Legal Profession (Qualified Persons) Rules

Legal Profession Act

(CHAPTER 161, Section 2(2))

Legal Profession (Qualified Persons) Rules

R 15

G.N. No. S 357/2001

REVISED EDITION 2002

(31st January 2002)

[27th July 2001]

PART I

PRELIMINARY

Citation and purpose of these Rules

1.—(1)  These Rules may be cited as the Legal Profession (Qualified Persons) Rules.

(2)  These Rules —

(a) set out the qualifications and requirements that a person has to possess and satisfy in order to be a qualified person under paragraph (a) of the definition of “qualified person” in section 2(1) of the Act; and

[S 492/2015 wef 17/08/2015]

(b) provide for the matters referred to in section 11C(4) of the Act.

[S 492/2015 wef 17/08/2015]

[S 595/2024 wef 17/07/2024]

(c) [Deleted by S 492/2015 wef 17/08/2015]

(d) [Deleted by S 492/2015 wef 17/08/2015]

Definitions

2.  In these Rules, unless the context otherwise requires —

“accelerated course” means a course of study that is commenced and completed within a period of less than 3 academic years;

[S 243/2011 wef 03/05/2011]

“approved twinning programme” —

(a) means a twinning programme —

(i) which leads to —

(A) any degree of Bachelor of Laws specified in the First Schedule that is conferred on or after 1 January 1997;

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(AA) [Deleted by S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(B) any degree of Bachelor of Laws specified in the Second Schedule that is conferred on or after 1 January 1997 but before 1 January 2025;

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(C) any degree of Bachelor of Laws specified in the Third Schedule that is conferred on or after 28 July 2003;

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(D) any degree of Bachelor of Laws specified in the Fourth Schedule that is conferred on or after 1 August 2005;

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(E) any degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence specified in the First, Third or Fourth Schedule that is conferred on or after 1 December 2017; or

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(F) any degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence specified in the Fifth Schedule that is conferred on or after 1 January 2004; and

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(ii) the teaching of which is undertaken partly by the institution of higher learning which confers that degree and partly by —

(A) if that degree is a degree of Bachelor of Laws conferred on or after 1 January 1997 but before 28 July 2003 — one or more of the other institutions of higher learning specified in the First and Second Schedules and the National University of Singapore;

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(B) if that degree is a degree of Bachelor of Laws conferred on or after 28 July 2003 but before 1 January 2004 — one or more of the other institutions of higher learning specified in the First, Second and Third Schedules and the National University of Singapore;

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(C) if that degree is a degree of Bachelor of Laws conferred on or after 1 January 2004 but before 1 August 2005 — one or more of the other institutions of higher learning specified in the First, Second, Third and Fifth Schedules and the National University of Singapore;

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(D) if that degree is a degree of Bachelor of Laws conferred on or after 1 August 2005 but before 1 April 2008 — one or more of the other institutions of higher learning specified in the First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Schedules and the National University of Singapore;

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(E) if that degree is a degree of Bachelor of Laws conferred on or after 1 April 2008 but before 1 August 2016 — one or more of the other institutions of higher learning specified in the First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Schedules, the National University of Singapore and the Singapore Management University;

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(F) if that degree is a degree of Bachelor of Laws conferred on or after 1 August 2016 but before 1 January 2025 — one or more of the other institutions of higher learning specified in the First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Schedules, the National University of Singapore, the Singapore Management University and the Singapore University of Social Sciences (formerly known as the SIM University);

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(G) if that degree is a degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence specified in the First, Third or Fourth Schedule that is conferred on or after 1 December 2017 but before 1 January 2025 — one or more of the other institutions of higher learning specified in the First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Schedules, the National University of Singapore, the Singapore Management University and the Singapore University of Social Sciences;

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(H) if that degree is a degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence specified in the Fifth Schedule that is conferred on or after 1 January 2004 but before 1 August 2005 — one or more of the other institutions of higher learning specified in the First, Second, Third and Fifth Schedules and the National University of Singapore;

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(I) if that degree is a degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence specified in the Fifth Schedule that is conferred on or after 1 August 2005 but before 1 April 2008 — one or more of the other institutions of higher learning specified in the First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Schedules and the National University of Singapore;

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(J) if that degree is a degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence specified in the Fifth Schedule that is conferred on or after 1 April 2008 but before 1 August 2016 — one or more of the other institutions of higher learning specified in the First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Schedules, the National University of Singapore and the Singapore Management University;

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(K) if that degree is a degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence specified in the Fifth Schedule that is conferred on or after 1 August 2016 but before 1 January 2025 — one or more of the other institutions of higher learning specified in the First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Schedules, the National University of Singapore, the Singapore Management University and the Singapore University of Social Sciences; or

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(L) if that degree is conferred on or after 1 January 2025 — one or more of the other institutions of higher learning specified in the First, Third, Fourth and Fifth Schedules, the National University of Singapore, the Singapore Management University and the Singapore University of Social Sciences; and

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(b) includes any such programme —

(i) a component of which is an official student exchange programme offered by the institution of higher learning which confers that degree; or

(ii) for which a candidate is given credit on account of any relevant diploma in law or relevant non-law degree attained by him prior to his admission as such candidate;

[S 243/2011 wef 03/05/2011]

“combined degree” means any single degree that relates to any 2 or more different disciplines of study, such as a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Information Technology or a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Accountancy;

“combined degree course” means a course of study that leads to the conferment of a combined degree;

“degree of Bachelor of Laws” means any degree or qualification in law, by whatever name called, other than a degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence, which is conferred on a person by any institution of higher learning upon that person having successfully completed a course in law conducted by that institution of higher learning;

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

[Deleted by S 492/2015 wef 17/08/2015]

“dual degrees” means any 2 or more separate degrees, each relating to a different discipline of study, that are conferred upon a person upon his successfully completing a dual degree course;

“dual degree course” means a course of study that leads to the conferment of dual degrees, such as a course of study that leads to the conferment of both the degree of Bachelor of Laws and the degree of Bachelor of Accountancy;

“full-time internal candidate” does not include —

(a) a part-time candidate, an external candidate or a self-study candidate; or

(b) a candidate under —

(i) any correspondence course; or

(ii) any twinning programme other than an approved twinning programme;

[S 331/2009 wef 31/07/2009]

[Deleted by S 492/2015 wef 17/08/2015]

[Deleted by S 595/2024 wef 17/07/2024]

“National University of Singapore” means —

(a) in relation to any event occurring before 1st April 2006, the National University of Singapore established under the repealed National University of Singapore Act (Cap. 204, 2002 Ed.); or

(b) in relation to any event occurring on or after 1st April 2006, the university known as the “National University of Singapore” operated, maintained and promoted by the company limited by guarantee incorporated under the Companies Act 1967 under the name “National University of Singapore”;

[S 331/2009 wef 01/04/2006]

[S 595/2024 wef 31/12/2021]

“Part A of the Singapore Bar Examinations” means Part A of the Singapore Bar Examinations conducted —

(a) before 3rd May 2011, by the National University of Singapore; or

(b) on or after 3rd May 2011, by the Institute or by any institution of higher learning appointed by the Board of Directors of the Institute;

[S 243/2011 wef 03/05/2011]

“relevant diploma in law” means a diploma in law, by whatever name called, which is conferred on a person by a polytechnic in Singapore upon that person having successfully completed a course in law conducted by that polytechnic;

[S 331/2009 wef 31/07/2009]

[Deleted by S 492/2015 wef 16/03/2015]

“relevant legal practice or work” means —

(a) active practice as —

(i) a legal practitioner, by whatever name called, in any jurisdiction other than Singapore; or

(ii) a foreign lawyer in Singapore; or

(b) work of a legal nature which is performed as a legal counsel in any corporation or other entity the equity securities of which are listed on the official list of a securities exchange in Singapore or elsewhere;

[S 331/2009 wef 31/07/2009]

“relevant legal training” means —

(a) any supervised training in relation to the practice of Singapore law received, prior to becoming a qualified person, under a formal training arrangement with a Singapore law practice;

(b) any supervised training received, prior to becoming a qualified person, as a pupil, or through reading in the chambers, of a practising barrister of the United Kingdom or of a member of the Faculty of Advocates in Scotland of more than 7 years’ standing;

[S 595/2024 wef 17/07/2024]

(c) any supervised training in relation to the practice of foreign law received, prior to becoming a qualified person, under a formal training arrangement with a foreign law practice; or

[S 331/2009 wef 31/07/2009]

[S 595/2024 wef 17/07/2024]

(d) any supervised training in relation to the practice of Singapore law —

(i) through working —

(A) as a Judicial Service Officer or a Legal Service Officer (or both); or

(B) under the supervision of a relevant legal officer (called in this paragraph a qualifying relevant legal officer) who is an advocate and solicitor of not less than 5 years’ standing and who, for a total of not less than 5 out of the 7 years immediately preceding the date of commencement of the supervised training, has been a relevant legal officer or has been in active practice in a Singapore law practice or both;

(ii) through working under the supervision of 2 or more qualifying relevant legal officers; or

(iii) partly through working as a Judicial Service Officer or a Legal Service Officer (or both) and partly through working under the supervision of one or more qualifying relevant legal officers;

[S 595/2024 wef 17/07/2024]

“relevant non-law degree” means any degree in any discipline of study other than law which is conferred on a person by an institution of higher learning (being an institution of higher learning specified in the First, Second, Third, Fourth or Fifth Schedule, the National University of Singapore, the Singapore Management University or the Singapore University of Social Sciences (formerly known as the SIM University)) upon that person having successfully completed a course in that discipline of study conducted by that institution of higher learning as a full-time internal candidate of that institution of higher learning;

[S 331/2009 wef 31/07/2009]

[S 492/2015 wef 17/08/2015]

[S 354/2016 wef 01/08/2016]

[S 515/2017 wef 15/09/2017]

“twinning programme” —

(a) means a course of study leading to a degree or qualification the teaching of which is undertaken —

(i) partly by the institution of higher learning which confers that degree or qualification and partly by any other institution of higher learning; or

(ii) wholly by another institution of higher learning or jointly by several institutions of higher learning in conjunction with the institution of higher learning which confers that degree or qualification; but

(b) does not include —

(i) any course of study leading to a degree or qualification, a component of which is an official student exchange programme offered by the institution of higher learning which confers that degree or qualification, and the teaching of which is otherwise undertaken wholly by that institution of higher learning; and

(ii) any course of study leading to a degree or qualification, the teaching of which is undertaken wholly by the institution of higher learning which confers that degree or qualification, and for which a candidate is given credit on account of any relevant diploma in law or relevant non-law degree attained by him prior to his admission as such candidate.

[S 243/2011 wef 03/05/2011]

Date of admission as candidate for degree of Bachelor of Laws

3.  For the purposes of these Rules, the date on which a person is admitted by any institution of higher learning as a candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Laws (whether or not such degree is to be conferred on its own or as a component of any combined degree or dual degrees) shall be the date on which he secures a place as a candidate for the course of study conducted by that institution of higher learning that leads to the conferment of the degree of Bachelor of Laws.

PART II

GRADUATES FROM INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING IN SINGAPORE

Persons admitted as candidates for degree of Bachelor of Laws by National University of Singapore (or predecessor university) before 1st May 1993

4.—(1)  Any person who, before 1st May 1993, has passed the final examination for the degree of Bachelor of Laws in the University of Malaya in Singapore, the University of Singapore or the National University of Singapore shall be a qualified person.

[S 243/2011 wef 03/05/2011]

(2)  Any person who, before 1st May 1993, was admitted as a candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Laws by the National University of Singapore and who, after that date, has passed the final examination for that degree shall be a qualified person.

[S 243/2011 wef 03/05/2011]

Persons admitted as candidates for degree of Bachelor of Laws by National University of Singapore on or after 1st May 1993

5.  Any person admitted as a candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Laws by the National University of Singapore on or after 1st May 1993 shall be a qualified person if —

(a) he has passed the final examination for that degree; and

(b) he has attained at least lower second class honours in relation to that degree.

[S 187/2008 wef 01/04/2008]

Persons admitted as candidates for degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence by National University of Singapore

5AA.  Any person admitted as a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence by the National University of Singapore is a qualified person if the person —

(a) has passed the final examination for that degree; and

(b) has attained at least a Merit in relation to that degree.

[S 439/2020 wef 01/07/2020]

Persons admitted as candidates for degree of Bachelor of Laws by Singapore Management University

5A.—(1)  Any person admitted as a candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Laws by the Singapore Management University shall be a qualified person if —

(a) he has passed the final examination for that degree; and

(b) he has attained a grade point average of at least 3.00 in the course of study leading to that degree.

[S 331/2009 wef 31/07/2009]

[S 187/2008 wef 01/04/2008]

(2)  In this rule, a reference to a person admitted as a candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Laws by the Singapore Management University includes a reference to a person admitted as a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence by the Singapore Management University.

[S 331/2009 wef 31/07/2009]

Persons admitted as candidates for degree of Bachelor of Laws by Singapore University of Social Sciences

6.—(1)  Any person admitted as a candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Laws by the Singapore University of Social Sciences is a qualified person if the person —

(a) has passed the final examination for that degree; and

(b) has attained a grade point average of at least 3.50 in the course of study leading to that degree.

[S 515/2017 wef 15/09/2017]

(2)  In this rule, a reference to a person admitted as a candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Laws by the Singapore University of Social Sciences includes a reference to a person admitted as a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence by the Singapore University of Social Sciences.

[S 515/2017 wef 15/09/2017]

[S 354/2016 wef 01/08/2016]

[S 515/2017 wef 15/09/2017]

PART III

GRADUATES FROM INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING OUTSIDE SINGAPORE

6.  [Deleted by S 492/2015 wef 17/08/2015]

7.  [Deleted by S 492/2015 wef 17/08/2015]

Persons conferred degrees of Bachelor of Laws by institutions in United Kingdom

8.—(1)  Subject to rules 10 and 11, a person who is conferred a degree of Bachelor of Laws by an institution of higher learning in the United Kingdom will be a qualified person if —

(a) that person is a citizen or permanent resident of Singapore;

(b) that institution of higher learning is an institution of higher learning in the United Kingdom specified in the First Schedule;

(c) that degree is a degree of Bachelor of Laws specified for that institution of higher learning in the First Schedule;

(d) that person is conferred that degree on or after 1 January 1997;

(e) that person has attained at least lower second class honours or the equivalent thereof in relation to that degree;

(f) that person has passed Part A of the Singapore Bar Examinations; and

(g) after that person has passed the final examination for that degree, for a period of not less than 6 months within a continuous period of 8 months, that person has received relevant legal training, has been engaged in relevant legal practice or work, or has received relevant legal training and been engaged in relevant legal practice or work.

[S 492/2015 wef 17/08/2015]

(2)  Subject to rules 10 and 11, a person who is conferred a degree of Bachelor of Laws by an institution of higher learning in the United Kingdom will be a qualified person if —

(a) that person is a citizen or permanent resident of Singapore;

(b) that institution of higher learning is an institution of higher learning specified in the Second Schedule;

(c) that degree is a degree of Bachelor of Laws specified for that institution of higher learning in the Second Schedule;

(d) that person is admitted before 1 October 2015 as a candidate for that degree;

(e) that person is conferred that degree on or after 1 January 1997 but before 1 January 2025;

(f) that person has attained at least lower second class honours or the equivalent thereof in relation to that degree;

(g) that person has passed Part A of the Singapore Bar Examinations; and

(h) after that person has passed the final examination for that degree, for a period of not less than 6 months within a continuous period of 8 months, that person has received relevant legal training, has been engaged in relevant legal practice or work, or has received relevant legal training and been engaged in relevant legal practice or work.

[S 492/2015 wef 17/08/2015]

Persons conferred degrees in law by institutions in Australia and New Zealand

9.—(1)  Subject to rules 10 and 11, a person who is conferred a degree of Bachelor of Laws by an institution of higher learning in Australia or New Zealand, or a degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence by an institution of higher learning in Australia, will be a qualified person if —

(a) that person is a citizen or permanent resident of Singapore;

(b) that institution of higher learning is an institution of higher learning in Australia or New Zealand specified in the First Schedule;

(c) that degree is a degree of Bachelor of Laws or degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence specified for that institution of higher learning in the First Schedule;

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(d) that person —

(i) commenced reading on or after 1 January 1994 a course of study as a candidate for that degree, if that degree is a degree of Bachelor of Laws; or

(ii) is conferred that degree on or after 1 December 2017, if that degree is a degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence;

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(e) that person has been ranked by that institution of higher learning as being amongst —

(i) the highest 70%, in terms of academic performance, of the total number of graduates in the same batch who have been conferred the degree or degrees of Bachelor of Laws specified in the First Schedule in respect of that institution of higher learning; or

(ii) the highest 70%, in terms of academic performance, of the total number of graduates in the same batch who have been conferred the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence specified in the First Schedule in respect of that institution of higher learning;

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(f) that person has passed Part A of the Singapore Bar Examinations; and

(g) after that person has passed the final examination for that degree, for a period of not less than 6 months within a continuous period of 8 months, that person has received relevant legal training, has been engaged in relevant legal practice or work, or has received relevant legal training and been engaged in relevant legal practice or work.

[S 492/2015 wef 17/08/2015]

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(2)  Subject to rules 10 and 11, a person who is conferred a degree of Bachelor of Laws or degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence by an institution of higher learning in Australia will be a qualified person if —

(a) that person is a citizen or permanent resident of Singapore;

(b) that institution of higher learning is an institution of higher learning specified in the Third Schedule;

(c) that degree is a degree of Bachelor of Laws or degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence specified for that institution of higher learning in the Third Schedule;

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(d) that person is conferred that degree —

(i) on or after 28 July 2003, if that degree is a degree of Bachelor of Laws; or

(ii) on or after 1 December 2017, if that degree is a degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence;

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(e) that person has been ranked by that institution of higher learning as being amongst —

(i) the highest 70%, in terms of academic performance, of the total number of graduates in the same batch who have been conferred the degree or degrees of Bachelor of Laws specified in the Third Schedule in respect of that institution of higher learning; or

(ii) the highest 70%, in terms of academic performance, of the total number of graduates in the same batch who have been conferred the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence specified in the Third Schedule in respect of that institution of higher learning;

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(f) that person has passed Part A of the Singapore Bar Examinations; and

(g) after that person has passed the final examination for that degree, for a period of not less than 6 months within a continuous period of 8 months, that person has received relevant legal training, has been engaged in relevant legal practice or work, or has received relevant legal training and been engaged in relevant legal practice or work.

[S 492/2015 wef 17/08/2015]

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(2A)  Subject to rules 10 and 11, a person who is conferred a degree of Bachelor of Laws or degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence by an institution of higher learning in Australia will be a qualified person if —

(a) that person is a citizen or permanent resident of Singapore;

(b) that institution of higher learning is an institution of higher learning specified in the Fourth Schedule;

(c) that degree is a degree of Bachelor of Laws or degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence specified for that institution of higher learning in the Fourth Schedule;

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(d) that person is conferred that degree —

(i) on or after 1 August 2005, if that degree is a degree of Bachelor of Laws; or

(ii) on or after 1 December 2017, if that degree is a degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence;

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(e) that person has been ranked by that institution of higher learning as being amongst —

(i) the highest 70%, in terms of academic performance, of the total number of graduates in the same batch who have been conferred the degree or degrees of Bachelor of Laws specified in the Fourth Schedule in respect of that institution of higher learning; or

(ii) the highest 70%, in terms of academic performance, of the total number of graduates in the same batch who have been conferred the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence specified in the Fourth Schedule in respect of that institution of higher learning;

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(f) that person has passed Part A of the Singapore Bar Examinations; and

(g) after that person has passed the final examination for that degree, for a period of not less than 6 months within a continuous period of 8 months, that person has received relevant legal training, has been engaged in relevant legal practice or work, or has received relevant legal training and been engaged in relevant legal practice or work.

[S 492/2015 wef 17/08/2015]

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(3)  For the purposes of paragraphs (1)(e), (2)(e) and (2A)(e) —

(a) all graduates in the same institution of higher learning who, in the same calendar year, commenced the final year of their course of study leading to the degree or degrees of Bachelor of Laws specified in the First, Third or Fourth Schedule are to be regarded as belonging to the same batch; and

(b) all graduates in the same institution of higher learning who, in the same calendar year, commenced the final year of their course of study leading to the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence specified in the First, Third or Fourth Schedule are to be regarded as belonging to the same batch.

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

Persons conferred degrees of Doctor of Jurisprudence by institutions in the United States of America

9A.—(1)  Subject to rules 10 and 11, a person who is conferred a degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence by an institution of higher learning in the United States of America will be a qualified person if —

(a) that person was a citizen or permanent resident of Singapore at the time that person was conferred that degree;

(b) that person is a citizen or permanent resident of Singapore;

(c) that institution of higher learning is an institution of higher learning specified in the Fifth Schedule;

(d) that degree is a degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence specified for that institution of higher learning in the Fifth Schedule;

(e) that person is conferred that degree on or after 1 January 2004;

(f) that person has been ranked by that institution of higher learning as being amongst the highest 70%, in terms of academic performance, of the total number of the graduates in the same batch who have been conferred the degree specified in the Fifth Schedule in respect of that institution of higher learning;

(g) that person has passed Part A of the Singapore Bar Examinations; and

(h) after that person has passed the final examination for that degree, for a period of not less than 6 months within a continuous period of 8 months, that person has received relevant legal training, has been engaged in relevant legal practice or work, or has received relevant legal training and been engaged in relevant legal practice or work.

[S 492/2015 wef 17/08/2015]

(2)  For the purpose of paragraph (1)(f), all graduates in the same institution of higher learning who, in the same calendar year, commenced the final year of their course of study leading to the degree specified in the Fifth Schedule shall be regarded as belonging to the same batch.

[S 217/2006 wef 07/04/2006]

[S 492/2015 wef 17/08/2015]

Restrictions relating to non-full-time courses in law for purposes of rules 8, 9 and 9A

10.—(1)  Except as otherwise approved by the Board of Legal Education before 31st July 2009 or by the Minister on or after that date, no person who has been or is conferred the degree of Bachelor of Laws by any institution of higher learning in the United Kingdom shall become a qualified person under rule 8(1) or (2) if he had not read the course leading to that degree as a full-time internal candidate of that institution of higher learning.

[S 243/2011 wef 03/05/2011]

[S 331/2009 wef 31/07/2009]

[S 492/2015 wef 17/08/2015]

[S 354/2016 wef 01/08/2016]

(2)  [Deleted by S 492/2015 wef 17/08/2015]

(3)  Except as otherwise approved by the Board of Legal Education before 31st July 2009 or by the Minister on or after that date, no person who has been or is conferred the degree of Bachelor of Laws by any institution of higher learning in Australia or New Zealand shall become a qualified person under rule 9 if he had not read the course leading to that degree as a full-time internal candidate of that institution of higher learning.

[S 243/2011 wef 03/05/2011]

[S 331/2009 wef 31/07/2009]

(3A)  Except as otherwise approved by the Minister, no person who is conferred the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence by any institution of higher learning in Australia is to become a qualified person under rule 9 if the person had not read the course leading to that degree as a full‑time internal candidate of that institution of higher learning.

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(4)  Except as otherwise approved by the Board of Legal Education before 31st July 2009 or by the Minister on or after that date, no person who has been conferred the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence by any institution of higher learning in the United States of America shall become a qualified person under rule 9A if he had not read the course leading to that degree as a full-time internal candidate of that institution of higher learning.

[S 243/2011 wef 03/05/2011]

[S 331/2009 wef 31/07/2009]

[S 217/2006 wef 07/04/2006]

[S 492/2015 wef 17/08/2015]

Restrictions relating to accelerated courses and dual degree courses for purposes of rules 8, 9 and 9A

11.—(1)  Except as provided in paragraph (2) or as otherwise approved by the Board before 31st July 2009 or by the Minister on or after that date, no person who has been conferred the degree of Bachelor of Laws by any institution of higher learning in the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand shall be a qualified person under rule 8 or 9, as the case may be, if —

(a) the course of study that led to that degree was an accelerated course; or

(b) the course of study that led to that degree was a dual degree course and the degree of Bachelor of Laws is a component of the dual degrees conferred on that person.

[S 331/2009 wef 31/07/2009]

[S 492/2015 wef 17/08/2015]

(2)  Paragraph (1) shall not apply if —

(a) the person is admitted by any of the institutions of higher learning specified in the First or Second Schedule for an accelerated course or dual degree course that leads to the corresponding degree of Bachelor of Laws as specified in that Schedule before 1st August 2001; or

[S 492/2015 wef 17/08/2015]

(b) he commences reading such a course before 1st May 2002.

(2A)  Except as otherwise approved by the Minister, no person who is conferred the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence by an institution of higher learning in Australia is to become a qualified person under rule 9 if —

(a) the course of study that led to that degree was an accelerated course; or

(b) the course of study that led to that degree was a dual degree course and the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence is a component of the dual degrees conferred on that person.

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

(3)  Except as otherwise approved by the Board before 31st July 2009 or by the Minister on or after that date, no person who has been conferred the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence by any institution of higher learning in the United States of America shall become a qualified person under rule 9A if —

(a) the course of study that led to that degree was an accelerated course; or

(b) the course of study that led to that degree was a dual degree course and the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence is a component of dual degrees conferred on that person.

[S 331/2009 wef 31/07/2009]

[S 217/2006 wef 07/04/2006]

(4)  Paragraphs (1), (2A) and (3) do not apply to a person if —

(a) the person —

(i) is conferred, by any institution of higher learning specified in the First, Third, Fourth or Fifth Schedule, any degree of Bachelor of Laws or degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence specified for that institution of higher learning in the applicable Schedule; or

(ii) is admitted before 1 October 2015, by any institution of higher learning specified in the Second Schedule, as a candidate for any degree of Bachelor of Laws specified for that institution of higher learning in that Schedule, and is conferred that degree on or after 1 January 1997 but before 1 January 2025;

(b) before the person commenced reading the course of study leading to the degree mentioned in sub‑paragraph (a)(i) or (ii) (called in this paragraph the second course), the person had commenced reading a course of study leading to any of the following degrees (called in this paragraph the first course):

(i) any degree of Bachelor of Laws or degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence that is conferred by an institution of higher learning specified in the First, Second, Third, Fourth or Fifth Schedule, and that is specified for that institution of higher learning in the applicable Schedule, other than the degree mentioned in sub‑paragraph (a)(i) or (ii);

(ii) a degree of Bachelor of Laws or degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence conferred by the National University of Singapore;

[S 439/2020 wef 01/07/2020]

(iii) a degree of Bachelor of Laws or degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence conferred by the Singapore Management University;

(iv) a degree of Bachelor of Laws or degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence conferred by the Singapore University of Social Sciences;

[S 354/2016 wef 01/08/2016]

[S 515/2017 wef 15/09/2017]

(c) the person is given credit for the second course on account of the person’s participation in the first course; and

(d) the total period of the person’s participation in both the first course and the second course is not less than 3 academic years.

[S 492/2015 wef 17/08/2015]

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

Restrictions relating to combined degrees

12.  Notwithstanding rules 8, 9 and 9A, no person who is conferred a combined degree that consists of a degree in law by any of the institutions of higher learning specified in the First, Second, Third, Fourth or Fifth Schedule shall be a qualified person unless —

(a) the combined degree course leading to that degree is approved by the Board of Legal Education before 31st July 2009 or by the Minister on or after that date; and

[S 243/2011 wef 03/05/2011]

(b) the person concerned satisfies such other requirements as the Board of Legal Education or the Minister, as the case may be, may specify.

[S 243/2011 wef 03/05/2011]

[S 331/2009 wef 31/07/2009]

[S 492/2015 wef 17/08/2015]

13.  [Deleted by S 492/2015 wef 17/08/2015]

14.  [Deleted by S 492/2015 wef 17/08/2015]

PART IV

MISCELLANEOUS

Approval of Board of Legal Education or Minister under rules 10(1), (3) and (4), 11(1) and (3) and 12

15.—(1)  For the purpose of rules 10(1), (3) and (4), 11(1) and (3) and 12, the Board of Legal Education may before 31st July 2009 and, subject to such conditions as it thinks fit to impose —

(a) by notification in the Gazette, specify the courses that are approved by it for the purposes of those rules; or

(b) grant its approval under any of those rules on a case by case basis on application by any person.

[S 243/2011 wef 03/05/2011]

[S 331/2009 wef 31/07/2009]

[S 217/2006 wef 07/04/2006]

(2)  Unless the Board of Legal Education allows otherwise, an application under paragraph (1)(b) shall be made before the applicant commences the course of study in respect of which he is seeking such approval.

[S 243/2011 wef 03/05/2011]

(3)  For the purposes of rules 10(1), (3) and (4), 11(1) and (3) and 12, the Minister may, on or after 31st July 2009 but before 3rd May 2011, after consulting the Board of Legal Education and subject to such conditions as he thinks fit to impose, by notification in the Gazette, specify the courses that are approved by him for the purposes of those rules.

[S 331/2009 wef 31/07/2009]

[S 243/2011 wef 03/05/2011]

(4)  For the purposes of rules 10(1), (3) and (4), 11(1) and (3) and 12, the Minister may, on or after 3rd May 2011, after consulting the Institute and subject to such conditions as he thinks fit to impose, by notification in the Gazette, specify the courses that are approved by him for the purposes of those rules.

[S 243/2011 wef 03/05/2011]

15A.  [Deleted by S 595/2024 wef 17/07/2024]

Exemption from certain provisions of Parts II and III

16.—(1)  Upon an application made to the Minister by any person mentioned in rule 5, 5AA, 5A or 6, the Minister may, after consulting the Institute, exempt the person from the requirement under rule 5(b), 5AA(b), 5A(1)(b) or 6(1)(b), as the case may be.

[S 439/2020 wef 01/07/2020]

(2)  Upon an application made to the Minister by any person referred to in rule 8(1) or (2), 9(1), (2) or (2A) or 9A(1), the Minister may, after consulting the Institute, exempt the person from —

(a) any of the requirements under rule 8(1)(a) to (g) or (2)(a) to (h), 9(1)(a) to (g), (2)(a) to (g) or (2A)(a) to (g) or 9A(1)(a) to (h), as the case may be; or

(b) any provision of rule 10, 11 or 12.

[S 492/2015 wef 17/08/2015]

(c) [Deleted by S 492/2015 wef 17/08/2015]

(3)  An exemption granted to a person under paragraph (1) or (2) —

(a) may be subject to such conditions as the Minister may think fit to impose by notice in writing to the person;

(b) shall be notified in writing to the person; and

(c) need not be published in the Gazette.

[S 290/2014 wef 15/05/15]

(4)  Any person who would have been a qualified person but for any requirement or provision of Part II or III, and who is exempted from that requirement or provision under paragraph (1) or (2) or under this rule in force immediately before 15th May 2014, shall be a qualified person.

[S 290/2014 wef 15/05/2014]

17.  [Deleted by S 492/2015 wef 17/08/2015]

18.  [Deleted by S 595/2024 wef 17/07/2024]

FIRST SCHEDULE

Rules 2, 8(1), 9(1) and (3),
11(2) and (4) and 12

Institutions of higher learning and degrees in law conferred

Country		Institution		Degree
United Kingdom		1. University of Birmingham		LL.B (Honours)
		2. University of Bristol		LL.B (Single Honours)
		3. University of Cambridge		B.A. Law
		4. University of Durham		LL.B (Honours)
		5. King’s College London (formerly known as King’s College London, University of London)		LL.B (Honours)
		6. London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London		LL.B (Honours)
		7. Queen Mary University of London (formerly known as Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London)		LL.B (Honours)
		8. University College London (formerly known as University College, University of London)		LL.B (Honours)
		9. University of Nottingham		LL.B (Honours)
		10. University of Oxford		B.A. (Honours) Jurisprudence
		11. University of Warwick		LL.B (Honours)
Australia		1. Monash University		LL.B, LL.B (Honours), Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.)
		2. University of Melbourne		LL.B, LL.B (Honours), Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.)
		3. University of New South Wales		LL.B, Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.)
		4. University of Sydney		LL.B, LL.B (Honours), Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.)
New Zealand		1. University of Auckland		LL.B, LL.B (Honours)
		2. Victoria University of Wellington		LL.B, LL.B (Honours)

[S 677/2017 wef 01/12/2017]

SECOND SCHEDULE

Rules 2, 8(2), 11(2) and (4) and 12

Institutions of higher learning and degrees in law conferred

Country		Institution		Degree
United Kingdom		1. University of Exeter		LL.B (Honours)
		2. University of Leeds		LL.B (Honours)
		3. University of Leicester		LL.B (Honours)
		4. University of Liverpool		LL.B (Honours)
		5. School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London		LL.B (Honours)
		6. University of Manchester		LL.B (Honours)
		7. University of Sheffield		LL.B (Honours)
		8. University of Southampton		LL.B (Honours)

[S 492/2015 wef 17/08/2015]

 

[G.N. No. S 357/2001]