Stepping into the Shoes of Legal Professionals: An SILE Internship Reflection
By: Marcio Sandy Moniaga and Philemon Goh
6 November 2025
Note: This article was written by SILE’s interns, and is a reflection of their time during the SILE internship.
A First Step into the Legal World
Many believe internships to be little more than glorified coffee runs. This was a sentiment which we also held before starting our internship. However, our time at the Singapore Institute of Legal Education (SILE) quickly proved otherwise. Secured through our school-sourced internship programme at Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), this opportunity initially felt intimidating, considering that we were clueless about how the legal education system worked. Yet, from the very first day of our internship, it was clear that this placement was a gratifying chance to delve into the inner workings of Singapore’s legal education and professional training system.
Both of us have long aspired to pursue law. Like many students, our understanding of the behind the scenes logistics was limited to what we had read or heard. Interning at SILE brought us closer to that reality. We witnessed first-hand how legal technology influences legal education, and the admissions process of being called to the Singapore Bar by attending court hearings with our mentor. Our curiosity and newfound understanding set the stage for the rest of our internship as we come to deeply appreciate how the law functions beyond textbooks.
Attending Hearings at the High Court of Singapore
On the first day of the internship, shortly after arriving at the office, we set out to the High Court of Singapore, where our mentor, Ms Rachel Tan (Executive Director of SILE), acted as counsel for SILE in the court hearing. The hearing involved an applicant seeking admission to the Bar despite having a past offence on record.
This experience at the High Court of Singapore was particularly distinctive for us as it was both our first time attending a hearing there as members of the public gallery. The opportunity to watch a court hearing was enriching as we were able to not only get a better grasp of the admissions process, but we were also able to gain a better understanding of how court hearings usually pan out. We found it helpful that Ms Tan guided us through the case following the hearing to explain more about the facts involved. Furthermore, we also got to know about all the stakeholders in the admissions process, which included SILE, the AGC, and the Law Society of Singapore.
However, what stood out the most was the reaction of not only the applicant himself, but also the applicant’s parents after he was officially admitted into the bar. Seeing someone who went from having a troubled past to turning over a new leaf and now even being able to have the privilege of working in such an honorable profession tugged at our heartstrings, especially as we watched his parents, who were sitting next to us, be moved to tears. This opportunity to be able to be part of the public gallery shed light on the moral side of law, where, regardless of background, everyone should have an equal chance to observe public hearings.
We had more than one encounter at the High Court of Singapore. On our fourth day of the internship, we once again attended a court hearing as part of the public gallery. The second hearing was of a longer duration, which allowed us to observe the courtroom dynamics and learn new terminology. For instance, we learnt that lawyers frequently refer to other lawyers as their “learned friend”. This showed us how one of the fundamentals of law was respect, and maintaining respect even against those who we are up against is a core value of a lawyer. Furthermore, we also became familiar with legal terms, such as “stayed” or “dismissed”, the significance of an affidavit in court, and all the different potential grounds for suspension when applying for admissions. However, most importantly, we learnt that honesty and candour are pivotal values in the context of taking on the profession of a lawyer. These values are what shapes a good lawyer who is responsible and takes accountability for their mistakes.
Ultimately, these experiences emphasised that beyond intellect and advocacy, the core of law is founded in integrity and moral courage.
Exploring Legal Technology & Digital Transformation
Aside from our thrilling visit to the High Court, we were also tasked with helping Mr Chia Chong Cher (Senior Manager), who was part of the Information Technology Department in SILE. He briefed us on the legal digitization process that SILE was undergoing, which would help to streamline its internal processes. He showed us the ropes on how to navigate the prototype system and explained how it would help SILE regulate its processes more efficiently.
Then came the task which we were assigned to do, which was to draft up a bug report after testing. The system which we looked at was just a prototype of what the final result was supposed to look like. Together with Mr Chia, we navigated through the system, gave feedback on the pros and the cons of the system, and discussed possible alterations to enhance user experience.
Through this task, we learnt how to draft up a proper bug report with all the proper formatting in order to make it easy for the programmers to understand the issues we were trying to drive across. This experience has also broadened our horizons to how prevalent technology will be in the future of law, not only in terms of making research for instance easier, but also making the process of law admissions more streamlined and convenient.
Capturing SILE’s Mission in Words
As a major part of our internship responsibilities, we were entrusted with the meaningful task of crafting articles that captured some of SILE’s key initiatives. These assignments went beyond typing words on a page, as we explored the various resources and perspectives to refine our articles’ tone and structure. Overall, the process required us to balance content accuracy with a unique voice that pulls readers into understanding not only what SILE does, but also why it matters to the legal community. Therefore, each article was an exercise in research and reflection on SILE’s mission of nurturing a profession founded in integrity and purpose.
For example, writing about the Part B Donated Bursaries Fund, one of our very first tasks, was especially meaningful as it reminded us that the profession is one that is noble and compassionate towards community. It was an unprecedented privilege to be able to highlight the aspiring recipients who received funds as an engine for achieving both a legal career and their personal passions. Additionally, we were thankful for Ms Tan and Mr Jamin Jeow, our mentor from ACS(Independent), who heard our presentation of the article and provided us with valuable feedback regarding its language and content.
On the other hand, the United Kingdom Working Trip 2025 article opened our eyes to the global perspective of Singapore’s legal education landscape. It helped us to see that cross-border collaboration is key to strengthening legal professionalism in Singapore. We are grateful for our mentors’ guidance in ensuring that the article truly reflected SILE’s mission of outreach and collaboration through their working trip.
Through this experience, we realised that there is more to legal proceedings than advocating for clients in court. Writing within an institutional context is as much about storytelling as it is about service to translate the intricate work of legal education into resonant narratives that inspire engagement with communities even beyond the legal landscape. We are grateful to have our mentors at SILE to revise and refine our drafts such that they can become published pieces, reminding us that even behind the scenes, thoughtful communication is vital in advancing SILE’s outreach and values.
Conversations Beyond The Desk
Another memorable part of our internship was the time spent over lunch and afternoon tea with our mentors. Just a short walk from the office at Havelock 2, we often explored the nearby food stalls, which instantly became our go-to lunch spot. The informal conversations we had there allowed us to have a glimpse into the process of Bar admissions and the broader legal education landscape, in which their insights extended far beyond what we could learn from documents and research alone. Our chats were sweetened along with the cups of chocolate and chamomile tea as our mentors shared their experiences with laughter and honesty. Through this, we found ourselves becoming even more genuinely in awe in the pathways and people involved in Singapore’s legal profession.
The atmosphere and company in the office was warm and welcoming. The staff frequently checked in on us and offered us their guidance wherever we needed it. These small but cherishable moments we had at SILE shaped our experience into one that is both professional, enriching, and enjoyable.
An Experience to Remember
As our internship drew to a close, we came to reflect on how much we had grown in just the span of a week. Our curiosity was indulged with a genuine appreciation for the dedication and teamwork behind Singapore’s legal education landscape. Although it may be a slight glimpse into the legal environment, every task we tackled allowed us to step into the shoes of professionals that work with commitment.
We would like to express our gratitude to Ms Rachel Tan, Mr Valen Lim, Mr Chia Chong Cher, Mr Jamin Jeow, and everyone at SILE for their care and support throughout our time here. The warmth of the office, the generosity of our mentors, and the spirit of teamwork we took part in will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression. We hope to be able to cross paths with our mentors at SILE once again as we pursue our legal journeys.