Introduction
In February 2009, changes were made to the process by which law graduates, including law graduates from recognized foreign universities may be admitted to the Singapore Bar. The previous “pupillage” regime was abandoned and replaced with training under the terms of a practice training contract between the law graduate and the law firm.
Law Graduates from Singapore Universities
Law graduates from Singapore universities are required to attend the equivalent of the Practical Law Course for 5 months, usually from July to November. They are then required to sit for and pass Part B of the Bar Examinations that are usually held in December. Instead of serving a 6 months pupillage with a Singapore law firm, law graduates must now undergo 6 months of training under a practice training contract with a Singapore law firm.
Law Graduates from recognized foreign universities
Law graduates from recognized foreign universities are required to sit for and pass Part A of the Bar Examinations, which are usually held in November. In order to prepare for this, they can attend an optional 3-month course at the National University of Singapore, usually from August to October.
After passing Part A of the Bar Examinations, they will then undergo supervised training for 6 months with a Singapore law firm. Next they will attend the equivalent of the Practical Law Course (Part B of the Bar Examinations) for 5 months, usually from July to November. They then sit for Part B of the Bar Examinations that are usually held in December. Should they successfully complete Part B of the Bar Examinations, they will undergo 6 months of training under a practice training contract.
Law graduates from recognized foreign universities who successfully complete Part A of the Bar Examinations are generally not able to commence training under a practice training contract until they pass Part B of the Bar Examinations. They may consult the Board of Legal Education as to whether they fall within any exception that permits them to commence their practice training before taking Part B of the Bar Examinations.
Applicants who are interested in applying to Robert Wang & Woo LLP are encouraged to visit the Singapore Ministry of Law and Singapore Board of Legal Education websites for further details.
Robert Wang & Woo LLP recruits practice trainees with a view to offering them employment as associates after admission to the Singapore Bar. It is therefore axiomatic that we train and treat trainees in the same manner that we train and treat newly qualified lawyers.
Practice trainees will be assigned to the department that they are recruited for. Under the Guidelines for Practice Training Contracts issued under the Legal Profession (Practice Training Period) Rules 2009 (“Guidelines”), every practice trainee must receive training in at least 2 areas of law.
Robert Wang & Woo LLP is a general practice law firm. The main practice areas are:
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Corporate and Commercial |
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Conveyancing |
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Litigation (Civil and Criminal) |
Practice trainees will be supervised by a Supervising Solicitor, who will usually be a Head of Department (or equivalent). Trainees can expect a “hands-on” approach during their training.
Queries about the practice training period and practice training contract should be directed to the Board of Legal Education.
Currently, Robert Wang & Woo pays its trainees an honorarium of $1,500 per month during their training, and $500 per month during the Practical Law Course. These amounts may vary depending on the prior experience of the trainee. In addition, the firm will make full reimbursement of the Postgraduate Practical Law Course fees at the expiration of 12 months after the trainee is retained by the firm as associate after admission to the Singapore Bar.
If you are interested in training with us, please send your detailed Curriculum Vitae to the Recruitment
Director, marked ‘Private & Confidential’ by:
Post:
The Recruitment Director
Robert Wang & Woo LLP
9 Temasek Boulevard
#41-01 Suntec Tower Two
Singapore 038989
Or
Email: recruit@rwwnet.com.sg
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