Community mediators, volunteer lawyers and law firms recognised at the Ministry of Law's Appreciation Dinner

19 OCT 2011

19 Oct 2011 Posted in Press releases

  1. Over 70 volunteers received awards from the Minister for Law, Mr K Shanmugam, at the Ministry of Law’s (MinLaw) Appreciation Dinner this evening (19 October 2011).

  2. The event recognised Community Mediators who volunteer with the Ministry’s Community Mediation Unit (CMU), Assigned Solicitors who work with the Legal Aid Bureau (LAB) to provide pro bono legal aid, as well as legal practitioners who have made significant contributions of expertise to the Insolvency and Public Trustee’s Office (IPTO).

About the awards

  1. This year, in addition to the Minister for Law Outstanding Volunteer Award and the Minister for Law Appreciation Award, the Ministry introduced several new categories of awards, such as the CMU Appreciation Award, LAB Amicus Award, LAB Appreciation Award, as well as the LAB Distinguished Service Award. Five law firms were also recognised for encouraging their lawyers to volunteer and take on a significant number of cases with LAB. These new awards have been introduced to better recognise and appreciate the contributions and efforts of the volunteers.
Name of award Description
1 CMU Appreciation Award Given to volunteers to recognise their commendable contribution in their fifth year of service .
2 LAB Amicus Award Given to volunteers who are not Assigned Solicitors. These volunteers are recognised for their efforts as Volunteer Assistant Directors of Legal Aid, and in assisting LAB with non-legal services like counselling.
3 LAB Appreciation Award Given to volunteers to recognise their commendable contribution in their fifth year of service .
4 LAB Distinguished Service Award Given to top volunteer Assigned Solicitors (volunteer lawyers with LAB) for outstanding contribution made in the area of legal aid.
5 LAB Best Contribution from Law Firm Award Given to law firms who have made invaluable contribution by supporting and partnering LAB in the area of legal aid.
6 Minister for Law Appreciation Award Given to volunteers who have been serving for 10, 20, 30, etc, years. Recipients must have rendered commendable services as a volunteer.
7 Minister for Law Outstanding Volunteer Award Given to volunteers who have made invaluable contribution in the areas under MinLaw’s jurisdiction.
  1. MinLaw and its departments are indebted to these volunteers. The Community Mediators have worked tirelessly to help parties resolve community and social disputes. Volunteer Assigned Solicitors have been a key pillar of LAB’s Legal Aid Scheme since its inception in 1958, and ensure that needy members of the society have access to justice. Over the years, the insolvency practitioners have assisted IPTO by providing expertise and advice to shape insolvency practices in Singapore.
  1. The list of award recipients, along with information on each award, is in Annex A.

Last updated on 18 Dec 2012