A closed-door meeting was held on August 13, 2026, at the Law Society of Singapore premises in Maxwell Chambers to discuss the findings of an inquiry into workplace practices, including bullying allegations [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. The meeting, originally scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., extended until 9:30 p.m. due to a robust discussion among attendees [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Between 200 and 300 lawyers participated, voicing strong calls for the full inquiry report to be released to all members [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
Members threatened to demand an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) if the Law Society council did not comply. Under society rules, any 25 members can request an EGM [1, 2, 4, 5]. The inquiry was launched after an anonymous email was sent to the Ministry of Law and Ministry of Manpower on September 13, 2025, alleging workplace bullying, governance weaknesses, grievance handling deficiencies, and administrative and financial shortcomings within the Law Society [1, 2, 4, 5]. An online post in the same month echoed similar bullying allegations [1, 2, 4, 5].
One third of Law Society’s more than 70 full-time staff resigned during 2025, according to former and current employees [1, 2, 4, 5]. The inquiry report was submitted to the Law Society council on July 23, 2026, but has not been released to members [1, 2, 4, 5]. Member objections have grown since, with over 100 members signing a petition on August 7 demanding its full release [3, 4, 5].
At the meeting, only a summary of findings and recommendations was shared. Annexes and full investigation reports were withheld [3]. Members raised concerns about transparency and conflicts of interest involving the investigative law firm, and some questioned whether a police report should be filed regarding workplace harassment issues [3]. There were also concerns about a lack of disciplinary action against a former senior employee for alleged inappropriate conduct [4, 5].
In a parliamentary reply on August 5, 2026, Law Minister Edwin Tong said the probe found significant failings in leadership, workplace culture, and governance from 2022 to 2025 but no evidence of deliberate financial impropriety or cover-up [1, 2, 4, 5].
Lawyer Clarence Lun stated on LinkedIn that disclosing the full report is necessary for accountability. He wrote, "Allowing members to read the audit committee report is a step towards transparency. But if that report was itself informed by more extensive underlying investigation reports and materials, members should, subject to legitimate confidentiality and personal-data safeguards, be permitted to understand and review that material for their own analysis and determination" [3].
Members were emailed that the Law Society council has instructed a comprehensive review of travel protocols as a follow-up measure [1, 2, 4, 5]. The next key step will likely be whether at least 25 members formally call for an extraordinary general meeting to press for the full inquiry report's release.
