Alternatives for working in the legal field in Singapore

If you are not a “qualified person” (please check the guide ‘Am I a Qualified Person?’), you may wish to consider alternatives for working in the legal field in Singapore, including:

(A) Practising as a Foreign Lawyer

If you are admitted, qualified or authorised to practise in any jurisdiction, you are allowed to practise foreign law in Singapore if you register as a ‘Foreign Lawyer’ under Part IXA of the Legal Profession Act with the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ Legal Profession (International Services) Secretariat. You will not need to take any courses or examinations.  

(B) Practising as In-House Counsel

You may be able to practise as in-house counsel in an organisation in Singapore. For more information, please refer to the Singapore Corporate Counsel Association.

(C) Foreign Practitioner Examinations (FPE)

The Singapore Institute of Legal Education (SILE) will conduct the first Foreign Practitioner Examinations (FPE) in 2012. Further details can be found on SILE’s website.

(D) Exemption by the Minister for Law

If you do not fulfil the “qualified person” criteria, you may wish to try appealing to the Minister for Law for an exemption.

Please note that each appeal for an exemption will be considered on its individual merits and may be granted subject to conditions. The onus is on the applicant to make a strong case for the exemption sought.