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Up to 1,000 more residents expected to access legal aid with higher income limits announced by the Ministry of Law.
Increasing the income threshold for civil legal service in Singapore will enable an additional 1,000 persons to qualify for help through the civil justice system. This change was announced during a parliamentary session by Law Minister Edwin Tong on March 2, 2026 when he revealed that the new per capita household income threshold would be S$1,650 (US$850) instead of the previous S$1,050. Approximately half of all litigants within this new income range have no legal representation for civil litigation
The threshold for bank savings and non-Central Provident Fund (CPF) investments will also increase from S$10,000 to S$12,000; however, these amounts apply only to applicants requesting both civil and criminal defence assistance. Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Law Eric Chua reiterated that independent panels comprised of legal and social service professionals will continue to assess the eligibility of applicants with extenuating circumstances.
The major areas where people apply for civil legal aid are matrimonial issues, claims for money, and probate. Government assistance for legal problems can be found through the Legal Aid Bureau and the Public Defender's Office, which help lower-income residents obtain legal representation. The Legal Aid Bureau, established in 1958, receives approximately 7000 applications each year with the assistance of many volunteer lawyers who act as assigned solicitors.
To qualify for legal aid, applicants must undergo and meet two types of tests: means financial and merits. Those receiving government assistance are not required to pay for any civil legal advice; however, they may be required to contribute toward the costs, depending on their financial capability. The Ministry of Law is working in partnership with other cooperatives in the legal community to improve Singapore's legal aid system, and is collaborating on co-funding Pro Bono SG's community law centres, which provide necessary socio-legal support to qualified residents.
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