Singapore, India General Counsel Bodies Join Hands to Build Cross-Border Legal Talent

An agreement focusing on collaboration has been finalized between legal groups in Singapore and India. This exciting partnership aims to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and enhance professional development. A unique cross-border immersion program will allow law students to gain practical in-house legal experience, equipping them with essential contemporary skills while strengthening the regional legal landscape.

The Singapore Corporate Counsel Association (SCCA) and the General Counsels’ Association of India (GCAI) have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation between the two countries’ in-house legal communities and develop cross-border legal talent.
 

Singapore, India legal bodies to boost cross-border training for lawyers
 

The partnership will focus on knowledge exchange, professional development, and greater engagement between in-house counsel in Singapore and India, the associations said.
 

A key initiative will be a cross-border immersion programme to be developed through SCCA Academy, the learning and development arm of SCCA. The programme will provide local and international students with practical exposure to different areas of in-house legal practice.
 

“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,” said Daniel Choo, President of SCCA.
 

“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,” he added.
 

The programme is expected to cover legal technology and artificial intelligence, negotiation, forensic investigations, and other emerging issues facing corporate legal teams. Experienced in-house counsel and industry experts will also participate, giving students an opportunity to learn from practitioners.
 

“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,” said Dr Sanjeev Gemawat, co-founder of GCAI.
 

The two associations will also explore ways to strengthen professional standards for in-house counsel and promote greater alignment across jurisdictions, with the broader aim of supporting professional development and recognition across the region.
 

“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,” said Dr Akhil Prasad, co-founder of GCAI.
 

“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,” he added.
 

The signing ceremony was attended by Supreme Court of India Justice Manmohan, Attorney General for India R Venkataramani, India's Deputy High Commissioner in Singapore Sudhi Chowdhary, and Jimmy Yim, chairman of Drew & Napier, among other legal and business leaders.
 

The MOU is intended to provide a framework for a long-term partnership to strengthen links between the in-house legal communities of Singapore and India and to develop future-ready legal talent across the region.