Singapore Ministry of Law and International Institute for the Unification of Private Law to Establish Pilot Programme

6 March 2026 Posted in Press releases

1. The Singapore Ministry of Law (“MinLaw”) and the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (“UNIDROIT”) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) on 6 March 2026, to establish a pilot programme that will provide opportunities for Singapore-based legal professionals to be seconded as Legal Officers with the UNIDROIT Secretariat. The MOU was signed in Singapore by MinLaw’s Deputy Secretary of Policy Colin Chow and UNIDROIT Secretary-General Professor Ignacio Tirado, formalising Singapore’s voluntary contributions in support of UNIDROIT’s commemoration of its Centenary in 2026. 

2. Founded in 1926 as part of the League of Nations, UNIDROIT’s Centenary marks a century of excellence in promoting and advancing international private and commercial law. The UNIDROIT is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to studying needs and methods for modernising, harmonising, and coordinating private and in particular commercial law between States and groups of States, by creating uniform legal instruments and rules. UNIDROIT’s work spans a range of subject matters, including commercial contracts, international sales, capital markets &  financial law, law & technology, and sustainable development.

3. Singapore became a member of UNIDROIT on 1 March 2023, and MinLaw’s Director General Sharon Ong was elected to UNIDROIT’s Governing Council for the term 2024 to 2028. Singapore’s membership and active participation in UNIDROIT highlights our commitment to the rule of law and harmonisation of international private law, and strengthens Singapore’s position as a global leading hub. 

4. Under the pilot programme, legal professionals based in Singapore, including private  practitioners and academics, will have an opportunity to be seconded to the UNIDROIT Secretariat as Legal Officers. Secondees will benefit from the programme by gaining a deeper understanding of how international organisations operate, building valuable global networks, broadening their exposure to international legal  frameworks and diverse legal systems and traditions, and contributing a Singapore  perspective to the development of international law. The pilot programme will last two years, with each secondment for a period of six months and up to 12 months. MinLaw will announce the call for nominations in due course.

MINISTRY OF LAW
6 MARCH 2026

Last updated on 6 March 2026