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 his own law corporation, for eight instances of physical and verbal abuse against three employees over a one-month period in 2018, including throwing objects, screaming, slapping, pushing and threatening to kill an employee with a knife. He pleaded guilty to all charges before the disciplinary tribunal, which found cause of sufficient gravity. The Court of Three Judges found due cause under s 83(2)(h) LPA. Applying a refined framework for striking off in non-dishonesty cases, the court found the misconduct demonstrated a character defect (volatility and lack of self-control) rendering him unfit to remain, and that it brought grave dishonour to the profession. His Adjustment Disorder claim was rejected and remorse given limited weight. The respondent was struck off the roll. Costs submissions were directed to follow.

Duties found breached:

• Professional independence
• Not mislead third parties or opponents
• Uphold public trust in the profession
• No unlawful discrimination or harassment

Aggravating factors:

• Position of authority over the victims who were his employees
• Misconduct part of a broader sustained pattern of intemperate and boorish behaviour, not isolated incidents
• Lack of genuine remorse; initially downplayed and misrepresented conduct to Inquiry Committee and media
• Extreme threats including threatening to take a knife to kill Ms Kang
• Later attempts to suggest a victim overstated the complaint manifesting lack of sincere remorse

Mitigating factors:

• Two victims (Ms Kang and Ms Kong) accepted his apologies and chose to forgive him
• Recent expressions of remorse and seeking counselling for stress and anger management
• No serious physical injury to victims
• Claimed Adjustment Disorder at the material time (rejected/given little weight)