Originally Posted by Unregistered

The entry requirements in recent times are similar to that of any top tier law firm in Singapore. There is a preference for good academic grades (good 2nd upper and above) but at the same time, it is possible for students with less than stellar academic grades to get in if they do well in the interview.

Work wise, legal service does try to accommodate individual preferences. Generally, many officers get what they ask for. But since the needs of the organisation come first. If they need manpower in one division and there isn't anyone else who is willing to go there, then it is possible that they will post you there against your preferences.

The substantive legal skills you require/learn in your work are no different from the skills that you require/learn in any private law firm. The difference is that you are advancing a different interest (public interest vs. commercial interest).

The work-life balance is decent and the pay for the first few years is not too far behind the top tier local firms. It is probably more than most of the mid-sized/mid-tier firms. The pay difference between legal service and private law diverges around the 5th to 7th year and beyond, where the private law SAs move into the partner ranks.