IT WILL be a surprise to many if fugitive lawyer David Rasif turns up at a hearing before the Court of Three Judges on Nov 12.

On that day, the court - the highest body to decide on disciplinary cases involving lawyers - meets to decide if Rasif should be struck off the roll.

The proceeding is initiated by the Singapore Law Society.

The court can strike off or reinstate lawyers.

A notice published in the Law Society's electronic newsletter informed Rasif, 42, of the hearing date. It is understood that this may be taken as notice having been served.

Rasif, a prominent lawyer, disappeared on June 5 last year after being last seen in Bangkok. It was soon discovered that more than $12 million was missing from the clients' accounts of his firm.

An arrest warrant is out for Rasif, who has been charged with criminal breach of trust, an offence that carries a penalty of up to 10 years in jail and a fine, or life imprisonment.

Rasif will, among other things, be asked to explain why he should not be barred from practising law here. He could also be asked to explain why he should not be suspended or censured.

Regardless of whether he turns up, the Law Society will likely request that the court proceed with the hearing. It is also likely to ask the court to order that Rasif foot the bill for the proceeding.

Last year, a lawyer who disappeared in 2004 while under investigation for a dodgy property transaction, was struck off the roll after she failed to show up for a similar hearing.

Sivakolunthu Thirunavukarasu, 48, had fled the country in May 2004. She remains untraceable.