Law Minister K. Shanmugam on Wednesday welcomed news that SIM University (UniSIM) will host Singapore's third law school.

Writing in a Facebook post, Mr Shanmugam said he was "delighted" with the announcement, which was made earlier on Wednesday by Education Minister Heng Swee Keat at an annual convocation ceremony for UniSIM graduates.

Citing a committee set up in March last year to review the supply of lawyers here, he elaborated: "One of the key recommendations made was the need to establish a new law school to focus on training prospective lawyers keen to practise criminal and matrimonial law. At the same time, it will provide Singaporeans interested in a career in the law more opportunities and a new pathway to fulfil their career aspirations."

Details such as the launch date and intake for the new law course are still being worked out, but it will be geared towards attracting mid-career professionals who want to make law their new career. The school will also emphasise criminal and family law in particular, in a move to address the shortage of lawyers in these fields.