The Ministry of Law (MinLaw) has launched a public consultation on the proposals to implement the recommendations of the Committee for the Professional Training of Lawyers (“CPTL”). In August 2018, MinLaw announced that it had accepted, in-principle, the CPTL’s recommendations and that implementation of the key changes would take place from the 2023 session of…
Singapore Minister for Law signs legal cooperation MOU with China
During his recent visit to China, Singapore Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam held a bilateral meeting with Chinese Minister of Justice Fu Zhenghua. Both sides emphasised the progress in legal cooperation that has been made over the past few years. In accordance with the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Prime Minister…
Law Society of Singapore advice on managing legal and ethical risks in cross-jurisdictional transactions
The Law Society of Singapore has released its opinion on legal and ethical risks in cross-jurisdictional transactions, drawing upon the example of the Panama papers, as well as the 2019 IBA-OECD report. The article also reports on the discussions from the July 2019 Law Society seminar, chaired by the Chairman of the IBA-OECD task force, and…
Singapore launches ‘China-Ready Programme’ to deepen legal services cooperation with China.
The Ministry of Law (MinLaw) in Singapore, has recently launched a new programme targeting the legal industry. The educational programme is designed to help Singaporean legal professionals understand Chinese culture, business environment, legal systems and laws, as well as improving their understanding of Mandarin used in a legal context. The programme, as well as a…
Singapore’s Ministry of Law aims to strengthen access to justice through the Legal Aid and Advice (Amendment) Bill
Singapore’s Ministry of Law (MinLaw) is pushing a Legal Aid and Advice (Amendment) Bill for First Reading in Parliament. The Bill amends the Legal Aid and Advice Act (LAAA), first, to simplify the means test for legal aid; second, to provide greater flexibility for aid to be given to those who fail the means test but…
Singapore’s Ministry of Law Accepts Recommendation to Strengthen Professional Training of Lawyers
The Ministry of Law (MinLaw) announced on 30 August 2018 that it has accepted in principle the recommendations of the Committee for the Professional Training of Lawyers on strengthening the professional training regime for lawyers in Singapore. The key recommendations include: (a) uncoupling admission to the Bar from the completion of a practice training contract;…
Singapore Academy of Law launches programme to create a vibrant ecosystem for legal tech
The Singapore Academy of Law has now formally launched its Future Law Innovation Programme (FLIP) and will work with the Singapore Management University (SMU), among others, to drive change. FLIP initially will run a two-year pilot programme to encourage the adoption of technology, drive innovation and ‘create a vibrant ecosystem for legal technology‘ in the important SE…
Singapore: unclaimed Money Fund to fund pro bono services
Recent amendments to the Legal Profession Act, passed in Parliament on 20 March, have provided a practical solution to unclaimed client money. Currently, if a client becomes uncontactable, the legislation does not provide for what happens to unclaimed client money, and a law practice would have to continue to hold such money. The amendments to…
Help for Singapore lawyers to venture overseas
Earlier this year the Ministry of Law (MinLaw), the Law Society of Singapore (LawSoc) and International Enterprise (IE) Singapore launched a new programme to help Singapore lawyers and law firms venture overseas. Called “Lawyers Go Global”, the programme will connect Singapore legal expertise with global opportunities, through overseas mission trips, training, and branding and marketing. The…
Singapore: Collaboration to drive thought leadership in legal education policy
The Law Society of Singapore and The College of Law have committed to develop and deliver legal education and training programmes to meet the needs of the legal profession in Singapore. This is the first time the Law Society has collaborated with a legal education provider. Usually, the Law Society collaborates with other bar associations….