Internships

Internships in the Singapore Legal Service

The Singapore Legal Service offers internships to law undergraduates and JD students studying for a recognised law degree (as stipulated under the Legal Profession Act [Qualified Persons Rule]) at the NUS, the SMU and the Scheduled Universities.

2 Internships are offered twice annually and coincide with the vacation periods in each academic year: May to Sep; and Dec to the following Feb.

3 All applicants are required to complete the “Internship Application Form” (please click here for the form). Please review the “Guidance Notes” set out in the form before completing and submitting an application. All applicants are to clearly indicate the internship cycle(s) they are applying for.

4 All interns are eligible for a monthly internship allowance (the quantum will be pro-rated based on the number of working hours in the month).

5 All queries may be directed to Ms Queh Sin Pei at lsc_sec@lsc.gov.sg.

Singapore Legal Service Internship Programme 2019/2020

There are two internship cycles: one in mid-2019 (May – Sep) and another in late-2019/early-2020 (Dec 2019 – Feb 2020). All applicants are to clearly indicate the internship cycle(s) they are applying for.

2 Please note that all applications would be processed upon the close of the deadlines set out below:

mid-2019 cycle: 1 Feb 2019
All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by Apr/May 2019.
late-2019/early-2020 cycle: 31 Jul 2019
All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by Sep/Oct 2019.

3 The following internship positions are available in mid-2019 and/or late-2019/early-2020:

ACRA

Expectations	You will be exposed to the work of ACRA in its regulation of businesses, companies, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, corporate service providers and public accountants. You should be able to obtain a better understanding of the procedures and administrative practices under the legislation administered by ACRA and of some of the policy, registration, filing and compliance issues faced by ACRA. You will be attached principally to assist the Legal Service Officers in ACRA but you may also be asked to observe and to assist other ACRA officers in the course of their work. You should be prepared to contribute and assist in legal research or legal policy projects, (which may involve researching the law and practice of foreign jurisdictions) and you may be asked to prepare legal and policy briefs under the guidance of the Legal Service Officers. You should be interested in business law or in the regulation of business entities.
Eligibility	3^rd & 4^th year law students.
Period of Internship	Choose between either one of the two windows available: i.) May – Sep 2019 ii.) Dec 2019 – Feb 2020
Duration	1 month. All applicants who wish to be shortlisted for an internship must be able to commit to the full period/duration of the internship.

Attorney-General's Chambers

Expectations

In 2019, the Attorney-General’s Chambers will be offering two
3-week internship programmes, designed to introduce applicants to what AGC does, and to find out how Legal Service Officers (LSOs) in the AGC make a difference everyday.

AGC’s internship programme gives interns broad exposure to the work as the Public Prosecutor and Legal Advisor to the Government. Interns will be rotated to the Crime Division, Civil Division, International Affairs Division and Legislation Division.

Through a comprehensive and structured programme, interns will be directly exposed to a wide range of advisory, legislative drafting, prosecution, litigation and negotiation work, and will meet and work alongside many of the LSOs. Besides having a chance to observe real-life criminal prosecutions and civil litigation, interns will also be exposed to the seldom-seen, behind-the-scenes deliberations that shape and inform the Attorney-General’s / Public Prosecutor’s decisions.

Apart from observing and assisting, interns will also have the opportunity to hone their litigation, advocacy, negotiation, advisory and drafting skills in simulated exercises based on real-life cases.

To answer any questions and to give deeper insight into life at AGC, supervising mentors will be assigned to interns for the entire internship programme.

Eligibility

Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents who are undergoing any course of study in the law, whether at local or overseas Scheduled Universities. Applicants must be in at least the second year of their law course.

Internship places are limited and applicants will be considered on a competitive basis. AGC is looking for dynamic and committed individuals who are interested or considering a career in public service. We also seek interns who possess leadership qualities and extra-curricular or community-service experience, beyond purely academic ability.

Interested applicants should fill up and return the attached AGC Internship Application Form, in addition to the cover letter, CV and academic transcripts (as set out in the “Guidance Notes” on the application webpage). Applicants are advised to give careful thought to their application submissions.

Period of Internship

Choose between:

27 May – 17 Jun 2019

15 Jul – 2 Aug 2019

Interns will be required to commit to the full period (ie, all 15 working days) of the selected internship run.

Competition & Consumer Commission of Singapore

The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (“CCCS”) is a statutory board of the Ministry of Trade and Industry. CCCS administers and enforces the Competition Act (Cap. 50B) which empowers CCCS to investigate and adjudicate anti-competitive activities, issue directions to stop and/or prevent anti-competitive activities and impose financial penalties. CCCS is also the administering agency of the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act (Cap. 52A) which protects consumers against unfair trade practices in Singapore. Our mission is to make markets work well to create opportunities and choices for business and consumers in Singapore.

CCCS’ Legal & Enforcement Divisions provide CCCS with the legal and enforcement expertise necessary for CCCS to perform the functions and discharge the duties under the Competition Act. Legal officers are actively involved in conducting investigations, advising other government agencies on competition matters and analysing the merits of notifications for guidance or decision, and merger filings. In addition, Legal officers also undertake critical review of the Competition Act, subsidiary legislation and CCCS’ guidelines and perform in-house legal advisory work required in the execution of CCCS’ functions and represent CCCS in all court and appeal proceedings.

Expectations	Interns in CCCS are given responsibilities, with opportunities to experience real-work assignments / projects under professional guidance. During your internship, you will be given the opportunity to observe and participate in the work undertaken by the Legal & Enforcement Divisions. Besides contributing to legal and industry research, you may also participate in reviews of the relevant legislation and guidelines; and where appropriate, you may be involved in case investigations and policy projects.
Eligibility	Rising 3^rd & 4^th year law students with keen interest in competition law preferred.
Period of Internship	Choose between either one of the two windows available: i.) May - Sep 2019 ii.) Dec 2019 - Feb 2020
Duration	4 – 12 weeks. Interested applicants should be able to commit for at least 1 month for the internship.

Intellectual Property Office of Singapore

Project

Scope

Special requirements

Attachment Period

Legal Depart-ment

Provide support drafting, research & analysis in the following areas:

International IP work:
1. Preparatory work for ongoing negotiations for FTAs and/or multi-lateral treaties with an IP-focus
2. Preparatory work for meetings in the international fora (WTO, WIPO, and bilaterals)
Domestic IP work:
1. Supporting legislative reform in Singapore in the area of IP, or related laws
2. Support policy development on specific IP issues (e.g. limitations & exceptions for copyright; collective management of copyright)
In-house counsel work:
1. Drafting and/or reviewing of contracts, external publications, etc.
2. Providing research to support the provision of legal advice

The candidate may also be required to assist in vetting and/or proof-reading draft practice guidelines and legislation where required.

Candidates must:

have completed their third year of study;
have studied at least one course on IP law; and
be able to provide a letter of recommen-dation from one their IP Professors.

Candidates who have taken more than one course on IP law, or who have past internship and/or work experience relating to IP law, will have an added advantage.

Given the sensitive nature of the work, internship applicants should be Singapore citizens.

Candidates are invited to apply for an internship during the Dec 2019 – Feb 2020 period for a duration of 4-6 weeks per intern.

Candidates should preferably specify the exact period of commitment, and provide alternative periods where possible.

Insolvency & Public Trustee’s Office

Expectations	You will be exposed to the work of a Legal Service Officer who is posted to IPTO, a department of the Ministry of Law, to perform duties of providing legal advice and other legal services to the department in the discharge of their statutory functions and duties relating to individual and corporate insolvency, the Public Trustee and the regulation of moneylenders and pawnbrokers. You may also be asked to conduct legal research and write an opinion on issues arising in the course of the work of IPTO and may be able to accompany Legal Service Officers to Court to observe their legal proceedings.
Eligibility	1^st – 4^th year law students.
Period of Internship	Choose between either one of the two windows available: i.) May – Sep 2019 ii.) Dec 2019 – Feb 2020
Duration	At least 1 month. All applicants who wish to be shortlisted for an internship must be able to commit to the full period/duration of the internship.

Judicial Internship Programme

Department	Supreme Court	State Courts
Expectations	You should have an interest in joining the Singapore Legal Service. You will sit in with Registrars on a wide variety of hearings conducted in the Supreme Court, including interlocutory applications such as summary judgment hearings and discovery applications. You will also have the opportunity to sit in at pre-trial conferences, observe open court hearings and gain an insight into the process of court administration. You may be required to assist in some project or research work undertaken by the Judiciary.	You will have the opportunity to observe open court proceedings in the registries and court rooms of the State Courts and gain an insight into the process of court administration. You will also have the opportunity to meet Judicial Officers for fireside chats and attend Master Classes for criminal and civil law cases.
Eligibility	Rising final or penultimate year law students.
Period of Internship	Batch 1 State Courts: 8 – 12 Jul 2019 Sup Court: 15 – 19 Jul 2019 Batch 2 (dates are currently tentative) State Courts: 6 – 10 Jan 2020 Sup Court: 13 – 17 Jan 2020
Duration	All applicants who wish to be shortlisted for an internship must be able to commit to the full period/duration of the internship.

Legal Aid Bureau

The Legal Aid Bureau was set up to assist indigent persons in need of legal help.

Our services cover a wide range of matters, including divorces, adoptions, guardianship, committee of persons and estates, variation and enforcement applications, claims for maintenance, wrongful dismissals, motor and industrial accident claims, probate and letters of administration, tenancy disputes and monetary claims.

Expectations	You will get a firsthand experience in drafting legal documents, doing legal research, interviewing applicants and assisting in putting up opinions for the Legal Aid Board. You will also receive a guided orientation into the workings of the Legal Aid Bureau. All interns will have the opportunity to work independently under the guidance and supervision of a Legal Service Officer. You will also get the chance to accompany Legal Service Officers to Court to observe Court proceedings. This includes sitting in at court hearings, attending status conferences / pre-trial conferences / mediations and experiencing video-link hearings. You will also get the chance to sit in at the legal advice sessions given by our Legal Service Officers at the Legal Aid Bureau. Your internship at the Legal Aid Bureau will provide you with a wide exposure not just in the area of legal work but also the fulfilling personal experience in helping others.
Eligibility	2^nd & 3^rd year law students.
Period of Internship	NUS i.) 21 May – 7 Jun 2019 ii.) 10 Jun – 28 Jun 2019 iii.) 1 Jul – 19 Jul 2019 SMU i.) 29 Apr – 17 May 2019 ii.) 21 May – 7 Jun 2019 U.K. i.) 1 Jul – 19 Jul 2019 ii.) 22 Jul – 8 Aug 2019 iii.) 13 Aug – 30 Aug 2019 Australia / N.Z. i.) 6 Jan – 24 Jan 2020
Duration	3 weeks. All applicants who wish to be shortlisted for an internship must be able to commit to the full period/duration of the internship.

Legal Unit, Ministry of Culture, Community & Youth

The Legal Unit provides legal services to all the departments of the Ministry of Culture, Community & Youth (MCCY), including the National Youth Council, the Charities Unit and the Registry of Co-operative Societies and Mutual Benefit Organisations. Thus, the work covers a variety of subject areas, including regulatory and corporate law, and trusts and charities law.

Expectations	You will be invited to contribute and assist in vetting/drafting contracts (including funding agreements and deeds) and MOU, advisory work, devising legal strategies, and undertaking legal analysis and research.
Eligibility	Any law undergraduate.
Period of Internship	Choose between either one of the two windows available: i.) Jun – Sep 2019 ii.) Jan – Feb 2020
Duration	6 – 8 weeks. Interested applicants should commit to at least 1 month for this internship.

Legal Services, Ministry of Communications & Information

Expectations	You will undertake research and/or work assignments in areas of law which are relevant to MCI’s functions and operations. This may include the areas of contract law, data protection law, media law, cybersecurity, administrative and constitutional law. You should therefore be strong in written English. You should have adequate research skills and be able to work independently.
Eligibility	You should be at least a 2^nd year law student, and a Singapore citizen. It will be an advantage if you had studied contract law, administrative and constitutional law, intellectual property law and/or media law.
Period of Internship	Dec 2019
Duration	2 weeks. All applicants who wish to be shortlisted for an internship must be able to commit to the full period/duration of the internship

Legal Services Branch, Ministry of Education

Expectations	Candidates must be keen to learn and understand the role of a Ministry in-house legal counsel and the legal issues dealt with by MOE’s Legal Services Branch.
Eligibility	Rising 3^rd& 4^th year law students
Period of Internship	Choose between either one of the two windows available: i.) May – Aug 2019 ii.) Dec 2019 – Jan 2020
Duration	4 weeks. All applicants who wish to be shortlisted must be able to commit for at least 4 weeks.

Legal Services Unit, Ministry of Social & Family Development

Expectations	Good interpersonal and communication skills Strong in written English Ability to work independently, with display of initiative Research skills [The intern will undertake research and work assignments relating to the legal aspects of MSF’s functions and operations. This may include the areas of family law, adoption, child protection, intellectual property and contracts.]
Eligibility	At least 2^nd year law students. Should preferably have studied some or all of the following subjects: Contract law, Administrative and Constitutional law, Family law.
Period of Internship	Choose between either one of the two windows available: i.) May – Sep 2019 ii.) Jan – Feb 2020
Duration	4 weeks. All applicants who wish to be shortlisted must be able to commit for at least 4 weeks.

Legal Division, Ministry of Home Affairs

The MHA Legal Division renders legal advice to the Divisions in the Ministry Headquarters as well as the Home Team agencies, which include the Singapore Police Force, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, the Singapore Prison Service, the Singapore Civil Defence Force and the Central Narcotics Bureau.

Expectations	Interns will be exposed to the wide range of legal work handled by the Legal Division. You will have the opportunity to draft advice, carry out legal research, and assist in the vetting/drafting of agreements. Visits to various Home Team agencies will also be arranged.
Eligibility	Singapore Citizens 3^rd & 4^th year law students preferred.
Period of Internship	Apr/May 2019
Duration	2 weeks. All applicants who wish to be shortlisted for an internship must be able to commit to the full period/duration of the internship.

Legal Services Department, Ministry of Defence

Expectations	Interns will be exposed to the wide spectrum of work handled by the Legal Services Department, which includes matters relating to contract, tort and areas of law unique to the Ministry of Defence such as the administration of Military Justice. Interns will assist the Department in carrying out research and work assignments and will be given the opportunity to observe the conduct of General Court Martial proceedings.
Eligibility	Singapore Citizens. 3^rd & 4^th year law students preferred.
Period of Internship	1 Jul - 26 Jul 2019
Duration	4 weeks. All applicants who wish to be shortlisted for an internship must be able to commit to the full period/duration of the internship.

Legal Group, Ministry of Law

The Ministry of Law strives to advance access to justice, the rule of law, the economy and the society through the development of policy and law.

Expectations	Interns will assist the Legal Group on various initiatives and will undertake research and policy analysis on domestic and international legal policy. This will cover substantive areas such as civil and criminal justice, family law, legal industry, land, intellectual property, community, human rights and international law. Interns can expect to: embark on rigorous legal research and analysis; study developing trends and practices in other countries; assist with statistical collation and analysis; do cross-jurisdictional comparative studies; and witness how such knowledge is applied in policy-making.
Eligibility	2^nd – 4^th year law.
Period of Internship	Choose between either one of the two windows available: i.) May – Sep 2019 ii.) Dec 2019 – Feb 2020
Duration	4 – 6 weeks All applicants who wish to be shortlisted for an internship must be able to commit for at least 4 weeks.

Legal Office, Ministry of Health

Expectations

To assist in conducting legal research in areas of law including contract law, tort law, criminal law and administrative law.

To assist in vetting agreements and documents.

To assist on files concerning regulatory offences under MOH’s purview.

Eligibility

To have completed at least modules on Contract law, Tort law and Criminal law. It would be good if student has completed an administrative law module.

Period of Internship

Choose between either one of the two windows available:

Mid-2019

(i.e. May – Sep 2019)

Interns are to commit for an 8-week internship.

Late-2019/early-2020

(i.e. Dec 2019 – Feb 2020)

Interns are to commit for a 4-week internship.

All applicants who wish to be shortlisted for an internship must be able to commit for the stated duration.

Legal Services Division, Ministry of Manpower

Expectations	You will undertake research. You may also be involved in case analysis and discussion and may also have the opportunity to assist in a trial.
Eligibility	1^st to 4^th year law students. Applicants should have completed a course in criminal law.
Period of Internship	Choose between either one of the two windows available: i.) May – Sep 2019 ii.) Jan – Feb 2020
Duration	1 month. All applicants who wish to be shortlisted for an internship must be able to commit to the full period/duration of the internship.

Singapore Land Authority

Expectations	You will gain insights into the work and practices of SLA in areas such as land registration, land survey, land alienation and management of State land and property. You will have a better understanding, gain a broader perspective and knowledge of the procedures under the various legislation administered by SLA, e.g. Land Titles Act, Residential Property Act, Boundary Map and Survey Act, State Lands Act and State Lands Encroachment Act. You will also work closely with the Legal Counsel in SLA to help provide legal advice on policy and operational issues to the various divisions. You should be prepared to contribute and assist in legal research or legal policy projects (which may involve researching the law and the practice of foreign jurisdictions) and you may be asked to prepare legal and policy briefs under the guidance of the Legal Counsel. At the end of the internship, you will appreciate the realistic expectations of the work in a legal environment and you can revel in the experience of working with issues that touch and concern land – a limited resource in Singapore.
Eligibility	Rising 3^rd & 4^th year law students.
Period of Internship	Choose between either one of the two windows available: i.) May – Sep 2019 ii.) Early-2020
Duration	3 weeks. All applicants who wish to be shortlisted for an internship must be able to commit to the full period/duration of the internship.

Senior Officers’ Law Clerk Programme

Expectations	You will have the opportunity to observe open court proceedings in the registries and court rooms of the State Courts and gain an insight into the process of court administration. You will also have the opportunity to meet Judicial Officers for fireside chats and attend Master Classes for criminal and civil law cases.
Eligibility	Rising final or penultimate year law students.
Period of Internship	Choose between either one of the two windows available: i.) 8 Jul 2019 to 30 Aug 2019 ii.) 6 Jan 2020 to 28 Feb 2020 (dates are currently tentative)
Duration	All applicants who wish to be shortlisted for an internship must be able to commit for 2 months.

Family Justice Courts

Expectations	Interns will have the opportunity to sit in with Judicial Officers and observe open court proceedings in the Family Court and the Youth Court as well as hearings in Chambers. Interns will also have the opportunity to understand court administration process and framework. Interns may also be asked to assist in project work undertaken by their respective Judicial Officer mentors or other Judicial Officers as may be required.
Eligibility	1^st – 4^th year law students.
Period of Internship	Choose between either one of the two windows available: i.) 1 Jul 2019 – 31 Jul 2019 ii.) 2 Jan 2020 – 31 Jan 2020
Duration	1 month. All applicants who wish to be shortlisted for an internship must be able to commit to the full period/duration of the internship.