As part of the firm’s vision to innovate with technology, we were the first Singapore law firm to deploy artificial intelligence and document automation technology to enhance and innovate legal services for our valued clients. We launched our Start-Up / Venture Capital Practice and collaborated with NUS to organise the first LegalTech Competition. We led thought leadership seminars on various hot topics to include innovation and technology. We also celebrated our 25th Anniversary and introduced our regional network, WPG. It has been an exhilarating time for the firm and we look forward to greater achievements with the continued support of our clients, partners and friends.
In 2017, WongPartnership marked 25 years in the legal profession with the official launch of WPG, a regional law network that brings together a group of five prominent law firms across seven countries in a collaboration to provide clients with legal services in ASEAN, China and the Middle East. The WPG law network comprises WongPartnership and its member firms Al Aidarous Advocates and Legal Consultants (Middle East), Foong & Partners (Malaysia), Makes & Partners (Indonesia) and ZGLaw (Philippines). The celebration was attended by clients, partners and friends.
WongPartnership was the first Singapore law firm to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) in 2017 through our adoption of an AI/ machine learning based platform for the legal profession. The solution detects patterns across large volumes of contracts, enhancing due diligence and other contract review processes, thereby allowing our lawyers to focus their review on key documents and issues.
To further innovate with technology, we adopted an intelligent document automation software in 2017 that enables us to streamline the process of document creation so that our lawyers serve our clients with greater efficiency and effectiveness. We have also innovated our client service offerings to leverage such technologies to provide clients with more holistic legal solutions.
In July 2017, we hosted a seminar and discussion on the Consultation Paper issued by the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) of Singapore on Managing Personal Data in the Digital Economy. The PDPC has in the consultation proposed to introduce some far reaching changes to the PDPA, including mandatory breach notification, and allowing for notification to be the basis for collection, use and disclosure of personal data in certain circumstances. The seminar explored how businesses would be impacted by these changes, and the key issues that businesses may need to consider in response to the consultation.
Having been a firm supporter of the Singapore FinTech Festival since 2017, we have continued organising workshops as part of the Festival to provide key insights on current industry trends and the corresponding legal and regulatory developments. The discussions focussed on practical, legal and regulatory considerations which market entrants should consider as Singapore aspires to become a cashless society; the regulatory framework for data protection and cybersecurity; practical issues in relation to managing data; and the legal, regulatory and tax issues surrounding the use of ICOs as a form of fund raising. As part of the Singapore FinTech Festival 2018, WongPartnership hosted a workshop in November, where experts from WongPartnership as well as its WPG member firms from Indonesia and Philippines examined the latest trends and issues pertaining to start-up fundraising in Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines – from VC funding, P2P lending to ICOs.
Our Partners hosting a FinTech workshop together with partners from our WPG member firms from Indonesia and Philippines.
Last year, we collaborated with NUS Law to organise the inaugural LegalTech Competition, “Code for a Cause”, an initiative which seeks to use technology to improve access to legal aid. The competition garnered interest from 18 teams of law, business, computing and engineering students to develop a legal technology platform or solution that can help one or more groups of beneficiaries of the Pro Bono Group in NUS. The finale saw five teams walk away with cash prizes for their commendable efforts and innovation. The top prize went to a team of law and engineering students who came together to create a chat bot via Facebook Messenger, designed to respond to legal questions posed by migrant workers in a variety of languages.
WongPartnership’s Managing Partner, Mr Ng Wai King, with DBS’ Head Group Legal, Compliance & Secretariat, Mr Lam Chee Kin, and the winners of the LegalTech Competition.
As part of WongPartnership’s efforts to foster growth in the start-ups and venture capital eco-system in Singapore, we launched our new Start-Up / Venture Capital Practice last year, which brings together expertise from various practice groups to offer comprehensive advice to clients in this area. We are also part of the core working group for Venture Capital Investment Model Agreements, an initiative by the Singapore Academy of Law’s Promotion of Singapore Law Committee and the Singapore Venture Capital & Private Equity Association to allow early stage financing deals to be consummated more quickly.
Our Infrastructure, Construction & Engineering Partners Christopher Chuah and Candy Agnes Sutedja were part of the working group behind the development of the Singapore Infrastructure Dispute-Management Protocol last year. The new protocol was launched by the Ministry of Law to help parties involved in mega infrastructure projects manage disputes and minimise time and cost overruns.
Singapore’s Cybersecurity Act (“CSA”) was passed on 5 February 2018. The CSA establishes a new regulatory framework addressing critical information infrastructure (CII), as well as computers or computer systems interconnected with these CIIs, imposing new compliance obligations such as audit and notification requirements. Our Partner, Lam Chung Nian, led an interactive discussion on Singapore’s new Cybersecurity Act. Participants found answers to various questions such as how businesses needed to comply with cybersecurity incident reporting, new offences under the CSA and penalties for non-compliance.
WongPartnership held its second Alumni event last year that saw our Alumni members come together for an evening of feasting and catching up with old friends. The event was held at the House of Tan Yeok Nee, a 17th century traditional Chinese mansion and also a national monument. Many had the opportunity to tour the mansion while learning more about its heritage and how it came to be a heritage site after its restoration following the ravages of World War II. Others had fun at a photo booth, indulged in traditional ice cream and local fare, while durian fans revelled in delectable durians.