Law Society Pro Bono Services Criminal Legal Aid Scheme

Established by Singapore’s Law Society Pro Bono Services (“LSPBS”), Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (“CLAS”) provides criminal legal assistance to the poor and needy who are unable to afford a lawyer, and are facing charges in a Singapore court for non-deathpenalty offences. In 2016, our Firm and the National University of Singapore Faculty of Law (NUS Law) jointly established the inaugural A&G-NUS CLAS Pro Bono Internship Programme to provide NUS Law students with the opportunityto gain holistic experience in criminal defence while learning about balancing pro bono work with litigation practice. This is the first formal partnership between a law firm and NUS Law focusing on pro bono work. Through thisProgramme, selected NUS Law students will be offered off-site internships with our Firm focusing solely on pro bono criminal defence work. The students will be under the mentorship of A&G lawyers who volunteer to take onpro bono cases under CLAS, and will assist the lawyers in the management of the defence of accused persons. To ensure true access to justice for all in Singapore, our Firm has also been a staunch supporter of the CLAS fromits inauguration, in the spirit of acting as a responsible corporate citizen and giving back to the community. To this end, the Firm has committed to take on 50 assignments under the CLAS scheme each year. Read a recent CLAScase which our Partner, Tay Yong Seng, Senior Associate, Ang Ann Liang and Associates, Alisa Toh and Alyssa P’ng took on (+).

LEGAL CLINICS

Lee May Ling

Partner, Litigation & Dispute Resolution Department

Volunteering at a community legal clinic, not unlike volunteering for CLAS and LASCO matters, puts you in touch with people who need legal help but have no financial resources to obtain it. Many peoplecan donate money and volunteer at homes and orphanages (and these are great things!) but only we, as lawyers, can give legal advice to those who need it but are unable to afford it. The opportunityto volunteer in this way is a great opportunity to use the skills that A&G has equipped us with

Lee May Ling

Partner, Litigation & Dispute Resolution Department

Many people encounter problems with legal dimensions from time to time. These may include disputes relating to work, money lending, and the family. However, some may not have the means to obtain legaladvice or are simply unsure where to begin. Through the Community Legal Clinics, I am happy and privileged to use my legal knowledge and skills to offer practical guidance to individuals facing legaldifficulties