Singapore’s legal profession is facing a systemic crisis as lawyers exit private practice due to toxic workplace cultures, bullying, and unreasonable workloads. A four-year study released on Tuesday, June 23, by the Law Society of Singapore (LawSoc) identifies these structural issues as the primary drivers of attrition, rather than individual failings. The findings, which include reports of lawyers being publicly humiliated by judicial officers, have prompted the judiciary and the Ministry of Law to initiate new collaborative committees to address the sustainability of the sector.
Did You Know? The 223-page report was commissioned by the late LawSoc president Adrian Tan, who in 2022 identified a “perfect storm” of record-high departures and record-low entrants threatening the future of the legal profession in Singapore.
Drivers of Legal Attrition
The study, conducted by research firm Anthro Insights, surveyed 855 practising and former lawyers and included 31 in-depth interviews. Respondents highlighted that workplace culture and poor mental health are the strongest factors pushing practitioners to leave. Beyond internal office dynamics, the report cites instances where lawyers were “scolded, ridiculed or publicly humiliated” by judicial officers regarding inflexible court timelines. Additionally, some participants reported that their legal education did not adequately prepare them for the realities of practice.
Institutional Response and Reform
The Ministry of Law (MinLaw) stated that the findings should be taken seriously, characterizing legal talent as a “precious asset.” In response to the report, the judiciary and LawSoc are establishing a Joint Working Committee to address feedback regarding court procedures. This committee will be led by Supreme Court chief executive Juthika Ramanathan and Registrar Jill Tan, alongside LawSoc representatives including Senior Counsel Lok Vi Ming. Separately, LawSoc has convened a Task Force on the Fulfilment and Sustainability of Younger Lawyers to develop further recommendations.
Expert Insight: The establishment of a joint committee between the Bench and the Bar marks a significant shift in how the legal sector addresses systemic stress. By moving from treating individual symptoms to addressing the structural relationship between court expectations and lawyer wellbeing, the profession is attempting to mitigate a trend that Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon warned could see one in three new lawyers quit within three years.
What May Happen Next
The legal sector is expected to undergo a period of intense review as the new committees begin their work. While the judiciary has affirmed its commitment to maintaining rigorous standards, it also acknowledged that long-term sustainability is vital to the administration of justice. Future developments will likely focus on balancing these high standards with the professional development and individual wellbeing of practitioners. The Ministry of Law has indicated it will continue to monitor these efforts through its Future of the Legal Profession Committee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who conducted the study on legal profession sustainability?
The four-year study was conducted by research firm Anthro Insights and commissioned by the Law Society of Singapore.
What are the main reasons lawyers are leaving practice?
According to the study, the primary reasons include toxic workplace cultures, bullying, unreasonable workloads, and a lack of work-life balance, as well as experiences of being humiliated by judicial officers.
What immediate steps are being taken to address these issues?
A Judiciary–Law Society Joint Working Committee and a LawSoc Task Force on the Fulfilment and Sustainability of Younger Lawyers have been established to review the findings and propose solutions.
How do you think the legal profession can best balance the need for high judicial standards with the mental health and retention of its lawyers?