Practising as a Foreign Lawyer in Singapore
If you are admitted, qualified or authorised to practise law in any jurisdiction, you can apply to the Attorney General's Chambersto be registered as a Foreign Lawyer. No conversion course or examination is required. Foreign Lawyers can be of any nationality, including Singaporean.
Although Foreign Lawyers are not allowed to practise Singapore law, they can practise the law of any other jurisdiction (e.g. English law or New York law). Foreign Lawyers can be employed by both foreign and local law firms in Singapore.
What are the registration procedures for a foreign lawyer to practise foreign law in Singapore?
To register a foreign lawyer for offshore practice, please submit the following:
(a) Form 9 duly completed;
(b) the curriculum vitae of the foreign lawyer and supporting documents; and
(c) a cheque for $160 being the prescribed annual fee for each lawyer payable to "The Attorney-General, Singapore".
Reference should also be made to Guidance Note for Applicants to Practise Foreign Law - Registration of (a) Foreign Lawyers and (b) Singapore lawyers in Foreign Practice (LPS/FL/1/2007 issued on 6 July 2007) before an application for registration as a foreign lawyer is made.