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Mission Statement

To register and regulate as well as enforce and assist in formulating laws, rules, guidelines and policies relating to joint law ventures, formal law alliances, representative offices, foreign law firms and foreign lawyers practising in Singapore in particular, and the overall foreign legal services sector in general, and to advise on the practical application of the laws governing the legal profession (international services).

Role of Legal Profession (International Services) Secretariat

Role of Legal Profession (International Services) Secretariat
The Legal Profession (International Services) Secretariat ("LPS"), comprising legal officers and staff from the International Affairs Division, was established in May 2000.
The LPS assists the Attorney-General in his role as the regulator of:

(a) foreign law firms and foreign lawyers wishing to practise foreign law in Singapore;

(b) foreign lawyers wishing to practise Singapore law in banking, finance, corporate and/or any other area of legal or regional work as may be approved by the Attorney-General in joint law ventures or qualifying Singapore law firms; and

(c) foreign lawyers wishing to own shares, equity interest or share profits in Singapore law firms.

The regulatory framework covers joint law ventures, formal law alliances, foreign law firms, representative offices, foreign lawyers and Singapore lawyers in foreign practice. The LPS implements and enforces the rules regulating the foreign legal services sector in Singapore.

The LPS’ scope of work includes the following:

• responding to queries about the foreign legal services regime in Singapore and the practical application of the laws governing the legal profession (international services);
  
  
• processing applications for registration of foreign law firms, joint law ventures, formal law alliances, representative offices, foreign lawyers practising foreign law in Singapore and Singapore law in banking, finance, corporate and/or any other area of legal or regional work as may be approved by the Attorney-General in joint law ventures or qualifying Singapore law firms;
  
  
• issuing certificates of registration of foreign law firms, foreign lawyers, joint law ventures, formal law alliances, representative offices and issuing certificates of approval for a foreign lawyer to own shares or equity interest or share profits in Singapore law firm to successful applicants when approval from the Attorney-General has been given;
  
  
• issuing certificates of registration of a Singapore lawyer in foreign practice to foreign lawyers working in joint law ventures and foreign law firms;
  
  
• issuing appropriate letter or certificate of good standing;
  
  
• issuing amended certificates or registration or approval or certified true copies thereof;
  
  
• formulating laws, rules, guidelines and policies relating to the legal profession (international services); and
  
  
• enforcing the existing laws, rules, guidelines and policies governing the legal profession (international services).
  
  
  

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Last updated on 10 April, 2008

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