Dr Anamah Tan, board member of the Singapore Council of Women's organisations

Ladies and gentlemen

First of all, thank you for the opportunity to participate in this book launch. I am delighted to be here.

I am especially encouraged to note that a group of lawyers have found time in their busy careers to put their heads together to produce such a reference material. This shows clearly that where there’s a will there’s a way, where people are driven by vision and passion, they will make the time. That’s what volunteering is all about.

The book "You and the Law" has had a long journey in its makings. With your permission, I would like to tell you a little about the genesis of this book.

Way back in the 70s, SAWL was already running free legal clinics at the Queenstown Community Centre and MacPherson Community Centre. In conjunction with the legal clinics, SAWL also gave talks over the radio and TV as well as various locations including factories, family service centres, clubs and schools. They also answered queries on legal matters from newspaper readers. Today, they provide this free service at some 14 community centres in addition to free legal counselling at the SCWO Centre and the Family Court.

In 1984, SAWL held an exhibition to raise awareness and bring legal education to the public. Following that exhibition and on the request of those who attended the exhibition, they decided to put the information into a publication. This was to help members of the public find answers to all the questions they did not dare ask their lawyers. And so the first edition of "You and the Law" was born in 1989.

What SAWL has done through its public education, free counselling clinics and the book is to demystify the law for many. The book, I am told, has proven to be popular among social workers, family counsellors, students and teachers, and even young lawyers, The first edition saw three reprints.

Crafted carefully in simple language - none of those whereas and hereunders – this book served as a general guide to the essentials of some very common topics such as family law, income tax, buying a home, accident claims and the making of a will. This provided the common man with yet another access to the laws that affect their daily lives.

SAWL updated the book and put out the second edition in 1994 in conjunction with its 20^th anniversary. Today, SAWL brings you the third edition, which captures some of the latest developments in the law. Still written in the simple everyday language, this edition has sections on judicial management and miscellaneous offences. There is also a section on e-commerce law, reflecting the changing times.

I said earlier that SAWL had taken a long journey in putting the book out. I would like to add that it has taken not just many years of perserverance but also many people’s contribution over a wide range of topics to give readers a broad sweep of the laws in Singapore. This is really community spirit at work. Every lawyer who contributed to the book did it as a service with no monetary reward. SAWL even got students from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts to contribute the illustrations. The editorial committee dashed about making changes and meeting with the printers.

One might wonder as whether it was worth the effort. Well, to summarise, this book is a labour of love for the community by a group of lawyers who wanted to make the law accessible to the everyday man in the street. It was borne out of a practical need to simplify the law for those of us who are not legally trained. My answer would be a loud and resounding yes, as this is what we want to achieve in developing a volunteering culture in Singapore.

This book will give many some peace of mind, and help them understand some things better. And that would bring SAWL even greater satisfaction, I am sure. Before we all go away thinking that with this book, lawyers will be out of a job, SAWL will be quick to tell you that their book does not replace a lawyer, and that readers should seek independent legal advice.

Aside from helping to simplify the law for us, the book is also meant as a fund raising tool. SAWL wants to apply the proceeds to the sale for the Tan Ah Tah – SAWL Scholarship for the disabled. This fund was introduced in 1987 in memory of Justice Tan Ah Tah to help Singaporeans and permanent residents who are physically disabled. The fund helps them to pursue education from secondary to tertiary levels. To-date, some 340 people have been helped with more than $200,000 worth of scholarships.

Let me share with you a short story. Two young ladies went to the varsity; one using the binoculars to decipher the lecturer’s scribbles on the board, the other needing the magnifying glass to read the volumes of notes. Both were beneficiaries of SAWL’s help through the Tan Ah Tah – SAWL scholarship. One graduated with a first class honours, the other with a 2^nd Upper. Both are today working as research officers and contributing to the nation.

This is what the first class student has to say more than 10 years after receiving the scholarship: "Without the worry of financial constraints, I was able to concentrate more on my studies and managed to do well. With the qualifications, I was able to get a stable job and am leading a happy life now." The other, not content with what she has already achieved is today pursuing a masters degree, even though she has to read with a magnifying glass.

And with that, I trust that I have given you enough reasons to buy this book and support the good work of SAWL and help raise funds for the Tan Ah Tah – SAWL scholarship.

Thank you

*****