Public Defender, Public Defender’s Office

Ministry of Law, Singapore; Singapore; On-site; SGD 78,000 - 123,000; Full time

Job summary

The Public Defender’s Office (PDO) under the Ministry of Law in Singapore seeks dedicated lawyers to provide quality legal representation for legally aided clients charged in court. You will assist the Chief Public Defender with reports on merits of legal aid, advise applicants, and appear in court for bail applications, sentencing submissions, trials and appeals.

You will collaborate with social service agencies to support rehabilitation and promote restorative justice.

Qualifications

• Law degree from an accredited university.
• 3 to 7 years of relevant experience in criminal law practice.
• Good communication skills with clients, colleagues, prosecutors, and court personnel.
• Empathy and commitment to achieving the best outcomes for clients while respecting their decisions.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Chief Public Defender in preparing reports assessing the merits of legal aid applications.
• Advise applicants and legally aided persons on available legal options.
• Represent clients in court for bail applications.
• Make representations to the prosecution.
• Prepare and deliver sentencing submissions in mitigation.
• Conduct trials and handle appeals.
• Engage with social service sector agencies for rehabilitation as part of restorative justice.

Skills

Litigation

Advocacy

Legal analysis

Case management

Education

Law degree

Job description

What The Role Is

The Public Defender’s Office (PDO) is established as a department in the Ministry of Law to enhance access to justice to vulnerable persons through the provision of criminal defence aid.

What The Role Is

The Public Defender’s Office (PDO) is established as a department in the Ministry of Law to enhance access to justice to vulnerable persons through the provision of criminal defence aid.

What You Will Be Working On

As public defenders, our mission is to provide quality legal representation for legally aided persons charged in court. In this role, you will assist the Chief Public Defender in preparing reports assessing the merits of legal aid applications, and advise applicants and legally aided persons on the legal options available to them. You will also represent clients in court for bail applications, make representations to the prosecution, prepare and deliver sentencing submissions in mitigation, conduct trials and handle appeals. In the course of your work, you will also engage with other social service sector agencies in coming up with plans for rehabilitation of the legally aided persons as part of restorative justice which will help minimise their future contact with crime.

What We Are Looking For

Key Competencies

• [Litigation] Good oral and written advocacy skills to effectively prepare mitigation pleas, sentencing submissions, and appellate arguments.
• [Litigation] Competent litigation capabilities including case strategy development, evidence analysis, and trial advocacy.
• [Legal advisory and application of law] Good grasp of the law and sharp analytical mind to identify legal and factual issues in each case and provide advice on the best legal outcome.
• [Legal case management] Effective case management abilities to handle diverse criminal matters whilst ensuring timely progression through court processes.

Qualifications/Work Experience/Personal Traits

• Law degree from an accredited university.
• Preferably 3 to 7 years of relevant experience in criminal law practice.
• Good communication skills with clients, colleagues, prosecutors, and court personnel.
• Professional approach when handling sensitive criminal cases.
• Empathy and commitment to achieving the best outcomes for clients while respecting their decisions.
• Passion for criminal defence work and belief in fair legal processes and equal access to justice.

Shortlisted applicants may be asked to provide samples of suitably redacted past legal work.

Successful candidates will be appointed on a 1-year contract in the first instance. Any extension of the contract will be subject to job performance and/or manpower needs.