Singapore's Chief Justice warns that artificial intelligence will transform legal work, and new lawyers must adapt with better mentoring and training.
KEY POINTS
IN SIMPLE TERMS
AI is changing how lawyers work—it can do some tasks faster and better than people, which means fewer jobs for junior lawyers doing basic work. Singapore is launching new training programmes to help young lawyers learn practical skills and use AI tools properly.
WHY IT MATTERS
WHERE DO YOU STAND?
Should law firms and courts prioritise formal mentorship programmes to offset the training opportunities lost to AI automation?
👍 👎 Vote ↓Singapore’s top judge talks about how AI is changing law and why new lawyers need good teachers.
On 19 August 2024, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon spoke at the Supreme Court of Singapore.
He was talking to new lawyers at an event called Mass Call 2024.
This event happens every year to welcome new lawyers to their job.
Chief Justice Menon talked about two main things: how AI is changing law work and why new lawyers need good teachers.
Chief Justice Menon said that AI could help lawyers do their work better and faster.
He thinks AI might even do some tasks better than human lawyers.
But he also warned that this could mean fewer jobs for new lawyers in the future.
To help lawyers use AI, two new things will be launched at TechLaw.Fest 2024 :
These new tools are being made by the Singapore Academy of Law and Microsoft together.
AI is expected to replace junior lawyers in basic legal tasks, reducing traditional on-the-job training opportunities.
To fix this, a new program is starting in the second quarter of next year.
It’s called the Junior Lawyers Professional Certificate Programme (JLP).
This program will help lawyers who have been working for less than five years learn more practical skills.
Chief Justice Menon also talked about how important it is for new lawyers to have good teachers.
He said that right now, not many lawyers have a teacher to help them.
Only 10% of lawyers said they had a formal teacher or mentor.
According to SG Courts, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon said, “While there will undoubtedly be challenges, you will be able to draw upon the guidance of your mentors and the support of your wider network.”
He was talking about how new lawyers can get help when they face problems in their job.
He also said, “Achieving mastery in the law will demand hard work, dedication, and resilience over the long haul.”
This means that to be a good lawyer, you need to work hard for a long time.
Chief Justice Menon also talked about doing free work to help people who can’t afford a lawyer.
This is called “pro bono” work.
He thinks it’s very important for lawyers to do this kind of work.
Pro bono work is a tangible demonstration of our profession’s commitment to serving the public good.
This means that when lawyers do free work, it shows that they care about helping people.
The Chief Justice’s speech shows that being a lawyer is changing fast.
New lawyers need to learn about AI and get help from experienced lawyers.
They also need to remember to help people who can’t afford lawyers.
As law and technology change, Singapore is trying to make sure its lawyers are ready for the future.
Should law firms and courts prioritise formal mentorship programmes to offset the training opportunities lost to AI automation?
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