New programme to help young lawyers deal with key challenges facing legal industry

Areas to be covered include ethical use of generative AI, dealing with difficult clients

- Samuel Devaraj

A new programme launched by the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) on May 21 is aimed at supporting young lawyers in areas such as the ethical use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and dealing with difficult clients.

SAL said in a press release that the Junior Lawyers Professional Certification Programme will address key challenges facing the legal industry, including high attrition rates and limited practical training, as well as the growing impact of GenAI on legal work.

Open to lawyers with under five years of post-qualification experience, the programme offers practical training in disputes and corporate practice, imparts management skills and reinforces principles of professional ethics.

Its opening conference, which is compulsory for participants to attend, was held at the Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay hotel on May 21.

Speaking at the event, SAL's chief executive Yeong Zee Kin said the wave of technological disruption, in particular GenAI, has "smashed into the shores of legal practice".

He said AI will automate many entry-level legal tasks, affecting the learning opportunities for young lawyers.