The stigma and effect on the lawyers' families, employers and clients were a big concern of the two lawyers.
But Law Minister K. Shanmugam, in explaining the reason for the move, said the public's interest was paramount.
'The point really is the general public must have confidence in the legal profession,' he said, citing a 2005 case in which a lawyer suffered a mental disorder but the Law Society had no powers to deal with her.
With the change in the Legal Profession Act, the Society can seek a judge's order for such a lawyer to go for a medical check.
However, there are safeguards in place, the minister assured the House.
These include a deadline that requires the Society to get a High Court application within a week of telling a lawyer to stop practising until he has gone for a check.
Also, the courts will consider all the relevant facts, including the doctor's assessment, which is yet another safeguard.
Mr Nair also noted that lawyers suffer a double whammy, unlike doctors, who just risk losing their practising licences.
He added that a lawyer, like a doctor, should be entitled to refuse an examination without the pain of contempt and be allowed to submit a report from the doctor he picks. Replying, Mr Shanmugam said a lawyer is an officer of the court and subject to the discipline of the court.
'The courts always have had the power to decide who can appear before them and what the framework should be and what the conduct of that lawyer should be.'
K.C. VIJAYAN