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- Apr 3, 2015
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Protected April 22nd, 2015 | Author: Online Press
PRESS STATEMENT BY DODWELL & CO ISSUED ON 21 APRIL 2015
Alfred Dodwell and Chong Jia Hao; Dodwell & Co LLC
1. We, the lawyers acting for Amos Yee Pang Sang (“Amos Yee”), issue this statement to explain the reasons behind our coming forward to act for him.
2. The Legal Profession (Professional Conduct) Rules (the “PCR”) lay down fundamental obligations of an Advocate and Solicitor, and in particular, the following two obligations -
a. First, to maintain the Rule of Law and assist in the administration of justice [Rule 2(2)(a)] and;
b. Second, to facilitate access to justice by members of the public [Rule 2(2)(d)].
3. We – Counsel for the Defence – acting pro bono in the present case firmly believe that we are serving both fundamental obligations in acting for Amos Yee.
4. First, as officers of the Court, the Defence Counsel will assist the court in coming to its fair and just decision in this matter.
5. Second, the fundamental tenet of access to justice is enhanced if any person – including a 16-year-old accused of criminal offences – is represented by lawyers, instead of being left to navigate the criminal justice system without legal representation.
6. In Singapore, we have many lawyers who have set the highest standards in this regard, from the late Mr David Marshall and most recently the efforts of the late Mr. Subhas Anandan, who exemplified these fundamental principles in his life’s work.
7. We also recall the efforts of Messrs. Harpreet Singh Nehal SC, Lim Shack Keong and Lau Kah Hee in securing the acquittal of a man accused of systematically raping his daughter over a period of 10 years: see AOF v Public Prosecutor [2012] 3 SLR 34.
8. Pro bono efforts remain the core of the Law Society’s mandate. The Honourable Chief Justice, at the 3rd LASCO Award Dinner in 2014 observed that “the practice of law is a calling – an honourable profession with high standards of ethics and eminent ideals of service”.
9. We would state categorically that we – the Defence Counsel – disapprove of what Amos Yee has posted.
10. In relation to the specific duties we will undertake, we will be doing the following for Amos Yee –
(a) To advise him on the conditions on bail and to undertake a review of the bail and its conditions that have been imposed on him;
(b) To advise him on the procedural laws pertaining to the criminal justice system and the substantive laws pertaining to the 3 charges levied against him;
(c) To advise him on the most appropriate course of action – be it pleading guilty or claiming trial – bearing in mind that it is the right of the accused person to claim trial and have the prosecution prove its case;
(d) To advise him on the sentencing options including those that specifically deal with young offenders.
11. We will uphold the ideals set out herein through our conduct of the defence.
Alfred Dodwell of Dodwell & Co LLC
Chong Jia Hao of Dodwell & Co LLC
Ervin Tan of Michael Hwang Chambers LLC
PRESS STATEMENT BY DODWELL & CO ISSUED ON 21 APRIL 2015
Alfred Dodwell and Chong Jia Hao; Dodwell & Co LLC
1. We, the lawyers acting for Amos Yee Pang Sang (“Amos Yee”), issue this statement to explain the reasons behind our coming forward to act for him.
2. The Legal Profession (Professional Conduct) Rules (the “PCR”) lay down fundamental obligations of an Advocate and Solicitor, and in particular, the following two obligations -
a. First, to maintain the Rule of Law and assist in the administration of justice [Rule 2(2)(a)] and;
b. Second, to facilitate access to justice by members of the public [Rule 2(2)(d)].
3. We – Counsel for the Defence – acting pro bono in the present case firmly believe that we are serving both fundamental obligations in acting for Amos Yee.
4. First, as officers of the Court, the Defence Counsel will assist the court in coming to its fair and just decision in this matter.
5. Second, the fundamental tenet of access to justice is enhanced if any person – including a 16-year-old accused of criminal offences – is represented by lawyers, instead of being left to navigate the criminal justice system without legal representation.
6. In Singapore, we have many lawyers who have set the highest standards in this regard, from the late Mr David Marshall and most recently the efforts of the late Mr. Subhas Anandan, who exemplified these fundamental principles in his life’s work.
7. We also recall the efforts of Messrs. Harpreet Singh Nehal SC, Lim Shack Keong and Lau Kah Hee in securing the acquittal of a man accused of systematically raping his daughter over a period of 10 years: see AOF v Public Prosecutor [2012] 3 SLR 34.
8. Pro bono efforts remain the core of the Law Society’s mandate. The Honourable Chief Justice, at the 3rd LASCO Award Dinner in 2014 observed that “the practice of law is a calling – an honourable profession with high standards of ethics and eminent ideals of service”.
9. We would state categorically that we – the Defence Counsel – disapprove of what Amos Yee has posted.
10. In relation to the specific duties we will undertake, we will be doing the following for Amos Yee –
(a) To advise him on the conditions on bail and to undertake a review of the bail and its conditions that have been imposed on him;
(b) To advise him on the procedural laws pertaining to the criminal justice system and the substantive laws pertaining to the 3 charges levied against him;
(c) To advise him on the most appropriate course of action – be it pleading guilty or claiming trial – bearing in mind that it is the right of the accused person to claim trial and have the prosecution prove its case;
(d) To advise him on the sentencing options including those that specifically deal with young offenders.
11. We will uphold the ideals set out herein through our conduct of the defence.
Alfred Dodwell of Dodwell & Co LLC
Chong Jia Hao of Dodwell & Co LLC
Ervin Tan of Michael Hwang Chambers LLC
