For Regent Law, a five-lawyer firm, pro bono services are offered to individuals such as those coming from the Law Society's Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (Clas) or referred from an MP's Meet-the-People Sessions.
The firm, which topped the fields of criminal and family laws in the Best Law Firms 2025 survey, has many clients who struggle with dysfunctional circumstances. Services may be provided without charge, depending on the merits of each case.
This means that clients who are unable to pay legal fees due are treated as pro bono cases, said managing director Mathew Kurian. "We don't go after the clients, we write off their bad debts as pro bono cases," he added.
Such moves helped earn the firm a place in the Offering Pro Bono Services law category in the Best Law Firms 2025 survey, which is based on the number of recommendations from respondents.
Lawyer Eugene Thuraisingam, whose law firm Eugene Thuraisingam LLP also made the list, underlined the importance of pro bono advocacy as a core value of the firm.
"As lawyers, we are privileged to have a certain skill set, and it is our duty to make those skills available, especially to those who are not able to afford it," he said. "It is only then that we can have a just society."
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin October 31, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin October 31, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
'Nobody won': Residents of Lebanese city return to rubble
Tens of thousands try to process aftermath of Israel's attacks
British lawmakers give initial support to assisted dying Bill
Britain's Parliament voted in favour of a new Bill to legalise assisted dying on Nov 29, opening the way for months of further debate on an issue that has divided the country and raised questions about the standard of palliative care.
China says it'll cooperate in probe into severed Baltic Sea cables
BEIJING - China said on Nov 29 it was \"willing to work\" with a probe into the severing of two Baltic Sea cables linked to a Chinese ship, after Sweden asked for Beijing's cooperation with the investigation.
Meet the workers battling to keep the lights on in Ukraine
When Russian missiles hurtle towards the Ukrainian power plant and employees scramble for the bomb shelter, a handful of workers stay above ground in a control room protected by sandbags to keep the system running manually.
Trump may thwart Kim-Putin ambition on economic ties: Study
If Ukraine conflict ends, Russia and North Korea's need for each other may change
Divorces in China on the rise again despite cooling-off period
It is seen as a 'troublesome' requirement and not a factor that could change minds
Going bananas: Crypto boss eats his $8.3m artwork
HONG KONG - Crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun on Nov 29 fulfilled a promise he made after spending US$6.2 million (S$8.3 million) on an artwork featuring a banana duct-taped to a wall - by eating the fruit.
'I really wanted to live'
SQ321 passenger who fractured spine gets back on her feet
Japan's Ishiba, leading a minority govt, must find political nous to thrive
His best odds are to rediscover that courage to go against the grain to make a difference
Albanese shifts to election mode, seeking trust on living costs
SYDNEY - Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pivoted to election mode, hoping to win back voter confidence that his government can tackle high living costs, particularly housing, after clearing the decks with a torrent of legislation.
