The Singapore Institute of Legal Education (“SILE”) is also a statutory body established under the LPA. It was established in May 2011 to maintain and improve the standards of legal education in Singapore.
As part of it functions, SILE may review the implementation of initiatives, programs and curricula relating to legal education in Singapore, including diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate programs, and continuing professional development.
SILE’s other functions include:
(a) maintaining a register of qualified persons seeking admission to the Singapore Bar;
(b) conducting Part A of the Singapore Bar Examinations;
(c) conducting Part B of the Singapore Bar Examinations and the Preparatory Course leading to the Examinations;
(d) conducting the Foreign Practitioner Examination; and
(e) coordinating and supervising the Continuing Professional Development scheme.
To be admitted to the Singapore Bar, an aspirant has to first attain the status of a ‘qualified person’ by, among other requirements, obtaining a law degree from one of the three local law schools or from one of the approved overseas universities of the United Kingdom, United States, Australia and New Zealand.
Law graduates from approved overseas universities will be required to pass the Part A Bar Examinations. Law graduates from the local law schools are not required to undertake the Part A Bar Examinations. The law graduates from both the local and approved overseas universities would have to undertake a full-time Preparatory Course leading to Part B of the Singapore Bar Examinations (consisting of compulsory and elective subjects) and pass the Part B Bar Examinations. Qualified persons must also serve a practice training period with a Singapore law practice under a practice training contract, through working as a Legal Service Officer or under the supervision of a qualifying relevant legal officer.
Source:
www.sile.edu.sg