FAQs

Part A

1. Who is eligible to sit for the Part A Bar Examinations?

A: You can apply to sit for the Part A Bar Examinations if you:

Are a Singapore citizen or permanent resident; and
Have graduated with an applicable law degree from an overseas scheduled university, and have attained at least lower second class honours or have been ranked as being amongst the highest 70% of your batch of graduates.
If you are completing your final year of the applicable law degree from an overseas scheduled university, you will need to graduate meeting the ranking requirements and submit the relevant supporting documents to us on or before the date specified in the Application Guide for the session of the Examinations you are applying for.

2. Can I appeal for an exemption if I am not eligible to take the Part A Bar Examinations?

A: You can try appealing to the Minister for Law for an exemption. Details of the exemption procedure can be found on the Ministry of Law’s website.

(https://app.mlaw.gov.sg/admission-to-the-bar/details-on-applying-for-an-exemption/)

3. Can I apply to sit for the Part A Bar Examinations if I have not received a letter of exemption from the Ministry of Law?

A: Yes, you can still apply to sit for the Examinations. However, you must enclose a copy of your application for Ministerial exemption when submitting your application to sit for the examinations.

4. Can I apply to sit for the Part A Bar Examinations if I have not graduated yet?

A: Yes, you can submit an application to sit for the Part A Bar Examinations if you meet the eligibility requirements and if you are able to graduate meeting the ranking requirements and submit the relevant supporting documents to us on or before the date specified in the Application Guide for the session of the Examinations you are applying for.

5. What are the documents required for the application to sit for the Part A Bar Examinations?

A: You are required to submit the following documents:

Mandatory Documents

Identification Document (NRIC for Singapore citizen or permanent resident and international passport for non-Singapore citizen);
Official transcript for your educational qualification used as the basis of admission to your law degree (eg GCE 'A' level, International Baccalaureate, Singapore Diploma and Foundation Year);
The Bachelor’s Degree/Juris Doctor Degree Certificate and Transcript (with English translations, if applicable). If you are graduating after the application deadline, you must submit the previous years’ transcripts to the Institute with your application. Upon your graduation, you must submit your degree certificate and official full academic transcript to the Institute on or before the date specified in the Application Guide for the session of the Examinations you are applying for; and
Rank Certification Document where applicable (for graduates from overseas scheduled universities in Australia, New Zealand and the United States).
University Admission Documents where applicable (for graduates who commenced their course of study in one of the UK universities listed in the Second Schedule to the QP Rules in 2015 or later).

Supplementary Documents, if applicable

Copy of application for exemption or letter of exemption from the Minister for Law, if applicable; and
Medical Report, if you require special arrangements during the Examinations.

6. I have submitted my online application, supporting documents and payment of Examination fees to the Institute. When will I know if my application is successful and accepted by the Institute?

A: Upon submitting your online application successfully, you will receive an application confirmation email by the Institute. After the application period has closed, the Institute will assess all applications. The Institute will notify all applicants on the outcome of their applications by email by the date specified in the Application Guide for the session of the Examinations you are applying for.

7. I have missed the application deadline. Can I submit a late application to the Institute?

A: The Institute will not accept any late applications. Applicants who have missed the deadline are to apply for the next available session of the Part A Bar Course and Examinations.

8. My application has been conditionally accepted. However, I cannot produce my degree certificate and/ or official transcript on or before the date specified in the Application Guide for the session of the Examinations you are applying for. What should I do?

A: Inform the Institute as soon as you know that your original documents will not be ready. The Institute will advise you on the next steps.

9. Is there a preparatory course for every session of the Part A Bar Examinations?

A: The Part A Bar Course is optional and there is only one session each year. The course usually runs from January – April each year and is only offered to applicants who are applying to sit for Session 1 of the Examinations.

10. I have applied to sit for the Part A Bar Examinations. I would now like to defer my application and sit for a later session of the examinations. How do I request for the deferment?

A: There is no deferment of candidature. After the Institute has accepted or conditionally accepted your application, you will be liable to pay a withdrawal fee of $540 (inclusive of GST) if you wish to withdraw your candidature. This fee, may at the Institute’s discretion, be deducted from the Examination fees you paid to us. You must withdraw your candidature on or before the date specified in the Application Guide for the session of the Examinations you are applying for to receive partial refund of the Examination fees. No refund will be given if you withdraw your candidacy after the applicable deadline.

11. My application has been accepted/ conditionally accepted. What should I do next?

A: After your application has been conditionally accepted, the Institute will invite you to attend the Administrative Registration Exercise (ARE) at a date to be specified by the Institute. You must bring your original documents for verification. Candidates must attend the ARE in person and have their original documents verified before they are eligible to sit for the Bar Examinations.

If you are requesting your University to prepare any document for the purpose of the application, please arrange with your University to mail the ORIGINAL hand-signed in ink hard copy document to you as early as possible. Please retain the ORIGINAL document, as you are required to produce it for verification during the ARE.

12. Will I be provided with any examinations preparatory resources to prepare for the examinations?

A: Part A Candidates (accepted and conditionally accepted) will be given access to:

the National University of Singapore Libraries, including the CJ Koh Law Library;
LawNet, a subscription portal that caters to the research and legal information needs of the global legal community; and
SILE Campus, an online learning portal to access video lectures on the examinable subjects.

13. Can I withdraw from the Part A Bar Examinations, after I have signed up for it?

A: If you withdraw your candidature after the Institute has accepted, or conditionally accepted, your application, you will be liable to pay a withdrawal fee of $540 (inclusive of GST), which may at the Institute’s discretion be deducted from the fees paid to the Institute. This applies to withdrawal request received on or before the date specified in the Application Guide for the session of the Examinations you are applying for. No refund will be given if you withdraw after the applicable deadline.

14. What are the procedures for withdrawal from Part A Bar Examinations?

A: Write in to inform the Institute and you will be provided with an official withdrawal form. Complete and sign the form and return it to the Institute.

15. I would like to use my PSEA fund to pay for the Part A Bar Examination fees. How do I apply to use my PSEA fund for reimbursement?

A: Payment using funds from the PSEA is not accepted at the point of application. Applicants must pay for the Part A Bar Examinations fees according to the payment instructions stated in the Application Guide. Information on application to seek reimbursement from PSEA funds will be specified in the Application Guide for the current session of the Examinations that you are applying for. Further details on the use of PSEA fund will be furnished to successful applicants at a later date.

16. How does SILE normally reimburse or refund applicants?

A: Reimbursement or refund to candidates will be done via cheques or bank transfer to the candidates’ bank accounts only.

17. What is the difference between Relevant Legal Training (“RLT”) and Practice Training (“PT”)?

A: A quick overview of the differences between RLT and PT:

	Relevant Legal Training (“RLT”)	Practice Training (“PT)
Duration	6 months	6 months
When to undergo training?	A candidate may undergo the RLT before, concurrently with or after taking Part A Bar Examinations, so long as the RLT is done over a period of not less than 6 months within a continuous period of 8 months. The candidate must pass Part A Bar Examinations and complete the RLT to become a “Qualified Person”. Only upon attaining the status of a “Qualified Person” can she be eligible to undertake the Part B Bar Course and Examinations, or the practice training period.	In most instances, a “Qualified Person” must have attended the Part B Bar Course and have sat for the Part B Bar Examinations before he/ she may serve her 6-month practice training period. However, a candidate may be allowed to serve his/ her practice training earlier if he/ she is able to complete the training before the commencement of Part B Bar Couse. A candidate attending Part B Bar Course may not serve the practice training period concurrently.
Required to Seek Prior Approval from the Institute before Undergoing Training?	No Candidates must inform the Institute, by means of a letter, upon the completion of their RLT.Please refer to https://www.sile.edu.sg/relevant-legal-training-or-relevant-legal-practice-or-work for the required information to be included in the letter.	Yes
Location of Training	RLT can be done in or outside Singapore.	Only in Singapore.
Where to get more information about the training?	https://www.sile.edu.sg/relevant-legal-training-or-relevant-legal-practice-or-work	https://www.sile.edu.sg/practice-training

18. When can I start my relevant legal training or relevant legal practice or work?

A: An eligible person may commence the relevant legal training or relevant legal practice or work (RLT) after he/she has passed the final examination for the applicable law degree from an overseas scheduled university.

The 6-month period of RLT must be undertaken within a continuous period of 8 months, and may be undertaken before, concurrently with, or after the Part A Bar Examinations (including the optional preparatory course – Part A Bar Course). Please note, however, that the days on which the trainee attends classes or examinations during the daytime would be excluded from the computation of the 6-month RLT period.

For more information on RLT, including the calculation of the RLT period, please visit: http://sile.edu.sg/relevant-legal-training-or-relevant-legal-practice-or-work.

19. Do I need to notify SILE before I start my relevant legal training or relevant legal practice or work?

A: It is not necessary to obtain the prior approval of the Institute before commencing relevant legal training or relevant legal practice or work.

20. I graduated from an Overseas Scheduled University. I would like to be called to the Singapore Bar. I meet the eligibility requirements to apply and sit for Part A Bar Examinations. What is the process to be called to the Singapore Bar?

A: Please refer to the infographics to understand the steps to becoming a Qualified Person through studying in an Overseas Scheduled University.

21. Who do I contact for further enquiries on Part A Bar Course and Examinations?

A: Please click here.

end faq

Last Updated: 17 September 2021