Lee Suet Fern is alleged to have assisted with arrangements for the execution and witnessing of Lee Kuan Yew’s last will, having “blindly followed the directions of her husband”, and not to have advised the elder Lee to take independent legal advice.
Lee Kuan Yew was himself a lawyer, and the idea that he would have signed anything against his wishes is fantasy. A Court of Three Judges concluded last week that Lee Suet Fern should not be struck off but should be suspended from practice for 15 months for misconduct.
The Court accepted that she was not acting as Lee Kuan Yew’s solicitor, that he never communicated with her in relation to his will (she was abroad), that he was content with his will (which of course he could have changed at any time) and that there was no dishonesty or undue influence involved. No complaint was ever lodged by Lee Kuan Yew or by any of the beneficiaries of the will.
I have known Lee Suet Fern for 40 years. She is a senior lawyer of undisputed ability, ethics and experience, and a partner in a major US global law firm.