News Stories

[TinyRedLeaf]

Originally Posted by SeijiSensei

Can the maid mount a civil suit for monetary damages in Singapore? I would think the criminal conviction gives the maid pretty solid grounds for demanding a large cash payment in recompense.

That's a good question. I don't know and I don't think there are precedents.

If I recall correctly, there were instances of maids getting cash compensation, but it was arranged through their embassies, not via the courts. Don't quote me on this, though, as I'd need to check.

But I would say that the lack of money to hire a lawyer isn't as big an obstacle as you'd think. Lawyers in Singapore are professionally required to take on a number of cases pro bono every year, a responsibility they've just been reminded about recently.

There are also at least two volunteer civic groups that take an active interest in the welfare of foreign labourers in Singapore. In other words, help is technically available should the victim want it.

[Ledgem]

Originally Posted by Dhomochevsky

Real estate seems to attract some weird moralist views from people who otherwise have no qualms with capitalism.

There is some ongoing quarrel in Germany, where some entities build luxury appartments into so called "in-scene-quarters". These are the hippest and most promising places to live in cities and property prices are skyrocketing there, mind you.
So they get called 'evil' because 'poor people can't pay those rents! how are they supposed to live there now'?
Those companies must have payed fortunes to get a hold of the land. Of course they will build high value objects on them. And why would anyone have a right to live in the best quarters, in newly built appartments, for almost no cost?
It makes no sense. But that's what these complainers seem to believe.

If it was about anything else than real estate, they would get it. But somehow that's different.

They probably get called "evil" because space is a limited and vital resource. Apartments get renovated and the price generally spikes up; the price is always climbing as it is. We can make analogies to this with water and electricity. The key difference is that your utility companies have no way of "sprucing up" your water or electricity in order to force an astronomically high rate that many would be unable to afford.

"Live somewhere else" is a fine and dandy solution, until you reach the point where you have people who can't afford to live anywhere.

[maplehurry]

^as an aside, this also reminds me of the opposite case of a graveyard being built near my house and I complain because the values of my house decreases due to it.

If it was about anything else than real estate, they would get it. But somehow that's different.

well, many people treat it as "necessity" on the same boat as food, water, electricity, healthcare.

Evil is a loaded word, but it's not surprised that they would complain if rent's going up at a rate higher than their salaries. Old apartments get renovated, while new ones built are meant for upper-middle class or investors. The demand for low-end housing's always there, but its supply have been decreasing, so even the rents for these would go up.

[AnimeFan188]

Japan’s Debt Looks Like This: 1,000,000,000,000,000 Yen:

"Japan’s soaring national debt, already more than twice the size of its economy, has
reached a new milestone, surpassing one quadrillion yen."

See:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/10/wo...tone.html?_r=0

[ganbaru]

Hundreds mourn Tasered Miami graffiti artist
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/...97900A20130811

Analysis: Obama's Keystone stand deepens impasse with Canada
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/...9780SH20130809

[SeijiSensei]

Originally Posted by TinyRedLeaf

But I would say that the lack of money to hire a lawyer isn't as big an obstacle as you'd think. Lawyers in Singapore are professionally required to take on a number of cases pro bono every year, a responsibility they've just been reminded about recently.

Here in the US, attorneys will front the costs of pursuing a suit in return for a portion of the proceeds of any settlement. "Class action" suits like the one described in the excellent book A Civil Action almost always employ this method of compensation, but it is also common in individual actions like medical malpractice and other civil complaints. The families of Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman, the two people allegedly murdered by O.J. Simpson, won a civil case against the former football star after he was acquitted in criminal court.

I wondered whether Singapore had similar procedures.

[TinyRedLeaf]

Originally Posted by SeijiSensei

Here in the US, attorneys will front the costs of pursuing a suit in return for a portion of the proceeds of any settlement. "Class action" suits like the one described in the excellent book A Civil Action almost always employ this method of compensation, but it is also common in individual actions like medical malpractice and other civil complaints. The families of Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman, the two people allegedly murdered by O.J. Simpson, won a civil case against the former football star after he was acquitted in criminal court.

I wondered whether Singapore had similar procedures.

It works very differently in Singapore. While civil suits may indeed follow a criminal conviction, I don't think "class action" suits exist here. At least, not in the way they are tried in America.

Just to outline one crucial area where investigation and judicial procedures differs greatly in Singapore: There is no requirement for a lawyer to be present when a suspect is being investigated.

What does happen, however, is that during a pre-trial conference, the prosecution and counsel will meet to discuss what evidence and witnesses they will bring into the case. Statements given by the suspect during the investigation will also be shared during the conference. These meetings are official and documented, and are meant to facilitate the trial process.

I have nowhere near enough expertise to comment on the pros and cons of our judicial system vis-a-vis those of other countries. I have met lawyers who privately conceded that the system may be tilted towards the prosecution's favour. I have also asked prosecutors from the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) about the investigation process, but being the wise lawyers they are, they wouldn't comment on the issue.

What is clear, though, is that the process is transparent and utmost care is taken to ensure accountability. And so far, the system seems to work. So far. Bear further in mind that the Law Society of Singapore, the profession's official representative, is independent of the AGC, and it does debate matters of jurisprudence among its members. The society runs the Pro Bono Services Office, with the aim of ensuring that the needy will always have access to legal counsel.

And it was Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon himself who last month stressed the importance of pro bono legal services:

"A visceral sense of distress sets in when society perceives that the scales of justice do not balance evenly between those who can and those who cannot access suitable legal representation. As members of the profession dedicated to justice, it is incumbent upon us to do what we can to ensure that this does not happen. I have spoken on several occasions of the need to make legal services affordable if we are to speak of access to justice in a meaningful way. Providing pro bono services is a necessary part of making this a reality."

[ganbaru]

Mexico proposes energy reform, some investors skeptical
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/...97B0LS20130812

EU set stage for banks to load up on U.S. muni bonds
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/...97B0GD20130812

U.S. moves to curb long, mandatory drug sentences
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/...97B03320130812

[JokerD]

Originally Posted by TinyRedLeaf

And it was Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon himself who last month stressed the importance of pro bono legal services:

"A visceral sense of distress sets in when society perceives that the scales of justice do not balance evenly between those who can and those who cannot access suitable legal representation. As members of the profession dedicated to justice, it is incumbent upon us to do what we can to ensure that this does not happen. I have spoken on several occasions of the need to make legal services affordable if we are to speak of access to justice in a meaningful way. Providing pro bono services is a necessary part of making this a reality."

Actually I thought the pro bono service was for criminal cases, not civil one. I could be wrong though...

[SaintessHeart]

Originally Posted by JokerD

Actually I thought the pro bono service was for criminal cases, not civil one. I could be wrong though...

Depends. In this case of maid abuse, there is a case of overlap so it may suffice. Even so, most cases have a portion of criminal element in it, whether be it destroying your neighbour's plants (vandalism) or hugging her 12-year-old daughter (molest).

[TinyRedLeaf]

Originally Posted by JokerD

Actually I thought the pro bono service was for criminal cases, not civil one. I could be wrong though...

From the Law Society's website:

Programmes for individuals

Programmes for individuals consist of the Community Legal Clinic Scheme, the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme and the Ad Hoc Pro Bono Referral Scheme.

The Community Legal Clinic offers free basic legal advice to Singaporeans/ Permanent Residents who are facing a legal issue on personal matters and do not have access to legal advice or representation.

The Criminal Legal Aid Scheme offers legal representation for accused persons regardless of nationality, who claim trial for certain criminal offences and who do not have the means to pay for a lawyer.

The Ad Hoc Pro Bono Referral Scheme offers legal representation for persons with exceptional circumstances who do not meet the criteria for existing legal aid schemes but nonetheless are in urgent need.

Needy applicants are also offered alternate legal clinic options through our partnership with the Subordinate Courts to provide specialised Civil Legal Clinics, Criminal Legal Clinics and Family Legal Clinics at the Subordinate Courts.

[aohige]

http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20...023-asahi-soci

HOLY.....!!

Sadogawa Jun, mangaka of Muteki Kanban Musume (which was animated for 2 cour anime few years back) and currently running Amane Atatameru, both in Weekly Shounen Champion, was found dead, hanging himself in a nearby park...

For a WSC mangaka he was pretty decently successful, and was even tweeting fine just a day ago in Comiket. Fans are totally baffled what led to this sudden suicide...

Jesus.

[Vallen Chaos Valiant]

Originally Posted by aohige

http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20...023-asahi-soci

HOLY.....!!

Sadogawa Jun, mangaka of Muteki Kanban Musume (which was animated for 2 cour anime few years back) and currently running Amane Atatameru, both in Weekly Shounen Champion, was found dead, hanging himself in a nearby park...

For a WSC mangaka he was pretty decently successful, and was even tweeting fine just a day ago in Comiket. Fans are totally baffled what led to this sudden suicide...

Jesus.

WHat!
I LOVED the anime adaptation of that...

Sad...

[JokerD]

Originally Posted by aohige

http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20...023-asahi-soci

HOLY.....!!

Sadogawa Jun, mangaka of Muteki Kanban Musume (which was animated for 2 cour anime few years back) and currently running Amane Atatameru, both in Weekly Shounen Champion, was found dead, hanging himself in a nearby park...

For a WSC mangaka he was pretty decently successful, and was even tweeting fine just a day ago in Comiket. Fans are totally baffled what led to this sudden suicide...

Jesus.

Wha? Sad, RIP

[ganbaru]

Exclusive: Video of 'lame' cattle stirs new concern over growth drugs
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/...97C02M20130813

China bans extravagant official galas to curb graft
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/...97C0EU20130813

[Haiprbim]

Originally Posted by aohige

http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20...023-asahi-soci

HOLY.....!!

Sadogawa Jun, mangaka of Muteki Kanban Musume (which was animated for 2 cour anime few years back) and currently running Amane Atatameru, both in Weekly Shounen Champion, was found dead, hanging himself in a nearby park...

For a WSC mangaka he was pretty decently successful, and was even tweeting fine just a day ago in Comiket. Fans are totally baffled what led to this sudden suicide...

Jesus.

Yeah, I've read that from MAL.

I recently heard of quite a few suicides for no reason discovered whatsoever.
It is really sad to hear people do it...

Rest in peace, fellow author.

[kuroishinigami]

Originally Posted by aohige

http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20...023-asahi-soci

HOLY.....!!

Sadogawa Jun, mangaka of Muteki Kanban Musume (which was animated for 2 cour anime few years back) and currently running Amane Atatameru, both in Weekly Shounen Champion, was found dead, hanging himself in a nearby park...

For a WSC mangaka he was pretty decently successful, and was even tweeting fine just a day ago in Comiket. Fans are totally baffled what led to this sudden suicide...

Jesus.

Well, sometimes depression can strike people who is successful career wise, and IMO, in Asia depression medication(whether by counseling or real medicine) is still very lacking because we're supposed to suck it up and "be a man"(I heard it's a bit worse in Korea and Japan, but I might be wrong). I think this is also the reason why psychologist in Asia is not a job as popular as in the USA.

[ganbaru]

Talks resume as Israel frees Palestinians, pursues settlements
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/...97C0Z620130813

[NoemiChan]

Originally Posted by aohige

http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20...023-asahi-soci

HOLY.....!!

Sadogawa Jun, mangaka of Muteki Kanban Musume (which was animated for 2 cour anime few years back) and currently running Amane Atatameru, both in Weekly Shounen Champion, was found dead, hanging himself in a nearby park...

For a WSC mangaka he was pretty decently successful, and was even tweeting fine just a day ago in Comiket. Fans are totally baffled what led to this sudden suicide...

Jesus.

he probably got some sudden, shocking unexpected turn of events that might made him snap from sanity... or its foul play....

[AnimeFan188]

400 US surface-to-air missiles were 'STOLEN' from Libya during the Benghazi
attack and are 'now in the hands of Al Qaeda', claims whistleblower:

"Four hundred American surface-to-air missiles were 'taken from Libya' during the
terror attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, a former U.S. Attorney who
represents whistleblowers claimed on Monday.

He added that the U.S. intelligence community is terrified they might be used to
shoot down airliners.

Joe diGenova, whose wife Victoria Toensing – a former deputy assistant attorney
general – also represents Benghazi witnesses and others with knowledge of the
terror attack, told WMAL radio that the loss of those missiles is also one the reason
the U.S. State Department shut down 19 embassies across the Middle East last
week."

See:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...-attorney.html