FAQs

1. What is a practice training period?

A: Practice training period is the period during which a qualified person receives supervised training in relation to the practice of Singapore law under a practice training contract with a Singapore law practice, or through working as a Judicial Service Officer or a Legal Service Officer or under the supervision of a qualifying relevant legal officer before he can be admitted as an advocate and solicitor.

2. What is the duration of a practice training period?

A: The duration of the practice training period is 6 months, which must be completed within a continuous period of 8 months. However, if a qualified person receives supervised training through working as a Judicial Service Officer or a Legal Service Officer or through working under the supervision of a qualifying relevant legal officer, 6 months of such supervised training will count as 1 month of his practice training period, and he must complete his service of his practice training period within a continuous period of 48 months.

3. Where can I find the requirements relating to practice training period?

A: The requirements relating to practice training period are set out in Part IV of the Legal Profession (Admission) Rules 2011.

4. Must I obtain approval before serving my practice training period?

A: Yes. If a qualified person is required to serve a practice training period, he must obtain approval of the Institute of the manner in which he is to serve his practice training period.

5. When can I start serving my practice training period?

A: You may start serving your practice training period once you are a qualified person.

6. What is a practice training contract?

A: A practice training contract is a formal training arrangement between a qualified person and a Singapore law practice, pursuant to which the qualified person receives, and the Singapore law practice provides, supervised training in relation to the practice of Singapore law.

7. Where can I find the requirements relating to practice training contract?

A: The requirements relating to practice training contracts are set out in Part V of the Legal Profession (Admission) Rules 2011.

8. Who is a practice trainee?

A: A practice trainee is a person who is serving his practice training period under a practice training contract.

9. Who is a supervising solicitor?

A: A supervising solicitor is the person responsible for the supervision of a practice trainee while the practice trainee is serving his practice training period under a practice training contract.

10. Who may be a supervising solicitor?

A: Please refer to Part V of the Legal Profession (Admission) Rules 2011.

11. What are the responsibilities of a supervising solicitor?

A: Please refer to Part V of the Legal Profession (Admission) Rules 2011.

12. What are the responsibilities of a Singapore law practice under practice training contracts?

A: Please refer to Part V of the Legal Profession (Admission) Rules 2011.

13. Must a practice training contract be registered?

A: Yes. A Singapore law practice which provides a practice trainee with supervised training under a practice training contract must register with the Institute every practice training contract and the particulars of the practice trainee and his supervising solicitor.

14. What if a Singapore law practice does not have the expertise or resources to provide the practice trainee with exposure to an area of practice referred to in the Rules?

A: The Singapore law practice may arrange for the practice trainee to receive that exposure in another Singapore law practice. During the period of exposure in another Singapore law practice, the practice trainee is deemed to be supervised by his supervising solicitor.

15. I wish to switch firm in the midst of my practice training, how do I go about doing that?

A: Yes. Please write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for assistance.

16. How do I calculate my practice training period?

A: Please refer to this link https://www.sile.edu.sg/ptp-old-framework/calculation-of-practice-training-period for the method of calculation.

17. Do I need to pay back for the half day firm closure on the eves of New Year, Chinese New Year and Christmas?

A: If the half day firm closure falls on the eve of New Year, Chinese New Year and Christmas, you need not pay back if you have worked half day. However, if you took leave on that day, you will have to pay back one full day.

end faq

Last Updated: 19 September 2024