Overview
Note: Any information presented on this webpage is for reference only, and is not intended to be a substitute for the applicable legislation.
Individuals who wish to be admitted to the Singapore Bar as either a Lawyer (Non-Practitioner) or an Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court must:
(a) meet all requirements of being a qualified person as defined in the Legal Profession Act 1966 (the “LPA”) read together with the Legal Profession (Qualified Persons) Rules; and
(b) fulfil all other admission requirements as set out within the sections of the LPA which apply to your application, read together with either the Legal Profession (Admission) Rules 2011 or the Legal Profession (Admission) Rules 2024.
Requirements for Admission
- The requirements of being a “qualified persons” are determined by the Ministry of Law and set out in the Legal Profession (Qualified Persons) Rules. Please refer to the Ministry of Law’s website for comprehensive information on the requirements to be admitted to the Singapore Bar.
- Please refer to the Singapore Institute of Legal Education’s (the “SILE”) website for comprehensive information on the “qualified persons” and admission requirements, degree and university requirements, Part A and Part B of the Singapore Bar Examinations, relevant training and/or work, the practice training period, the admissions/call timelines and procedure, as well as the Foreign Practitioner Examinations.
Application for Admission
Whether you are applying for admission as a Lawyer (Non-Practitioner) or an Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore, you will need to prepare and file and serve the relevant documents for your application for admission as required under the Legal Profession (Admission) Rules 2011 or the Legal Profession (Admission) Rules 2024.
These documents include:
(a) an originating application for admission;
(b) an affidavit in support of your application (the “Supporting Affidavit”); and
(c) the Request for Hearing.
For comprehensive information on the documents to be filed for your application for admission, please refer to the SILE’s website.
Preparation of the Supporting Affidavit
To assist applicants with the preparation of the Supporting Affidavit, the Law Society has prepared a general Checklist of Common Errors to look out for. This checklist is intended to reduce the need for applicants to file supplementary affidavits to rectify these errors.
Notice on Declarations
Whether you are applying for admission as a Lawyer (Non-Practitioner) or an Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore, the Supporting Affidavit filed in support of your application for admission will require a declaration on whether you have knowledge of any fact that affects your suitability to practise as a Lawyer (Non-Practitioner) in Singapore, or as a legal practitioner (by whatever name called) elsewhere.
Should you have knowledge of any fact that affects your suitability to practise as a Lawyer (Non-Practitioner) in Singapore, or as a legal practitioner (by whatever name called) elsewhere, you are strongly advised to make the relevant disclosures in the Supporting Affidavit and provide as much information as possible.
For more information on the making of declarations, please refer to the SILE’s Guide to Declaration(s) in the Admission Affidavit in Relation to Academic Misconduct and Deliberate Assessment Offences
We understand that making a declaration in the Supporting Affidavit can be daunting. However, you are encouraged to take this step as it demonstrates a recognition and appreciation of the duty of candour owed to the Court. If you require any support or guidance when making a declaration in the Supporting Affidavit, please consider approaching your Supervising Solicitor or a preferred legal practitioner.
General Questions
If you have any other questions on the Admissions process, please use this self-help tool which contains information on:
(a) the procedures for admission;
(b) the filing of supplementary affidavits;
(c) reinstatement of an originating application; and
(d) movers and common movers for the call / admission hearings.
Please note that the Law Society is unable to provide any legal advice on applications for admission.