{"id":3193,"date":"2017-09-12T16:06:31","date_gmt":"2017-09-12T16:06:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.thesrgroup.com\/taylorroot\/?p=3193"},"modified":"2026-04-14T09:07:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T09:07:11","slug":"singapore-in-house-market-overseas-make-the-move","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/srgroup.highrise.digital\/nl\/market-insight\/in-house\/singapore-in-house-market-overseas-make-the-move\/","title":{"rendered":"The Singapore in-house market for overseas lawyers: what can you do to make the move?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Singapore\u2019s strategic geographical location within Asia Pacific makes it popular as a regional hub for many multinationals including banks, financial institutions and corporates. Key management and leadership positions with regional remits are frequently based in Singapore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Singapore is an English-speaking common law jurisdiction and  lawyers qualified to the commonwealth jurisdictions such as the UK, Australia and New Zealand often find it easy to transition into private practice or in-house legal positions here. Coupled with its high standard of living, Singapore is an attractive location for internationally mobile foreign-qualified lawyers, who are keen to gain in-house experience with regional exposure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Based on my eight years\u2019 experience recruiting for the in-house legal market in Singapore, I\u2019d like to share some insights on market developments I\u2019ve seen and what overseas lawyers can do to facilitate a move to an in-house role in Singapore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The legal job market in Singapore has undergone changes in the past few years which makes it difficult for an overseas-based foreign candidate looking for a role in Singapore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To begin with, the Singapore legal market is a highly competitive one with an existing pool of Singapore-qualified and foreign-qualified lawyers. As a first port of call, hiring managers often look for candidates already based in Singapore with prior in-house experience, or candidates from private practice who have had strong relevant regional experience. In addition, there is also a growing emphasis on recruitment, training and retention of local employees which is considered a more appropriate and sustainable longer term employment practice. This impacts the talent development and succession-planning policies of the employers. All the above pose increased challenges to hiring managers looking to relocate overseas candidates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What can you do?<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In spite of the challenges, there are a few things that overseas candidates can do to improve their chances of securing an in-house position in Singapore:<\/p>\n\n\n\n