Cash gifts, shopping vouchers, chocolates and specially-designed SG50 Nets FlashPay cards were among the freebies given out to employees by the Big Three law firms in Singapore to celebrate Singapore's Golden Jubilee.

Allen & Gledhill and Drew & Napier gave $500 to each of their eligible staff, while the law firm of Rajah & Tann gave the equivalent of $500 in shopping vouchers.

Other firms such as Rodyk & Davidson and Clifford Chance-Cavenagh Law alliance opened their offices to all staff and their families so that they could watch the National Day Parade and fireworks from a vantage point in Raffles Place.

Mr Lucien Wong, chairman and senior partner of Allen & Gledhill, said the cash gift was given, not just to his 600-plus staff in the Singapore office, but also to those at its regional offices.

"Our firm's success and growth has been closely tied to the progress of Singapore... we come together to reflect and celebrate what Singapore has achieved in the past 50 years and to be thankful for the opportunities we have received as a result of our nation's peace and prosperity," Mr Wong said.

Allen & Gledhill employees also received a specially-designed SG50 Nets FlashPay card with a stored value of $10.

Meanwhile, more than 100 lawyers and staff from Rajah & Tann, and their family members, held National Day celebrations at their Singapore office yesterday. Mr Patrick Ang, deputy managing partner, Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP, said: "The considerable turnout shows our lawyers and staff look forward to spending time with their colleagues and their families outside of work.

"This encourages a sense of camaraderie, which is important for teamwork and productivity."

Drew & Napier's cash bonus went to 511 employees.

It's chief executive, Senior Counsel Davinder Singh, said: "The bonus is also meant to recognise employees and their families' invaluable role in the remarkable Singapore story."