There are many candidates who aspire as lawyers in Singapore but are barred from doing so. This is because external law degrees awarded by the University of London  are no longer recognised for the purpose of admission to the Singapore Bar.

The policy was recommended in 1993 and implemented in 1996/1997. This was intended to curb the problem of the oversupply of lawyers in Singapore.

However, to date in 2012, there has been an incessant worry on the shortage of lawyers in Singapore due to economy booms as well as the skyrocketting of the demand of lawyers in Singapore. Evident in the change in the legal climate, it is true that Singapore does require more lawyers to contribute to the legal industry as well as to feed to demands of the public.

Many overseas law graduates who were unable to qualify for local law schools in National University of Singapore or/and the Singapore Management University were compelled to pursue their law degree elsewhere in one of the accredited scheduled universities, usually in the United Kingdom or Australia.

Those who lacked the financial resources were thus at the losing end.

However, the external law degrees offered in Singapore, render a glimpse of hope which would allow them to practise as barristers or solicitors in England and Wales upon graduating with a 'Qualifying Law Degree' once they satisfy the necessary regulations in the UK.

What makes this external law degree stand out is that, Commonwealth jurisdictions such as Malaysia, Hong Kong and Australia officially recognise this degree for the purpose of admission to the Bar, but unfortunately, not Singapore.

This programme has since renamed itself as University of London International Programmes instead of the 'External' status. 

There are past external law graduates who have proved their worth and talents. One of which is Mr Harry Elias, the Founder and Consultant to Harry Elias Partnership LLP, who is a man of high calibre and well-respected in the legal field in Singapore.

In the recent years, many lawyers who had graduated from recognised universities gave up on their legal careers after a few years of practicing. It is also notable that some have even decided not to step into the legal industry upon graduation. These people who were given the opportunity to practise, prove the lack of determination and passion for law.

The legal industry, be it in any country or jurisdiction, should always provide equal opportunities, especially to candidates who prove to be passionate about law and its legal profession. They should not be excluded and deterred from pursuing their ambitions.

On top of that, the standard which the external law students are assessed, is of equal footing as those who pursue this degree internally in UK itself. There is completely no difference with regards to the courses, syllabuses and examinations. This also applies to the requirements of attaining a 'Qualifying Law Degree', regulated by the University itself.

If these UK Law schools are scheduled as accredited universities recognised by The Ministry of Law, Singapore, there should be no basis for this unfair policy against external law degree holders who attend classes, conduct legal researches, participate actively in tutorials and in moots competitions etc. The geographical basis thus offers no proper justifications.

This petition is thus directed to The Ministry of Law in Singapore, to review on the recognition of external law degrees awarded by the University of London and to allow such graduates to be admitted to the Singapore Bar so as to practise as a Singapore-qualified lawyer.