This work is the first comprehensive, annotative commentary ever written on the rules of ethics in Singapore. Singapore and foreign practitioners, judges, Disciplinary Tribunal members and students will find this commentary particularly helpful because of its incisive approach towards the elements of each rule of the new Legal Profession (Professional Conduct) Rules 2015 (“PCR”). By reading this book, members of the public would gain a full understanding of the responsibilities of lawyers towards clients. The Legal Profession (Foreign Representation in Singapore International Commercial Court) Rules 2014, which governs the conduct of foreign lawyers in the Singapore International Commercial Court, is analysed as well. 

The relationship between principles and rules (a fundamental feature of the PCR) is closely examined and the scope of their application is carefully elucidated. The book explains every rule of ethics and covers all the relevant case law and disciplinary decisions which concern ethical accountability. It addresses related legislation, the governing practice directions, rulings, guidance notes and circulars which affect a lawyer’s practice as well as judgments from other jurisdictions. 

As the PCR breaks new ground structurally, in content and applicability, this book will prove to be an invaluable and indispensable aid to the understanding of the unprecedented dynamics of professional conduct in modern legal practice.

From the Foreword

This work is the first comprehensive, annotative commentary ever written on the rules of ethics in Singapore. The Honourable the Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, in his Foreword, writes “Professor Pinsler has done a remarkable job of writing this commentary on the PCR 2015. It is replete with references to other sources of law and the most recent examples of those practitioners who have missed their footing. This book will be an invaluable resource for every lawyer in Singapore, who should not only have a copy of this book to hand but should spend the necessary time to become familiar with its contents. The book will also be of great assistance to the judiciary in applying the rules." 

The Honourable The Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon
Supreme Court of Singapore

Author(s)/Editor(s)/Contributor(s):

Jeffrey Pinsler is Professor of Law at the Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore. He specialises in civil justice, civil and criminal evidence, procedure and ethics. He is an advocate and solicitor, barrister-at-law, a Fellow of the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators, a Principal Mediator of the Singapore Mediation Centre, and also a member of various professional committees of legal and governmental institutions including the Singapore Academy of Law and the Supreme Court of Singapore.

He has appeared as amicus curiae before the Court of Appeal and has spoken at, and contributed to, conferences and reform programmes in various countries. In 2004, he was conferred the degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) for his contributions to learning. In 2008, he was appointed Senior Counsel. He is also Senior Professorial Fellow of the Singapore Institute of Legal Education.

He is a leading author in the fields of evidence, civil procedure and ethics. He has produced 16 major works and multiple articles in his capacity as writer and/or general editor, many of which are considered essential references by practitioners and are regularly relied on by the courts.

Look out for the 2nd Edition by March 2022.

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