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SINGAPORE: Lawyer and opposition politician Lim Tean received an extended jail sentence on Monday (Feb 23) for practising law without a valid certificate, following the dismissal of his appeal against his initial conviction and sentence.
Lim’s jail term was increased to three months and one week, up from the original sentence of six weeks’ jail and a S$1,000 fine.
Background
Judge Kannan Ramesh dismissed Lim’s appeal and allowed a cross-appeal from the prosecution seeking a harsher sentence. Lim is the founder of the Peoples Voice (PV) party and the secretary-general of the People’s Alliance for Reform.
Lim also faces other pending charges, including criminal breach of trust as an attorney and unlawful stalking. He previously contested the 2020 General Election with PV in Jalan Besar GRC and ran in Potong Pasir SMC in the most recent General Election.
The enhanced sentence does not disqualify Lim from running for a seat in Parliament, as the threshold for disqualification requires a jail term of at least one year or a fine of at least S$10,000.
Prosecutors had argued that the initial sentence was “manifestly inadequate” and requested a prison term of five to eight months. Lim’s legal team had proposed a fine instead, initially suggesting a total of S$4,500.
Judge Ramesh found no errors in the initial determination that Lim did not hold a valid practising certificate during the period in question. He also noted that the original judge had incorrectly assessed Lim’s culpability as low.
Lim has deferred the start of his sentence while considering an appeal to the Court of Appeal. His lawyer, Mohamed Arshad, stated that Lim is currently working on documents for a hearing scheduled for April 22.
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges was Lim Tean convicted of?
Lim Tean was convicted of three charges under the Legal Profession Act for acting as an advocate and solicitor without authorisation between April 1, 2021, and June 9, 2021.
What was the original sentence given to Lim Tean?
Lim Tean was originally sentenced to six weeks’ jail and a S$1,000 fine.
Does this sentence prevent Lim Tean from running in future elections?
No, the sentence does not reach the threshold for disqualification to run for election to become a member of parliament.
As this case progresses, will the courts’ decisions influence the standards for legal practice and professional responsibility in Singapore?
