how to become a lawyer in singapore

Requirements to become a lawyer (Singapore)

• Candidates need to obtain four-year bachelor of law course from National University of Singapore (NUS) or Singapore...
• The Law Society of Singapore will recognize foreign law degrees from a list of foreign accredited institutions
• Candidates must pass the Bar Exam in order to practice law. Students who have obtained their law...

Full Answer

What is the qualification required to become a lawyer?

Law graduates must attain at least a Lower Second Class Honours from one of the above prescribed universities and complete a course of study of at least three (3) academic years as a full-time internal candidate from that approved university according to the Ministry of Law.

Do you get a job in law after Law School?

You aren’t guaranteed a job in law once you graduate from law school. Law graduates must attain at least a Lower Second Class Honours from one of the above prescribed universities and complete a course of study of at least three (3) academic years as a full-time internal candidate from that approved university according to the Ministry of Law.

What are the requirements to become a Juris Doctor?

Alternatively, a Juris Doctor post-graduate programme from SMU will also suffice. In addition, you will need to attain a GPA of at least 3.0 for SMU, or a lower second class honours for NUS. Foreign degree holders are also recognised, to an extent.

How do I become a lawyer in Singapore?

Candidates need to obtain four-year bachelor of law course from National University of Singapore (NUS) or Singapore Management University (SMU). A JD post-graduate program from SMU will also be recognized. Candidates must pass the Bar Exam in order to practice law.

How much does a lawyer in Singapore earns?

How much does a Lawyer make in Singapore? The average lawyer salary in Singapore is S$84,000 per year or S$43.08 per hour. Entry-level positions start at S$54,750 per year, while most experienced workers make up to S$109,560 per year.

Do lawyers earn a lot in Singapore?

We then divided the total annual package by 12 to get an estimate of monthly pay....7 prestigious jobs in Singapore and their salaries.Popular job in SingaporeAnnual salaryMonthly salaryLawyer$77,419$6,451Teacher (Secondary)$70,782$5,8995 more rows•Aug 15, 2021

How many years does it take to study law in Singapore?

Juris Doctor (JD) ProgrammeProgrammePeriod of StudyFor the 3-year JD programmeFull-time, 3 yearsFor the 2-year JD programme (Those completing their first degree by early July of the year of admission (August intake) may also apply.)Full-time, 2 yearsSep 1, 2021

Is a law degree worth it Singapore?

Singapore is known for its great schools with various diplomas or degrees. One of the most prominent courses to study is the law. Law is considerably one of the oldest professions in the world. A law degree promises great career opportunities and is a highly regarded qualification.

What is the highest paying job in Singapore?

Highest Paying Jobs in SingaporeFinance Director.Senior Manager/Manager Treasury.Audit Manager.Finance Controller.Chief Finance Officer (Banking & Finance)Finance Controller.Head of Compliance.Finance Director.More items...

Is life as a lawyer stressful?

Lawyers face multiple stressors every day. In addition to the pressure of helping clients through important or difficult legal matters, they also have to stay on top of an ever-changing industry and manage heavy workloads. Here are a few key reasons why being a lawyer is so stressful.

Do lawyers work long hours?

Most lawyers work more than 40 hours a week. It's not uncommon for lawyers (especially Big Law attorneys) to work up to 80 hours each week. On average, according to the 2018 Legal Trends Report, full-time lawyers work 49.6 hours each week.

What is considered rich in Singapore?

Also, Knight Frank defines a High-net-worth individual (HNWI) as someone with a net worth of US$1M (S$1.36M) or more, including their primary residence. While an Ultra-high-net-worth individual (UHNWI) is someone with a net worth of US$30M (S$40.73M) or more, including their primary residence.

Are lawyers in demand in Singapore?

Working as a projects lawyer in Singapore really is a compelling opportunity as it gives lawyers the chance to work on high-profile, global deals on both the lender and sponsor side. International lawyers who have experience in energy, infrastructure, mining and oil & gas are consistently in high demand.

Is NUS law hard to get into?

Currently, around 2,000 candidates apply to NUS Law's LLB programme each year, with about 800 shortlisted for the written test and interview. This pilot admissions initiative is expected to add about 50 more shortlisted applicants, coming in particular from schools with lower representation in NUS Law.

What kind of lawyer make the most money?

Some of the highest-paid lawyers are:Medical Lawyers – Average $138,431. Medical lawyers make one of the highest median wages in the legal field. ... Intellectual Property Attorneys – Average $128,913. ... Trial Attorneys – Average $97,158. ... Tax Attorneys – Average $101,204. ... Corporate Lawyers – $116,361.

How long is the Singapore bar exam?

Part A of the Bar Examination lasts 6 months and is offered by the National University of Singapore (NUS)’s Law Faculty. If you feel unprepared for the exam, NUS also offers a 3-month optional prep course.#N#There are 5 compulsory subjects in total:

How long does a legal officer have to be supervised?

receive supervised training by working as a Legal Service Officer or working under the supervision of a qualifying relevant legal officer, 6 months of such supervised training will only count as 1 month of his practice training period.

How many hours of classes are there in the bar?

There are 3 hours of classes per subject per week, conducted during regular working hours. Following the course, you need to meet at least 6 continuous months of “relevant legal practice, work or training”. A certificate of completion will be awarded to candidates who successfully complete Part A of the Bar Course.

Do you have to take the same exam for the bar?

Not everyone has to take the same exams in the bar. For students who studied law locally you only need to take Part B of the exam. For overseas students, you have to complete both Part A and B.

Is it hard to study law in Singapore?

Studying law is no easy feat. Qualifying itself is extremely difficult. You need straight As for your A levels to meet the academic requirements. Even if you do, there is no guarantee of admission. You have to prove your worth in your interview at the universities so you need to be able to speak up and impress the interviewers, something all aspiring lawyers should be able to do.#N#There are 2 local schools that offer law in Singapore., NUS and SMU, both of which have very limited places. Hence, some may consider the option of going overseas for their education. The number of law schools recognised by the Ministry of Law has been drastically cut, probably to ensure we get quality graduates and to deal with the oversaturated law market. Please ensure that the law degree you get is recognised by Singapore. You can check out the list of foreign degrees accredited by Singapore here.

How to practice law in Hong Kong?

In order to qualify to practice law in Hong Kong, a candidate must first obtain a bachelor’s degree from the University of Hong Kong, the City University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong or another recognized institution under common law jurisdiction elsewhere in the world. Then, candidates have to complete a Postgraduate ...

How many law firms are there in Hong Kong?

According to the Law Society, Hong Kong is home to nearly 940 local law firms and almost 90 foreign firms, along with over 9,000 international and mainland Chinese companies seeking legal services and, in particular, Hong Kong’s world-renowned arbitration services.

Do Chinese law students need to go to law school?

But Chinese law students do not need to have graduated from law school before taking the bar. In fact, many students actually pass the bar exam midway through their LL.M. program. For international lawyers, the paths to working in China are less uniform. Unlike in some other countries, in China, foreign lawyers are not eligible to take ...

Can an international lawyer work in China?

An LL.M. degree is not necessary for an international lawyer to work in China, but it is very helpful, says Agar. “China can be a hard legal market to break into.

Can foreign lawyers practice in Hong Kong?

However, foreign lawyers can now be admitted to the Hong Kong bar by obtaining an exemption form (if they have qualified to practice law in another common law jurisdiction). Or by passing a specific exam administered by the Law Society of Hong Kong, called the Overseas Lawyers Qualification Examination.

What do lawyers do?

Many people picture lawyers as tough defenders dressed in sharp suits, pacing a courtroom. They glamorize lawyers based on what they see on television. While lawyers who prosecute and defend criminals do exist, many are involved in everyday life events like buying homes, writing wills, counseling, advocating, and negotiating.

Why Study law?

Many students choose law because they want to help people, groups, organizations, or companies solve challenging problems and manage their legal issues. Here are some other reasons students choose to study law.

How long does it take you to become a lawyer?

Regardless of where you go to law school, it takes approximately six or seven years to become a lawyer. Many countries have slightly different requirements, including shorter law schools, studying law as an undergraduate, and practical course requirements.

Final Thoughts

It would be best if you took the time to learn the law, figure out what you’re interested in, and get relevant experience so that you can be the best lawyer possible.

Undertaking Remote or Online Learning Arrangements for Overseas Law Degree Programmes (Updated 5 October 2021)

Students who wish to undertake remote or online learning arrangements offered by the Overseas Scheduled Universities after 31 December 2021 must seek an exemption from the Ministry of Law before taking up such arrangements. (Please see Guidance Note Update dated 5 October 2021 .)

Qualified Person

Being a Qualified Person is one of the requirements for individuals who wish to be admitted to the Singapore Bar. The requirements of being a Qualified Person are determined by the Ministry of Law and set out in the Legal Profession (Qualified Persons) Rules.