing of Fees between Legal Practitioners
6. Conditional Fee Agreements

GN

  1. Conditional Fee Agreements
1. Ethics and Information Technology

PD

  1. Media Comments and Internet / Social Media Posts
  2. Referrals/ Hyperlinking of Websites

GN

  1. Ethics and Information Technology
2. Scope of Publicity and General Responsibilities

PD

  1. Advertisement and Media Publicity
  2. Distribution of Flyers or Leaflets
  3. Identification of Legal Practitioners or Law Practices
  4. Publicity by Legal Practitioners Through Public Appearances and Contributions to Publications
  5. Visiting Cards – Legal Practitioners

Expunged

  • Greeting Cards (Expunged)
  • Third Party Publicity (Expunged)
1. Client Care
PD
  1. Confirming Instructions and Keeping Attendance Notes
  2. Limitation of Civil Liability
  3. Trade Marks and Company Names
GN
  1. Informing a Client of his Right to Taxation or Review of a Fee Agreement
  2. Advisory on Dispute Resolution Options for Potential Litigants
2. Conflict of Interest

PD

  1. Acting Against a Public Authority
  2. Acting for Both Applicant Creditor and Provisional Liquidator
  3. Acting for Both Complainant and Accused
  4. Acting for Both Debenture Holder of a Company and Receiver Appointed by the Holder
  5. Council Ruling: Conflict of Interest – Acting Against Former Client in Litigation Pertaining to Same Transaction
  6. Council Ruling: Conflict of Interest – Mortgagor / Mortgagee

Expunged

  • Interest in a Public Authority (Expunged)
3. Termination of Retainer and Withdrawal

PD

  1. Copies of Documents
  2. Legal Practitioner on Record
  3. No Taking Over Brief Until Retainer Determined and Basis of Second Opinion
  4. Transfer of Clients’ Moneys on Dissolution

GN

  1. Guidelines for Handling of Clients’ Files When a Legal Practitioner Leaves a Law Practice to Practise in Another Law Practice
4. Warrant to Act, Letter of Engagement and Referrals from Third Parties
PD
  1. Correspondences to Potential Clients Where Legal Practitioner is Permitted to Act for More than One Client in a Transaction
  2. Reservation of Rights in Warrant to Act or Letter of Engagement
  3. Warrant to Act, Letter of Engagement and Referrals from Third Parties
GN
  1. Limited Retainers
  2. Providing Welfare Assistance to Clients
1. Allegation Against Another Legal Practitioner
PD
  1. Allegation Against Another Legal Practitioner in Court Documents
2. Bill of Costs

Expunged

  • Bill of Costs – Objection Notation (Expunged)
3. Communications

PD

  1. Communication with Former Client
  2. Quoting of References in Correspondence

Expunged

  • Communication with Clients of Other Solicitors (Expunged)
  • Dealings with the Opposing Party (Expunged)
4. Confidentiality

PD

  1. Legal Practitioners’ Correspondence in Sealed Covers
5. Courtesy and Fairness

PD

  1. Acknowledgment of Documents
  2. Advising a Friend who is a Client of Another Legal Practitioner
  3. Draft Documents
  4. Legal Practitioner on Record Not Entitled to Refuse Service of Documents
  5. Obtaining Evidence of a Legal Practitioner’s Misconduct by Entrapment or by Illegal or Improper Means
  6. Phone Etiquette
  7. Professional Conference
  8. Protracted Arguments in Chambers
  9. Relations with Other Legal Practitioners
  10. Service of Originating Process on Legal Practitioners

Expunged

  • Draft Orders of Court – Disagreement (Expunged)
  • Exchange of Authorities (Expunged)
  • Waiting Time Before Proceeding to Tax Bills Ex Parte  (Expunged)
6. Entering Judgment by Default

Expunged

  • Entering Judgment by Default – 2 Working Days’ Notice (Expunged)
7. Professional Undertakings

PD

  1. Undertakings Required of a Law Practice under Section 78(1) of the Legal Profession Act
8. Responsibilities for Fees

PD

  1. Responsibility for Third Party Fees

Expunged

  • Fees for Court Attendance by Government Doctors / Employees (Expunged)
  • Fees Payable to Notary Public (Expunged)
9. Sustainable Practice
GN
  1. Sustainable Practice Initiative
1. Specific Dealings with Third Parties

PD

  1. Council Ruling: Request for Information
  2. Letters Threatening Criminal Proceedings / Offensive Letters
  3. Professional Secrecy and Privilege
1. Third-Party Funding

GN

  1. Third-Party Funding

Ethics Resources

What if I need Ethics Guidance?

If you require advice or guidance on an ethical issue, please send an email to ethics_enquiry@lawsoc.org.sg for your query to be referred to the Advisory Committee. In this regard, please refer to Part C of Practice Direction 2.1.3 (Enquiries to Relevant Committee) for the guidelines on submitting a request to the Advisory Committee for ethical guidance.

For a comprehensive overview of the Law Society’s Ethics Resources and Support Schemes for Members, please refer to this factsheet. 

The Code of Practice for the Conduct of Criminal Proceedings by the Prosecution and the Defence (15 August 2024)

  1. Law Society of Singapore v Tan Chun Chuen Malcolm [2020] SGHC 166
Confidential Information
Conflicts of Interest
Court Etiquette and Professional Courtesy
Executive Appointments
Professional Obligations
Young Lawyers
The Ethics Assist Helpline

The Ethics Assist Helpline

The Ethics Assist Helpline is a confidential service designed to allow legal practitioners to obtain guidance on ethical issues in a manner that is less formal than a request to the Advisory Committee.

Legal practitioners seeking ethical guidance may call the Ethics Assist Secretariat at 6530-0222, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, and 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm (the helpline is closed on weekends and public holidays). 

The Ethics Assist Helpline is designed exclusively for Law Society members and is not intended for public use. 

Please refer to the Terms and Conditions of Guidance provided by the Ethics Assist Helpline and this infographic which contains some useful links for more information.

For Law Practice Interns

Law practice interns are encouraged to access the following resources on the core and specific ethical responsibilities of the legal profession.

1. Protocol on Reinforcing Ethics to Law Practice Interns

The Law Society of Singapore has introduced a protocol on 1 October 2024 for all law practices to brief interns at the start of their internships, with a focus on the application of ethical obligations in legal practice (“the Protocol”). The introduction of the Protocol is based on the recommendation of the Interim Report of the Ethics and Professional Standards Committee dated 15 December 2023. The Protocol highlights the core and specific ethical values of the legal profession which law practices and legal practitioners should communicate to all interns at the commencement of their respective internships. Some of the key ethical responsibilities that should be communicated to interns are:

    • Lawyers owe a paramount duty to the court which takes precedence over their duty to their client.
    • Interns must not hold themselves out to be or act as lawyers nor should they give legal advice.
    • Clients’ instructions are confidential.
    • Lawyers are expected to conduct themselves appropriately and with respect and courtesy at all times.
    • Lawyers must exercise total honesty and candour in dealings with and appearances before the court as well as with any regulatory authority.

Law practices and legal practitioners should continually reinforce these ethical values throughout the internship and revisit the briefed issues during check-in sessions during and at the end of the internship. It is also open to law practices to supplement the contents of the Protocol with additional materials concerning ethical values to be conveyed to incoming interns. Law practices may wish to consider including the Protocol as an annex, addendum or attachment to any confidentiality letter or undertaking that their interns may be required to acknowledge.

Click the image above or click here to download the protocol.

2. Other relevant resources

Further to the Protocol on Reinforcing Ethics to Interns, the resources below are supplementary reading resources for law practice interns on the specific ethical responsibilities of the legal profession:

On This Page

Practice Directions and Guidance Notes

Ethics Resources

The Ethics Assist Helpline

Resources for Law Practice Interns

Services
Guidance & Notices