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{{Short description|none}}
{{Use Singapore English|date=July 2023}}
[[Lawyer]]s in [[Singapore]] are part of a [[fused profession]], meaning that they may act as both a [[solicitor]] and as an [[advocate]], although lawyers usually specialise in [[litigation]], [[conveyancing]] or [[corporate law]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Ewing-Chow|first=Michael|author2=Aedit Abdullah |title=The Singapore legal system|editor=Kevin Tan|publisher=NUS Press|date=1999|edition=2|pages=531|chapter=The Structure of the Legal Profession|isbn=9971-69-213-9|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RqTwXSKrBQMC&pg=PA368}}</ref>
== Demographics ==
In 2023, there were a total of 6,512 practising lawyers in Singapore, of whom 3,677 were male and 2,835 were female.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=31 August 2023 |title=Statistics – The Law Society of Singapore |url=https://www.lawsociety.org.sg/news-media/statistics/ |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=www.lawsociety.org.sg}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Year
!Number of practising lawyers
!Remarks
|-
|2002
|4000
|<ref name="smu.edu.sg">{{cite web |date=12 March 2012 |title=Headline: Fresh grads shun smaller law firms |url=http://www.smu.edu.sg/sites/default/files/smu/news_room/smu_in_the_news/2012/sources/ST_20120312_1.pdf |access-date=18 September 2017 |website=Smu.edu.sg |publisher=[[The Straits Times]] |page=B1}}</ref>
|-
|2007
|4200
|<ref name="smu.edu.sg" />
|-
|2012
|5200
|<ref name="smu.edu.sg" />
|-
|2019
|5920
|
|-
|2020
|5955
|
|-
|2021
|6333
|
|-
|2022
|6237
|
|-
|2023
|6512
|<ref name=":4" />
|}
=== Registered foreign lawyers ===
In July 2009, there were 95 foreign firms with offices in Singapore, and 840 foreign lawyers, up from 576 in 2000.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kong |first=Loh Chee |date=7 December 2007 |title=Carrots for lawyers to stay in S'pore |work=channelnewsasia.com |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/315996/1/.html |access-date=2009-10-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Tan |first=Andrea |date=31 August 2009 |title=Singapore to Make Billions Handling Cross-Border Arbitrations |work=Bloomberg |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=ahCVZh1pBhKo |access-date=2009-10-02}}</ref> Six international firms were given a licence to practice local corporate law for the first time in December 2008.<ref>{{cite news |last=Tan |first=Andrea |date=11 August 2009 |title=Singapore Won't 'Turn Back,' Will License New Foreign Law Firms |work=Bloomberg |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601102&sid=aS6aOikDhoJg |access-date=2009-10-02}}</ref>
=== Concerns about sustainability of legal practice ===
Stakeholders in the legal industry have periodically raised concerns about the sustainability of legal practice.
On 20 August 2024, the [[Law Society of Singapore]] published a guidance note titled "Sustainable Practice Initiative" in which it asserted it was committed to preserving the mental and social well-being of its members in practice. The guidance note sets out various guidelines which should generally be followed by practitioners to mitigate unworkable or reasonable timelines and directions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 August 2024 |title=Guidance Note 8.9.1: Sustainable Practice Initiative |url=https://lawgazette.com.sg/practice/practice-matters/guidance-note-8-9-1/ |access-date=28 September 2024 |website=Law Gazette}}</ref>
On 20 September 2024, Chief Justice [[Sundaresh Menon]] drew attention to the sustainability of legal practice, which he described as a growing concern. He revealed that survey responses collected from applicants at the 2024 Mass Call revealed that around two thirds indicated they were likely to move out of legal practice in the next 5 years, slightly more than one third indicated that they were likely to leave the legal profession altogether during the same period. He observed that this appeared to be the result of "push" factors rather than "pull" factors, and a substantial number of respondents indicated that they intended to leave due to excessive workload, poor work-life balance, or poor workplace culture.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Menon |first=Sundaresh |date=20 September 2024 |title=Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon: Speech delivered at Conversations with the Community on 20 September 2024 |url=https://www.judiciary.gov.sg/news-and-resources/news/news-details/chief-justice-sundaresh-menon--speech-delivered-at-conversations-with-the-community-on-20-september-2024 |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=SG Courts |language=en}}</ref>
== Law firms in Singapore ==
The Big Four law firms in Singapore are generally regarded to be [[Allen & Gledhill]], [[Rajah & Tann]], [[WongPartnership]] and [[Drew & Napier]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Auto |first=Hermes |date=2020-11-16 |title=Benchmarking Singapore's best law firms |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/benchmarking-singapores-best-law-firms |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=www.straitstimes.com |language=en}}</ref> In addition, [[Rodyk & Davidson|Dentons Rodyk & Davidson]] has in recent years been described as a "Big Five" law firm. This description has appeared most frequently in private legal ranking directories and on two occasions in ''[[The Straits Times]]''.{{Cite web |title=How Singapore's Big Five law firm Dentons Rodyk is embracing the future of work and ditching its traditional office for good |url=https://www.legal500.com/developments/press-releases/how-singapores-big-five-law-firm-dentons-rodyk-is-embracing-the-future-of-work-and-ditching-its-traditional-office-for-good/ |access-date=2023-04-11|website=www.legal500.com |language=en}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vijayan|first=K.C.|date=2022-11-15 |title=1 in 10 law firms here voted into Singapore's best law firms list |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/1-in-10-law-firms-here-voted-into-singapores-best-law-firms-list |access-date=2023-04-11 |website=www.straitstimes.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Vijayan|first=K.C.|date=2022-11-24|title=Rising stars named among the best law firms in 2023 list |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/rising-stars-named-among-the-best-law-firms-in-2023-list |access-date=2023-04-11 |website=www.straitstimes.com |language=en}}</ref>
=== Ranking by
The following table ranks, by size, the largest 20 domestic and international law firms with at least one office situated in Singapore in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ALB Asia Top 50 2022
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!2022
!Name
!Headquarter(s)
!Total number of
!Total number of
!Total number of
!'''Remarks'''
|-
Line 33 ⟶ 85:
|-
|3
|[[WongPartnership]]
|[[Singapore]]
|117
Line 54 ⟶ 106:
|84
|179
|International & [[Swiss Verein]]
|-
|6
|[[Shook Lin & Bok]]
|[[Singapore]]
|61
Line 176 ⟶ 228:
|International
|}
== Education and training ==
=== Replacement of pupillage system ===
In 2009, [[Parliament of Singapore|Parliament]] approved changes to replace the 'pupillage' system with structured training, and to make it easier for lawyers to return to practice.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lum |first=Selina |date=19 August 2009 |title=Changes to legal profession |work=Straits Times |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_418632.html |url-status=dead |access-date=2009-10-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090823012441/http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_418632.html |archive-date=23 August 2009}}</ref>
=== Decoupling admission to the Bar from practising certificate ===
In August 2016, [[Chief Justice of Singapore|Chief Justice]] [[Sundaresh Menon]] established a Committee for the Professional Training of Lawyers (CPTL) to conduct a "root-and-branch" review of the professional training regime for lawyers in Singapore and to make recommendations on how it might be improved to raise the quality and consistency of training standards.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=15 November 2019 |title=Public Consultation on Proposals to Implement the Recommendations of the Committee for the Professional Training of Lawyers |url=https://www.mlaw.gov.sg/news/public-consultations/public-consultation-to-implement-the-committee-for-the-professional-tranining/ |access-date=11 November 2023 |website=Ministry of Law}}</ref>
On 29 March 2018, the CPTL released its report, which included three key recommendations: (a) decouple admission to the Bar from the right to practise law; (b) raise the standard and stringency of the Part B examinations; and (c) lengthen the practice training period from six months to a year. The CTPL also made various other specific recommendations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=The Committee for the Professional Training of Lawyers |date=29 March 2018 |title=Report of the Committee for the Professional Training of Lawyers |url=https://www.judiciary.gov.sg/docs/default-source/default-document-library/law_reports.pdf?sfvrsn=eeea2aa9_0 |access-date=11 November 2023}}</ref>
In August 2018, MinLaw announced that it had accepted the CTPL's recommendations in principle and that the changes would be implemented from the 2023 session of the Part B examinations onwards.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 August 2018 |title=Law Ministry Accepts Recommendations to Strengthen Professional Training of Lawyers |url=https://www.mlaw.gov.sg/news/press-releases/law-ministry-accepts-recommendations-to-strengthen-professional/ |access-date=11 November 2023 |website=Ministry of Law}}</ref>
MinLaw conducted a public consultation on the CTPL's proposals from 15 November 2019 to 27 December 2019.<ref name=":0" />
On 27 February 2023, it was announced that the implementation of the new professional training regime based on the CTPL's recommendations would be deferred and would only apply from the 2024 session of the Part B examinations onwards. According to MinLaw, the deferment was on account of feedback from the legal industry to the effect that more time was required to adapt to the recommended changes, taking into account the impact of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 February 2023 |title=Deferment of Implementation of Recommendations of the Committee for the Professional Training of Lawyers |url=https://www.mlaw.gov.sg/news/press-releases/2023-02-28-deferment-of-implementation-recommendations-cptl/ |access-date=11 November 2023 |website=Ministry of Law}}</ref> For example, according to Gregory Vijayendran, the doubling of the practice training period would in effect double the cumulative allowance that needed to be paid to trainees. Ng Wai King also explained that law firms needed more time to review their human capital needs and rethink their training requirements.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lum |first=Selina |date=2023-02-28 |title=Changes for stricter Bar exam and longer training for Singapore law grads pushed to 2024 |language=en |work=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/changes-for-stricter-bar-exam-and-longer-training-for-singapore-law-grads-pushed-to-2024 |access-date=2023-11-11 |issn=0585-3923}}</ref>
On 3 October 2023, the Ministry of Law introduced the Legal Profession (Amendment) Bill in Parliament to implement the changes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 October 2023 |title=Strengthening the Professional Training Regime for Lawyers in Singapore |url=https://www.mlaw.gov.sg/news/press-releases/strengthening-professional-training-regime-for-lawyers-sg/ |access-date=11 November 2023 |website=Ministry of Law}}</ref>
In November 2023, the Legal Profession (Amendment) Act was passed by Parliament.
==== Controversy regarding the lengthening of the training period ====
The lengthening of the statutory practice training period from six months to a year has drawn mixed reactions. During the Parliamentary debate on the legislative amendments required to lengthen the training period, various Members of Parliament expressed concerns about fair remuneration and benefits such as paid sick leave, in light of the lengthened training period.
[[National Trades Union Congress|NTUC]] Assistant Secretary-General [[Patrick Tay]] drew attention to the adverse financial impact on trainees, noting that trainee lawyers typically work long hours and are paid honoraria of between SGD 1,000 to SGD 2,500 a month, which is substantially lower than their peers in other industries, who typically earn between SGD 3,500 to SGD 5,000 a month. Tay stated that this "can be seen as exploitative" and noted that this may disproportionately impact trainees from lower-income backgrounds, who may need a reasonable income during their training period to support their families. He also called for trainees to be entitled to "basic employment rights", such as paid annual and sick leave, as "everyone falls ill".<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=NTUC calls for more support for aspiring lawyers |url=https://www.ntuc.org.sg/cmpu/news/NTUC-calls-for-more-support-for-aspiring-lawyers/ |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=www.ntuc.org.sg |language=en}}</ref>
[[Yip Hon Weng]] suggested mandating a minimum wage for trainees, similar to what housemen are paid in the medical field. It was also noted that trainees do not receive other employment benefits such as paid leave or [[Central Provident Fund]] (CPF) contributions which employees in Singapore are typically entitled to under the Employment Act.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Lum |first=Selina |date=2023-11-07 |title=‘Better equipped to hit the ground running’: Parliament approves longer training for law grads |language=en |work=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/better-equipped-to-hit-the-ground-running-parliament-approves-longer-training-for-law-grads |access-date=2023-11-11 |issn=0585-3923}}</ref>
Senior Parliament Secretary for Law, [[Rahayu Mahzam]] explained that MinLaw understood these concerns and these issues were being looked into. However, she cautioned that larger honorariums would need to be balanced against potential increases in costs to firms, particularly smaller firms.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
=== Admission to the Bar ===
A person seeking to be admitted to the Singapore Bar will generally need to meet the requirements to be a 'qualified person' (QP) and complete the Part B examinations (a practical course of instruction, culminating in practical and written examinations).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Admission Requirements |url=https://www.mlaw.gov.sg/admission-to-the-bar/admission-requirements/ |access-date=11 November 2023 |website=Ministry of Law}}</ref>
To be considered a QP, a person will need to obtain an approved law degree. A list of approved law degrees is set out in the [https://sso.agc.gov.sg/SL/161-R15?DocDate=20171130 Legal Profession (Qualified Persons) Rules], which includes [[Bachelor of Laws]] and [[Juris Doctor]] degrees from various universities in Singapore, [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]], [[England]], and the [[United States]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 October 2021 |title=Qualified Person |url=https://www.sile.edu.sg/qualified-person |access-date=11 November 2023 |website=Singapore Institute of Legal Education}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=1 December 2018 |title=Steps to Becoming a Qualified Person through Studying in an Overseas Scheduled University |url=https://www.sile.edu.sg/pdf/QP_Infographic.pdf |access-date=11 November 2023 |website=Singapore Institute of Legal Education}}</ref>
Persons seeking to be QPs solely on the basis of an approved law degree conferred by a university outside Singapore will generally need to fulfil additional requirements to qualify as a QP, namely:<ref name=":3" />
# They must be a [[Singapore citizen]] or permanent resident
# They must graduate with at least a [[Second Class Honours]] or be in the top 70% of their cohort
# Their degree programme must have been undertaken on a full-time basis, they must have been an internal candidate, and the course of study must have been for at least 3 academic years
# The degree must not have been conferred as part of a twinning programme, must not be a combined or dual degree, external degree, or accelerated degree
# They must complete six months of relevant legal training (RLT) in Singapore or overseas
# They must pass the Part A examinations
==See also==
*[[List of Hong Kong law firms by size]]
*[[Admission to practice law#Singapore|Admission
*[[Judicial system of Singapore]]
*[[Law of Singapore]]
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