For new lawyers, having a curated set of essential legal titles can be a powerful advantage. The first few years of practice are all about building depth in the fundamentals. Having reliable, authoritative texts at hand will help you grasp the principles, frameworks, and evolving doctrines that underpin Singapore’s legal system.
Whether you are preparing your first court submission, reviewing a commercial contract, or seeking guidance on ethical dilemmas, having trusted resources at your fingertips helps you work with greater confidence, accuracy, and independence.
Here are 10 legal titles the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) believes every new lawyer should have on their shelf in 2025:
1. Law and Technology in Singapore (2nd Edition)
Editors: Simon Chesterman, Goh Yihan and Andrew Phang Boon Leong
Publication Year: 2021
As legal practice and technology continue to become intertwined, this book addresses pressing questions of the digital age: Can an app offer legal advice? Are cryptocurrencies property?
Covering developments in both legal practice and substantive law, this updated edition equips readers with the insights needed to navigate Singapore’s legal tech landscape.
For new lawyers, it’s an essential guide to the competencies and perspectives that will keep you ahead in a profession increasingly shaped by innovation.
Purchase here: Bundle Edition | Print Edition | Digital Edition
2. A Guide to Judge-Led Court Dispute Resolution
Editor: Tan Boon Heng
Publication Year: 2025
From its modest beginnings in a 1994 judicial mediation pilot project to today’s comprehensive Court Dispute Resolution Cluster (CDRC), Singapore’s State Courts have pioneered innovative approaches to resolving disputes.
This monograph charts that evolution, offering a clear overview of the CDRC’s history, mission, legal frameworks, and processes. It explores judge-led mediation, case management strategies, settlement procedures, and the role of the International Judicial Dispute Resolution Network.
New lawyers will discover valuable insights into how judge-led dispute resolution works in practice.
Purchase here: Bundle Edition | Print Edition | Digital Edition
3. Arbitral Awards (2nd Edition)
Editor: Chan Leng Sun SC
Publication Year: 2025
This authoritative text offers an in-depth examination of arbitral awards, making it an essential reference for anyone involved in arbitration.
Building on the highly regarded first edition, which has been cited by the Singapore Supreme Court as well as courts from Australia to Brazil, the second edition addresses key legal principles, practical considerations, and recent jurisprudence.
This volume acts as a technical guide and a practical roadmap for new lawyers, providing insight into how arbitral awards are crafted, challenged, and enforced in Singapore and beyond.
Purchase here: Bundle Edition | Print Edition | Digital Edition
4. Insurance Law in Singapore (3rd Edition)
Author: Tan Lee Meng
Publication Year: 2025
While primarily rooted in English law, Singapore’s insurance law has developed distinct features and diverged in ways that make it unique to the country.
This updated edition examines major developments since the second edition, including significant UK reforms such as the Insurance Act 2015 and how Singapore’s approach differs in areas like contract formation, risk, loss, claims, and third-party rights.
The book offers both a comparative perspective and practical insights, making it an essential reference for young lawyers advising on insurance matters in Singapore.
Purchase here: Bundle Edition | Print Edition | Digital Edition
5. Mental Capacity Act in Singapore: Law and Practice
Author(s): Tan Boon Chwee Colin, Chong Yue-En, Allen Sng Kiat Peng, Tan Kah Wai
Publication Year: 2025
Marking 15 years since its enactment, the Mental Capacity Act 2008 (2020 Rev Ed) sets out Singapore’s legal framework for decision-making on behalf of adults who lack mental capacity, safeguarding their welfare and interests.
While based on the UK model, the MCA has evolved to meet Singapore’s unique needs, particularly in light of an ageing population and the push for a more inclusive society.
This resource is essential for judges, practitioners, deputies, donees, social workers, healthcare professionals, and regulators who work with or advise on MCA matters, offering clarity on both statutory provisions and their practical applications.
Purchase here: Bundle Edition | Print Edition | Digital Edition
6. The Law on Sexual Offences in Singapore: A Commentary
Author(s): Hairul Hakkim s/o Kuthibutheen, Kevin Ho Hin Tat
Publication Year: 2025
In recent years, Singapore’s Penal Code has undergone major reforms in the area of sexual offences, with significant amendments in 2019 and 2022.
These include stiffer penalties for common offences like outrage of modesty, new laws addressing emerging technology-related crimes such as voyeurism, greater protections for minors aged 16 to 18, and a more comprehensive approach to child abuse material offences.
Against a backdrop of rising prosecutions, this timely text offers an in-depth analysis of these developments, serving as both a reference for legal principles, evidence, and procedure, and a guide to applying sentencing frameworks that promote clarity, consistency, and fairness.
Purchase here: Bundle Edition | Print Edition | Digital Edition
7. Marriage, Spouses and Assets
Author: Leong Wai Kum
Publication Year: 2025
The first in the author’s integrated series on Singapore family law, this volume weaves together theory, substantive principles, landmark judicial decisions, and procedural rules to offer a clear, cohesive view of how the Family Justice Courts address key issues between spouses.
This book discusses the formation of non-Muslim marriages and the laws regulating aspects of the marital relationship, including divorce and the division of matrimonial assets.
Covering topics such as family violence and property ownership, it presents each issue in an integrated manner that shows how law and procedure work together to foster stable, long-lasting family relationships in Singapore.
Purchase here: Bundle Edition | Print Edition | Digital Edition
8. Corporate Law (2nd Edition)
Authors: Hans Tjio, Pearlie Koh, Lee Pey Woan
Publication Year: 2024
This updated volume offers a comprehensive examination of Singapore’s corporate legal framework, reflecting significant legislative reforms and landmark judicial decisions.
The digitalisation of corporate processes is a key focus area, following the wide-ranging changes recommended by the Companies Act Working Group in 2019 and implemented in the Companies, Business Trusts and Other Bodies (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2023.
Through rigorous case law analysis, the book explores core areas such as membership rights, veil piercing, directors’ fiduciary duties, and conflict transactions. It is an indispensable reference for new lawyers navigating Singapore’s corporate landscape.
Purchase here: Bundle Edition | Print Edition | Digital Edition
9. Legal Professional Privilege (2nd Edition)
Author: Colin Liew
Publication Year: 2023
The second edition of this volume provides a comprehensive examination of one of the cornerstones of the legal profession, namely the protection of confidential lawyer–client communications.
As the first dedicated text on this topic in Singapore, it analyses all the leading local decisions while drawing insights from significant cases in England, Australia, and other common law jurisdictions. The book also engages with policy considerations, secondary literature, and suggested avenues for legislative reform.
For new lawyers, this text helps cultivate a deeper understanding of effective client representation and the ability to navigate complex litigation or advisory scenarios.
Purchase here: Bundle Edition | Print Edition | Digital Edition
10. Modern Law of Copyright in Singapore
Authors: David Llewelyn, Gladys Tan, Estelle Moh Huixuan, Ng Hui Ming
Year of Publication: 2023
Modern Law of Copyright in Singapore offers a detailed and accessible guide to the Copyright Act 2021, Singapore’s most significant copyright reform in over three decades.
Extending beyond traditional media like books, music, and art, the book examines how copyright now extends to digital platforms such as software and live-streamed performances. It explains the Act’s protections for a wide range of stakeholders, including performers.
For new lawyers, this text is a vital resource for understanding how copyright law balances the competing interests of creativity, commerce, and public access.
Purchase here: Bundle Edition | Print Edition | Digital Edition
Important Note
All digital copies of the books listed above can only be read on Academy Library, SAL’s proprietary eBook reader. They are not available in any other format, such as PDF. For more information, please visit the FAQ page on LawNet store.
Bonus Pick #1 – A Civil Practice Journal
Publication Year: 2024
This updated second edition of A Civil Practice blends practical guidance on courtroom courtesy and professional etiquette with a conversational, accessible tone.
Aimed at newly minted lawyers, it encourages readers to reflect on what it means to practise law with civility and integrity in the modern legal landscape. A unique feature is its built-in journal section, inviting new lawyers to chart their personal and professional growth as they navigate the early years of practice.
Purchase here
Please note that this book is available exclusively for self-pickup from the SAL office. Delivery options are not available for this edition.
Bonus Pick #2 – Legal Legacies: The Story of Singapore Law
Author: A joint project by the Singapore Academy of Law Legal Heritage Committee, supported by the National Heritage Board
Legal Legacies takes you beyond statutes and case law, offering a beautifully illustrated tour through Singapore’s legal heritage.
Through over 60 rare photographs, artworks, and captivating anecdotes, you will discover the people, places, and pivotal moments that shaped our legal system.
Complete with a specially designed envelope and four collectable postcards of Singapore’s courthouses over the years, this keepsake reminds every new lawyer that you’re part of a proud and enduring legacy.
Start Building Your Legal Library With SAL’s Publications
A strong legal library is not about owning every book. It’s about selecting the right ones that serve your practice, deepen your understanding, and support your career journey as a Singapore legal professional.
SAL is here to support your learning journey with our extensive repository of legal publications, ranging from journals, textbooks, reports, and other resources.
As a SAL member, you will have access to exclusive discounts on our full catalogue of legal publications.
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