Singapore and India Legal Associations Sign MOU for Cross-Border Cooperation

SCCA AND GCAI EXPAND LEGAL EXCHANGE, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CROSS-BORDER ENGAGEMENT.

The Singapore Corporate Counsel Association (SCCA) and the General Counsels’ Association of India (GCAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 28 August 2026 in Singapore to strengthen cooperation between the two countries’ in-house legal communities.

The associations signed the agreement during GCAI’s “India-Singapore Legal Bridge: Enabling Growth, Investment and Effective Dispute Resolution in a Changing Global Economy” event, held alongside Singapore Convention Week.

The event brought legal and business leaders together to discuss the India-Singapore-ASEAN investment landscape and the legal profession’s role in supporting cross-border growth. Attendees included Honorable Justice Manmohan of the Supreme Court of India, Attorney General for India R Venkataramani, Deputy High Commissioner of India to Singapore H.E Sudhi Chowdhary and Drew & Napier Chairman Mr Jimmy Yim, SC.

The MOU will guide cooperation in knowledge exchange, professional development and cross-border engagement among in-house counsel in Singapore and India. The associations will also explore ways to advance professional standards for in-house counsel and promote greater alignment across jurisdictions.

The partnership also proposes a cross-border immersion programme jointly developed by SCCA Academy and GCAI. The programme would give local and international students practical exposure to in-house legal practice, including legal technology and artificial intelligence, negotiation and forensic investigations.

Experienced in-house counsel and industry experts would contribute to the programme, giving students first-hand insight into the skills and challenges facing modern legal teams.

SCCA President Mr Daniel Choo said the partnership could bring the two countries’ in-house legal communities closer together.

“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,” he said.

Mr Choo added that the partnership could help prepare legal professionals for changes in technology, regulation and business.

“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,” he said.

GCAI co-founder Dr Sanjeev Gemawat described the MOU as a “historic beginning” for closer ties between the legal communities of India and Singapore.

“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,” he said.

GCAI co-founder Dr Akhil Prasad said the changing nature of cross-border business would require young lawyers to develop skills beyond traditional legal education.

The MOU lays the foundation for a long-term partnership between SCCA and GCAI. As the associations develop the proposed initiatives, their cooperation could strengthen legal connections between Singapore, India and the wider region while preparing future legal professionals for an increasingly interconnected business environment.