News update Singapore High Court ticks off lawyer

By Khushwant Singh

In the 23-page judgment released on Thursday dismissing the appeals, Justice Rajah rapped Mr Loo for having done a disservice to his clients. -- ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW

A LAWYER who is incompetent in his profession is as good as one who is dishonest because he is paid for 'slipshod or non-existent work'.

Such conduct would be especially disturbing in criminal matters because the case of the lawyer's client could be irremediably weakened because of his shoddy work.

These strong words from Appeal Judge V.K. Rajah came as he blasted lawyer Leonard Loo who came unprepared for an appeal hearing on July 1 and incurred the judge's ire.

The lawyer was to represent eight Chinese nationals in their appeal against fines imposed for illegal gambling. However, only four of them were present in the High Court. The rest had absconded because of another legal matter in the Subordinate Courts and warrants for their arrest were issued.

In the 23-page judgment released on Thursday dismissing the appeals, Justice Rajah rapped Mr Loo for having done a disservice to his clients.

The lawyer clearly failed to advise his clients on the merits of their appeals and the chances of success. Also, Mr Loo had failed to submit any written submissions as required by the court and only presented ill-prepared oral arguments that merely rehashed points that were already in the petitions of appeal, Justice Rajah said.

Contacted by The Straits Times on Thursday night, Mr Loo conceded that he should have prepared written submissions.