Introduction

In a surprising twist in the world of sports and law, Singapore's renowned distance runner, Soh Rui Yong, finds himself facing a defamation lawsuit initiated by his former legal advisor, Clarence Lun. The allegations stem from comments made by Soh in a Facebook post dated August 25, 2024, where he detailed his struggles with various lawyers throughout his career.

Details of the Lawsuit

Lun, the founder of Fervent Chambers LLC, is seeking a hefty $180,000 in damages, the removal of Soh's Facebook post, a public apology, as well as a preventative court injunction against any similar remarks in the future. Although Soh did not specifically name Lun in his post, Lun claims that the negative implications directed at lawyers in general make it apparent that he is being referenced, particularly given his recent suspension from legal practice.

Soh's Grievances

The crux of Soh's grievances revolves around his dealings with a series of legal representatives whom he characterized as “dishonest” and “incompetent.” Lun's claim cites that given the timing and context—particularly a reference to a lawyer recently suspended from practice—it is clear that the remarks are harmful to his reputation, even if not explicitly mentioning him.

Clarence Lun's Suspension

Clarence Lun was suspended for a duration of 18 months after being found guilty of serving as a supervising solicitor without proper credentials. Notably, while this suspension occurred, it was emphasized that the Court of Three Judges did not deem Lun’s conduct to be indicative of dishonesty. He asserts that he's been subjected to “hurt, distress, and embarrassment” due to Soh's public comments, which he believes infer wrongdoing on his part.

Previous Legal Relation

Lun previously represented Soh in two other notable defamation cases. When Soh decided to change legal counsel for the defamation suit he filed against fellow marathoner Ashley Liew in May 2021, he eventually lost that case and was ordered to pay significant damages. Lun was also briefly involved in Soh's subsequent case against former Singapore Athletics executive director Malik Aljunied, which concluded with a similar outcome.

Challenges in Serving Legal Papers

The story took a further turn when Lun attempted to serve Soh with legal papers. He expressed frustration over the difficulty of reaching Soh, who was reportedly overseas at the time. Emails, LinkedIn messages, and even attempts through social media could not elicit a response. Lun conveyed disappointment over having to involve Soh's family in the legal process, demonstrating his determination to ensure that legal documents were properly served.

Defense from Soh's Attorney

In response to the lawsuit, Soh's defense attorney Akesh Abhilash has disputed Lun's claims, arguing that the ambiguous references within the post do not inherently target Lun. He pointed out that there were no legal charges against Lun as of the publication date, and claimed that any criticisms Soh had made toward legal advisors stemmed from his own experiences well before Lun's suspension.

Soh's Focus Amid Legal Chaos

Soh, currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration at the London Business School, has chosen to remain focused on his studies amid the legal chaos, while his defense team is actively preparing to contest Lun’s defamation claims. The legal skirmish highlights the murky intersection of sports, reputation, and the law, and it seems that both parties are gearing up for an intense courtroom showdown, with a case conference set for May 13.

Conclusion

As this story unfolds, sports enthusiasts and legal observers alike are left wondering how this high-profile case will impact both Soh’s athletic career and Lun’s legal future. Could this be a game-changer in Singapore's sports and law narrative? Only time will tell.