Clause 9

Upon an application made to the Minister by any person who is not otherwise entitled to be a qualified person, the Minister may, in his discretion, if he is of the opinion that the person possesses such qualification or expertise as would contribute to, promote or enhance the quality of legal services in Singapore or the economic or technological development of Singapore —

approve the person as a qualified person for the purposes of this Act; and

issue to the person a notice in writing to that effect.(2) The Minister may, after consultation with the Board, make rules for —

the exemption of any qualified person who satisfies, or any class of qualified persons each of whom satisfies, such requirements as may be prescribed in those rules from all or any, and from the whole or any part of any, of the requirements under sections 12(1)(c), (d) and (e) and 15(1); and

the abridgment of the practice training period applicable to any qualified person who satisfies, or any class of qualified persons each of whom satisfies, such requirements as may be prescribed in those rules.(3) Without prejudice to subsection (2), the Minister may, in his discretion, exempt a qualified person from all or any, and from the whole or any part of any, of the requirements under sections 12(1)(c), (d) and (e) and 15(1), or abridge the practice training period applicable to a qualified person, if the Minister is of the opinion that the qualified person is, by reason of his standing and experience or for any other cause, a fit and proper person to be so exempted.(4) An exemption or abridgment granted to a person under subsection (3) —

may be subject to such conditions as the Minister may think fit to impose by notice in writing to the person;

may be notified in writing to the person; and

need not be published in the Gazette.”.