newsare.net
SINGAPORE - A new law passed in Parliament on Tuesday (Sept 14) will provide clear rules on how the Attorney-General (A-G) can intervene in court cases when he deems that there is a public interest reason to do so. Under the Courts (Civil and Criminal JusticNew law allows Attorney-General to intervene in any court case
SINGAPORE - A new law passed in Parliament on Tuesday (Sept 14) will provide clear rules on how the Attorney-General (A-G) can intervene in court cases when he deems that there is a public interest reason to do so. Under the Courts (Civil and Criminal Justice) Reform Act, the Attorney-General will be able to apply to the court for permission to intervene in any court proceedings. As long as the Attorney-General has adequately set out the reasons, the court will not be able to look into the merits of the reasons and must admit the Attorney-General as a party. At this stage, the existing parties in the case will be able to object and apply to have the Attorney-General removed. This is among the changes to court processes proposed under the new law, which seeks to improve the justice system. Responding to MPs during the debate, Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam said the statutory framework on the Attorney-General's intervention is based on the established role of the Attorney-General as the guardian of the public interest. Read more