Known for his compassion and contribution to society, the late Mr Harry Elias SC spearheaded the setting up of the Law Society's groundbreaking Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (CLAS) in 1985 to help the less fortunate obtain free criminal defence. Run by the Law Society's charity arm, Law Society Pro Bono Services, CLAS would go on to be the spark that set off a pro bono movement in Singapore. As one of Singapore's foremost litigators, the founding partner of Harry Elias Partnership had represented all and sundry. But the poor had a special place in his heart. He took on CLAS' first case, securing the dismissal of charges against a woman accused of stealing milk for her baby.
35 years on, CLAS is going strong and is one of the Law Society's proudest crowning achievements. In 2015, the CLAS Fellowship was birthed to train passionate young lawyers to defend vulnerable accused persons. Each year, thousands have benefitted from CLAS, with the CLAS Fellowship taking on one third of these cases.
While we may mourn the passing of Mr Elias SC, we will celebrate his life, and now live his legacy. Your support will be instrumental in ensuring that young lawyers with a heart for securing justice for the needy will have a chance to follow in the footsteps of legal legends. Your donation will go towards all expenses arising from the CLAS Fellowship.
Note: Campaign fka "Restoring Lives Through Criminal Legal Aid". As at 5 October 2020, various supporters have pledged to donate $105k in total.