Response of the Law Society to Recommendations of the 3rd Review Committee for the Supply of Lawyers
The Singapore Law Society has reservations about the proposed special scheme by which the Attorney-General may allow foreign lawyers to be employed by Singapore law practices for certain high-end banking work in Singapore.
The media release by the Law Society:-
The Government has announced today its acceptance of the recommendations made by the 3rd Review Committee for the Supply of Lawyers.
The Law Society welcomes the proposed initiatives to increase the supply of lawyers by increasing university places within Singapore, and by offering graduates from recognised overseas universities who do not make the required grade a 'second chance' route to qualification. Members of the profession have reported strong demand for legal services especially in the regional and international context. Law firms have also reported a shortage of young lawyers (less than 7 years of call). Young people who enter the legal profession have a bright future.
However, the Society does have reservations about the proposed specal scheme by which the Attorney-General may allow individual foreign lawyers employed by a Singapore Law Firm to practise defined fields of Singapore law (essentially Tiers 1 and 2) while employed by that Firm. While the Government's assurance that quality must not be compromised is of comfort, the Society remains concerned about how this will work in practice. A further concern is the use of limited licences to practice administered by the Attorney-General as an alternative to the traditional path of admission by the Supreme Court and regulation via the issue of a practising certificate by the Supreme Court on application through the Society. The Soceity prefers that outstanding foreign lawyers seeking a home in Singapore should be admitted under the Legal Profession Act section 7, if they qualify under its provisions. Professional standards in relation to the practice of Singapore Law can only be ensured by a unitary system of regulation.
The following quote may be attributed to the President of the Society: 'The Society welcomes more entrants to the profession, especially through the expansion of university places in Singapore. However, if outstanding foreign lawyers are to practise Singapore law, they should do so following admission under section 7 of the Legal Profession Act, and under the same disciplinary regime as Singaporean practitioners.'
The media release by the Law Society:-
The Government has announced today its acceptance of the recommendations made by the 3rd Review Committee for the Supply of Lawyers.
The Law Society welcomes the proposed initiatives to increase the supply of lawyers by increasing university places within Singapore, and by offering graduates from recognised overseas universities who do not make the required grade a 'second chance' route to qualification. Members of the profession have reported strong demand for legal services especially in the regional and international context. Law firms have also reported a shortage of young lawyers (less than 7 years of call). Young people who enter the legal profession have a bright future.
However, the Society does have reservations about the proposed specal scheme by which the Attorney-General may allow individual foreign lawyers employed by a Singapore Law Firm to practise defined fields of Singapore law (essentially Tiers 1 and 2) while employed by that Firm. While the Government's assurance that quality must not be compromised is of comfort, the Society remains concerned about how this will work in practice. A further concern is the use of limited licences to practice administered by the Attorney-General as an alternative to the traditional path of admission by the Supreme Court and regulation via the issue of a practising certificate by the Supreme Court on application through the Society. The Soceity prefers that outstanding foreign lawyers seeking a home in Singapore should be admitted under the Legal Profession Act section 7, if they qualify under its provisions. Professional standards in relation to the practice of Singapore Law can only be ensured by a unitary system of regulation.
The following quote may be attributed to the President of the Society: 'The Society welcomes more entrants to the profession, especially through the expansion of university places in Singapore. However, if outstanding foreign lawyers are to practise Singapore law, they should do so following admission under section 7 of the Legal Profession Act, and under the same disciplinary regime as Singaporean practitioners.'
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