Guided by Principle,
Defined by Purpose
Singapore Academy of Law
Annual Report 2024/2025
About Us
Established in 1988, the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) is Singapore’s leading institution dedicated to advancing excellence, innovation, and professional development in the legal sector, guided by its vision of positioning Singapore as the legal hub of Asia.
Led by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon and a distinguished Senate, SAL serves a forward-looking legal profession of over 14,000 members — including judges, practitioners, legal service officers, corporate counsel, and academics.
Aligned with our mission to develop future-ready legal professionals and build a purpose-driven, resilient profession grounded in shared values, we are reimagining legal education to meet the industry’s evolving needs and ensure its long-term sustainability. Our programmes strengthen business and leadership capabilities while laddering career progression — from certification courses for emerging lawyers to strategic leadership development for senior practitioners, including specialist accreditation. We also uphold and celebrate professional excellence with the prestigious Senior Counsel appointments.
Beyond capability-building, SAL drives a collective effort to foster a sustainable and values-based practice — reinforcing resilience, purpose, and a strong sense of professional identity as the foundation for excellence through conducive workplace cultures and constructive professional interactions.
Within the legal technology ecosystem, SAL plays a key role through platforms such as LawNet and TechLaw.Fest, connecting the profession to trusted Singapore legal research, cutting-edge innovations in AI, and meaningful dialogue on the responsible use of technology in law. Our strategic partnerships with international jurisdictions and leading institutions further strengthen Singapore’s position as a hub for cross-border collaboration, enhancing the global and regional competitiveness of our law firms and expanding their international client advisory capabilities.
SAL’s publishing arm, the Academy Publishing, drives excellence in legal knowledge and thought leadership through authoritative publications — including books, law reports and journals, that both reflect and shape the development of Singapore law. Beyond the legal profession, SAL serves the public through trusted services such as document authentication for overseas use and stakeholding for property transactions, reflecting our commitment to the core values of excellence, trust and service.
Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon
President, Singapore Academy of Law
Message From The President
In July 2025, the Academy convened the second Legal Profession Symposium (“Symposium”), bringing together more than 250 representatives from across the profession to explore what we need to do to sustain, strengthen and reimagine the future of the profession. This was a timely and necessary exercise because our profession stands at a critical inflection point. We face an unprecedented confluence of rapid, dramatic and complex challenges that demand our urgent attention and call for innovative responses. These include the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (“AI”) on our profession, the increasingly competitive global market for young talent, and the growing commercialisation of the practice of law.
To address these challenges, the Academy has developed five strategic workstreams that will anchor and set the direction for its work in the coming years.
The first workstream focuses on promoting the sustainability and well-being of our members.
It aims to help our members build purpose-driven and values-based careers, within organisations that are committed to instilling a positive and inclusive workplace culture. The Mindful Business Movement that was launched at the Symposium will be central to this effort. With nearly 30 partner organisations to date, the Mindful Business Movement will promote awareness and adoption of the Sustainability Principles, support their practical implementation in workplaces, and champion mental wellness and well-being. The Academy will also introduce a career navigator programme known as Lexplorer. Designed for legal professionals across all levels and career paths, Lexplorer will bring together a suite of tools and initiatives to support meaningful and sustainable career growth.
The second workstream will help our members harness AI safely and effectively.
The launch of LawNet 4.0 represents its most significant transformation to date, introducing innovative Q&A search functions and AI-generated annotations. The Academy is also holding a series of workshops and prompt engineering clinics to ensure that our members develop a sound understanding of AI’s capabilities and limitations, its possible applications in legal work, and the ethical issues that it will give rise to.
The third workstream is directed at reshaping legal education for the future.
With regard to university legal education, the Academy will work with the profession to better identify and articulate the foundational knowledge and skills that law graduates must have, and then engage our universities to consider how we might integrate these requirements into their programmes. And as for continuing legal education, the Academy will continue to develop and refine the Junior Lawyers Professional Certification Programme, its flagship training programme for junior lawyers that was launched in 2025. Beyond this, the Academy will also work with our stakeholders to fundamentally reimagine continuing legal education as an institutional necessity, ensuring that it remains fit for purpose in light of the ever-evolving needs of our profession.
The fourth workstream will focus on sharpening the business and leadership skills of our members.
Modern legal practice requires not only technical legal expertise, but also a strong business understanding and acumen, client management capabilities, and leadership competencies. The Academy will introduce programmes to address these needs, and it will also offer structured leadership training and coaching to mid-level and senior lawyers to strengthen the leadership pipeline across the profession.
Finally, the fifth workstream seeks to enhance the global and regional competitiveness of our law firms.
The Academy will strive to create more opportunities for members to be seen and heard at international fora, conduct more business missions and exchange visits, and support law firms who wish to enhance and expand their international client advisory capabilities.
These workstreams represent the Academy’s comprehensive response to the significant challenges that lie ahead. Further details of the Academy’s work in 2025 are contained in this Report. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to all who have contributed to the Academy’s work over the past year – our dedicated staff, committee members, valued partners, and my colleagues on the Senate and the Executive Board. Each of you has worked tirelessly to advance the mission of the Academy, and let us continue to work together to shape the future of our profession, one that is strong, vibrant, sustainable and values-based.
Mr Yeong Zee Kin
Chief Executive, Singapore Academy of Law
Message From Our Chief Executive
2025 has been a year of focus, partnerships, and purposeful execution for the Academy. As the President highlighted, our profession is undergoing rapid transformation. We moved swiftly from identifying challenges to building platforms, partnerships, and capabilities that deliver tangible value to our members.
Promoting the sustainability and well-being of the profession
In 2025, we strengthened initiatives to promote well-being and positive workplace cultures. At the second Legal Profession Symposium (Symposium), we launched the Mindful Business Movement, bringing together nearly 30 partners to collectively champion well-being in the profession. We also dedicated resources to career coaching to support retention and talent development, and advanced Lexplorer, a career navigation platform for purposeful growth across diverse pathways.
To engage the legal community and promote healthier, more sustainable workplaces, we launched the Living Case Study portal. It captures key insights from the Symposium and hosts practical resources, such as five-step guides on mindful delegation, while inviting ongoing contributions from the community.
In addition, we held our first Valedictory Dinner to celebrate collegiality and honour role models whose careers exemplify integrity, professionalism, and justice. The event underscored our shared responsibility to pass on wisdom and nurture the next generation, with senior practitioners serving as mentors and guides, sharing real-world lessons with younger colleagues.
Empowering the Legal Profession through Technology
Technology enablement and the integration of technology with law remained a major focus this year. The launch of LawNet 4.0 at TechLaw.Fest marked the platform’s most significant transformation to date, introducing AI-powered Q&A search features that allow users to ask legal research questions in natural language and receive AI-generated answers, complete with verifiable references to case law, statutory provisions, and AI-generated annotations. This launch was complemented by workshops and clinics designed to build competencies in the responsible, effective, and ethical use of generative AI.
Looking ahead, we will continue to equip our members with practical skills to enhance their AI fluency through hands-on, interactive workshops and prompt engineering clinics, covering both general-purpose AI tools and specialised platforms such as LawNet AI and Contract AI.
At the same time, we are advancing digital innovation in legal services. We launched the e-Apostille with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), using the World Wide Web Consortium’s Verifiable Credentials standards to simplify and secure cross-border notarisation. It enables fully digital requests and easy verification through the SAL Legalisation Portal, reducing administrative effort and turnaround time.
Another key achievement was the cross-border e-Apostille pilot introduced at the 6th Singapore–Shanghai Comprehensive Cooperation Council Meeting. Developed together with IMDA and the Shanghai Electronic Certification Authority, this pilot provides a trusted digital alternative to traditional paper authentication, enhancing security and efficiency in cross-border cooperation.
Deepening International Collaboration and Expanding Global Reach
On the international collaboration front, we signed a landmark memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Office of the Council of State, Thailand, strengthening ASEAN collaboration in legal development, research, and legal technology. Additionally, we signed official agreements with leading content providers — Legora, LexisNexis, Thomson Reuters, and vLex, for Singapore judgments to be seamlessly integrated into global research platforms, enhancing accessibility and visibility of our jurisprudence.
Another key milestone this year was the 10th anniversary of the Singapore International Commercial Court. More than 420 delegates gathered for this jubilee event to discuss the role of commercial courts in managing complex cross-border disputes, underscoring Singapore’s continued commitment to being a trusted hub for international commercial dispute resolution.
We also deepened our international engagement with mission trips to New Delhi, Shenzhen, and London, creating new avenues for cross-border dialogue and opportunities.
Enhancing Legal Education and Professional Development
Continuing legal education remains pivotal to ensuring our profession stays relevant and agile. The Junior Lawyers Professional Certification Programme has seen strong uptake, with over 120 participants from more than 50 organisations benefiting from structured training. We also expanded business, client, and leadership development programmes to equip lawyers with the skills required to thrive as trusted advisers and future leaders.
We are cultivating a new generation of innovators to lead Singapore’s legal sector into a digital, tech-enabled future. To support this, the Academy, in partnership with Rajah & Tann Asia and Lexagle, signed an MOU for the launch of Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Diploma in Computing with Law — Singapore’s first programme to integrate computing and legal expertise. The programme equips students with skills in LegalTech, IT, compliance, and applied problem-solving, preparing them to drive innovation across the legal profession.
Upholding Ethics and Publishing Excellence
Ethics remained a priority with the launch of the Guide to Ethical Best Practices for Counsel and Arbitrators in Dispute Resolution, providing practical guidance on client advice, correspondence, pleadings, witness preparation, and technology use.
Through SAL’s Academy Publishing, we launched the Singapore Courts Series, offering a platform for judicial writing and court-led publications. The series enriches the legal community with substantive, practice-oriented content while promoting Singapore law to international audiences.
Doing Good Together
At our flagship Chief Justice Cup event, we raised a record donation of $205,000, in support of the Yellow Ribbon Fund-SAL STAR Bursary and the Singapore After-Care Association’s Volunteer After-Care Programme.
Together with SAL members, we supported the lower-income families with food packs and donated gently used tables and computers to those in need. Making a positive impact is important to us, and we remain committed to giving back to the community.
Looking Ahead
I would like to thank the Senate, Executive Board, the wider legal community, our partners and staff for your dedication and contributions to the work of the Academy.
Looking ahead, the Academy remains committed to advancing a future-ready, globally competitive, and values-driven profession. We look forward to building on our successes and creating new shared milestones, guided by the five strategic workstreams ahead.
SAL Executive Board
as of 1 November 2025
President, Singapore Academy of Law
Chairperson, Executive Board
Chairperson, Budget Committee
Chairperson, Investment Committee
Member, Investment Committee
President, Law Society of Singapore
Chairperson, Specialist Accreditation Board
Chairperson, Board of Governors of the Asian Business Law Institute
Chairperson, Learning and Professional Development Committee
Co-Chairperson, Publications Committee
Chairperson, Promotion of Legal Technology Innovation Committee
Member, LawNet Technology Services Pte Ltd Board of Directors
Chairperson, Professional Affairs Committee
Chairperson, LawNet Technology Services Pte Ltd Board of Directors
Chairperson, Staff Committee
Co-Chairperson, Singapore Mediation Centre Ltd Board of directors
Chairperson, Council of Law Reporting
Chairperson, Law Reform Committee
Chairperson, Publications Committee
Co-Chairperson, Learning and Professional Development Committee
Chairperson, Board of Commissioner for Oaths and Notaries Public
Member, Council of Law Reporting
SAL Senate
SAL Leadership Team
Key Highlights
The SICC Conference examined key developments shaping transnational commercial justice. Our discussions addressed the SICC’s evolving role in cross-border dispute resolution, innovations in managing complex disputes and restructuring, and emerging challenges arising from new technologies.
Bringing together new lawyers and senior members of the Bench and Bar, this inaugural event fostered mentorship, connection and a shared commitment to uphold the profession’s values.
We welcomed Singapore’s newest lawyers, including the first Lawyers (Non-Practitioner) cohort at the Mass Admission Ceremony. Through introductions to SAL’s programmes and initiatives, the occasion reflected our continued commitment to supporting the growth and development of the next generation of legal professionals.
Launched in May 2025, the Junior Lawyers Professional Certification Programme (JLP) equips junior lawyers with practical skills in disputes and corporate practice, management capabilities and ethical grounding.
The Symposium convened over 260 members of the legal community to examine how the profession can move beyond sustainability and towards long-term vitality. Small-group discussions revealed long-standing challenges in culture, retention and well-being, underscoring the urgency for meaningful change and more intentional leadership in the legal profession.
We paid tribute to senior practitioners whose decades of dedication and leadership have shaped generations of lawyers. The evening was a celebration of their contributions and lifelong dedication to the legal profession.
We celebrated excellence and service across the legal fraternity, recognising individuals at every stage of their professional journey. The event reaffirmed our commitment to honouring achievement and fostering unity within Singapore’s legal community.
Her Excellency Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, former Chief Justice of Malaysia, graced this year’s Annual Lecture, reflecting on her journey as the nation’s first female Chief Justice. She spoke on how judicial independence safeguards constitutional balance, upholds the rule of law, and anchors justice in an ever-changing world.
Marking its 10th milestone, TechLaw.Fest 2025 stood out as a premier platform for thought leaders to engage in global dialogue on technology, regulation, and the future of the legal industry. Over 2,000 participants from more than 20 countries came together for 180 speaker sessions, 61 exhibition stage talks, and showcases by 60 sponsors and exhibitors, exploring emerging themes such as artificial intelligence, online safety, digital infrastructure, and crypto regulation.
Our Work Pillars
Our learning and professional development activities are curated with an emphasis on training Singapore lawyers to be practice-ready in the age of Gen Al.
Learning & Development
participants
training programmes
The Legal Industry Framework for Training and Education (LIFTED)
Developed in consultation with practitioners across all levels of seniority and key industry stakeholders and endorsed by the Reform of Legal Education Standing Committee, the Legal Industry Framework for Training and Education (LIFTED) provides a structured approach to guide and support the professional growth of legal professionals throughout their careers.
LIFTED comprises the Skills Framework for Legal Services, Knowledge Guides on domain knowledge expected for various areas of specialist practice, and a training roadmap to identify and recommend relevant training courses.
At its core, the Skills Framework for Legal Services establishes the foundation for capability building across the sector. Aligned with SkillsFuture Singapore’s (SSG) Skills Framework 2.0, it comprises a Career Map outlining key roles in the industry, Skills Maps defining critical work functions, and Competency Statements detailing the knowledge and abilities required at different proficiency levels. The Skills Framework was first recognised and published by SSG as the national framework for legal services in the first quarter of 2025, with competencies for legal practitioners, and subsequently updated with competencies for in-house counsel. The framework will be further updated with competencies for allied legal professionals in 2026.
To complement the Skills Framework, SAL has developed Knowledge Guides that provide directions for building up specialised expertise in specific areas of practice. We will be progressively developing more Knowledge Guides.
Through LIFTED, legal professionals can identify and close skills gaps, plan their development journey and build future-ready capabilities. Law firms and legal departments can design talent pathways aligned with business needs, while training providers can deliver programmes that meet the evolving demands of the profession.
Together, these efforts form a comprehensive ecosystem for lifelong learning and professional growth, strengthening the foundation of a competent, agile and future-ready legal industry.
Junior Lawyers Professional Certification Programme (JLP)
We continue to reshape legal education by strengthening the connection between law schools and practice, and by refining continuing professional development to ensure lawyers remain industry-ready and resilient.
Launched in May 2025, the Junior Lawyers Professional Certification Programme (JLP) is the first structured, skills-oriented initiative of its kind. Designed to bridge theory with real-world client work, it reinforces ethical foundations, builds confidence, and equips junior lawyers with the practical skills needed for modern legal practice.
Supported by judges, Senior Counsel, accredited specialists, and senior practitioners, the JLP is led by SAL’s faculty, pedagogy experts, and course managers. The programme covers essential practice skills, corporate and disputes work, as well as cross-border and specialist topics.
As of November 2025, more than 130 participants from over 80 organisations have enrolled in the programme, with positive feedback from lawyers who value the mentorship and guidance it offers. In addition, 59 firms and legal teams have signed the SAL Training Pledge, reinforcing a shared commitment to the continuous professional development of their legal talent.
Lexplorer
Lexplorer is a career navigation programme to support legal professionals in navigating their careers at every stage and across all segments of the industry. It offers a suite of resources, including career planning tools, group workshops and 1:1 career coaching.
In this pilot year, three career coaching workshops were conducted, with overwhelmingly positive response from participants. Building on this momentum, 1:1 career coaching was launched in October 2025, led by a panel of nearly 20 trained career coaches, comprising senior legal professionals and former practitioners who are committed to guiding and developing others in the profession.
Looking ahead to 2026, Lexplorer will continue to deepen its impact through more group workshops, including themed coaching workshops tailored to different segments of the profession. SAL will also launch a first-of-its-kind Gen AI-powered video career coach that provides users with career guidance tailored to the Singapore legal industry.
Accelerated Industry-Centric Training Pathway (AITP)
We were engaged by the Ministry of Law, to conduct three runs of the Accelerated Industry-Centric Training Pathway (AITP), a 5-day programme to conduct and train legal industry educators in pedagogy, facilitation skills and coaching skills. The AITP is recognised by SkillsFuture Singapore as conferring nationally-recognised adult education qualifications for the legal industry.
Specialist Accreditation
As at March 2025, we have designated a total of 111 legal professionals as Accredited Specialists, comprising 64 Senior Accredited Specialists (SAS) and 47 Accredited Specialists (AS).
Senior Counsel Appointment
At the Opening of the Legal Year 2025, The Honourable the Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon announced the appointment of two Senior Counsel:
• Ms Hing Shan Shan Blossom SC
• Mr Christopher Ong Siu Jin SC
The Senior Counsel designation honours advocates of exceptional ability, integrity and contribution to the law. With these appointments, 100 lawyers have now received this distinction, out of more than 6,000 practitioners in Singapore.
Upcoming initiatives
We remain committed to delivering quality training programmes that meet the evolving learning needs of the legal industry. New initiatives include a new Family Law Masterclass for the Advanced Practitioner and a series of ESG-focused modules for legal professionals. We are also introducing enhanced leadership training and executive coaching to help lawyers develop the skills and mindset to lead confidently in a changing professional landscape.
Building on our focus on lifelong learning, new initiatives include the In-House Counsel Certification Programme, the launch of a Pilot Assessment Pathway Centre for legal sector–specific adult educators, and the introduction of digitally verifiable certification for Specialist Accreditation and other certification programmes.
We advance the reach of Singapore law through publishing, research, and strategic partnerships that broaden access to legal content locally and globally.
Research & Publications
We drive the growth and global reach of Singapore’s legal content through our publishing and research efforts, supported by strategic collaborations that extend its impact worldwide. Academy Publishing develops a comprehensive range of resources that strengthen the understanding and application of Singapore law. We have expanded access to Singapore’s legal materials through initiatives that make local judgments more visible and widely cited, and by integrating our content with AI-powered tools to enhance efficiency in legal practice. Complementing these efforts, we introduced new corporate references that provide practical guidance, while the Asian Business Law Institute (ABLI) continues to publish concise, jurisdiction-specific resources that foster greater understanding of regional legal systems.
Publishing
ABLI’s recent publications include:
- Contract Laws of Asia – Remedies for Breach of Contract (China, Singapore and Vietnam)
- Establishing a Trusted Data Corridor in ASEAN
- Public Authority Access to Personal Data in Select ASEAN Jurisdictions
- ASEAN Framework on Cross-border Cloud Computing
- Intra-group Agreement for Cross-border Transfers of Personal Data within ASEAN
- Singapore–China Joint Data Compliance Guide – Practical Handbook
We fully authored Establishing a Trusted Data Corridor in ASEAN, Public Authority Access to Personal Data in Select ASEAN Jurisdictions, ASEAN Framework on Cross-border Cloud Computing and Intra-group Agreement for Cross-border Transfers of Personal Data within ASEAN.
Articles
We contributed two articles to Evolution of Indian Insolvency Ecosystem and Way Forward, published by the Insolvency & Bankruptcy Board of India in collaboration with the British High Commission:
- Challenges with Current Prepack Framework and Learnings from Other Jurisdictions
- Litigation Funding in Insolvency Cases
A paper titled Judicial Cooperation in Cross-border Insolvency – Challenges and Opportunities for (Southeast) Asia was also presented by ABLI at NUS in October 2025.
New Legal Publications
Journal Articles
Journals
Commissioned Titles
in the pipeline
ABLI Publications
New Corporate References
SAL launched its Employment Guide and Toolkit, a comprehensive resource outlining key legal considerations, regulatory compliance issues, and best practices relating to employment and the engagement of services in Singapore.
We also introduced the Technology Guide, which provides practical insights into technology contracts, the tech ecosystem, and the procurement and deployment processes essential for organisations navigating digital transformation.
Expanding Reach of Singapore’s Legal Content
We strengthened our role as a catalyst for legal innovation through strategic collaborations with leading international legal content providers, including Legora, LexisNexis, Thomson Reuters and vLex. These partnerships mark a significant development in expanding the global accessibility and visibility of Singapore law.
Judgments from the Singapore Courts, as well as the Singapore Law Reports, are now seamlessly available on these global research platforms, enhancing their discoverability and citation in international practice and reinforcing Singapore’s reputation as a trusted hub of legal excellence.
Our collaboration with Legora also introduced a practical application, integrating SAL’s database of contract precedents with Legora’s AI-powered drafting and review tools to support greater efficiency and insight in legal practice.
Upcoming Initiatives
Regional Counsel is an upcoming legal podcast series on ASEAN jurisdictions, designed to equip in-house counsel with the tools to navigate the regulatory and legal complexities of operating across borders. Each episode will explore “unknown unknowns,” jurisdictional quirks, and practical insights from experts across the region, helping lawyers better understand the nuances of different legal and cultural landscapes.
The Singapore Courts Series is a new addition to the Academy Publishing imprint, providing a dedicated platform for judicial-led publications. The series showcases the Courts’ contributions to Singapore’s legal literature and features perspectives from both the Bench and the Bar. It aims to enrich the local legal community and promote a deeper understanding of Singapore law among international audiences.
We focus on strengthening SAL’s statutory services and enhancing access to justice through digitalisation.
Trust Services
We continue to strengthen the integrity and efficiency of Singapore’s legal infrastructure through our Trust Services. Guided by innovation and collaboration, we advanced initiatives that enhance document authentication, cross-border recognition and digital trust. Looking ahead, we are developing next-generation systems such as the Wills Repository and Stakeholding System, which will further streamline legal processes and reinforce Singapore’s position as a trusted hub for secure and efficient legal services.
Commissioners for Oaths appointed
Notaries Public appointed
Authentication certificates issued
Apostilles issued for Government Documents
Commissioners for Oaths and Notaries Public
In the past year, SAL conducted two appointment exercises, bringing the total number of Commissioners for Oaths and Notaries Public to 1,174 and 598 respectively.
Digital Transformation: e-Apostille Service
A major milestone for Trust Services was the rollout of the first phase of the e-Apostille service, developed in collaboration with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). This pioneering initiative applies the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Verifiable Credentials standards to enhance the security, reliability, and efficiency of document authentication.
Since June, e-Apostilles have been issued for Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) documents, with coverage extended to notarised documents from November. The service enables the public to request e-Apostilles digitally and allows overseas authorities to instantly verify their authenticity through the SAL Legalisation Portal, reducing administrative burdens and improving cross-border recognition of Singapore documents.
Another key achievement was the cross-border e-Apostille pilot launched at the 6th Singapore–Shanghai Comprehensive Cooperation Council (SSCCC) Meeting in October. Developed in partnership with IMDA and the Shanghai Electronic Certification Authority (SHECA), the initiative offers a trusted digital alternative to paper authentication, strengthening security and efficiency in cross-border cooperation.
Upcoming Initiatives
SAL aims to launch the Wills Repository and Next-Generation Stakeholding System in the third quarter of 2026, shaped by feedback gathered through focus groups.
As the legal profession evolves in a digital age, harnessing Generative AI stands at the forefront of our priorities. Through robust digital systems and targeted initiatives, we help legal professionals integrate Generative AI into their work, thus enhancing efficiency and adaptability across the profession.
Technology
Technology is transforming the foundations of legal work, paving the way for smarter research, learning, and collaboration. The launch of LawNet 4.0 marked a significant step forward in enhancing how legal professionals research and draw insights from legal sources. At the same time, we are supporting the profession in adopting Generative AI through training, workshops, and resources that strengthen the profession’s confidence and capability in applying AI tools responsibly. These efforts help the legal community work more efficiently, embrace innovation, and stay prepared for the evolving demands of modern legal practice.
LawNet 4.0
We unveiled LawNet 4.0, the next phase of Singapore’s trusted legal research platform. Built on 35 years of experience in this space, the redesigned platform delivers a faster, smarter and more intuitive experience for the profession.
Among its key innovations are significantly faster search speeds of up to 10 times, and an improved algorithm that processes natural language queries. The new LawNet AI Search is powered by the GPT-Legal Q&A model, developed in collaboration with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). It allows users to pose questions in plain English and receive AI-generated answers supported by case law and legislation. The feature is currently tuned for contract law and will expand to other areas over time. A dedicated Legislation Module now links statutory provisions directly to relevant cases, starting with the Companies Act.
With its refreshed and intuitive interface, LawNet 4.0 sets a new benchmark in usability for legal professionals.
Prompt Engineering
We introduced the second edition of the Prompt Engineering Guide to provide practical guidance on crafting effective prompts that deliver accurate and meaningful results. This guide builds on earlier applications of AI, discovery and document review, and reflects its growing use in drafting, research, contract analysis and knowledge management.
At TechLaw.Fest 2025, we also held a Prompt Engineering Foundations Workshop led by legal tech experts Rodney Yap and Eric Chin, who gave legal professionals hands-on experience in crafting effective AI prompts. Participants explored how better prompts lead to clearer drafting, faster analysis and fewer AI hallucinations, equipping both junior and senior lawyers to apply Generative AI intelligently in legal workflows.
We support the holistic development of the legal community, enabling fulfilling, sustainable, and values-based legal careers.
Doing Good Together
The 10th anniversary of the CJ’s Cup raised a record $205,000 in support of the YRF–SAL STAR Bursary and the Singapore After-Care Association’s Volunteer After-Care Programme, marking a decade of sport, solidarity and second chances. Members of the legal fraternity came together for a day of friendly competition and camaraderie, with teams from across the community taking to the field. The tournament culminated in a spirited final between the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) and the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), with AGC emerging as champions.
Our members exemplified the profession’s spirit of service through initiatives that supported individuals on their journeys of rehabilitation and reintegration, while also extending care to families and communities in need.
Our staff and members donated and personally delivered gently used tables to Teen Challenge (Singapore) and Rise Above Halfway House, where the items are being put to everyday use in their programmes and activities.
Similarly, old computer monitors found new purpose through donations to Jamiyah Halfway House and The New Charis Mission, beneficiaries of the Yellow Ribbon Fund. What began as a simple decluttering effort became a meaningful gesture, enabling the beneficiaries to use the monitors for digital learning.
In addition, 21 members joined a food distribution drive organised with KidStart where they each delivered fresh groceries and fruits to 18–25 households across the north, northeast and western regions of Singapore. Many also brought along parents or young children, turning the effort into a simple but meaningful way for families to give back together.
Strengthening Our Community
Members
- Practitioners*: 7,439
- Legal Service & Judicial Officers#: 841
- In House Counsel: 3057
- Legal Academics: 147
- Others^: 2680
* Includes local and foreign lawyers practising in and outside Singapore
# Includes Singapore Judicial Service Officer (JSO), Singapore Judiciary (Singapore High Court Judge), Singapore Legal Service Officer (LSO), Singapore Public Defender’s Officer (PDO)
^ Includes students, non-practitioners
As of 1 October 2025, our membership base stood at 14,918, reflecting a strong and engaged professional community.
Newly admitted lawyers, senior members of the Bench and Bar, and representatives from across the legal community gathered at the Mass Admission Dinner in a setting that encouraged dialogue and mentorship. More than a welcome, it was an affirmation of shared values and a reminder of the high standards of excellence, professionalism, and collegiality that define the practice of law in Singapore.
We recognised senior practitioners who had reached the statutory retirement age at the Valedictory Dinner for their decades of contribution to the legal profession. The evening also celebrated their spirit of mentorship that continues to guide younger members of the Bar.
Ethics, Wellbeing and Identity
Over 260 members of the legal community attended the 2nd Legal Profession Symposium which was a key platform to discuss the sustainability of the legal profession.
Featuring keynote contributions from Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong SC, and Professor David Wilkins of Harvard Law School, the event fostered meaningful dialogue between senior leaders and younger practitioners. Insights from these discussions shaped the five workstreams that build on the momentum generated by the Symposium.
These workstreams focus on:
Sharpening Business and Leadership Skills
Reshaping Legal Education for the Future
Internationalisation and Improving Competitiveness
Harnessing AI Safely and Effectively
Promoting Sustainability and Well-being for a Resilient Profession
We launched the Mindful Business Movement (Movement) at the Legal Profession Symposium, which is guided by the Sustainability Principles and built on three pillars: Smart Meetings and Communications, Supporting Rest and Growth, and Mindful Delegation.
Underpinned by the values of openness and respect, the Movement supports firms and legal departments in adopting mindful and sustainable work practices that promote well-being and long-term performance. It addresses the concerns of junior lawyers while reinforcing well-being and sustainability as essential components of legal excellence.
Developed in partnership with the Mindful Business Charter, Mindful Business Singapore, Temasek Holdings, and WorkWell Leaders, the Movement has also welcomed 31 Supporting Partner organisations from both private practice and the in-house community as of October.
Its vision is to sustain fulfilling legal careers through conducive workplace cultures and constructive professional interactions, reducing unnecessary stress, honouring different seasons of life, and grounding the profession in purpose, values-based ethics, and a strong sense of identity.
The Guide to Ethical Best Practices for Counsel and Arbitrators in Dispute Resolution represents an important step in raising ethical standards within the legal profession. Developed by the Ethics and Professional Standards Committee, chaired by Justice Valerie Thean and Mr Jimmy Yim SC, with editors Mr Ng Jern-Fei KC, Mr Paul Tan, and Ms Una Khng, the Guide was produced in close collaboration with the Law Society of Singapore.
The Guide outlines good practices for practitioners in areas such as client advice, correspondence, pleadings, applications, witness preparation, and the use of technology. It also seeks to engage the wider dispute resolution community in fostering shared ethical norms across the profession.
The Living Case Study was launched as a shared virtual platform for the profession to engage in dialogue, exchange perspectives, and co-create solutions. Anchored in the values that underpin the Academy’s five workstreams, it advances a culture of reflection, collaboration, and accountability.
More than a repository of ideas, the Living Case Study tracks progress, invites feedback, and makes visible the collective effort to build a sustainable and resilient profession. By drawing insights from both junior and senior lawyers, it ensures that perspectives across generations are represented — balancing innovation with experience.
Through this initiative, the profession moves beyond conversation to action — turning aspirations into measurable progress and reinforcing that sustainability is achieved through shared purpose and continual learning.
Going Global
We host overseas delegations to exchange knowledge and foster collaboration. During these visits, we share key SAL initiatives that support the legal profession’s growth and adaptability in a changing landscape, while delegates offer insights into developments and challenges within their own jurisdictions.
As part of our year-round TechLaw.Fest initiatives, we organised business mission trips to New York, Shenzhen, and London. These visits offered members opportunities to expand international networks, explore cross-border collaborations, and gain fresh perspectives on emerging legal and technological trends. Through such exchanges, we continue to advance Singapore’s standing as a hub for legal innovation and global connectivity.
Strengthening Cross-Border Legal Collaboration in China
We participated in the Shenzhen Legal Services Exposition, which brought together over 120 institutions from across Hong Kong and China’s legal services sector. The visit deepened engagement with key partners and provided valuable insights into China’s evolving legal landscape and opportunities for collaboration.
At the China–Singapore Notary Symposium, our team also met with officers from Shenzhen’s notarial associations to exchange knowledge on local processes and shared challenges. This marked the first time that SAL had engaged collectively with all notarial associations in Shenzhen, fostering mutual understanding and deeper cooperation between both jurisdictions’ notarial systems.
We signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Office of the Council of State of the Kingdom of Thailand (OCS), marking our first strategic partnership with Thailand’s central legal advisory and law-drafting body. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing legal development and technology across ASEAN.
Both parties will explore opportunities to showcase Thai legal tech start-ups at TechLaw.Fest, promote capacity building through academic and professional exchanges, and conduct joint research to facilitate cross-border cooperation. We will also collaborate on developing advanced legal databases and translating legal materials into local languages to enhance accessibility and understanding of the law.
Financial Report
Annual Report 2024/2025
Innovation & Future-Readiness
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Community & Stakeholders
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Looking Ahead
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