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Practice training period

 

To be admitted to the Singapore Bar, a “qualified person” must serve the practice training period applicable to him or her (see Section 13(1)(c) of the Legal Profession Act), unless otherwise exempted.


(Please note that the practice training period is distinct from and in addition to the requirement for overseas graduates to obtain at least 6 months of "relevant legal practice or work" and/or "relevant legal training" within a continuous period of 8 months in order to fulfil the “qualified person” criteria.  Please see: ‘What is the Training Requirement for Overseas Graduates?’)


During the practice training period, the “qualified person” must receive supervised training in relation to the practice of Singapore law (see the definition of “practice training period” in Section 2 of the Legal Profession Act).


The practice training period can be fulfilled in a number of ways (see Section 14 of the Legal Profession (Admission) Rules 2011). The most common route is to enter into a “practice training contract”, which is a formal training arrangement between a “qualified person” and a Singapore Law Practice where the Singapore Law Practice provides the “qualified person” with supervised training in relation to the practice of Singapore law (see the definition of “practice training contract” in Section 2 of the Legal Profession Act). Please see Section 14 of the Legal Profession (Admission) Rules 2011 for other ways in which you can fulfil the practice training period (for example, through working as an officer in the Singapore Legal Service).



Timing of the practice training period in relation to Part B

The general rule under Rule 16(1) of the Legal Profession (Admission) Rules 2011 is that a "qualified person" can only serve his practice training period after having attended and satisfactorily completed the preparatory course leading to Part B of the Bar Examinations and having sat for the written examinations for all examinable subjects in Part B of the Bar Examinations. 


However, Rule 16(2) sets out some exceptions to this general rule. You are allowed to serve your practice training period before passing Part B if you fall into one of the following categories:


  • You became a “qualified person” under Rule 5 (in relation to certain NUS graduates) or 5A (in relation to certain SMU graduates) of the Legal Profession (Qualified Persons) Rules and you are able to complete the practice training period before attending any part of the preparatory course leading to Part B of the Bar Examinations (Rule 16(2)(c)); or 
  • Where your practice training period (or part thereof) is served through working as a Legal Service Officer or under the supervision of a qualifying relevant legal officer (Rule 16(2)(d) read together with Rule 17(2)).


Obtaining approval from the Singapore Institute of Legal Education before commencing the practice training period

If you are a "qualified person" who is entitled to serve the practice training period, please note that under Rule 24 of the Legal Profession (Admission) Rules 2011, you are required to obtain approval from the  Singapore Institute of Legal Education before commencing the practice training period.  



More information

The Singapore Institute of Legal Education is the approving authority for practice training periods and practice training contracts. More information can be found on their website. Please contact them if you have any queries. 



Exemption from Part B and the Practice Training Period

You can appeal to the Minister for Law to be considered for an exemption from the practice training period, as well as Part B of the Bar Examinations, if you fulfil all the following requirements:


(i) You obtained an approved law degree from an approved university and you fulfil all the other "qualified person" criteria (please check the guide ‘Am I a Qualified Person?’);


(ii) You are admitted to practise in a common law jurisdiction; and


(iii) You have obtained at least 2 years of “relevant legal practice or work” and/or “relevant legal training” as defined in Rule 2 of the Legal Profession (Qualified Persons) Rules.


However, please note that exemptions from Part B and the practice training period are not granted automatically, even if you fulfil all the above requirements. All appeals for exemption are considered case-by-case on their individual merits.

 

Last updated on 01 Mar 2013