SCCA and GCAI Sign MOU to Advance Cross-Border Collaboration and Legal Talent Development
The Singapore Corporate Counsel Association (SCCA) and the General Counsels’ Association of India (GCAI) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), marking a new chapter in the partnership between the in-house legal communities of Singapore and India.
The MOU signing took place at GCAI’s event, “India-Singapore Legal Bridge: Enabling Growth, Investment and Effective Dispute Resolution in a Changing Global Economy”, held on the sidelines of the Singapore Convention Week, on 28 August 2026.
The ceremony was graced by Honorable Justice Manmohan, Supreme Court of India; Mr R Venkataramani, Attorney General for India; Her Excellency Ms Sudhi Chowdhary, Deputy High Commissioner of India in Singapore; Mr Jimmy Yim, SC, Chairman, Drew & Napier as well as many distinguished members of the legal and business communities from India and Singapore. This event brought together legal and business leaders to explore key issues shaping the India-Singapore-ASEAN investment landscape and the evolving role of the legal profession in supporting cross-border growth.
The MOU formalises SCCA and GCAI’s shared commitment to deepen ties between their respective in-house legal communities and create new opportunities for knowledge exchange, professional development and cross-border engagement.
A key initiative under the partnership will be developed through SCCA Academy, the learning and development arm of Singapore’s national association for in-house counsel. SCCA Academy and GCAI will collaborate on a cross-border immersion programme where local and international students will gain meaningful, hands-on exposure to different areas of in-house legal practice.
Going beyond traditional classroom learning, the proposed programme will focus on areas such as legal technology and artificial intelligence, negotiation, forensic investigations and other emerging issues confronting in-house legal teams. This programme will also involve experienced in-house counsel and industry experts from leading organisations and provide students with opportunities to learn directly from industry practitioners. These students will develop a deeper understanding of the skills, challenges and perspectives shaping the future of in-house legal practice.
The partnership will also explore ways to advance professional standards for in-house counsel and promote greater alignment of these standards across different jurisdictions.
Ultimately, these efforts aim to support professional development, capability building and recognition across the region. Further details will be announced in due course.
Reflecting on this partnership, Mr Daniel Choo, President of SCCA, said:
“Singapore and India share deep and longstanding ties, and we believe there is tremendous potential in bringing our in-house legal communities even closer together. We are grateful to GCAI for their partnership and, importantly, for sharing our belief in the power of collaboration to strengthen and advance the in-house legal profession. By bringing together the experience, perspectives and networks of our two communities, we can create more opportunities for in-house counsel to learn from one another, exchange best practices and develop the capabilities needed to support the legal ecosystem across increasingly complex and interconnected markets.
Ultimately, we hope to give the next generation of legal talent greater exposure to the realities of in-house legal practice, while ensuring that today’s practitioners continue to evolve alongside the businesses they serve. As technology, regulation and new business models reshape the legal landscape, building a profession that is globally connected, adaptable and future-ready has never been more important.”
Dr Sanjeev Gemawat, Co-Founder, General Counsels’ Association of India (GCAI), said:
“This partnership marks a historic beginning in bringing together the legal communities of India and Singapore at a time when our region is emerging as an increasingly important driver of global trade and commerce. Through closer institutional collaboration, we have an opportunity to help build a stronger and more integrated legal ecosystem across India, Singapore and the wider region—one that enables businesses to invest with confidence, navigate cross-border opportunities and resolve disputes effectively. We see this as the beginning of a long-term partnership that can contribute meaningfully to the growth and prosperity of the region and its greater contribution to global commerce.”
Dr Akhil Prasad, Co-Founder, General Counsels’ Association of India (GCAI), said:
“Economic growth and the increasing complexity of cross-border business will require a new generation of lawyers equipped with skills that go far beyond traditional legal education. Our collaboration with SCCA and SCCA Academy will help create meaningful opportunities for young lawyers and law students to gain practical, cross-border and industry-focused exposure in areas that are increasingly important to businesses—from technology and artificial intelligence to negotiation, investigations and complex commercial problem-solving. By investing in future-ready legal talent today, we can help build the professional capabilities needed to support the region’s economic growth tomorrow.”
The MOU lays the foundation for a long-term partnership between SCCA and GCAI, with both associations committed to translating their shared ambitions into meaningful opportunities for their respective communities. Through closer engagement between Singapore and India, the partnership aims to strengthen connections across the profession, develop future-ready legal talent and contribute to the continued advancement of the in-house legal community across the region.
About Singapore Corporate Counsel Association (SCCA)
The Singapore Corporate Counsel Association (SCCA) is the national association representing and advancing the interests of in-house counsel in Singapore. With a growing membership and extensive regional network, SCCA advances the in-house legal profession through flagship thought leadership conferences, premier networking events, professional development programmes, leadership initiatives and industry dialogues.
Through SCCA Academy, the Association delivers practical, industry-relevant professional development programmes that equip in-house counsel with the skills, knowledge and perspectives needed to navigate an evolving legal and business landscape.
Guided by its vision of “Better Counsel, Better Corporations, Better Community,” SCCA is committed to advancing professional excellence, strengthening the strategic role of in-house counsel within their organisations and fostering meaningful connections across Singapore and the wider region.
About General Counsels’ Association of India (GCAI)
The General Counsels’ Association of India (GCAI) is a body formed, managed and spearheaded by in-house legal counsel with a vision to create a distinct professional identity for General Counsels and institutionalise the in—house legal function as a separate specialised stream of legal practice.
GCAI is a premier association representing the interests of in-house legal counsel who are qualified lawyers with a law degree recognised by the Bar Council of India. It will work to ensure the statutory recognition of the in-house legal profession, enhance awareness in the industry, in India and internationally about the role and contributions of GCs, advance the highest ethical standards in their functioning and thereby strengthen their participation in the justice delivery system. GCAI is also focused on internship, skilling and mentoring of students in India and internationally, through strategic alliances with institutions of excellence across the world.