hmmm.

Regarding pay...

Unless you're equity partner level/international law firm scale, most MNCs will try to match or give you an increase. From two rounds of job hunting, the places that can't pay are generally quite upfront about it (the ceiling cap for this role is blahblah...). It's also why recruiters will usually ask what's your expected in the first 1-2 phone calls. Be honest with the recruiters ... and yourself.

Regarding challenges....

Politics defers from company to company but in the 2 European MNCs i worked for, it was an everyday affair.

You'll face outright opposition from the businesses. Many people won't like what you have to say. Many people will expect you to take decisions you simply cannot take. Many people will throw you under the bus for taking or not taking said decisions.

Surviving is easy, thriving is an art form.

Are you able to share how you survive or thrive there?

Hi everyone, first-poster here. Would appreciate your kind advice. Apologies for vagueness, Singapore is small.

For singaporeans studying law in UK unis currently, what are the pros and cons of coming back to singapore to practise vs getting a TC in a City/MC firm in London?

Background: Oxbridge law degree (2.1), secured several offers from local firms and one of the top 2 International JLV (not CC)

Practice area: Dispute resolution, particular focus on International Arbitration.

Aside from the obvious financial benefits of working in london, would appreciate any further insights. Thanks !

Stay there. At least for 3-5 years. Then move here laterally.

The financial benefits are not as "obvious", for the following reasons:
(1) unfavourable exchange rate (assuming you intend to return to SG eventually and will convert your money back to SGD)
(2) higher income tax
(3) rent, food etc in central London (as opposed to, perhaps, FOC living with your parents in SG).

You'll still come out ahead financially, but not by much.

That being said, the training in City/MC firms is far superior to anything offered in any SG firm. It will put your CV far ahead of many others if/when you finally decide to come back to SG to practice.

Sadly, "thriving", be it whether in private practice or in house, or in any nature of job as a matter of fact, requires keeping your mouth shut and avoiding airing opinions and views that are contrary to your superior, even when you know that legally or factually, your superior is wrong.

I'm the OP above. On the contrary, i think its finding a big enough backing such that what you say won't be so easily disregarded... even if it is contrary to the sentiment on the ground.

It also means being flexible enough to switch sides at a moment's notice when you feel that the ship you're on is sinking.

This is what i mean by playing politics.

In-house roles require you to develop a greater risk appetite.

Being overly conservative will ensure you piss off the business guys, especially if the environment is a highly commercial one.

It's no longer about scrubbing every sentence in the contract, but offering pragmatic solutions that enable the business.

Need some general advice from people in the circle... Currently have a NUS double degree law and business, initially thought of practicing law but was surprised that the money in business, especially finance is also quite good at 4-5k starting in banks.

Dont think i can make it to the big 4 law firms(most likely going to graduate with 2:2) and if i go the smaller law firms I wish to ask how much can one realistically make and also the kind of career progression from there?

I am comparing this with a management associate program in the banking industry if that paints a clearer picture. Thanks alot!

If you really like law, stick it out. The attrition is high and you will soon find it easy to lateral into the big firms at the mid level. You could also consider training in Hong Kong. They are very open to NUS graduates, although you would need to the one year PCLL course.