The central theme of the Committee's recommendations is training to ensure that the needs of the public are well served and lawyers are equipped to face future challenges, regardless of economic conditions."
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When asked if the new changes are in response to the 2014 oversupply of lawyers, the Committee that recommended the changes told Channel NewsAsia: "The Committee was established to undertake a holistic review of the professional training regime for trainee lawyers in Singapore. Last year, more than 90 per cent secured training contracts, which is currently required for them to be called to the Bar. "About 690 law graduates, both overseas and local, enter the job market each year." "The number has since fallen by about 25 per cent to about 260," said the ministry spokesman. In response to media queries, the Ministry of Law said that the number of overseas law graduates returning to Singapore peaked in 2014, at about 350. Law students that Channel NewsAsia spoke to referred to the 2014 glut of lawyers experienced in Singapore, and hinted that the new moves could be to avoid this. He said he felt there still is a glut of lawyers, and "I think part of the recommendations may have come from (that)".ĪRE STRICTER EXAMS A WAY TO LIMIT NUMBER OF LAWYERS? But a year of training, exposure and mentoring certainly give you the equipment and the arms to go to war."Īs for the more difficult exams, Mr Nathan said he did not think there was anything wrong to expect the highest quality for lawyers in Singapore, as practice itself "is becoming more difficult". "Now, we find that young lawyers, after six months, they are still finding their feet. "It helps law firms because we now know that with the enhanced exams and the one-year training, you're going to get higher-quality young lawyers come into practice," said the 51-year-old, who has been practising law for 25 years. Mr Shashi Nathan, the regional head of dispute resolution and partner at law firm Withers KhattarWong, said that the changes are "very welcome" for both law firms and young lawyers. "At the same time, law firms should use the longer training period to offer a solid grounding for the next generation of lawyers, with diverse experiences and supportive mentorship," he said. Professor Simon Chesterman, dean of the National University of Singapore's Faculty of Law, said that the more stringent requirements should ensure that the students who wish to enter practice are prepared for the challenges and opportunities that await them. These changes are the first significant ones to the professional training regime for lawyers since 2010, when the Practical Law Course was revamped into Part B of the exams, according to the Ministry of Law.
Part B is taken by graduates from local and overseas universities, while Part A is a requirement only for overseas graduates.
SINGAPORE: Proposals that will change how law graduates qualify to become practising lawyers from 2023 drew mixed reactions from law students and associates, with some welcoming them while others felt that the changes may deter some students.Ĭhief Justice Sundaresh Menon announced on Thursday (Aug 30) that law graduates will have to complete a year of practice training with a firm, double the current six months, after passing the Singapore Bar examinations from 2023.Īnother significant change will be the raising of the standard of Part B of the exams.
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