Public Defender, Public Defender’s Office

Ministry of Law; Singapore; On-site; SGD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ministry of Law, through the Public Defender’s Office (PDO), seeks lawyers to provide quality criminal defence for legally aided persons. The role involves assisting in reports on legal aid, advising applicants, and representing clients in bail applications and trials.

You will engage with prosecution and contribute to sentencing submissions, while collaborating with social services for restorative justice initiatives and rehabilitation planning.

Qualifications

• Law degree from an accredited university.
• Preferably 3–7 years of experience in criminal law practice.
• Strong communication with clients, colleagues, prosecutors and court personnel.
• Empathy, commitment to fair outcomes and equal access to justice.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Litigation

Advocacy

Case management

Analytical thinking

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 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.If you are interested, please submit a cover letter and resume sharing your experience in criminal litigation work and your reasons for wanting to join PDO.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.#LI-SW1

About Ministry of Law

In Singapore, having the rule of law and advancing people’s access to justice are not just lofty ideals but the backbone of a functioning and a progressive society. At the Ministry of Law, not only do we contribute to developing the legal frameworks and policies that uphold our way of life, but also to providing community legal services that Singaporeans benefit from. The key policies we oversee include Singapore’s legal and intellectual property infrastructure, the civil and criminal justice systems as well as land resources.Our officers are experts from different fields, and enjoy an excellent and challenging career in a fast-paced environment with plenty of opportunity to grow. If you share our vision of shaping the future of Singapore, you will definitely fit right in here at MinLaw.