A code of practice offering guidelines for the conduct of criminal proceedings here was launched on Wednesday by the Attorney-General's Chambers and the Law Society.

The Code of Practice for the Conduct of Criminal Proceedings aims to raise the standards of ethics and advocacy, and was first mooted in 2011 by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, who was then the Attorney General.

Though it is not legally binding, it sets out the general duties of both prosecutors and defence lawyers and covers the gamut of pre-trial and court proceedings, from disclosure to sentencing and appeals.

Attorney General Steven Chong said at the launch: "The Code of Practice signals a very powerful message of a joint commitment and pledge by the twin engines of the criminal justice system to raise the Bar in ensuring that criminal proceedings are conducted at the highest level of professionalism."