THE LAW SOCIETY OF SINGAPORE v EZEKIEL PETER LATIMER

Case Significance

Law Society of Singapore v Ezekiel Peter Latimer [2024] SGHC 90 was a Grounds of Decision of the Court of Three Judges of Singapore delivered on 28 March 2024, with Sundaresh Menon CJ delivering the grounds of decision of the court, sitting with Tay Yong Kwang JCA and Woo Bih Li JAD, in Originating Application No 7 of 2023, following a hearing on 24 January 2024. The disciplinary proceedings were commenced against the respondent, Mr Ezekiel Peter Latimer, in respect of alleged misconduct while acting for Mr Chung Fook Keong Melvin and Ms Doan Thi Thanh Thuy (collectively, "the Complainants") in the period from 2016 to 2019. The acts and omissions complained of pertained to two sets of events: the respondent's involvement in Ms Thuy's appointment as a director of a company and the events which followed ("the first matter"), and his management of the Complainants' lawsuit in MC/MC 16562/2017 ("the second matter"). The Law Society of Singapore, the applicant, preferred two charges in relation to each matter, including, in relation to the first matter, a charge of failing to disclose to Ms Thuy information that would reasonably affect her interests, in particular that the company was involved in significant ongoing litigation. The catchwords frame the issues around a solicitor's duties to a client, conflict of interest, a solicitor's undertaking, and breach of professional conduct. The applicant was represented by Braddell Brothers LLP, with the judgment referencing the Interpretation Act and the Legal Profession Act.