Civil Service Investigation: EVIDENCE
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Trainer & Testimonials

Mr. Steven Lam is currently a partner of an international law firm.  Before this, he was a senior lawyer handling complex international dispute resolution and corporate matters specialising in shipping, international trade, reinsurance and insurance disputes & cross-borders mergers & acquisitions.

Mr. Lam’s wealth of experience in investigation and interrogation was acquired while working in an investigative agency.  He was extensively involved in witness interviews and interrogation processes.

His corporate experience includes being a General Counsel of a multinational oil & gas & shipping company, and as Chief Legal Officer of a medical healthcare provider.  During his tenure, he was directly involved in several due-diligence processes for complex and multi-million cross border mergers-and-acquisitions, and internal audits and risk management investigations.

In 2006, he was awarded the Book Prize in Drafting and Award Writing by the President of London’s Chartered Institute of Arbitrator.

His other current Involvements include acting as:

- Independent Director of the Singapore Heart Stroke and Cancer Centre;

- Independent Director of the Prestige Healthcare Investments Pte Ltd;

- Partner-Associate and Consultant of the Legal Aid Bureau of the Ministry of Law for complex commercial cases;

- Panel Arbitrator, Law Society Arbitration Scheme;

- Panel Arbitrator, Singapore Institute of Arbitrators;

- PRACMENTOR, Law Society (Arbitration and International Business Transactions);

- Associate Mediator, Subordinate Courts of the Republic Of Singapore;

- Mediator, Consumer Associate of Singapore;

- Town Councillor for Punggol Town Council.

For his community and other contributions to society he was awarded the Public Service Medal (PBM) by the President of Singapore in 2005.

TESTIMONIALS

“Good balance of case examples and power points exercises.”
…Group Director, Urban Redevelopment Authority

“This programme made me realised that if you are good at what you do, you should find your mindset and pursuit it.’
….Senior Investigation Officer, Ministry of Manpower

“The practical tips given by Steven Lam were interesting and very relevant.  Thanks for making the day topic patentable & enjoyable.’
…Assistant Director, Monetary Authority of Singapore

“Excellent workshop”
… Investigation Officer, Insolvency & Public Trustee’s Office

“Great lunch and useful examples of real life cases being shared.”
…Management Executive Officer, Insolvency & Public Trustee’s Office

“Appreciate the speaker for providing many real life examples to stimulate understanding of the theory.”
…Senior Family Services Officer, Ministry of Community Development, Youth & Sports

“Analogies and stores were very useful.”
…Head, Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority

Programme

You will obtain effective techniques for the collection, preservation and documentation of evidence. This workshop will address, the importance of standardized evidence collection methods, ensuring the preservation of the integrity of evidence, evidence packaging procedures, defining the “chain of custody,” methods for documentation of physical evidence and identifying the different types of evidence. Topics covered include:

1. General Principles Of Evidence:

  • Definition and Types of evidence
  • Effective Use of Evidence
  • Basic Rules of Evidence

2. Fact Management:

  • Fact management process
  • The 3-stage CAP

3. Documentary Evidence:

  • Materials & relevant facts
  • General requirements
  • Problem areas
  • Gathering evidence

4. Formal Discovery Process:

  • Your jurisdictions and powers
  • Organization of Documents

5. Reports, Test & Expert Witness:

  • Pre-litigation reports
  • Expert witnesses & post-litigation reports

6. Video & Audio Recordings:

  • Authentication & identification
  • Types

7. Electronic Evidence

  • Computer forensics
  • Mobile Phones
  • Evidence Act
  • Active & archival data

8. Physical Evidence:

  • Request of access
  • Applicable sections of the CPC
  • 3-Step process

9. Demonstrative Evidence:

  • Every case has a story

Overview

It is imperative that all evidence are gathered legally and be admissible in the criminal or civil proceeding as they must withstand the rigourous tests in the court of law.  Even with a confession in court, improperly obtained evidence can derail even a seemingly airtight case.  A recent example is a case in point when the High Court of Singapore acquitted a man of drug consumption after finding his urine test were not conducted in accordance to the law despite a confession in the lower court.

“Physical evidence cannot be wrong, it cannot perjure itself, it cannot be wholly absent.  Only human failure to find it, study and understand it, can diminish its value.”

…Paul L. Kirk. 1953. Crime investigation

The burden of ensuring evidentiary relevance and reliability must rests heavily on the shoulders of the investigator and his team, including the process in gathering such evidence.

Evidences collected are to support the facts and verify whether an irregularity, fraud, corruption, serious misconduct or crime has occurred.  In a criminal case, the burden of proof is much more difficult than the proof levels required in civil cases.

Often, smart defence counsel outwit the prosecution by successfully casting doubts over evidence produced in court and got their client off the hook, frustrating all the painstaking work the investigating team has done.

Though as civil service officers with certain powers to conduct investigations, you do not possess the same powers as those serving in the criminal investigation unit, police force nor a public prosecutor.

We will show you how you can still do a great job within your powers in this exciting 1-day workshop.  You will acquire insights on the nature and relevance of physical and oral evidence, the admissibility of evidence and the importance of securing and recording court exhibits, including statements and documents and other supporting materials to ensure successful convictions.

Most importantly, you will gain all these insights and knowledge from a smart and prominent defence counsel.  Liken to Sun Tze Art of War, “know your yourself, know enemies, 100 battles, 100 victories”.  This is  a rare opportunity one can acquire knowledge, skills  and insights from the other side.

KEY BENEFITS:

You Will Learn How To:

  • EXAMINE & EVALUATE physical and documentary evidence for their usefulness.
  • DETERMINE appropriate action to take based on evidence.
  • INCREASE your confidence as an effective investigator.
  • APPROPRIATELY record and document your results.
  • PRESENT evidence in court professionally.
  • ACQUIRE the basics of statement analysis.
  • CREATE your action plan based on the Laws of Evidence.
  • GAIN insights into recent court decisions.
  • DEVELOP practical skills in the ability to collect evidence that are acceptable to the court of law.
  • GRASP basic evidentiary rules and their uses during hearings.

DATE: 30 August 2010

TIME: 9am – 5pm

VENUE: Holiday Inn Singapore, Orchard City Centre

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