Please note that this is a general overview of LAB's application process for legal aid and assistance. Your application may be processed differently, depending on the facts of your case.* In addition, the Merits test does not apply to legal assistance matters.

The timeline for your case depends on the complexity of your case and the amount of time needed to assess your case. For legal aid matters, your legal officer has to review your statement, research the legal position and draft an opinion for submission to the Board. In general, it will take about three to four months.

*Note: This is not applicable to applications under The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (HCCAICA). If you are a citizen or resident of one of the contracting states of the HCCAICA and wish to apply for legal aid, please approach the Singapore Central Authority to assist you in your application. After you have applied through the Singapore Central Authority, your case will be referred to LAB and will go through the means test, statement taking and merits test stages before aid is granted or refused.