Sylvia Lim on Public Defenders Bill
Establishing a Public Defender’s Office (PDO) to provide criminal legal aid to more people is “an important milestone for Singapore’s criminal justice system”, said MP Sylvia Lim in Parliament on Monday (Aug 1). However, she sought several clarifications on the proposal. They include the circumstances under which the Law Minister can direct that aid be given even in cases where applicants do not meet requirements; what powers public defenders will have to access Government information to locate witnesses or compel them to attend interviews; and when a person needing legal aid should go to the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme, run by the Law Society, versus the PDO, since there will be some overlap in coverage.
Establishing a Public Defender’s Office (PDO) to provide criminal legal aid to more people is “an important milestone for Singapore’s criminal justice system”, said MP Sylvia Lim in Parliament on Monday (Aug 1). However, she sought several clarifications on the proposal. They include the circumstances under which the Law Minister can direct that aid be given even in cases where applicants do not meet requirements; what powers public defenders will have to access Government information to locate witnesses or compel them to attend interviews; and when a person needing legal aid should go to the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme, run by the Law Society, versus the PDO, since there will be some overlap in coverage.
Popular Shows
