Three new initiatives to "demystify" legal matters for members of the public

Three new initiatives aimed at raising awareness of legal matters are now available for members of the public. A new book called Know The Law Now! gives brief information on areas of law that impact the everyday man. There is also a web portal that answers basic questions and an online directory that lists legal clinics available in Singapore.

Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, who launched these new initiatives at the opening of the inaugural Law Week, called for the law to be "demystified" so disputes can be solved quickly and affordably. This would help individuals avoid potentially "painful and traumatic" encounters with the law.

"Members of the public need to be made aware of the resources that are available to assist them. They need to know how and where they may seek and find these resources, if they are to actually utilise them," he said.

Law Week, which aims to raise public awareness of legal rights and issues including pro bono services, is jointly organised by the Singapore Academy of Law and the Law Society. As part of the event, there will be free talks and legal clinics. There is also an exhibition at the Supreme Court open to the public, which gives a snapshot of criminal justice and family law in Singapore.

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