The law firm of the lawyer Anil Balchandani, who successfully helped secure the acquittal and overturned the conviction of an Indonesian domestic helper on four theft charges, has issued a statement in response to the widespread publicity.
Deflects praise
Instead of claiming credit, the law firm Red Lion Circle said the bulk of the grunt work is done by non-governmental organisations, such as HOME (Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics), which helps foreign workers in distress in Singapore.
The statement went as far as deflecting credit and praise for the lawyer, stating that "counsel for Parti Liyani only played a very small part in her acquittal".
Liyani was hired in 2007 before she was fired in October 2016.
She reportedly threatened to report her employers to the Manpower Ministry for illegally deploying her to work for her son.
A police report was made by her employers accusing her of theft.
Balchandani's pro-bono role in this high-profile case won high praise from the judge, who commended the defence lawyer for his meticulousness and dedication to the cause.
The defence counsel had in total produced 500 pages of trial and appeal submissions, and stayed the course for 22 days of the trial that spanned months and three days of appeal.
You can read the full statement by the law firm here:
Red Lion Circle would like to thank all well wishers for their concern expressed regarding Ms Parti Liyani's acquittal.
A lot has been said regarding counsel's participation at the trial and at the appeal. Red Lion Circle wishes to state that counsel for Parti Liyani only played a very small part in her acquittal.
The bulk of the work was done, and continues to be done by Non-Government Organisations, who toil day and night, weekday and weekend to console, advance and assist foreign domestic workers, foreign workers and others who are in distress.
A lawyer may be recognised for and defined by a victory, but never forgets those found guilty due to his ineptitude. There have been and will be many more losses that will define counsel's career, but the cause will continue because of the hope provided by the NGOs.
There are many more Parti Liyanis who languish in shelters and our prisons who's attention we, as a natino, should turn to.
HOME (Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics) deserves more or almost all the credit regarding Parti Liyani's acquittal.
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Top photos via HOME