- Please refer to the LSRA’s Guidelines on Financial Arrangements Between Singapore Law Practices and Foreign Law Practices In Collaborations.
How do we apply to form a Joint Law Venture or Formal Law Alliance?
You can apply for a Joint Law Venture licence or Formal Law Alliance licence via LSRA e-Services. The relevant rules and requirements relating to the formation of a Joint Law Venture or Formal Law Alliance can be found in Part IXA of the Legal Profession Act, read with the Legal Profession (Law Practice Entities) Rules 2015.Where can we find out more about the requirements for Formal Law Alliances (FLA)?
Please refer to our 'FAQs on Formal Law Alliances' and Guidelines on Financial Arrangements between Singapore Law Practices and Foreign Law Practices in Collaborations' on our webpage.How can a Formal Law Alliance/Joint Law Venture amend its written agreement or business plan?
Approval to amend a Joint Law Venture's (JLV) or Formal Law Alliance's (FLA) written agreement or business plan should be sought via LSRA e-Services.
The JLV, or a member law practice of the FLA, should log in to LSRA e-Services using SingPass and select relevant UEN/Entity ID (if applicable). Look for the existing FLA or JLV licence in myDashboard, then choose ‘Update’ under the ‘Action’ tab. Upload a copy of the amended written agreement or business plan, with the proposed amendments clearly marked up, as a supporting document in the Update application form, and submit it for approval.
Can a Formal Law Alliance or Joint Law Venture comprise more than one law practice?
A Formal Law Alliance can comprise one or more Singapore law practices and one or more foreign law practices or Qualifying Foreign Law Practices. A Joint Law Venture can only comprise one Singapore law practice and one foreign law practice or Qualifying Foreign Law Practice. Please see the relevant provisions in the Legal Profession Act and Legal Profession (Law Practice Entities) Rules 2015.
How can we comply with the threshold requirements?
The Formal Law Alliance ("FLA") and Joint Law Venture ("JLV") schemes were conceived as a means to facilitate cooperation between two independent law practice entities which are capable of dealing with each other as equal partners. The relevant legal framework for approval of these applications is interpreted and applied in this context. In assessing whether a proposal complies with the requirement for a minimum number of Singapore solicitors in the Singapore law practice ("SLP"), the SLP is advised to ensure there are sufficient Singapore solicitors who have a track record that is independent of the foreign law practice ("FLP"). For example, they should not have a history of employment with the FLP prior to the establishment of the FLA or JLV. In addition, the SLP will require the minimum number of equity partners or, where the SLP is structured as a law corporation, equity-holding directors.
The relevant rules and requirements relating to the formation of a JLV or FLA can be found in Part IXA of the Legal Profession Act, read with the Legal Profession (Law Practice Entities) Rules 2015.Applications for a JLV licence or FLA licence should be submitted via LSRA e-Services.If a member law practice joins or leaves a Group Practice, does the Group Practice need to apply for
If a member law practice joins or leaves a Group Practice, the Group Practice will need to update their particulars via LSRA e-Services.The Group Practice should log in to LSRA e-Services using SingPass and select relevant UEN/Entity ID (if applicable). Look for the existing group law practice registration in myDashboard, and then choose ‘Update’ under the ‘Action’ tab. Add or remove member law practices as applicable, and submit the application.