Speech by the President of the Law Society of Singapore
Published Date: 1 March 2021
Media Release
Dear Dr Toh See Kiat, Chairman and Founder, Goodwins Law Corporation
Friends and Colleagues from Goodwins Law Corporation and Sino-Win Law Firm
Ladies and Gentlemen
“Xin Nian Kuai Le”
The Law Society of Singapore, with the strong support of our partners Ministry of Law and Enterprise Singapore, launched the ‘Lawyers Go Global” (法律服务全球拓展计划) (“LG2”) project in 2018 to facilitate Singapore law firms embracing new regional growth opportunities and developing new overseas markets. With funding and economic insights valuably provided by the government combined with the focused, organizational efforts of our dedicated bespoke International Relations team, this public-private partnership led to pioneering journeys for our lawyers. Law Society continues to be committed to build bridges between Singapore law firms and overseas law firms to enhance seamless, quality legal services for clients in cross-border deals or disputes.
One of the global objectives of the LG2 project is envisioning networking between Singapore and overseas law firms turn into best friends; turn into courtship and ultimately turn into a “marriage” of tie ups and alliances. Law Society is pleased to catalyze opportunities and build platforms for Singapore law firms to develop relationships and alliances with overseas law firms. We are especially pleased to see the first fruits of the China-Singapore law firm “marriages” via the Goodwins Law Corporation Sino – Win law firm’s alliance. China is a top destination for cross-border work. We see this MOU as a trail blazer in a post-COVID-19 environment of many more tie ups and alliances birthed by likeminded law firms including via Lawyers Go Global.
In the case of Goodwins Law Corporation, they participated in an inaugural exchange programme organised by Law Society that attached Singapore lawyers with Guangzhou/Shenzhen law firms. This helped Goodwin Law to nurture a strong in situ relationships with Sino-Win law firm. Congratulations Goodwins and Sino-Win. In coming together, this is truly a win-win alliance!
In closing, as a measure of the importance of international relations, our COVID-19 Impact Survey of members last year revealed that virtually half the respondents planned to expand their international practice in the post COVID-19 era. I believe that today’s historic signing on the last day of Chinese New Year celebrations is a harbinger of things to come. National borders are not international barriers.
Congratulations Goodwins and Sino-Win once again! Wishing you a blessed Lunar New Year filled with strength, serenity and success!
