Raj Joshua Thomas on Legal Profession (Amendment) Bill

Amendments proposed in a new Bill will restructure the legal profession by creating a new category of lawyer (non-practitioner). What exactly is such a lawyer, who does not undergo practice training, qualified to do? Is there a risk of public confusion over whether these lawyers can provide legal advice or act legally for them, which will remain the preserve of advocates and solicitors who hold a practising certificate? NMP Raj Joshua Thomas asked these questions in Parliament on Tuesday (Nov 7). He also wanted to know the criteria for approving corporations and in-house legal departments where up to three months of a practice training contract can be done. He also asked if the corporations will be able to choose which trainees to accept; if so, how will the authorities ensure this does not disadvantage smaller law firms? Mr Thomas also pointed out that smaller law firms may find it difficult to pay allowances to trainees for a longer practice training period, as proposed in the Bill.