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Apply for the Young Independent Counsel scheme
About the Young Independent Counsel scheme
The Young Independent Counsel scheme provides opportunities for young lawyers to hone their skills as advocates before courts and assist the court in cases involving novel or important issues of law.
The scheme applies to matters in the General Division of the High Court and the State Courts and is administered by the Supreme Court Registry. All appointments are for a 1-year period. The Young Independent Counsel will not receive any remuneration or be reimbursed for any expenses incurred under the scheme.
The Supreme Court would like to invite new applications from lawyers for the Young Independent Counsel scheme 2025.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for appointment as Young Independent Counsel:
- You should possess good academic grades.
- You must be a qualified person (as defined in section 2 of the Legal Profession Act 1966).
- You must have at least 2 years of experience as either of the following:
- An advocate and solicitor.
- A Legal Service Officer and/or a Judicial Service Officer.
- Not more than 10 years must have elapsed between the time you became a qualified person and the time of commencement of the Young Independent Counsel term.
Note
The date on which an applicant becomes a qualified person is not the date on which the applicant was admitted as an advocate and solicitor or joined the Legal or Judicial Service. The date is to be determined in accordance with the criteria set out in section 2 of the Legal Profession Act 1966.
How to apply
You may apply for the Young Independent Counsel scheme by submitting your application online. Attachments shall be in portable document format (PDF) and uploaded together with your online submission. The deadline for receipt of applications is 25 October 2024. Successful candidates will be notified by the Supreme Court Registry.
Together with copies of your transcripts from law schools attended and a copy of your Instrument of Admission (if applicable), you will need to include the following with your application:
Your application must be supported by a recommendation from 1 or more of the following persons:
- A present Supreme Court Judge, Judicial Commissioner or Senior Judge.
- An advocate and solicitor of the Supreme Court with at least 10 years’ Singapore-qualified experience.
- A Judicial Service Officer or Legal Service Officer of at least 10 years’ experience.
The recommendation should state specifically that you (the applicant) are recommended for the scheme
You must submit a piece of written work (including but not limited to submissions or academic articles) for the purpose of assessing your skills in legal analysis.
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