Pro Bono Programme

Overview

The Pro Bono Programme aims to enhance students’ understanding of the practice of law as a service vocation and to provide students with the opportunity to experience real-life application of the law through interaction with host organisations. All law students from the National University of Singapore (NUS) Faculty of Law, the Singapore Management University (SMU) Yong Pung How School of Law, and the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) School of Law are required to complete 20 hours of pro bono work as part of their graduation requirements. This can be undertaken at any time after their first year of study.

Approved Pro Bono Work

To meet the requirements of the Pro Bono Programme, students must undertake Approved Pro Bono Work which aligns with the Approved Pro Bono Criteria and Guidelines set by the Institute. A Review Committee, composed of representatives from the Institute, Pro Bono SG, and the three law schools, has been established to review and approve particular activities as Approved Pro Bono Work.

All Legal Aid Bureau (LAB), Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (CLAS) and the Legal Assistance Scheme for Capital Offences (LASCO) assigned cases are Approved Pro Bono Work.

Registration

Organisations which intend to host pro bono placements and wish their placements to be approved as Approved Pro Bono Work may complete the Application Form for Host Institutions for the Review Committee’s consideration.

Law students or student groups which have initiated or are carrying out pro bono projects or activities and wish for these projects or activities to be regarded as Approved Pro Bono Work may complete the Application Form for Law Students / Student Groups for the Review Committee’s consideration.

All Application Forms must be sent to [email protected].

Please refer to the Approved Pro Bono Work Criteria and Guidelines established by the Institute and the Explanatory Notes for assistance on the completion of the Application Form.

List of the Institute’s Approved Pro Bono Work (Ongoing)

List of the Institute’s Approved Pro Bono Work (Concluded)

CPD Scheme for lawyers supervising Approved Pro Bono Work

From 1 January 2015, lawyers who supervise Approved Pro Bono Work as part of the Pro Bono Programme for Law Students may earn 2 Private CPD Points per CPD Year. For further details regarding the CPD Scheme, please refer to the SILE CPD Centre at silecpdcentre.sg. Lawyers keen on serving as supervisors of Approved Pro Bono Work can contact the Host Organisations directly.

Contact Information

For more information on any specific Pro Bono Programme, law students should contact the Pro Bono Programme representatives from their respective Law School.

Last Updated: 25 August 2025