JLC Programme

JUSTICES' LAW CLERK (“JLC”) PROGRAMME

The JLC Programme is a structured 2-year programme of the Singapore Judicial Service. Those who aspire to have the unique privilege of working closely with the Chief Justice and the Members of the Supreme Court Bench may submit an application for selection for deployment to the 2-year JLC Programme.

If shortlisted for an interview and found suitable for appointment, candidates would be required to first undergo 4 months of JLC-Designate (“JLCD”) training from Sep to Dec (concurrent with the Part B of the Singapore Bar Course and Examinations, if applicable), prior to the commencement of the 2-year JLC Programme the following Jan.

JLC Information Session: 14 May 2026 (3.45 pm - 6 pm)

This will be held at the Supreme Court, with a remote stream for those who are unable to attend physically. The programme is tentatively as follows:

For those from the 2026 LLB and JD graduating cohorts at the NUS or the SMU, the invite to the session will be extended to you through the university.

All others who are interested to attend the session (e.g. undergraduates from the Scheduled Universities, law graduates) are invited to write in to us at jsc_sec@jsc.gov.sg with your particulars (name, university and year of graduation).

JLC Recruitment Interviews &
Deadlines for Submission of Application

Relevant Legal Training

Candidates from the Scheduled Universities who are selected for appointment to the JLC Programme may choose to undertake the Relevant Legal Training at a law firm (prior to joining the Singapore Judicial Service on 1 Sep to commence the JLCD stint).

Alternatively, for those who are available for at least 8 months prior to the commencement of the JLCD stint on 1 Sep, they can serve the equivalent of the Relevant Legal Training in the Singapore Judicial Service – via a secondment to the Singapore Legal Service.

Documents to be provided

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:
(i) 5 Jun 2026 (for purposes of the interviews on 14 and 15 Jul 2026);
(ii) 9 Jun 2026 (for purposes of the interviews on 16 and 17 Jul 2026); and
(iii) 21 Aug 2026 (for purposes of the interviews on 29 Sep 2026); and

(b) an online psychometric assessment.