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At the 3rd Biennial General Assembly and Conference of the ASEAN Law Association, Chairman of the Organising Committee Mr Menon welcomes distinguished jurists and law practitioners from ASEAN and wishes all a fruitful conference. Head of the ASEAN Law Association Tun Mohamed Suffian then notes that there will be 450 participants at the conference this year. This is a gratifying figure. The ASEAN Law Association has grown from strength to strength. It has fostered close understanding and cooperation among lawyers in the region, discussed common problems faced by lawyers to bring harmonisation of laws, exchanged scholars and legal materials to share expertise, established an ASEAN Law Foundation with its centre in Manila and fostered the publication of legal materials. The Association's aim to harmonise laws in ASEAN might take a long time to achieve as ASEAN countries come from different legal backgrounds because of differences in history. Tun Suffian says that selected topics have been chosen for discussion at the conference to cater to different branches of the legal system. Discussions on business and commercial law might help to increase trade and prosperity for everyone's benefit. In his speech, President Devan Nair says the practice of law has its admirers and detractors. Quotations by eminent people indicate that the brickbats hurled at lawyers exceed the compliments. These quotes betray an ignorance of the vital role that the law, its institutions and profession play in the affairs of modern, complex and civilised states. Obedience to the law is important as transgressions can ruin the state. Mahatma Gandhi gave up legal practice because it was morally objectionable to defend somebody who he felt was guilty of the offence for which he was charged. Cicero had addressed this issue long ago when he wrote that we should never prosecute the innocent but should have no scruples about defending a guilty person so long as he is not utterly depraved and evil. The judge in the trial should find out the truth. The legislature, the bar and the judiciary are crucial institutions that determine the quality of a society. A competent and independent bar and an independent and impartial judiciary are vital to the proper administration of justice and peace in a country. Lawyers and judges must administer the law fairly and expeditiously. He notes that harmonising the laws in ASEAN appears at this point of time a remote possibility because of differences in the cultural value systems and political structures. The stumbling block lies in different procedures in both civil and criminal law courts in ASEAN. We can hope for the gradual convergence of laws of ASEAN in areas relating to trade, commerce and investments. The regular exchange of materials and lawyers will bring lawyers closer together. Increasing legal firms' links by telex or computer will lead to the speedy exchange of information. This conference will provide an opportunity to exchange knowledge and expertise, renew old friendships and forge new ones. He then declares open the assembly.