Introduction to the Legal Ecosystem in Singapore
The legal framework of Singapore, which has evolved through colonial ties to wider regions such as India and the United Kingdom and now takes into account a judicious mix of Western philosophy and local values, relies primarily on English common law, while the judiciary is modelled on the principle of separation of powers and independence. At present, the Supreme Court of Singapore consists of the Chief Justice, the two other judges of the Court as well as the Heads of the various departments, who also hold ad hoc seats in the Court of Appeal. The three tiers of courts, which include the Supreme Court, District and Magistrates’ Courts , preside over civil and criminal matters headquartered in built-up districts and cities.
The current judicial structure recognises the following main courts in the hierarchy (and the appellate functions that accompany them):
The Superior Courts are composed of the Court of Appeal and the High Court, the latter made up of the General Division of the High Court, the Appellate Division of the High Court and the specialist divisions, which include the Family Justice Courts, the Syariah Court (Muslim law) and the State Courts (formerly, Subordinate Courts).
Common law, statute law and customary law are the categories of law; civil law, syariah law and canon law as well as Muslim law are the systems of law in Singapore. In addition, English law, customary law and sharia law overlap with law that is applied in Singapore.
Major Trends Affecting the Legal Landscape
The Disruptive Effects of Digital Transformation: Legal Tech on the Rise
As the legal sector is forced to adopt more agile dynamics, traditional market leaders and their legal departments are increasingly integrating technology into their everyday business. Disruptive technology has arguably rattled even the most entrenched firms forcing them to rapidly evolve their internal practices and expand their use of software to remain competitive in the marketplace.
Legal tech is increasingly subject to early adoption. Law firms that have set themselves apart have managed to jump on board and consistently evolve their internal strategies by adopting digitisation processes and exploring new technologies. Adopting innovative technology can be complex and daunting for some law firms, but the long term benefits of the investment often pays off tenfold.
The Process of Transformation
Let’s talk a little about the challenge ahead of the onboarding process – it’s apparent that many organisations would like to digitally transform and eventually become "future ready," however, the journey ahead may not always be as obvious. It is important that firms start by prioritising technology that provides them with immediate and tangible value. There are many factors to consider when establishing the desired "state of play". For example, among key drivers of change, the following should be prioritised:
- The cost of the existing systems currently in place
- The value derived from the present technology stack
- The technology required to meet primary objectives
- The time and cost involved in the transition
- The inherent strategic risk in the transition process
Ultimately, keeping a "client-centric" mindset will strike a balance in the short-term whilst identifying the right solutions for the larger picture at hand (the strategic vision).
Transformational Trends Unpacked:
Propelling the Data Revolution:
Advances in productivity and cloud-based technologies are accelerating the mass storage of data of all kinds – making data storage cheaper, faster and more efficient than ever. In the legal industry, improving speed and efficiency has never been more critical. Indeed, the "big bang" data approach allows firms to download data into the cloud and then upload data using Artificial Intelligence based on smart search categories.
Crowdsourcing Leads:
Like most industries today, law firms are looking to drive efficiencies in their operations. This is increasingly being achieved through the use of publicly available information- to create crowdsourcing platforms, enabling lawyers to share their work product and cases with a wider audience. Not only is this useful for reducing overheads, but it can also be a productive platform for lawyers who seek to make a name for themselves.
More than Just Headlines:
Legal updates and external newsletters are no longer enough to help firms establish a relationship with their clients. In fact, there is a wealth of information available online today that makes subscribing to legal updates redundant. This has led firms to prioritise providing fresh and original content across their website and social network profiles.
Win-win:
Technology has disrupted many industries and the legal industry is no exception. Those that have not made the transition yet risk becoming obsolete in the next couple of years. By contrast, early-adopting firms are already reaping the benefits of using technology to improve client experience, drive efficiency and outline better ways of servicing in-house.
Prominent Law Firms and their Significance
Major law firms in Singapore offer a comprehensive range of services for their clients, both domestically and regionally. Many of the world’s largest and most prestigious firms have a presence in Singapore, highlighting the city-state’s strategic importance as a legal hub in Asia.
One of the most prominent firms in Singapore is Rajah & Tann LLP, which provides advice across a number of areas, including banking and finance, corporate law, employment, and intellectual property. The firm has a strong regional presence, with offices throughout Southeast Asia and China. Another major player in the market is WongPartnership LLP, which has a wide-ranging practice and has received numerous accolades for its work in areas such as arbitration, competition and antitrust, and information technology law. It also has a regional office in Vietnam.
Drew & Napier LLC is a full-service, leading law firm catering to clients in various industries. It has been involved in some of the largest and high-profile cases, such as the largest insolvency in Singapore in 2017. In addition, Drew & Napier has regional offices in China and Japan.
Other significant firms include Allen & Gledhill LLP, which has a strong corporate practice and a long track record of handling complex, high-value deals, and Kim Lim Lee & Partners LLP, which specializes in dispute resolution and litigation. A firm with a particular focus on China has been ZICO Law. Other notable firms in Singapore include Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow, Clyde & Co, Dentons, and Eversheds Harry Elias.
These major law firms play a vital role in establishing and maintaining Singapore’s position as a regional leader in the legal industry. They are instrumental in providing expertise and support to both local and international clients working within Singapore and across the wider ASEAN region.
Jobs in the Legal Field
The demand for legal expertise in Singapore has given rise to a wide array of career opportunities.
In addition to law firms and government legal service opportunities, there are a variety of roles for legal professionals in-house for large private sector organisations such as banks, financial institutions, insurance companies, hospitals and multi-national companies (MNCs). Some of the larger companies in Singapore recruit law graduates in their legal departments.
There are also opportunities in the public sector, with the Government Legal Service which recruits individuals to work as legal counsel across various Government ministries and agencies .
In addition to traditional opportunities for lawyers, the evolution of the legal industry has resulted in new roles within the corporate functions of law firms. These include business development, conflict checking, pricing, project management, legal technology and know-how.
Traditionally, work experience typically centred around internships at law firms. However, with the industry evolving so quickly, experiential learning opportunities such as work attachments, internships, contract roles and returnships (full-time positions for professionals who have taken a career break of more than six months) are now available across the industry.
Regulators and Professional Associations
To uphold and maintain the standards and ethics of the legal profession, regulatory bodies control the education, training and admission of legal practitioners, and impose and enforce rules regarding professional conduct. Such bodies are subject to the law in their operations but enjoy considerable freedom from governmental control. Professional associations are empowered to make rules that govern the rights and responsibilities of its members and the public, including rules that affect the pricing of legal services. However, the activities of professional associations are subject to broad control by the regulatory bodies.
In Singapore, legal practitioners are regulated in the private sector primarily by the Law Society of Singapore (‘Law Society’) and the Chief Justice. The Law Society is a statutory body established under the Legal Profession Act (Cap 161). In addition to the functions of regulating legal practitioners, the Law Society also represents and advocates the interests of its members through its elected council of law practitioners. The Chief Justice, on the other hand, is the judicial head of legal practitioners. The Chief Justice is empowered by the Legal Profession Act to make rules for governing the conduct of legal practitioners in the Courts and may direct the Law Society to take disciplinary action against legal practitioners for misconduct.
The Singapore Institute of Legal Education (‘SILE’) oversees legal education and promotes the advancement of the legal profession in Singapore by reviewing and improving the quality of legal education. SILE is responsible for establishing and administering the Bar Examinations, which is a prerequisite for admission as an advocate and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore. Professional organisations, including the Criminal Bar Association, Intellectual Property Intermediary, Singapore International Mediation Centre, Society of Construction Law and Singapore Chambers of Maritime Arbitration, promote the development of professional practice areas under the respective bodies’ memberships.
What Lies Ahead and Challenges to Consider
The future of Singapore’s legal industry will likely be shaped by a combination of global economic trends and domestic policy directions. Internationally, the heightened pace of legal services globalization, driven by the interdependence of economies and advancements in technology, will continue to provide both challenges and opportunities for Singaporean firms and lawyers. The rise of alternative service providers and more networked legal ecosystems may pose a threat to traditional models, while also opening new avenues for collaboration and innovation.
In addition to keeping pace with global changes, Singapore’s commitment to maintaining its position as a hub for various industries could provide sustained growth opportunities for the legal sector. Initiatives to further develop the legal technology and innovation ecosystem, such as the launch of the LawTech Sandbox, could see the emergence of new legal services and products that address local and regional needs .
Domestically, developments in the regulatory landscape, such as the introduction of the Legal Industry Vision 2028, aim to ensure that the legal profession continues to contribute to Singapore’s economy and upholds the rule of law. The demand for legal expertise in sectors like healthcare, intellectual property, and data protection, among others, may spur growth across practice areas, while increased localisation of legal issues in Switzerland could dampen demand for Swiss legal advice. In addition, greater economic integration within the region, evidenced by initiatives like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) could expand opportunities for Singapore’s international law firms.
Amidst these changes, the question of access to legal representation and the protection of client data and confidentiality will remain key considerations. The continued emergence of alternative platforms providing legal services may make legal assistance more readily available, but could also raise concerns about unscrupulous competition and the assurance of quality. These key issues are likely to shape the trajectory of Singapore’s legal industry in the years to come.