Seow Theng Beng Samuel

Findings — machine-extracted (anthropic-batch:claude-opus-4-8); verify against the decision

The Law Society applied to sanction the respondent, a solicitor of 20 years' standing and Managing Director of Samuel Seow Law Corporation, for eight instances of misconduct over one month (16 March to 17 April 2018) involving physical and verbal abuse of three employees, including throwing objects, threatening to kill an employee with a knife, slapping, jabbing and pushing employees to the floor. The disciplinary tribunal found cause of sufficient gravity. The Court of Three Judges found due cause under s 83(2)(h) LPA. It clarified the framework for striking off in non-dishonesty cases, holding striking off is presumptive where misconduct either shows a character defect rendering the solicitor unfit or brings grave dishonour to the profession. Both were satisfied here: the respondent's volatility and lack of self-control demonstrated a character defect, and his conduct brought grave dishonour. His mitigating arguments (minimal harm, alleged Adjustment Disorder, remorse) were rejected. The respondent was struck off the roll. Costs submissions deferred.

Duties found breached:

• Uphold public trust in the profession

Aggravating factors:

• Position of authority over the victims who were his employees
• Misconduct formed part of a sustained pattern of intemperate and boorish behaviour rather than isolated incidents
• Lack of genuine remorse; initially downplayed and misrepresented conduct to Inquiry Committee and media, only changing stance after video became public
• Character defect showing volatility and lack of self-control detracting from ability to discharge professional functions
• Conduct brought grave dishonour to the legal profession

Mitigating factors:

• Two victims (Ms Kang and Ms Kong) accepted his apologies and chose to forgive him
• No serious injury sustained by victims
• Recent expressions of remorse and counselling for stress and anger management (given limited weight)
• Claimed Adjustment Disorder at material time (rejected for lack of evidentiary support)