Redacted reports on Law Society probe should be disclosed to members: Edwin Tong
The audit identified significant failings in leadership, workplace culture and governance.
Law Minister Edwin Tong has called for the Law Society of Singapore (LawSoc) to disclose the reports from their audit committee investigation, which examined workplace complaints within the organization between 2022 and 2025. Tong stated that these reports should be made available to members with appropriate redactions to protect the interviewees.
He emphasized that the investigation revealed "significant issues concerning workplace culture, as well as the proper administration and functioning of the Law Society" and that members need a "frank and constructive exchange with the council" to fully understand and address the issues. The investigation was sparked by an anonymous email sent to the Ministry of Law and the Ministry of Manpower on September 13, 2025, containing allegations of inappropriate workplace conduct, governance weaknesses, and deficiencies in grievance handling and whistleblowing processes.
The audit committee report, submitted to the council on June 5, was not released to members, though the council provided a brief account of certain allegations. Law Society members met in a tense four-hour closed-door dialogue at Maxwell Chambers on August 13, demanding the disclosure of the reports and relevant investigation material.
Tong acknowledged the importance of the Law Society to Singapore's legal system and stressed the need for transparency, accountability, and strengthened governance to maintain confidence in the institution.
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