Graduates with 4 years’ or less experience and JLC Programme

CANDIDATES WITH 4 YEARS' OR LESS EXPERIENCE

Candidates with four years or less of strong relevant legal work experience (and who fully satisfy the requirements/criteria specified under the section “Eligibility for Appointment as a JSO”) may apply to be considered for possible shortlisting for an interview for appointment as a JSO.

The candidates who are selected for appointment as a JSO will be subject to a three-contract framework totalling four years. The said candidates will be appointed on three consecutive contracts comprising two contracts of 18 months each and one contract of 12 months prior to being considered for possible emplacement on the permanent establishment after four years.

These candidates may, at the discretion of the Judicial Service, have their prior strong relevant legal work experience recognised and be eligible for the award of additional increments and/or appointment at a higher JSO-grade.

These JSOs may, on their successful completion of the initial contract, continued strong work performance and fully satisfying the requisite eligibility criteria, be considered for the possible offer of subsequent contracts and thereafter possible emplacement on the permanent establishment.

The possible emplacement on the permanent establishment of these JSOs will continue to be subject to the quality of the officer’s work, demonstrated competencies and strong work performance during the period of the contracts and the needs of the Judicial Service.

2-stage Selection Process

Stage 1: Recruitment Interviews

The next set of recruitment interviews for applicants who are shortlisted for an interview would be on 16 Oct 2025.

Applicants who are keen to be considered for possible shortlisting for an interview would be required to submit their application by 4 Sep 2025.

Please note that all applicants are required to provide/include in their application - for the consideration of the relevant Shortlisting/Interview Panel - the following (in not more than one page each [in Arial; font size 14] with their name at the bottom left corner):

(a) a Personal Statement;

(b) a Write-up
on why he/she is applying to join the Judicial Service as a JSO and how and what he/she can contribute to the Judicial Service and the administration of justice; and

(c) a summary of his/her legal work experience (where applicable).

Stage 2: Written Assignment & Judicial Service Selection Programme (“JSSP”)

Please also note that candidates identified at the interviews would be required to:

(a) complete a written assignment via email ahead of the JSSP; and

(b) be physically present to attend the JSSP on 12 Nov 2025 to enable the Judicial Service to better assess their suitability for a judicial appointment.

JUSTICES' LAW CLERK PROGRAMME

The Justices’ Law Clerk (“JLC”) Programme is a structured 2-year programme of the Singapore Judicial Service. Eligible young graduates who aspire to have the unique privilege of working closely with the Chief Justice and members of the Supreme Court Bench may submit an application for selection for deployment to the 2-year JLC Programme. Those shortlisted for an interview and found suitable for appointment would be required to first undergo 4 months of JLC-Designate training (generally from Sep to Dec), prior to the commencement of the 2-year JLC Programme the following Jan.

2025 JLC Information Sessions / Forums

There are 2 JLC Information Sessions / Forums this year:

(a) 3 Jun 2025 (2 pm to 4.30 pm; for local law students who are keen to be considered for the Jan 2026 JLC cohort); and
(b) 25 Aug 2025 (4 pm to 7 pm; for law students studying in the UK - please click here to register).

The said sessions will be held in the Supreme Court and include a tea reception with Judges, JLCs and ex-JLCs (to facilitate close-up opportunities for questions and answers).

JLC Forum on 25 Aug 2025

Justice Kannan Ramesh will be gracing the session. There will also be a briefing/presentation on what the JLC Programme entails, followed by a “Panel Discussion”. The Panellists are as follows:

• Judicial Commissioner Mohamed Faizal (Moderator)

• Siva Shanmugam (Secretary, Judicial Service Commission)

• Paul Tan Beng Hwee (Arbitrator/Counsel, One Essex Court)

• Darius Chan Xiaohui (Associate Professor, SMU Yong Pung How School of Law)

• Shaun Pereira (Counsel, Three Crowns)

• Norine Tan Yan Ling (Deputy Senior State Counsel / Deputy Public Prosecutor, AGC Crime Division)

• Elton Tan Xue Yang (Assistant Registrar, Supreme Court Registry)

Do join us to learn more about the JLC Programme and how it can help equip individuals for success in the profession and act as a launchpad to varied career pathways!

JLC Recruitment Interviews in 2025 &
Deadlines for Submission of Application
[updated as at 17 Jul 2025 and subject to change]

Documents to be provided
[updated as at 17 Jul 2025]

Please note that all eligible applicants are required to provide the following for the consideration of the relevant Judicial Service Shortlisting/Interview Panel:

(a) the Judicial Service Application Form;

(b) a Cover Letter - of not more than two pages (in Arial; font size 14) - setting out why he/she is applying for the 2-year JLC Programme, his/her views on what the work as a JLC entails and why he/she thinks he/she is suitable for the position, and his/her biggest aspirations on completion of the JLC Programme; and

(c) academic references/testimonials
from two Professors of Law in support of the application (of not more than one page each [all applicants are kindly requested to convey this one-page limit specified by the Interview Panel to the Professors concerned]) to be provided by the Professors directly to the Secretary, Judicial Service Commission at the JSC Secretariat’s email at jsc_sec@jsc.gov.sg.

Please also note that eligible applicants who are earmarked for possible shortlisting for an interview will be required to undertake the following for the consideration of the relevant Judicial Service Shortlisting/Interview Panel:

(a) one or more Essays
[on 13 Jun 2025 (for purposes of the interviews in Jul 2025) and 18 Aug 2025 (for purposes of the interviews in Sep/Oct 2025)]; and

(b) online psychometric assessment.