A Weekend in the Life of an Associate: Exploring Cambodia and Legal Aid
16 September 2024
Join our associate, Shaquil, as he shares his takeaways from his first international conference in the vibrant city of Phnom Penh. Shaquil accompanied our Partner, Ng Si Ming, who was invited as a Panellist for both the inaugural International Conference on Legal Aid and the Second Asian Young Arbitration Practitioners’ Summit hosted by The Bar Association of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
In May, I had an incredible opportunity to step out of the routine at our Singapore office and dive into the vibrant city of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, for a legal aid conference. The experience was nothing short of enlightening, and I’d love to share a bit about my journey.
Here’s a glimpse into my weekend:
I was fortunate to join Si Ming, Partner of our firm, on his trip to Phnom Penh, where he was speaking as a panellist at the Inaugural Bar Association of the Kingdom of Cambodia (BAKC) International Conference on Legal Aid and the Asian Young Arbitration Practitioner's (AYAP) Summit.
Flying out early on Friday morning, I was filled with anticipation. It was my first time attending an international conference with delegates from over 11 jurisdictions, and the excitement of exploring a new city added to the thrill. Landing in Phnom Penh, I was immediately taken in by the city's energy.
The legal aid conference set an inspiring tone, with speakers highlighting the pressing need for accessible legal aid across Southeast Asia. Si Ming shared insights on the landscape of legal aid in Singapore, and as a newly called member of the bar, it was impactful and eye-opening to learn about the various means and mechanisms both nations as well as international organisations employ to increase accessibility to legal aid.
In the evening, we joined the conference delegates for dinner over authentic Khmer cuisine. Dinner was not only delicious but also enriching as I managed to make new friends with members of the international legal fraternity. Towards the end of the night, majority of the participants (myself included) found themselves in the middle of the ballroom, dancing along to traditional Khmer music. I also managed to take a selfie with the President of BAKC, H.E LY Chantola towards the end of the night (p.s. spot the delegates in the background dancing along to traditional Khmer music). Suffice to say, everyone left the ballroom that night with smiles on their face.
The AYAP summit the next day explored issues related to the accessibility of legal aid in arbitration proceedings, the effects of third-party funding, and the impact of technology on access to legal remedies. Si Ming focused on the issue of non-payment of advance arbitration costs, and it was fascinating to see how this issue is dealt with across the various ASEAN jurisdictions.
My time in Cambodia concluded with dinner with new friends made from the conference. Bonding over good food is something I always enjoy, and it was a pleasure to get to know more members of the bar (and the wider legal community) in a relaxed setting.
Returning to Singapore, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. The weekend was a reminder of the broader impact we can have as members of the legal profession and the importance of community in our practice. I have learnt so much from my interactions with lawyers across various jurisdictions and I am excited for my next opportunity to do so.
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