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Join the Legal Assistance Scheme for Capital Offences
About the Legal Assistance Scheme for Capital Offences
The Legal Assistance Scheme for Capital Offences (LASCO) offers free legal counsel for those who are charged with capital offences (death penalty offences), regardless of nationality. No means test or other eligibility criteria is imposed.
Under the scheme, an individual accused person facing a capital charge is ensured access to legal representation if he/she is unable to engage a lawyer. The assigned LASCO counsel will represent the accused person at trial and may also be assigned for any appeal, if capital punishment is in issue. The accused will usually be assigned 2 LASCO counsel (Lead Counsel and Assisting Counsel).
How Counsel is assigned
Practising lawyers may apply through the Supreme Court to volunteer as LASCO Counsel. Those who qualify will be emplaced for a fixed term of 2 years on the LASCO Register of Counsel maintained by the Supreme Court.
Counsel on the Register are notified when there is a case which requires the assignment of LASCO Counsel. Interested Counsel may volunteer for the case and the assignment will be considered and decided by the LASCO Case Assignment Panel.
Eligibility criteria for LASCO Counsel
Lawyers of good standing and reputation are eligible to apply to be emplaced on the Register. If you are a lawyer seeking to be emplaced in one of the three categories of LASCO Counsel, you must meet the criteria applicable to that category to qualify.
Refer to the Guidelines for Appointment and Responsibilities of Assigned LASCO Counsel in Capital Cases (PDF, 246 KB) for more information about volunteering as LASCO Counsel.
You must have at least 7 years of legal practice and have experience in the following:
- 2 capital trials and 2 capital appeals before the Court of Appeal against conviction or acquittal.
Counsel's previous experience from the Bench, or as a Deputy Public Prosecutor or State Counsel, may be taken into account. In addition, the following persons may be appointed as Lead Counsel, at the discretion of the LASCO Appointment Panel:
- Lawyers who have been in practice for at least 10 years and have experience in civil litigation in the High Court and Court of Appeal.
- Senior Counsel who do not meet the criteria.
You must have at least 5 years of legal practice and have experience in:
- 2 capital trials; or
- 1 capital trial and 1 capital appeal before the Court of Appeal against conviction or acquittal.
The LASCO Appointment Panel may also take into account Counsel's previous experience from the Bench, or as a Deputy Public Prosecutor or State Counsel, for the appointment of Assisting Counsel.
You must have experience in the following:
- 1 criminal trial and 1 Plead Guilty mention (these can be non-capital matters and can be in the High Court or State Courts).
How to apply to join the LASCO Register of Counsel
You may apply to be emplaced on the LASCO Register of Counsel by submitting the online Application Form to join LASCO Register of Counsel.
Offer of honorarium for LASCO Counsel
All assigned LASCO Counsel (except Junior Assisting Counsel) will receive an honorarium for the professional services rendered. The honorarium amount for each case is determined by the Registrar of the Supreme Court.
LASCO Counsel may make their claims by submitting the online LASCO Honorarium Claim Form
LASCO Counsel Active in 2025
We would like to acknowledge the contributions of the following LASCO Counsel, who have either completed at least one LASCO assignment in 2025 or have an ongoing LASCO assignment as at 31 December 2025.
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