SINGAPORE - Activist lawyer M Ravi, whose mental health is in question, remains suspended from practice after the High Court on Thursday barred him from working until he is medically certified fit to practise.

The High Court's decision came after the Law Society applied to the court to compel him to undergo a medical examination.

Mr Ravi , 45, told reporters after the closed-door hearing that the move was discriminatory, unfair and politically motivated in the wake of him announcing his intention to run in the next General Election.

He said he will see his psychiatrist Munidasa Winslow, who is currently overseas, next Thursday.

A statement from the Law Society said Justice Quentin Loh found that the society "had acted reasonably with good grounds to issue the direction for Mr Ravi to cease practice and was satisfied that Mr Ravi's fitness to practise has been impaired by reason of his medical condition".

The society's governing council ordered Mr Ravi to stop practising on Feb 10, following concerns about his mental health.

Under the Legal Profession Act, it was obliged to apply to the court within seven days to order Mr Ravi to submit to a medical examination. The society made the application on Feb 17.

The society's application was heard before Justice Loh on Tuesday and Thursday.

On Thursday, the society said it was exercising its duty and had acted in a reasonable manner in taking out the application against Mr Ravi.

"The judge stated that the Law Society has a duty to the public to ensure that lawyers are mentally and physically fit to practise," said the statement.