Law Society v Ravi Madasamy: Professional Misconduct & Dishonesty in Legal Practice

The Law Society of Singapore brought applications against Ravi s/o Madasamy, a lawyer, for professional misconduct. The Court of 3 Supreme Court Judges found Madasamy guilty of making false statements about the President and Prime Ministers, and for disrespectful behavior and dishonesty towards a judge. The court ordered Madasamy to be struck off the roll due to the gravity and egregious nature of his improper conduct.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

Court of 3 Supreme Court Judges

1.2 Outcome

The respondent is ordered to be struck off the roll.

1.3 Case Type

Regulatory

1.4 Judgment Type

Judgment

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Lawyer Ravi Madasamy faced disciplinary action for misconduct, including false statements and disrespect to a judge, leading to being struck off.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
The Law Society of SingaporeApplicantStatutory BoardApplications AllowedWon
Ravi s/o MadasamyRespondentIndividualStruck off the rollLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Sundaresh MenonChief JusticeNo
Tay Yong KwangJustice of the Court of AppealNo
Steven ChongJustice of the Court of AppealYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Ong Boon Hwee WilliamAllen & Gledhill LLP
Seth Yeo Ao-WenAllen & Gledhill LLP
Leong Yi-MingAllen & Gledhill LLP
Chua XinyingAllen & Gledhill LLP
Linda Shi PeifengAllen & Gledhill LLP
Eugene Singarajah ThuraisingamEugene Thuraisingam LLP
Ng Yuan SiangEugene Thuraisingam LLP

4. Facts

  1. Ravi made false statements on Facebook about the President and PM appointments.
  2. Ravi was disrespectful and discourteous to a judge during a trial.
  3. Ravi made groundless allegations of bias against the judge.
  4. Ravi falsely informed the judge that his client wanted to be discharged from the proceedings.
  5. Ravi caused a false email to be sent to the Registry.
  6. Ravi acted without instructions from his client.
  7. Ravi acted against his client's interests.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Law Society of Singapore v Ravi s/o Madasamy and another matter, Originating Applications Nos 5 of 2023 and 10 of 2023, [2024] SGHC 141

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Ravi wrote to the President alleging unconstitutional PM appointments.
Ravi posted a video on Facebook alleging PM Lee’s appointment was unconstitutional.
President’s Office replied to Ravi’s letter.
Ravi published the President’s Letter on Facebook with comments.
Attorney-General complained about Ravi’s conduct.
DT appointed to hear the complaint and investigate.
Trial of Chua Qwong Meng v SBS Transit Ltd began.
Ravi was disrespectful and discourteous to the Judge.
Ravi made groundless allegations of bias against the Judge.
Ravi falsely informed the Judge that his client wanted to be discharged.
Mr. Chua discharged Ravi as his counsel.
Supreme Court Registry replied to Mr. Chua's letter.
Mr. Chua sent a statement to media outlets about Ravi's behavior.
Email sent to Registry stating they would proceed with the trial.
Notice of change of solicitors was filed.
Ravi began serving a five-year suspension.
The Law Society of Singapore v Ravi s/o Madasamy [2023] SGDT 7 was issued.
The Law Society of Singapore v Ravi s/o Madasamy [2023] SGDT 13 was issued.
Judgment reserved.
Judgment issued.

7. Legal Issues

  1. Professional Misconduct
    • Outcome: The court found that the respondent's conduct constituted professional misconduct.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Making false statements
      • Disrespectful behavior towards a judge
      • Dishonesty
  2. Breach of Solicitor-Client Relationship
    • Outcome: The court found that the respondent's conduct violated the trust and confidence inherent in a solicitor-client relationship.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Acting without instructions
      • Acting against client's interests
  3. Dishonesty
    • Outcome: The court found that the respondent's dishonest conduct warranted being struck off the roll.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Making false representations to the court
      • Misleading the court

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Disciplinary Action
  2. Striking off the roll

9. Cause of Actions

  • Professional Misconduct
  • Breach of Duty to the Court
  • Breach of Solicitor-Client Relationship

10. Practice Areas

  • Regulatory Law
  • Disciplinary Proceedings

11. Industries

  • Legal Services

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
The Law Society of Singapore v Ravi s/o MadasamyDisciplinary Tribunal of the Law Society of SingaporeYes[2023] SGDT 7SingaporeCited for the finding that Ravi's statements about the President's conduct and PM appointments constituted misconduct.
The Law Society of Singapore v Ravi s/o MadasamyDisciplinary Tribunal of the Law Society of SingaporeYes[2023] SGDT 13SingaporeCited for the finding that Ravi's conduct before Justice Audrey Lim at the trial constituted misconduct.
Law Society of Singapore v Seow Theng Beng SamuelCourt of AppealYes[2022] 4 SLR 467SingaporeCited for the framework on the presumptive penalty of striking off for character defects and grave dishonor.
Law Society of Singapore v Ravi s/o MadasamyCourt of Three JudgesYes[2023] 4 SLR 1760SingaporeCited for the principles in determining whether due cause has been shown and the gravamen of the respondent's conduct.
Law Society of Singapore v Jasmine Gowrimani d/o DanielHigh CourtYes[2010] 3 SLR 390SingaporeCited for the principle that a determination that the advocate and solicitor’s conduct falls within one of the s 83(2) LPA limbs is a necessary condition in determining whether due cause has arisen, it is not by itself a sufficient condition.
Law Society of Singapore v Udeh Kumar s/o Sethuraju and another matterHigh CourtYes[2017] 4 SLR 1369SingaporeCited for the principle that the misconduct must be sufficiently serious to warrant the imposition of sanctions under s 83(1) of the LPA.
Law Society of Singapore v Ravi s/o MadasamyCourt of Three JudgesYes[2023] 4 SLR 1760SingaporeCited for the principles in determining the appropriate sanction in disciplinary proceedings.
Law Society of Singapore v Yap Bock Heng ChristopherCourt of AppealYes[2014] 4 SLR 877SingaporeCited for the principle that the court would naturally view the misconduct in totality and determine the appropriate sentence.
Law Society of Singapore v Ravindra SamuelHigh CourtYes[1999] 1 SLR(R) 266SingaporeCited for the principle that the critical question was whether the solicitor in question is a fit and proper person to be an advocate and solicitor of the court.
Law Society of Singapore v Chia Choon YangCourt of Three JudgesYes[2018] 5 SLR 1068SingaporeCited for the principle that misconduct involving dishonesty will almost invariably warrant an order for striking off.
Law Society of Singapore v Choy Chee YeanHigh CourtYes[2010] 3 SLR 560SingaporeCited for the principle that personal culpability and mitigating factors generally have little relevance in cases where the presumptive position of striking off applies.
Law Society of Singapore v Ng Bock Hoh DixonHigh CourtYes[2012] 1 SLR 348SingaporeCited for the principle that the fact that a lawyer had previously committed a similar disciplinary offence is a significant aggravating factor.
Law Society of Singapore v Ravi MadasamyCourt of Three JudgesYes[2007] 2 SLR(R) 300SingaporeCited for the respondent's history of misconduct.
Loh Der Ming Andrew v Koh Tien HuaHigh CourtYes[2022] 3 SLR 1417SingaporeCited for the principle that the making of a statement recklessly, not caring whether it was true or false, would be subjectively dishonest.
Law Society of Singapore v Ravi s/o MadasamyCourt of Three JudgesYes[2016] 5 SLR 1141SingaporeCited for the mitigating factors considered in previous disciplinary proceedings against Ravi.
Norasharee bin Gous v Public ProsecutorCourt of AppealYes[2021] 2 SLR 140SingaporeCited for Ravi's discourteous submissions and unwarranted criticisms.
Attorney-General v Ravi s/o Madasamy and another matterHigh CourtYes[2023] SGHC 78SingaporeCited for Ravi being found in contempt of court.
Attorney-General v Ravi s/o Madasamy and another matterCourt of AppealYes[2024] 3 SLR 1642SingaporeCited for Ravi's sentence for contempt of court.
Nagaenthran a/l K Dharmalingam v Attorney-General and another matterCourt of AppealYes[2022] 2 SLR 211SingaporeCited for Ravi's disrespectful conduct during a hearing.

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Legal Profession Act 1966Singapore
s 83(1) of the Legal Profession Act 1966Singapore
s 83(2)(h) of the Legal Profession ActSingapore
s 83(2)(b)(i) LPASingapore
s 83(5) LPASingapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Professional misconduct
  • Dishonesty
  • Solicitor-client relationship
  • Disciplinary proceedings
  • False statements
  • Disrespectful behavior
  • Allegations of bias
  • Misleading the court
  • Acting without instructions
  • Acting against client's interests
  • Due cause
  • Striking off
  • Legal Profession Act

15.2 Keywords

  • professional misconduct
  • dishonesty
  • legal profession
  • disciplinary action
  • striking off

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Legal Profession Act95
Grossly Improper Conduct90
Disciplinary Proceedings90
Professional conduct85
Dishonesty75
Contempt of Court40
Fiduciary Duties30
Fraud and Deceit25
Evidence Law20

16. Subjects

  • Legal Ethics
  • Professional Responsibility
  • Disciplinary Law