Juris Doctor (J.D.) – SMU

The J.D. programme is a full-time 3-year programme, comprising 22 courses totaling 25 course units ( Each course carries one course unit unless stated otherwise). The curriculum was formulated by legal academics and practitioners after extensive discussions, and endorsed by Singapore Institute of Legal Education and Ministry of Law.

The academic year begins in mid-August and follows the same academic calendar/grading scheme as the LL.B programme. The programme may be accelerated in some cases for completion within 2 to 2.5 years subject to the approval of the J.D. Committee, which will take into consideration their first term’s exam grades.

The J.D. programme comprises of 23 courses totaling 25 course units ( Each course carries one course unit unless stated otherwise).

The curriculum is designed to be completed in 3 years but the programme may be accelerated in some cases for completion within 2 years subject to the approval of the J.D. Committee, which will take into consideration their first term’s exam grades.

In order to graduate, students are also required to undertake 6 weeks of internship and clock 20 hours of Pro Bono service.

List of Law Core Courses

• Commercial Conflict of Laws
• Comparative Legal Systems
• Constitutional & Administrative Law (1.5cu)
• Contract Law 1
• Contract Law 2
• Corporate Law
• Criminal Law (1.5cu)
• Ethics & Social Responsibility for Law
• Law of Business Organisations
• Law of Equity & Trusts (1.5cu)
• Law of Evidence
• Law of Property (1.5cu)
• Law of Torts (1.5cu)
• Legal Research & Writing (1.5cu)
• Singapore Legal Systems (0.5cu)
• Legal Theory & Philosophy

List of Law Electives (Electives offered may vary for a given year)
Students must choose 6.5cus of law electives.

• An Introduction to International Banking and Financial Regulation (0.5cus)
• Banking Law
• Corporate Insolvency Law
• Financial & Securities Regulation
• Law of Corporate Finance
• Law of Mergers & Acquisitions
• Legal and Commercial Principles in Project Financing Transactions
• Competition Law
• Comparative Law of Sales
• Domestic and International Sales
• Trade & Investment Law
• Foreign Direct Investment Law & Practice
• Joint Venture Law (Singapore – Indonesia)
• Shipping & Admiralty Law
• WTO : Law and Policy
• Appellate Practice in Civil Litigation (0.5cu)
• Contract Negotiation and Drafting
• Drafting of Commercial Agreements (0.5cu)
• Drafting of Corporate Practice (0.5cu)
• Introduction to Civil Procedure (0.5cu)
• Pre-trial Practice in Civil Litigation (0.5cu)
• Advocacy
• Complex International Litigation
• International Commercial Arbitration
• International Arbitration Practice
• Negotiation & Mediation for Lawyers
• Corporate Crime
• Construction Law
• International Construction Law
• Law of Cybercrime and Digital Investigations
• Principles of Singapore Income Tax
• Principles of Taxation of International Business Transactions
• Insurance Law
• Economic Analysis of Law
• International and Comparative Criminal Justice
• International Law and Global Politics
• Jurisprudence: Modern & Critical Theories of Law
• Law & Regulation
• Law and Policy of Ethnic Relations in Singapore
• Public International Law
• Information Technology & the Law
• Intellectual Assets and the Law in Asian Economies
• Intellectual Property Law
• International Commercialisation of Intellectual Property
• International Patent Law and Policy
• Law of Confidential Information, Trade Secrets and Privacy
• International Patent Law and Policy
• Legal Issues in E-Commerce
• Directed Research
• Family Law
• International Moots
• Law Study Mission
• Law and the Changing Media Environment

Admission Criteria

• Completed an undergraduate education in any discipline with at least a Cum Laude or Second Class Upper Honours degree; or
• Law graduates from a civil law country or a non-gazetted common law university with at least a Cum Laude or Second Class Upper Honours degree, or
• Graduands who will obtain their final transcript and graduation certification letter by the second week of June

With effect from the 2018 admission intake, applicants who have obtained their undergraduate degree via distance learning or part-time studies will be considered for admission if they have obtained at least a second class upper honours degree. 

Candidates who do not meet the above academic criteria but  with significant achievement such as having an outstanding further degree and/or outstanding work experience that could contribute to the class and legal profession will be reviewed closely by the Admissions Committee.

English Proficency

Applicants must show proficiency in the English language. A TOEFL/IELTS test is required if the applicant’s undergraduate degree was not conducted in English.

Applicants who are intending to take TOEFL, IELTS or UKVI, please note the following minimum scores:

• TOEFL (Internet-based): 100
• IELTS (Academic): Overall band of 7.5
•  UKVI (Academic): 5 

Dates
For more information on Application Dates, click here.

Fees
For more information on Fee, Scholarships and Finance matters, click here.

School of Law
Singapore Management University
55 Armenian Street
Singapore 179943

Tel: +65 6828 0502
Email: law@smu.edu.sg