Can a UK lawyer practice in Singapore?

Asked by: Dr. Elna Jakubowski  |  Last update: September 17, 2022
Score: 4.4/5 (50 votes)

If you are registered to practise law in an overseas jurisdiction, you can register with the Legal Services Regulatory Authority as a foreign lawyer under Part IXA of the Legal Profession Act to practise foreign law in Singapore. You will not need to take any courses or examinations.

How do I qualify as a foreign lawyer in Singapore?

The permitted areas of practice of Singapore law include banking law, corporate law, intellectual property law and maritime law. However, to apply to sit for the Foreign Practitioner Examinations, a foreign lawyer must have at least three years of relevant legal practice or work (whether in Singapore or overseas).

How can lawyers practice in Singapore?

Under the new regime, qualified persons who pass Part B of the Singapore Bar Examinations from the 2023 session onwards will be called to the Bar after passing Part B; if they wish to practise law, they will need to complete a 12-month training contract before they can obtain a practising certificate.

Can a UK lawyer practice abroad?

Many large commercial law firms have offices located throughout Europe, Asia and North America which deal with international matters crossing many jurisdictional borders. These firms provide opportunities for English law graduates and lawyers to work overseas.

Can I become a lawyer in Singapore?

Candidates need to obtain four-year bachelor of law course from National University of Singapore (NUS) or Singapore Management University (SMU). A JD post-graduate program from SMU will also be recognized. Candidates must pass the Bar Exam in order to practice law.

Can you Practice as a Lawyer/Solicitor in the UK (England and Wales) as a Foreign Qualified Lawyer?

22 related questions found

Is UK law degree valid in Singapore?

SINGAPORE — Nearly half of the approved UK law schools will be taken off the list of approved foreign universities recognised for admission to the Singapore Bar, after a review by the Singapore Institute of Legal Education (SILE).

Can a foreign lawyer work in Singapore?

(A) Practising Foreign Law as a Foreign Lawyer

If you are registered to practise law in an overseas jurisdiction, you can register with the Legal Services Regulatory Authority as a foreign lawyer under Part IXA of the Legal Profession Act to practise foreign law in Singapore.

Where can I use my UK law degree?

Jobs directly related to your degree include:
  • Arbitrator.
  • Barrister.
  • Barrister's clerk.
  • Chartered legal executive (England and Wales)
  • Company secretary.
  • Costs lawyer.
  • Detective.
  • Licensed conveyancer.

Is UK law degree valid in Australia?

With regards to moving after university, you'll need a current practising certificate in a foreign jurisdiction (i.e. the United Kingdom), in order to jump straight into practising law in Australia.

Can an English lawyer practice in Australia?

The FTA will confirm that both Australian and U.K. lawyers can practise as foreign lawyers and provide arbitration, mediation and conciliation services in the other jurisdiction using their home qualifications and title, the Law Council of Australia said.

Is it difficult to become a lawyer in Singapore?

There are many paths to becoming a lawyer in Singapore, none of which are easy. The first step to a legal career is to obtain an academic certificate from an accredited university.

How much are lawyers paid in Singapore?

How much does a Lawyer make in Singapore? The average lawyer salary in Singapore is S$84,000 per year or S$43.08 per hour. Entry-level positions start at S$54,750 per year, while most experienced workers make up to S$109,560 per year.

What can I do with a law degree in Singapore?

Careers such as legal counsel for a company, civil service officer, justices' law clerk, a district judge, or a journalist! As a law graduate in Singapore, you can explore various career options even if you do not wish to be in the law sector.

What are lawyers called in Singapore?

Unlike the legal profession in the UK, Singapore practices a fused legal profession. Hence, lawyers in Singapore are known as an 'Advocate and Solicitor' when they get called to the bar, obtaining rights to appear before all courts of justice in Singapore.

How do you get called to bar in Singapore?

Admission to the Singapore Bar
  1. have attained the age of 21 years;
  2. be of good character;
  3. have satisfactorily served the practice training period applicable to him;
  4. have attended and satisfactorily completed such courses of instruction as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors; and.

How do I start a law firm in Singapore?

Apply for a Licence or Registration for a New Law Practice Entity
  1. STEP 1: Login to LSRA e-Services using SingPass. ...
  2. STEP 2: Complete and submit application form and pay application fee. ...
  3. STEP 3: Receive outcome of application. ...
  4. STEP 4: Register entity with ACRA. ...
  5. STEP 5: Update UEN and pay licence/registration fee.

How long is a UK law degree valid for?

The Legal Practice Course (LPC) does not expire. Realistically though, after 10 years, employers may not feel that it's recent enough to take that person on for training to become a solicitor, depending on what work they're currently doing.

Are law degrees transferable between countries?

This means that their legal system is characterised by case law, which is when laws are developed through judges and court decisions, not a codified system like in civil law. Because of this, it's relatively simple to transfer your degree between countries.

Can I work in USA with a LLB degree?

The basic factor is, if the person is in the right visa status that is not F1 then they can work full time as a paralegal. A person with Indian LLB most probably with US LLM and no bar qualification can work as a Foreign Legal Consultant in most states. 3)Pursue PHD in law that is SJD ;either in US or Canada.

Which countries use English law?

It's important to note that, generally speaking, English law is the legal system of England and Wales. Unlike Scotland and Northern Ireland, which maintain their own legal systems, Wales is not a separate jurisdiction within the United Kingdom.

Is a UK law degree worth it?

A law degree is a great qualification to obtain employment – law graduates have the 6th highest employment rate - and bear in mind up to 60% of all law graduates chose to use their law degree to gain jobs other than in the legal profession.

Can UK lawyers practice in Hong Kong?

UK/NZ/Australian lawyers are entitled to practice without qualification in Hong Kong (and have a title such as “Registered Foreign Lawyer”), although it's true that firms here would encourage Hong Kong qualification also, particularly if you are going to be involved in dispute work.

How do I register as a lawyer in Singapore?

Register an Individual
  1. Types of Licence or Registration. Apply for a Licence or Registration for a New Law Practice Entity. ...
  2. Types of Individual Registration. Register an Individual. ...
  3. Apply for Approval to Hold Interests in a Law Practice Entity. Request a Certificate of Good Standing. ...
  4. Relevant Legislation and Communications.

Can foreigners practice law in Malaysia?

"Yes. A Malaysian law firm may make an application to the Bar Council for a licence to employ a foreign lawyer to practise in the permitted practice areas in the Malaysian law firm. "

Can a lawyer practice in another country?

While many American attorneys may not consider moving to another country when they get out of law school, it is worthwhile to note that a legal career overseas may be a viable option for many American attorneys.