Latest news with #SAL
Singapore Law Watch
a day ago
- Business
- Singapore Law Watch
New movement to help Singapore lawyers with their mental health and sustainability of profession
New movement to help Singapore lawyers with their mental health and sustainability of profession Source: Straits Times Article Date: 30 Jul 2025 Author: Samuel Devaraj Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon said the movement represents a collective commitment to ensure that lawyers remain in the profession. A movement to help lawyers to eliminate unnecessary stresses in their job, promote work-life balance, and foster a healthier and sustainable workplace culture was launched on July 29. The Mindful Business Movement was launched on July 29 during the Legal Profession Symposium 2025. Speaking at the symposium that was held at Parkroyal Collection Pickering, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon said the movement represents a collective commitment to ensure that lawyers remain in the profession. He said: 'The Mindful Business Movement aims to drive awareness and adoption of the sustainability principles, support their practical implementation in legal workplaces and promote the mental health and well-being of members of the profession.' Under the movement is a set of sustainability principles developed in response to feedback gathered during various focus group discussions that would be disseminated to law firms. The principles include having smart meetings and communications, advocating that meetings are planned properly and run efficiently. Another principle is supporting rest and growth, with firms urged to provide mental wellness resources. Firms are also told to set aside protected time for training and mentoring. Another principle is mindful delegation, which entails providing junior staff with clear instructions that include sufficient context, and setting deadlines that are realistic, transparent and appropriately negotiable. The Chief Justice said the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) will develop a five-step guide to flesh out the sustainability principles. The Mindful Business Movement was launched in partnership with various groups, including SAL and the Britain-based Mindful Business Charter. In an interview with The Straits Times on July 22, SAL chief executive Yeong Zee Kin said the goal of the Mindful Business Movement is to inculcate workplace practices that can lead to sustainable legal careers. Elaborating on mindful communication, Mr Yeong spoke about boundaries in the workplace and how bosses should consider if an issue is urgent before sending an e-mail or message to their subordinates over the weekend or after work hours. If the matter is urgent, the boss should explain why it is so, he said. 'Being a bit more mindful and smart in the way we communicate – that's actually an important aspect,' he added. The Mindful Business Charter, which was launched in 2018, was founded by Barclays Bank and two of its panel law firms. It now has 140 signatories, including businesses outside the legal sector. The charter's chief executive officer, Mr Richard Martin, used to be a lawyer but left the profession to join the field of workplace culture after he recovered from a serious mental breakdown that occurred in 2011. He told ST that the charter began with conversations about the mental health crisis faced by legal practitioners, and that while there have been efforts to raise awareness about the issue and support those struggling, there was little discussion about the causes in the workplace. Mr Martin said that in the legal profession, there is a mindset that lawyers need to do everything their clients ask for and to do it as quickly as possible, at the expense of their own well-being. 'I think that is certainly very present in Singapore as it is in other parts of the world, and it's not an easy mindset to change,' he said, adding that employers and lawyers need to be more caring towards themselves and each other. Meanwhile, to help address young litigators' disillusionment about a lack of opportunities, CJ Menon said the courts' practice directions will be amended to provide junior litigators with a greater role in oral advocacy. Among these changes, junior assisting counsel in hearings in the Court of Appeal, the Court of Three Judges and the Appellate Division, as well as appeals in the General Division of the High Court, will now be 'ordinarily expected' to make part of the oral submissions. Said the Chief Justice: 'It is our hope that these changes will make a concrete and meaningful difference to our young litigators. 'But for these initiatives to achieve their intended outcomes, we will need our senior colleagues to embrace them in the right spirit, and to convince their clients that it is ultimately in their interests for certain advocacy tasks to be delegated to junior counsel because it reduces legal costs and allows lead counsel to focus on the main advocacy tasks at hand.' Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction. Print
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
New movement to help Singapore lawyers with their mental health and the profession's sustainability
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon said the movement represents a collective commitment to ensure that lawyers remain in the profession. SINGAPORE – A movement to help lawyers to eliminate unnecessary stresses in their job, promote work-life balance, and foster healthier and sustainable workplace culture was launched on July 29. The Mindful Business Movement was launched on July 29 during the Legal Profession Symposium 2025. Speaking at the symposium that was held at Parkroyal Collection Pickering, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon said the movement represents a collective commitment to ensure that lawyers remain in the profession. He said: 'The Mindful Business Movement aims to drive awareness and adoption of the sustainability principles , support their practical implementation in legal workplaces and promote the mental health and well-being of members of the profession.' Under the movement is a set of sustainability principles developed in response to feedback gathered during various focus group discussions that would be disseminated to law firms. Th e principles include having smart meetings and communications which advocate that meetings are planned properly and run efficiently, and supporting rest and growth, where firms are urged to provide mental wellness resource s. They are also told to set aside protected time for training and mentoring. Another principle is mindful delegation, which entails providing junior staff with clear instructions that include sufficient context, and setting deadlines that are realistic, transparent and appropriately negotiable. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Grace Fu apologises for Tanjong Katong sinkhole, says road may stay closed for a few more days Singapore Terrorism threat in Singapore remains high, driven by events like Israeli-Palestinian conflict: ISD Singapore Liquidators score victory to recoup over $900 million from scammer Ng Yu Zhi's associates Singapore Man on trial for raping woman who hired him to repair lights in her flat Sport IOC president Kirsty Coventry a 'huge supporter' of Singapore Singapore 7, including child and firefighter, taken to hospital after fire breaks out in Toa Payoh flat Singapore S'pore can and must meaningfully apply tech like AI in a way that creates jobs for locals: PM Wong Singapore Doctor who forged certificates for aesthetic procedures gets 4 months' jail CJ Menon said the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) will develop a five-step guide to flesh out the sustainability principles. The Mindful Business Movement was launched in partnership with various groups, including SAL and Britain- based Mindful Business Charter. In an interview with The Straits Times on July 22, SAL chief executive Yeong Zee Kin said the goal of the Mindful Business Movement is to inculcate workplace practices that can lead to sustainable legal careers. Singapore Academy of Law chief executive Yeong Zee Kin said the goal of the Mindful Business Movement is to inculcate workplace practices that can lead to sustainable legal careers. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI Elaboratin g on mindful communication, Mr Yeong pointed to boundaries in the workplace and that bosses should consider if an issue is urgent before sending an e-mail or message to their subordinates over the weekend or after work hours. If the matter is urgent, the boss should explain why it is so, he said. 'Being a bit more mindful and smart in the way we communicate – that's actually an important aspect,' he added. The Mindful Business Charter, which was launched in 2018, was founded by Barclays Bank and two of its panel law firms. It now has 140 signatories, including businesses outside the legal sector. The charter's chief executive officer, Mr Richard Martin, used to be a lawyer but left the profession to join the field of workplace culture after he recovered from a serious mental breakdown that occurred in 2011. He told ST that the charte r began with conversations about the mental health crisis faced by the legal practitioners , and that while there have been efforts to raise awareness about the issue and support those struggling , there was little discussion about the causes in the workplace. Mr Martin said that in the legal profession, there is a mindset that lawyers need to do everything their clients ask for and to do it as quickly as possible, at the expense of their own well-being . 'I think that is certainly very present in Singapore as it is in other parts of the world, and it's not an easy mindset to change,' he said, adding that employers and lawyers need to be more caring of themselves and each other. Meanwhile, to help address young litigato rs' disillusionment about a lack of opportunities, CJ Menon said the courts' practice directions will be amended to provide junior litigators with a greater role in oral advocacy. Among these changes, junior assisting counsel in hearings in the Court of Appeal, the Court of Three Judges and the Appellate Division, as well as appeals in the General Division of the High Court, will now be 'ordinarily expected' to make part of the oral submissions. Said the chief justice : 'It is our hope that these changes will make a concrete and meaningful difference to our young litigators. 'But for these initiatives to achieve their intended outcomes, we will need our senior colleagues to embrace them in the right spirit, and to convince their clients that it is ultimately in their interests for certain advocacy tasks to be delegated to junior counsel because it reduces legal costs and allows lead counsel to focus on the main advocacy tasks at hand.'
Arab News
22-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi professional golfer Othman Almulla partners with SAL to support the Kingdom's sports development
JEDDAH: SAL Saudi Logistics Services has entered into a sponsorship agreement with Othman Almulla, the Kingdom's first professional golfer. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The partnership is intended to nurture local talent and advance golf and the Saudi sports sector in general. 'I'm honored to have SAL's support on my journey,' Almulla said. 'Their belief in my mission reflects their broader commitment to the development of Saudi sports. Together, we aim not only to compete but to inspire, and I look forward to representing SAL and our Kingdom on the international stage.' Almulla made history as the first professional golfer from Saudi Arabia to compete on international circuits, currently participating in events such as the Asian Tour and the Asian Development Tour. His journey in the sport is marked by determination and a strong sense of national pride, resonating with the core values of the sponsorship. The agreement aims to provide Almulla with the support needed to inspire younger generations of athletes in Saudi Arabia. Beyond just financial backing, SAL sees this partnership as a way to foster a sense of community and pride in Saudi sports. Almulla's achievements are not only a source of inspiration but also a representation of what is possible for Saudi youth. Omar Hariri, CEO of SAL, said: 'We are proud to sponsor an ambitious and inspiring athlete like Othman Almulla, who represents a true model of achievement and excellence. This reflects our belief in the importance of supporting and empowering Saudi talent and contributing to a brighter future for sports in the Kingdom. Through this sponsorship, we also aim to expand our brand visibility both locally and internationally.' With this partnership, SAL joins a group of organizations — such as NEOM and Saudi Aramco — whose support champions Almulla's journey and helps to elevate Saudi Arabia's presence in the global sports arena.
Argaam
22-07-2025
- Business
- Argaam
SAL signs addendum with SGS for ramp, cargo aircraft handling
SAL Saudi Logistics Services signed an addendum yesterday, July 21, to its contract with Saudi Ground Services Co. (SGS) to provide ramp handling services for cargo aircraft, including cargo aircraft cleaning and water services for SAL. In a statement on Tadawul, SAL clarified that the contract has a duration of three years, starting on Jan. 1, 2025, and ending on Dec. 31, 2027.
CNA
22-07-2025
- Business
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - The Wellness Hour - Can mindfulness save us from burnout?
A new movement is taking root in Singapore's legal industry, one that puts well-being, balance, and mental health at the centre of work. Hui Wong finds out how mindful business practices could reshape not just legal workplaces, but the future of work itself with Paul Neo, Assistant Chief Executive, SAL.
