This came eight months after the Government first announced that it was introducing such a scheme, as part of plans to liberalise the tightly regulated legal sector.

Interested foreign law firms have up to 4pm, Oct 9, to submit their applications.

The Law Ministry expects to award about five licences - valid for five years - although the actual number may vary depending on the quality of the applications, it said in a statement on Thurs.

The licencees will then have up to six months to set up their practices here.

Last year, a high-powered committee headed by Justice V. K. Rajah recommended measures to open up the legal services sector.

Among other things, it suggested allowing up to five qualifying foreign law firms to practise Singapore law by hiring Singapore-qualified lawyers.

The Government accepted the proposals and a second reading of changes to the Legal Profession Act to effect the moves is due in Parliament later this year.