An Indian-origin lawyer in Singapore, Kasturibai Manickam, faced a one-year suspension from the Singapore government due to allegations of falsely attesting to property-related documents' signings. The charges suggested that the documents were not witnessed by the lawyer during the signing process. Kasturibai, a seasoned lawyer with over 25 years of experience, found herself in this situation while representing two siblings who were the registered owners of a condominium unit.
The Law Society of Singapore recommended a 30-month suspension for Kasturibai, emphasizing the seriousness of the case. However, a panel of three judges, led by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, characterized the issue as a "grave error of judgment" rather than a flaw in her character. The judges noted that Kasturibai's decision to attest to witnessing the signings was a misjudgment driven by her familiarity with the involved parties, believing no harm would result.
The case revolved around a property sale in September 2020, where Kasturibai prepared six documents for the transaction on behalf of the siblings. Despite not witnessing the signings, she signed as a witness to Santha Devi's signature on five of these documents between September 7, 2020, and November 5, 2020. The sale involved the transfer of the property to two individuals, and the documents, including a transfer instrument, were sent to the purchasers' law firm.
After Santha Devi filed a complaint with the Law Society of Singapore, a disciplinary tribunal was appointed in May 2022 to investigate the matter. Kasturibai admitted to signing as a witness without witnessing the actual signings during the tribunal hearing. Her defense argued that she acted with the intent of helping her elderly clients avoid travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing that the transaction was legitimate and caused minimal harm.
However, the tribunal found Kasturibai's actions involved an element of dishonesty and amounted to grossly improper conduct. The case was considered serious enough to be referred to the court, which possesses the authority to suspend or disbar lawyers. During the January 16 hearing, Kasturibai's lawyer expressed her deepest apologies to the court and the legal profession. The suspension is set to take effect on March 7, allowing Kasturibai time to transition her files to another lawyer.
