Senior Executive / Assistant Director / Senior Assistant Director – Civil & Legislative Policy Division

Ministry of Law, Singapore; Singapore; On-site; SGD 60,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Ministry of Law, Singapore is offering a front-row policy role in the Civil & Legislative Policy Division, shaping national legislation through rigorous policy drafting and legislative proposals.

Senior Executive to Senior Assistant Director roles provide exposure to Parliament, stakeholder engagement, and cross‑agency collaboration, with a 1‑year contract to start.

Ideal candidates are early‑career lawyers with PQE 0–7, strong writing, critical thinking, and a passion for public service.

Qualifications

• Basic law degree – LLB or JD.
• Strong foundation in litigation and/or advisory work.
• Excellent writing and critical-thinking skills.
• Interpersonal communication skills, self-motivation, teamwork, comfort with ambiguity, and passion for public service.

Responsibilities

• Lead legal reform by reviewing existing laws, identifying gaps, and drafting proposals for change across civil, family, and community justice domains.
• Drive change from ideation to implementation – workshop it with drafters, experts, and ministries, and shepherd it through Parliament.
• Engage stakeholders – collaborate with judges, academics, social service agencies, and industry players to craft pragmatic solutions.
• Manage implementation – help draft subsidiary legislation, provide policy inputs on operational issues, and ensure the law works in practice.

Skills

Legal drafting

Policy analysis

Litigation background

Stakeholder engagement

Education

LLB/JD degree

Job description

This opportunity was posted more than 30 days ago and no application deadline was provided. You can explore active listings below.

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Organising Institution / Firm

Ministry of Law, Singapore

Not Specified by Organiser

Not Specified

Basic law degree – Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD). Strong foundation in litigation and/or advisory work. Excellent writing and critical-thinking skills. Interpersonal communication skills, self-motivation, teamwork, comfort with ambiguity, and passion for public service. Senior Executive: 0–2 years' PQE; Assistant Director: 2–4 years' PQE; Senior Assistant Director: 4–7 years' PQE. Successful candidates will be offered a 1-year contract in the first instance.

Government Job / Legal Policy Role

Full Opportunity Brief

Why This Singapore Government Law Role Deserves Your Attention

For legal professionals who have ever dreamed of shaping national legislation, few opportunities rival the Civil & Legislative Policy Division (CLPD) at Singapore's Ministry of Law. This is not a back-office compliance role or a routine legal advisory position. It is a front-row seat to the machinery of law-making, where policy papers become Acts of Parliament and where a single well-argued memo can alter the legal landscape for millions of citizens. The current vacancy for Senior Executive / Assistant Director / Senior Assistant Director is a rare entry point into one of Asia's most respected legal policy teams, and it carries weight far beyond the Singapore public service.

The Ministry of Law, often abbreviated as MinLaw, is responsible for advancing Singapore's legal framework, ensuring access to justice, and upholding the rule of law. Within it, the Legal Policy Group (LPG) is the think-tank and drafting engine that drives legislative reform. The CLPD specifically handles civil, family, and community justice issues, as well as criminal law and procedure. This is the division that takes raw policy ideas, stress-tests them against legal doctrine and practical realities, and transforms them into statutes that govern daily life.

“We are a small, multidisciplinary team that values thoughtful debate, moves with gumption, and is unafraid of breaking the mould.” — Ministry of Law, Singapore

If you are an ambitious litigator, a policy-oriented barrister, or a junior attorney with a passion for public interest law, this role offers an unrivalled platform to develop your craft while contributing to national development. Below, we break down everything you need to know about this opportunity, from day-to-day responsibilities to the exact competencies the Ministry is hunting for in this hiring round.

Inside the Civil & Legislative Policy Division: Work That Actually Changes Lives

Working at CLPD is not about billable hours or client management. It is about understanding how law operates on the ground and then redesigning it for the better. The Ministry's own track record speaks volumes. Recent initiatives spearheaded by this division include the establishment of the Protection from Harassment Court in 2021, which streamlined access to justice for harassment victims; the 2023 modernisation of oaths and statutory declarations to permit electronic execution; and the Maintenance Enforcement Process (MEP) introduced under the Family Justice Reform Act to make maintenance orders more effective. In 2024, the team helped enhance Singapore's Community Disputes Management Framework, and in November 2025, it passed the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Act, a landmark piece of legislation creating new statutory torts for online harms.

These are not theoretical exercises. Each reform requires painstaking research, stakeholder consensus-building, and legislative drafting. As an officer in this division, you will be expected to:

• Lead legal reform by reviewing existing laws, identifying gaps, and drafting proposals for change across civil, family, and community justice domains.
• Drive change from ideation to implementation – take a policy concept, workshop it with drafters, experts, and ministries, and shepherd it through Parliament.
• Engage stakeholders – collaborate with judges, academics, social service agencies, and industry players to craft pragmatic solutions.
• Manage implementation – you will not just write laws; you will help draft subsidiary legislation, provide policy inputs on operational issues, and ensure the law works in practice.

This is a high-agency role. The Ministry explicitly states that officers “have the space to challenge assumptions and propose new ideas.” For young lawyers who feel constrained by traditional private practice hierarchies, this could be a breath of fresh air.

The Career Trajectory: From Policy Officer to National Influencer

One of the most compelling reasons to consider this role is the career trajectory it unlocks. A stint at MinLaw's CLPD is a badge of honour in Singapore's legal sector. Alumni of the Legal Policy Group are found in the Judiciary, top law firms, statutory boards, and even regional law reform commissions. The skills you gain – legal analysis, policy drafting, stakeholder management, and public-sector leadership – are portable and highly marketable.

For junior lawyers (0–2 years' PQE), the Senior Executive grade is a perfect entry point into public policy without the pressure of partnership track. You will work directly with senior officers and gain exposure to high-level legal issues early. For mid-career lawyers (2–4 years' PQE), the Assistant Director role allows you to lead sub-workstreams and take ownership of policy dossiers. For experienced lawyers (4–7 years' PQE), the Senior Assistant Director position places you at the helm of major reform projects, interfacing with Permanent Secretaries and Members of Parliament.

The role also offers excellent networking opportunities. You will collaborate with the Attorney‑General's Chambers, the Singapore Academy of Law, the Law Society, and various law schools. For those eyeing a future in academia, arbitration, or even the Bench, this experience provides an instant credibility boost.

“If you ever wanted to rewrite the rulebook (legally, of course), this is your chance.”

Who Will Succeed Here: Competencies and Personal Traits

The Ministry has clearly outlined the key competencies for this role. It is not enough to have a law degree; you must be a clear and concise writer who can distill complex issues into crisp policy memos. Equally important is deep critical thinking – the ability to make sense of ambiguous information and arrive at effective solutions. You should also possess domain‑specific expertise in law reform or regulatory frameworks, although the Ministry is open to candidates who have the capacity to develop these skills on the job.

From a personal traits perspective, the Ministry is looking for:

• Excellent interpersonal communication, both written and spoken
• Self-motivation and discipline
• Strong teamwork and stakeholder management ability
• Comfort with ambiguity and a fast‑moving environment
• A genuine passion to serve the public and make a difference

If you have experience in litigation, all the better. A strong foundation in adversarial work gives you an edge in understanding how laws are interpreted by the courts, which is invaluable when crafting new legislation.

How to Prepare an Application That Stands Out

Given the prestige of this role, competition will be fierce. To maximise your chances, tailor your application explicitly to the policy domain. Instead of just listing your legal experience, frame your achievements in terms of systemic impact. For instance, if you have handled a complex property dispute, highlight how you identified a recurring legal loophole and proposed a solution. Showcase your writing sample – a well‑reasoned legal memo is worth its weight in gold here.

In your interview, be ready to discuss recent legal reforms in Singapore, such as the Online Safety Act or the Protection from Harassment Court. Demonstrate that you are not just a lawyer but a policy enthusiast who reads Ministry whitepapers and parliamentary debates. Also, show your ability to engage with ambiguity: the Ministry explicitly wants people who can operate without complete information and still deliver high‑quality work.

Since the posting is on LinkedIn, ensure your profile is polished and includes relevant policy keywords. Network with current or former MinLaw officers if possible – referrals can increase your chances by as much as 2x, according to LinkedIn’s own data. Finally, note that the successful candidate will be offered a 1-year contract initially – 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is this role open to foreign-qualified lawyers?

The posting does not explicitly state citizenship requirements. However, as a government role within the Singapore Civil Service, it is generally open to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, with very limited exceptions. Foreign lawyers with strong ties to Singapore may be considered on a case‑by‑case basis. It is best to check with the Ministry directly via the LinkedIn platform or their careers portal.

2. What is the typical day like for a Senior Executive in CLPD?

You will likely start your day reviewing legal memos and preparing policy papers. Much of your time will be spent reading legislation, consulting with stakeholders, and drafting recommendations. Frequent inter‑agency meetings are common, as are sessions with Parliamentary Counsel to translate policy into bill draft. Expect a mixture of deep research and collaborative decision‑making.

3. Does the Ministry sponsor work passes for this contract role?

The advertisement does not mention visa sponsorship. For candidates who are not Singapore Citizens or PRs, it is crucial to clarify this with the HR team before applying. The Ministry has historically hired professionals who already possess the right to work in Singapore.

4. What is the career progression after the 1-year contract?

Ministry roles are often extended or converted to permanent posts if performance is strong. The LPG values continuity and internal promotions, so a high‑performing officer can quickly move up the grades. Even if you leave after a few years, the experience gained is highly valued across the legal sector, making it a strategic career investment.

This is a rare opportunity to turn your legal training into tangible national impact. If you are ready to step out of the ordinary and into the heart of Singapore's legal policy engine.