Search the Community

A simple case that erupts into a 'frolic by solicitors' School teacher Jonathan Lock, already saddled with legal bills of over $100,000, takes his case to the Appeals Court. By Selina Lum A SIMPLE traffic accident case landed in the highest court in Singapore - all because of a dispute over $60. The much-publicised case of primary school teacher Jonathan Lock, who was initially awarded $188 by the Primary Dispute Resolution Centre (PDRC) but ended up being saddled with legal bills of more than $100,000, was heard before a three-judge Court of Appeal on Tuesday. Mr Lock was unwittingly dragged into a long and costly court battle after his former lawyer issued a writ of seizure against NTUC Income. The insurance giant responded by appealing to the High Court. NTUC's lawyers argued that the PDRC was not a court of law, and, hence, had no authority to make enforcible orders. The PDRC was set up by the Subordinate Courts to deal with minor road accidents and mediation sessions are presided over by district judges wearing hats as mediators. During the hearing of Mr Lock's appeal case on Tuesday, one of the three judges, Judge of Appeal V. K. Rajah said that in appealing to the High Court on a point of law, NTUC's lawyers had 'used a sledgehammer to crack a peanut, when a nutcracker would do'. Without mincing his words, Justice Rajah added: 'This is a very simple case. Why has it conflagrated into a frolic by solicitors?' Mr Lock's new lawyer, Mr Joseph Chen, argued that the PDRC was indeed a court, but Mr Madan Asomull, lawyer for Ms Jessiline Goh, whose car collided with Mr Lock's motorcyle sparking off the long-drawn legal battle, supported the High Court decision. However, the judges lobbed many questions at Mr Asomull, pointing out that the PDRC was set up to save time and costs for insurers and the public. They pointed out that Mr Asomull was actually arguing to make the process more lengthy and costly. This is because following the High Court decision, all settlements reached through the PDRC had to be endorsed by another judge. The Court will give its decision on Wednesday. http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest%2BNews/...ory_163359.html look like ms Jessiline Goh or her lawyer is gg to get it.