This is a defamation action brought by Mr. C.S. Wu an advocate and solicitor, arising out of a news report published in the New Nation of November 12, 1975.

The facts are these. The plaintiff is and has been for many years an advocate and solicitor practising such profession in Singapore as a partner in the law firm of Donaldson & Burkinshaw. The first and second defendants were at the material time journalists and the third defendants are and were at the material time publishers of the New Nation, a newspaper having a large circulation in Singapore.

On November 12, 1975 the first and second defendants wrote and caused to be printed and the third defendants printed on the front page of the issue of the New Nation dated that day of and concerning the plaintiff in the way of the said profession the words following:

"Big probe on lawyers

By Francis Rozario and Wang Look Fung.

The Chief Justice, Mr. Wee Chang Jin, has ordered the Law Society to conduct an inquiry into the professional conduct of lawyer Foe See Juan over the disposal of at least $2 million worth of assets of a property development company.

This follows an originating summons taken out by Mr. Tay Beng Swee