The Law Society has formed a task force to look at some women-in-the-workplace issues, in a move to boost gender diversity in the legal industry.

The group will look at such issues as mentoring of new lawyers, role models in the profession for women lawyers and office harassment.

Its target is to get initiatives ready by International Women's Day, which falls on March 8, said the society's president, Mr Gregory Vijayendran, who started the group.

He disclosed this when contacted by The Straits Times after a debate last week on whether diversity and inclusion will boost business and should, therefore, be a management priority.

Eight top lawyers, including five Senior Counsel (SC), crossed swords in an exchange that could coax law firms on the benefits of being more diverse and inclusive in terms of gender, age and race.

The debate was organised by the Singapore Corporate Counsel Association (SCCA).

The pro-diversity team cited figures, among other things, to show why and how it would increase business and, hence, should be a priority of senior management.

But the opposing team countered, among other things, that hiring and promotions should be based on merit, not on quotas and legislative measures.

Mr Vijayendran noted that the legal sector has been generally forward-looking in promoting greater diversity and equal opportunities.

On the Supreme Court Bench is Judge of Appeal Judith Prakash in addition to several women judges.

Women are also visible among SC and there are many who are senior partners. And almost half of the legal profession are women.

"No prescriptive, gender balancing formulas were considered necessary, historically. Having said that, there are obviously areas where progress is still needed," he added.

Women lawyers contacted by The Straits Times support the Law Society's move even as they acknowledge that their profession is ahead of other sectors in terms of women representation at all levels.

"Still, we should take a fresh look at things from time to time to ensure the needs of female lawyers continue to be met as the profession matures," said senior lawyer Simran Toor.

Criminal lawyer Diana Ngiam said the move is relevant, citing issues like having maternity leave provisions that will ensure daily court work is not disrupted and clients' concerns are addressed.

The inaugural SCCA debate comes at a time when issues related to gender, age and minority interests are being scrutinised.

At an event last week, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu highlighted the need to address the scarcity of women on corporate boards here.

The SCCA debate was conducted under Chatham House rules, which mean the statements were not to be attributed to participants.

It was peppered with incisive wit and humour, and ended with no winner declared.

Speaking in his personal capacity after the event, SCCA president Wong Taur-Jiun said Singapore has been "very progressive in many areas of diversity - for inclusion of women in the workforce, for multiculturalism, for anti-ageism".

"It is therefore easy to become complacent and say we don't need to do more," he added.