LEGAL PRACTICE MANAGEMENT COURSE
To practise as sole proprietor, partner or director of a law practice, you must be aware of the requirements imposed under section 75C of the Legal Profession Act.
In particular, before you may practise as a sole proprietor, partner or director of a law practice, it is mandatory for you to complete the Law Society's Mandatory Legal Practice Management Course (LPMC) UNLESS you have already been in practice as a sole proprietor or partner or director of a law practice before 9 March 2007.
Pursuant to Rule 6 of the Legal Profession (Legal Practice Management Course) Rules, a lawyer must complete the LPMC before he may practise as sole proprietor, partner or director UNLESS he has first obtained written consent of Council to practise as sole proprietor, partner or director and given a written undertaking to the Council, on or before the date of commencement of such practice, to attend and successfully complete the LPMC within 1 year from the date of commencement of such practice.
Section 75C of the Legal Profession Act provides as follows:
“75C. —(1) No solicitor may practise as a solicitor on his own account or in partnership (whether in a law firm or a limited liability law partnership) or as a director of a law corporation unless he —
|
| |
(a) has successfully completed such legal practice management course within such time as the Council may by rules made under section 71 prescribe; and
(b) has, since being admitted as a solicitor, been employed for not less than 3 continuous years or 3 years out of a continuous period of 5 years in the practice of a solicitor in Singapore or in the practice of a law corporation or a limited liability law partnership;
(c) has been employed as a legal officer for not less than 3 continuous years or 3 years out of a continuous period of 5 years. |
(2) The Council may, with the approval of the Minister, exempt a solicitor from subsection (1) (a) or shorten any period referred to in subsection (1) (b) and (c) if it is satisfied that the solicitor has gained substantial experience in law in Singapore or elsewhere.
(3) Paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection (1) shall not apply to a solicitor who was admitted as a solicitor before 1st March 1997.
(4) This section shall not apply to a solicitor who has before 9th March 2007 been in practice as a solicitor on his own account or in partnership (whether in a law firm or a limited liability law partnership) or as a director of a law corporation.
|
Pursuant to section 75C(5) of the Legal Profession Act, any lawyer who contravenes section 75C(1) of the Legal Profession Act shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000.
If you wish to seek an exemption pursuant to section 75C (2) of the Legal Profession Act, please apply in writing to the Council. Council may seek the Minister for Law's approval for the exemption if Council is satisfied that you have gained substantial experience in law in Singapore or elsewhere. To apply for exemption, please send your application for exemption in writing to the Law Society (attention to the Director, Compliance Department).
To register for the LPMC, please collect the application form from the Law Society's reception or download it here.
|
