MS JOSIE Lau's team had paid top dollar for lawyers from one of the best known firms, Rajah & Tann, to ensure that Saturday's extraordinary general meeting (EGM) abided by the Aware Constitution and laws governing civil societies here.

They had also hired auditors Deloitte & Touche Singapore to scrutinise the voting process, and event organisers Ape Communications to manage the logistics.

Grilled about the cost of it all, Ms Lau and her team admitted they had spent about $90,000 during their five weeks in office. That drew a howl of protests that it was hugely spendthrift given how hard it is to raise funds. Also, Aware's Constitution required the executive committee to seek members' approval before spending more than $20,000 a month.

Many wanted to know how much it cost to have a legal team from a top firm briefed and present for the EGM that lasted seven hours on a Saturday afternoon.

Counsel Gregory Vijayendran, who helmed a three-lawyer team from Rajah & Tann, would not be drawn into revealing his bill.

But he told the meeting that although he had been hired by the new exco, he was present to advise Aware as a whole.

Ms Lau's team turned to him for legal advice numerous times.

When there were too many interruptions from the floor at one point, the microphones were shut off. When that action was challenged, Mr Vijayendran advised that members be allowed to speak.

After the no-confidence votes were tallied and it was clear that Ms Lau's team had been defeated resoundingly, the meeting wanted the exco to go right away.

Ms Lau turned to the lawyer to ask if her team was required to resign.

He said that by his reading of the law and Aware's Constitution, they were not required to resign. But citing precedent, he advised them to step down out of 'courtesy, custom and common-sense'.

After huddling outside for half an hour, her team stepped down.

This article was first published in The Straits Times.