What is the training requirement for overseas graduates?

Individuals who wish to be admitted to the Singapore Bar must: 

(i)   Meet all the requirements of being a “qualified person” as defined in the Legal Profession Act read together with the Legal Profession (Qualified Persons) Rules; and
 
(ii) Fulfil the other admission requirements set out in Section 12(1) of the Legal Profession Act. 

This section only applies to overseas graduates who meet all the requirements of being a "qualified person" apart from the requirements to pass Part A of the Bar Examinations and to obtain 6 continuous months of "relevant legal training" and/or "relevant legal practice or work".  Before reading this section, please use the guide ‘Am I a Qualified Person?’ to check if you fulfil this condition.

Overseas graduates who who fulfil the condition in the paragraph above must generally complete two separate training periods: (a) 6 continuous months of "relevant legal training" and/or "relevant legal practice or work"; and (b) the practice training period.

(a) 6 continuous months of "relevant legal training" and/or "relevant legal practice or work"

Generally, overseas graduates must first obtain at least 6 continuous months of "relevant legal training" and/or "relevant legal practice or work".  This goes towards fulfiling the "qualified person" requirements.  Please see the guide ‘Am I a Qualified Person?’ to check if this requirement applies to you. 

• Click here to see the types of training or experience that will fulfil this requirement.

• You do not need to obtain prior approval from the Board of Legal Education to commence the 6 continuous months of "relevant legal training" and/or "relevant legal practice or work".

• The 6 continuous months of "relevant legal training" and/or "relevant legal practice or work" can be commenced anytime after graduation. 

• The 6 continuous months of "relevant legal training" and/or "relevant legal practice or work" can be undertaken either before or after passing Part A of the Bar Examinations.  However please note that the order in which you complete these requirements will have implications for the order in which you must complete Part B of the Bar Examinations and the Practice Training Period (click here for more information).

(b) Practice Training Period

Overseas graduates who are eligible for admission to the Singapore Bar also need to serve the applicable practice training period.

• Please see the section on the Practice Training Period. 
   

See More

• Part A of the Bar Examinations
• Part B of the Bar Examinations
• Practice Training Period
• Exemptions
• FAQs
• More Information