Last Friday, 509 new lawyers were admitted to the Singapore Bar, (just slightly lower than the record 535 last year). However, this is still a significant increase, compared to a few years ago (between 2006 and 2011), where the figure remain below 250.
At the ceremony, it was announced that there will be a new committee set up to review the process of training contracts and retention policies for new lawyers. This is to tackle the oversupply of new lawyers in Singapore.
To be called to the Singapore Bar, one must not only have the right qualifications (LLB or JD), the graduate must also complete the training period and pass the Singapore Bar Examinations. This is why it is important for those who wish to practise in Singapore to get these job offers.
Approximately 650 law graduates were competing for 550 training contracts in 2015. A slight improvement from 2014, where 650 were vying for 490 training contracts.
With the two law schools in Singapore maintaining their combined intake at around 400 per year, it is generally believe that the oversupply is caused by the increasing number of students heading to the UK to pursue a law programme. To lower the numbers, Ministry of Law announced the removal of eight UK law schools from the approved list last year.
Those on the approved list should continue to monitor their intake from Singapore and where possible, help students with placements, pro bono activities, etc, so they can have a better chance to compete for the training contracts when they return to Singapore. With the economy facing slower growth, law graduates can expect more competition ahead.