Law Minister Edwin Tong calls on Law Society to release full audit report to members

SINGAPORE: Law Minister Edwin Tong has called on the Law Society of Singapore to release to its members the full report of an audit that uncovered workplace culture and governance issues.

His statement on Friday (Aug 14) follows a petition and heated closed-door meeting on Thursday night, where the society's members demanded the full report be released.

In response to media queries, Mr Tong said the audit committee's report raises significant issues concerning workplace culture, as well as the proper administration and functioning of the Law Society from 2022 to 2025.

"These are matters which should be taken seriously and addressed thoroughly," he said.

"It is therefore important for members to have a frank and constructive exchange with the council, and this has to be supported by the disclosure of sufficient information for the issues to be properly understood and considered.

"In particular, the relevant reports (with appropriate redactions to protect the interviewees) should be made available to members, so that they can form their own views."

Hard copies of the audit committee's report, containing a summary of findings and recommendations, were circulated to members before Thursday night's meeting and had to be returned before the session ended.

CNA understands several annexes were missing from the documents provided, including fuller investigation reports by a law firm and an external auditing firm.

THE ALLEGATIONS

The Law Society represents lawyers and maintains standards of the legal profession in Singapore. Its current council, led by Professor Tan Cheng Han as president, took office in 2026.

Council presidents from 2022 to 2025 were the late Mr Adrian Tan, Senior Counsel Jason Chan and Ms Lisa Sam.

Allegations of poor workplace culture and governance at the bar association first surfaced in an anonymous email to the law and manpower ministries on Sep 13, 2025. 

The Law Society's audit committee, comprising members and non-members, investigated the allegations independently of the council. It presented its findings to the council on Jun 5 and sent the report to the law ministry on Jul 1.

On Aug 5, Mr Tong said the audit found "significant failings" in leadership, workplace culture and governance from 2022 to 2025, though it found no evidence of deliberate financial impropriety or an intentional cover-up.

In a written parliamentary reply, he described the email tip-off as containing "serious and wide-ranging" allegations about "inappropriate workplace conduct, weaknesses in governance and oversight, deficiencies in grievance handling and whistleblowing processes, and shortcomings in internal controls over certain administrative and financial practices" from 2022 to 2025.

On Friday, Mr Tong said the Law Society plays an important role in Singapore's legal system and carries responsibilities to its members and the wider public.

"It is therefore important that the issues identified in the report are followed through appropriately, with transparency and accountability, and that the necessary steps be taken to strengthen the society's governance and functioning.

"This will help maintain confidence in the Law Society as an institution."

The Ministry of Law will continue to follow developments closely and looks forward to the council's further updates on steps taken to address the issues identified in the report, Mr Tong added.

The Law Society previously told CNA it has carefully considered the audit committee's report and "taken the necessary steps" in response to its findings and recommendations.

It declined to comment further, citing confidentiality.

CNA has contacted the Law Society for its response to Mr Tong's statement.