Competency Framework

PREFACE TO SINGAPORE CORPORATE COUNSEL ASSOCIATION ("SCCA") COMPETENCY FRAMEWORK

STATEMENT: 

In-house counsel help organisations, businesses, associations, and governments to manage risk and grow their operations sustainably. Regardless of industry and geography, in-house counsel require certain common skills, knowledge, and attributes in order to perform their roles effectively. The goal of this Framework is to codify these “competencies” across different levels of an in-house counsel career.

ASSUMPTION:  

An in-house counsel provides legal advice and, as such, must be a competent lawyer in good standing with a qualification in law from an accredited law school and/or having bar admission or equivalent professional standing in a jurisdiction. 

HOW TO USE THE COMPETENCY FRAMEWORK: 

The Framework contains recommended competencies corresponding to three levels of in-house counsel (Levels 1 to 3, with 3 being the most competent), divided into Technical Skills, Business Skills and Future-ready Skills. The tiered format allows an in-house counsel to apply increasingly higher standards in each skill category as his or her career progresses. In-house counsel of all levels must comply with the SCCA Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct (“Code of Conduct”). 

DESIRED OUTCOME:

Recruiters can use the Framework to identify qualified candidates according to the required seniority and skill set for the role. Employed and aspiring in-house counsel can use the Framework to equip themselves with the right skills – by attending SCCA-accredited courses aligned with the Framework, they can also show recruiters and internal leadership that they have the requisite training to satisfy the applicable competencies.

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SCCA is proud to present the Competency Framework to help empower and develop in-house counsel at various stages of his or her practice. We believe that effective in-house counsel lead to ethical, accountable, and successful organisations, which in turn benefit business, government, and the wider community.