Legal education and training are set to change, as key recommendations made by a select committee have recently been approved. These proposals include the introduction of a Vocational Training Course (VTC) to replace the current Practical Law Course (PLC), replacement of the pupillage programme with a training contract and compulsory Continuing Legal Education (CLE) for all lawyers. An Institute of Legal Education (ILE) will also be established to chart the development of post-university legal education, including the new initiatives of CLE and the VTC, taking over the present Board of Legal Education. These recommendations are aimed at restructuring the legal education system as well as adjusting the current requirements for entry to the legal profession to further enhance Singapore’s position as a legal hub.

The Committee, helmed by Judge of Appeal V K Rajah, envisaged the VTC as retaining the traditional role of the PLC in ensuring that law graduates had the requisite competency in core subject areas, while simultaneously allowing students the freedom of choosing their own areas of specialisation. It was also recommended that the current Diploma in Singapore Law be fused with the VTC for a more streamlined legal education system.

The proposed replacement of the current pupilage programme with a training contract is aimed at obliging law firms to engage their pupils in a structured learning programme. This would benefit pupils by providing them with better guidance while adapting to the rigors of practice . It also gives law firms a greater stake in the success of their pupils, benefiting both pupils and firms.

Furthermore, the introduction of CLE for lawyers would benefit the profession by ensuring that all lawyers remain up-to-date with the latest developments in the law. The ILE would take over the current roles and responsibilities of the Board of Legal Education, while charting the developments of post-university education and simultaneously coordinating the curricula of our law faculties.

Overall, the recommendations for improving legal education and legal professional training are welcome changes as the demands of the legal profession have changed significantly over the years. The proposed initiatives will ensure that the professional training of lawyers continues past a university education, encouraging specialisation and promoting higher standards of legal education for all lawyers and ultimately enabling lawyers to better serve the needs of society.

Rachel is a first year law student and an associate editor with SLR.