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 recruitment interviews in 2025 for applicants who are shortlisted for an interview would be on 4 Apr 2025 and 16 Oct 2025.

Applicants who are keen to be considered for possible shortlisting for an interview would be required to submit their application by 5 pm on 13 Feb 2025 (to be considered in Apr 2025) or 10 am on 29 Aug 2025 (to be considered in Oct 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 take-home written assignment via email ahead of the JSSP; and

(b) be physically present to attend the JSSP to enable the Judicial Service to better assess their suitability for a judicial appointment. The JSSP in 2025 would be on 30 Apr 2025 (following the recruitment interviews on 4 Apr 2025) and 12 Nov 2025 (following the recruitment interviews on 16 Oct 2025).

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 (from Sep to Dec), prior to the commencement of the 2-year JLC Programme the following Jan.

JLC Recruitment Interviews in 2025 &
Timelines/Deadlines for Submission of Application
[updated as at 12 Mar 2025 and subject to change]

There will be an Information Session (for purposes of the Jan 2026 JLC cohort) on 3 Jun 2025, including a tea reception with Judges and JLCs. Please indicate your interest to attend the session by sending an email to the JSC Secretariat at  jsc_sec@jsc.gov.sg by 5 pm on 4 Apr 2025. Arrangements will also be made for those who are unable to attend physically to do so via Zoom and those who intend to attend virtually should also notify us when responding.

Documents to be provided
[updated as at 7 Feb 2025 and subject to change]

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
[this is currently targeted for 13 Jun 2025 (for purposes of the interviews in Jul 2025) and 18 Aug 2025 (for purposes of the interviews in Sep 2025)]; and

(b) online psychometric assessment
[to be completed/submitted within a week after submission of application].