Singapore Law Ministry to Review Legal Education Amid Workplace Concerns

Singapore's Ministry of Law will embark on a comprehensive review of legal education, aiming to better prepare future legal professionals and address concerns within the industry. Minister for Law Edwin Tong announced the initiative, stating that the ministry is also exploring the creation of a guide to set clear professional norms and workplace behaviors.

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Lawyers have always left practice at some point in their career, usually at the earlier frame of their career.

Speaking at the Legal Profession Symposium, Tong acknowledged the reality of lawyer attrition, a trend he noted has remained broadly stable over the past decade. Between 2015 and 2024, approximately 60% of lawyers continued practicing after five years, and 40% after ten years. However, Tong emphasized that the critical question is not merely whether lawyers are leaving, but the underlying reasons for their departure.

"Are they pursuing different aspirations and opportunities, or are they pushed away because legal practice has become intolerable and unsustainable when otherwise they would like to be in practice?" Tong posed, highlighting the distinction between voluntary career changes and departures driven by negative work environments. He stressed that global trends in legal education should be studied to see how they apply to Singapore's context.

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Are they pursuing different aspirations and opportunities, or are they pushed away because legal practice has become intolerable and unsustainable when otherwise they would like to be in practice? And I think that distinction matters a lot.

Tong addressed findings from a recent Law Society study, which detailed issues such as toxic workplace cultures, bullying, excessive workloads, and work-life balance challenges. While acknowledging these experiences, he suggested they might represent the actions of a minority, stating, "Unfortunately, it only takes a few individuals to cast a shadow over a profession that is overwhelmingly made up of decent, committed people." Nevertheless, he firmly stated that poor supervision, inadequate training, harassment, bullying, and unreasonable treatment are unacceptable, citing examples like being screamed at or expected to work excessive hours.

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But no matter how well we prepare our students, the most important learning still begins after they enter practice, just as it did for my generation.

The ministry's proposed sustainability code or guide would aim to outline aspirational professional norms and behaviors rather than dictating firm operations. Tong suggested that while workplaces can be demanding, they should not be demeaning, and feedback should be candid yet respectful. The review seeks to foster a healthier and more sustainable legal profession in Singapore.

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Unfortunately, it only takes a few individuals to cast a shadow over a profession that is overwhelmingly made up of decent, committed people who want to see their juniors succeed and will mentor them well.