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Young Independent Counsel Scheme
About the Young Independent Counsel scheme
The Young Independent Counsel Scheme was launched in 2009 to provide young lawyers with advocacy opportunities, while assisting the court on novel or complex issues of law. Since its launch, Young Independent Counsel have been appointed in a variety of cases, and they have provided invaluable assistance to the court in their legal research and their written and oral advocacy.
All appointments under the Young Independent Counsel Scheme are for a 1-year term. Once appointed, Young Independent Counsel may be assigned to suitable civil and criminal matters in the General Division of the High Court, the Appellate Division of the High Court and the Court of Appeal.
Young Independent Counsel appointed for 2026
The Young Independent Counsel appointed for 2026 are:
- Mr Huang Jiahui (Twenty Essex, London)
- Ms Lim Zhuo Jun Jennifer (Calvin Liang LLC)
- Ms Ng Li Shan, Iris (Helmsman LLC)
- Ms Sheiffa Safi Shirbeeni (Davinder Singh Chambers)
- Mr Jonathan Tan Ming En (Allen & Gledhill LLP)
- Mr Tan Kah Wai (Lok Vi Ming Law Chambers)
- Mr Teo Jim Yang (Ascendant Legal LLC)
- Assistant Professor Teo Wei Ren, Marcus (National University of Singapore, Faculty of Law)
- Ms Toh Jia Jing Vivian (Allen & Gledhill LLP)
- Ms Whang Yixuan, Rennie (Allen & Gledhill LLP)
- Mr Terence Yeo (TSMP Law Corporation)
- Assistant Professor Yoong Joon Wei, Aaron (Singapore Management University, Yong Pung How School of Law)
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for appointment as Young Independent Counsel:
- You should possess good academic grades.
- You must be a qualified person (as defined in section 2 of the Legal Profession Act 1966).
- You must have at least 2 years of experience as either of the following:
- An advocate and solicitor.
- A Legal Service Officer and/or a Judicial Service Officer.
- No more than 10 years must have elapsed between the time you became a qualified person and the time of commencement of the Young Independent Counsel term.
Note
The date on which an applicant becomes a qualified person is not the date on which the applicant was admitted as an advocate and solicitor or joined the Legal or Judicial Service. The date is to be determined in accordance with the criteria set out in section 2 of the Legal Profession Act 1966.
How to apply
Applications are currently closed and will reopen sometime towards end September 2026.
You may apply for the Young Independent Counsel scheme by submitting your application online. Attachments shall be in portable document format (PDF) and uploaded together with your online submission. Successful candidates will be notified by the Supreme Court Registry.
Together with copies of your transcripts from law schools attended and a copy of your Instrument of Admission (if applicable), you will need to include the following with your application:
Your application must be supported by a recommendation from 1 or more of the following persons:
- A present Supreme Court Judge, Judicial Commissioner or Senior Judge.
- An advocate and solicitor of the Supreme Court with at least 10 years’ Singapore-qualified experience.
- A Judicial Service Officer or Legal Service Officer of at least 10 years’ experience.
The recommendation should state specifically that you (the applicant) are recommended for the scheme
You must submit a piece of written work (including but not limited to submissions or academic articles) for the purpose of assessing your skills in legal analysis.
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