Wee Soon Kim Anthony v The Law Society of Singapore: Intervention in Disciplinary Proceedings
In Wee Soon Kim Anthony v The Law Society of Singapore, the High Court of Singapore heard an appeal by Mr. Wee Soon Kim Anthony against the decision to allow two solicitors to intervene in his originating summons against the Law Society. Mr. Wee sought an order compelling the Law Society to apply for a Disciplinary Committee to investigate his complaint against the solicitors. The court dismissed Mr. Wee's appeal, finding that the solicitors had a significant interest in the matter and should be allowed to intervene.
1. Case Overview
1.1 Court
High Court1.2 Outcome
Appeal dismissed with costs.
1.3 Case Type
Civil
1.4 Judgment Type
Grounds of Decision
1.5 Jurisdiction
Singapore
1.6 Description
The High Court addressed whether solicitors could intervene in proceedings regarding a complaint against them. The court allowed the intervention.
1.7 Decision Date
2. Parties and Outcomes
| Party Name | Role | Type | Outcome | Outcome Type | Counsels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Law Society of Singapore | Defendant, Respondent | Statutory Board | Judgment for Defendant | Won | |
| Wee Soon Kim Anthony | Plaintiff, Appellant | Individual | Appeal dismissed | Lost | Wee Soon Kim of Independent Practitioner |
| Davinder Singh | Interveners | Individual | Intervention Allowed | Neutral | |
| Hri Humar | Interveners | Individual | Intervention Allowed | Neutral |
3. Judges
| Judge Name | Title | Delivered Judgment |
|---|---|---|
| Woo Bih Li | Judicial Commissioner | Yes |
4. Counsels
| Counsel Name | Organization |
|---|---|
| Goh Yun Dee | Khattar Wong & Partners |
| Wee Soon Kim | Independent Practitioner |
| Jimmy Yim | Drew & Napier |
| Sivaj Omar | Drew & Napier |
4. Facts
- Mr. Wee lodged a complaint with the Law Society against two solicitors.
- The Law Society decided that the complaint disclosed no misconduct.
- Mr. Wee commenced proceedings to compel the Law Society to apply for a Disciplinary Committee.
- The solicitors applied to be added as interveners in the action.
- The Assistant Registrar granted the solicitors' application to intervene.
- Mr. Wee appealed against the order allowing the intervention.
- The court dismissed Mr. Wee's appeal.
5. Formal Citations
- Wee Soon Kim Anthony v The Law Society of Singapore, OS 1573/2000, RA 600011/2001, [2001] SGHC 44
6. Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Complaint lodged with the Law Society against two solicitors. | |
| Law Society decided complaint disclosed no misconduct. | |
| President of the Law Society provided an explanation to the Plaintiff. | |
| Plaintiff commenced proceedings against the Law Society in OS 37/2000. | |
| Judgment delivered in OS 37/2000. | |
| Law Society informed solicitors that formal investigation was not necessary. | |
| Summons In Chambers No 604565 of 2000 filed by the Solicitors. | |
| Solicitors application to be added as Interveners granted. | |
| Plaintiff's appeal against the order dismissed. | |
| Decision Date |
7. Legal Issues
- Intervention of Parties
- Outcome: The court held that the solicitors had a sufficient interest to intervene in the proceedings.
- Category: Procedural
- Sub-Issues:
- Interest in subject matter
- Right to be heard
8. Remedies Sought
- Order that the Law Society apply to the Chief Justice to appoint a Disciplinary Committee
9. Cause of Actions
- Application for order to appoint a Disciplinary Committee
10. Practice Areas
- Disciplinary Proceedings
- Appeals
11. Industries
- Legal Services
12. Cited Cases
| Case Name | Court | Affirmed | Citation | Jurisdiction | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sanders Lead Co Inc v Entores Metal Brokers Ltd | N/A | Yes | [1984] WLR 452 | N/A | Cited regarding the interest required for a party to intervene in a case. |
| Law Society of Singapore v Disciplinary Committee | N/A | Yes | [2000] 4 SLR 413 | Singapore | Cited regarding the right of solicitors to be heard in disciplinary proceedings. |
| Tang Liang Hong v Lee Kuan Yew | Court of Appeal | Yes | Tang Liang Hong v Lee Kuan Yew | Singapore | Cited in the Law Society's letter stating that the Plaintiff's letter of complaint disclosed no information of misconduct. |
13. Applicable Rules
| Rule Name |
|---|
| O 15 r 6(2)(b) |
14. Applicable Statutes
| Statute Name | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| Legal Profession Act | Singapore |
15. Key Terms and Keywords
15.1 Key Terms
- Disciplinary Committee
- Intervention
- Legal Profession Act
- Inquiry Committee
- Solicitors
- Law Society
15.2 Keywords
- Disciplinary proceedings
- Intervention
- Law Society
- Solicitors
- Singapore
17. Areas of Law
| Area Name | Relevance Score |
|---|---|
| Legal Profession Act | 90 |
| Disciplinary Committee | 50 |
| Natural justice | 40 |
| Civil Procedure | 30 |
16. Subjects
- Legal Ethics
- Civil Procedure