Tag Archives: Straits Times 3 Oct 2014

First, both professions need to clear the air and explain to the public how fees are set and arbitrated. Reduction of the lawyers' fees from $900,000 to $180,000 is staggering; what happens to citizens of lesser means who wish to appeal and challenge the fees charged? Professions enjoy the privilege of self-regulation, including setting their own fees, because society trusts professionals to place public interests above their own.

Part junkyard, part antique store, the shops are filled with so many things that they almost spill out onto the lane. "Here, not much is valuable; it's all junk," said Mr Cham Chin Hong gesturing to things like a pair of Chinese-style bronze horses in full flight, moss-covered lions usually found keeping watch at Chinese temples, and the headless bust of a woman. Known in the area simply as Ah Cham, the 68-year-old and two other antique collectors moved here from areas like Little India about three years ago, drawn by the relatively cheap rent.

Before the event, police officers reminded him to comply with the rules and regulations for using the area. Mr Wham and co-organiser Rachel Zeng, 31, had a link to these rules on the event's Facebook page when it was set up. They also wrote: "If you don't have a permit, you can come and 'observe'. Observing a protest or a demonstration is legal. How you choose to 'observe' is entirely up to you. We can't stop you and we shouldn't have to!"