Our CSR efforts . . . a more strategic approach

Rajah & Tann has always been a law firm with a conscience. Throughout our history, we've supported a wide range of good causes, both by giving money and by getting actively involves volunteers and contributors.

We have a CSR committee that is committed to overseeing our systematic and strategic approach to CSR, with the aim of sharpening the focus of our activities and optimizing our impact. We strive, in short, to ensure that we do good in the best possible way.

Evaluation and transparency

Of course, setting CSR goals is of little value without regular evaluation and a high degree of transparency, which is why we have now also made a commitment to update this section of the website with news of our CSR efforts.

A further strong commitment by the firm is to work hard to provide more opportunities for all our people (lawyers and staff) to play an active part in our extensive programme of CSR activities.

Pro bono work... more hours, more impact

Our dedicated lawyers have always been generous in donating their time and expertise to those in need, particularly in the cause of increasing access to justice. But we are keen to increase the amount of pro bono work we do still further, and to maximise the impact of our lawyers' expertise.

Broadly, the different types of work that come under this heading are:-

• Volunteering at legal clinics 
• Representing the indigent through pro bono cases undertaken on behalf of the Legal Aid Bureau and the Law Society’s Criminal Legal Aid Scheme 
• Committee work for Law Society
• Advisory work with non-profit organisations

Award winners

In September 2009, we were delighted to be chosen by the Law Society as the inaugural recipient of their Volunteer of the Year Award (large-sized law practice) for significant non-monetary contributions to the profession.

Gregory Vijayendran, one of our Commercial Litigation partners, was also named the inaugural Pro Bono Ambassador of the Year.

Supporting Criminal Aid

Among many of our lawyers actively participating in the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme, Howard Cheam and Felicia Lai acted in a CLAS case last year (Public Prosecutors v Chia Chin Hong). We won the case and the accused was acquitted..