The Singapore Law Society has, for the first time, been ordered by the highest court in the land to investigate a lawyer's conduct.

The Chief Justice on Wednesday even framed the scope of the investigation: whether lawyer Andrew Hanam had adequately advised his client, Mr Jonathan Lock, and kept him informed of the risks and proceedings.

CJ Chan Sek Keong said that in light of what the three-judge Appeals Court had heard from Mr Jonathan Lock?s lawyer, Mr Joseph Chen, he would direct the Supreme Court Registrar to contact the Law Society Council to launch an inquiry.

It should look into whether Mr Hanam should be investigated for "possible breach of his professional duties" and for exposing Mr Lock to "unnecessary monetary risks and adverse legal consequences".

The only case that comes close to this was when Justice Woo Bih Li ordered that the Law Society to look into lawyer M Ravi?s antics in court in 2003.

Mr Ravi was subsequently fined $,1000 based on a finding by a Disciplinary Committee appointed by the Chief Justice.
Complaints received by the Law Society are referred to a two-man review committee which looks into its merits and then decides if it should be referred to an Inquiry Committee.

The four-man committee then investigates and can either dismiss, impose a fine of up to $5,000 or, if the case is serious, refers the matter to a Disciplinary Committee appointed by the CJ.

The Disciplinary Committee will decide if he should be referred to a court of three judges or censured or fined up to $10,000.'

If the lawyer is found guilty by the court, he may be suspended for up to five years or struck off the rolls, or fined.