NTUC expands Legal Assistance Panel from 2026 to offer broader, affordable legal support for members

From 1 January 2026, NTUC will expand its Legal Assistance Panel (LAP), giving members broader access to affordable legal services and stronger support.

Announced on 19 December 2025, the enhanced LAP will introduce new service areas, including:

• Enforcement of judgments and orders
  
  
• General advisory and general litigation matters, including tortious, contractual, personal injury, and defamation claims
  
  
• Protection from harassment

These additions reflect NTUC’s efforts to keep pace with the evolving legal needs of union members amid changing work arrangements, lifestyles, and family circumstances.

NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Patrick Tay said the experience gained from operating the LAP over the past two years has provided clear insights into members’ changing expectations and evolving needs.

He said: “We have also seen more than 700 union members utilise the LAP thus far. Notably, many are PMEs aged between 46 and 63, who are navigating complex issues both at work and at home.”

“Looking forward, we are committed to helping union members with increasingly diverse needs and ensuring that they can access trusted, affordable legal guidance when they require it.”

Enhancements follow members’ requests

The enhancements made to the LAP comes after feedback from union leaders and members.

With these additions, the LAP will support union members across eight broad categories of legal issues, covering a wider, more complex range of matters.

One key enhancement is the introduction of dedicated support for the enforcement of judgments and orders.

This will benefit union members who need to enforce orders issued by the Small Claims Tribunal or the Employment Claims Tribunal.

The expanded General Advisory and General Litigation service area will also provide assistance with common legal situations, such as issuing or receiving a letter of demand for personal legal matters.

In addition, the new Protection from Harassment service area will offer access to legal advice and representation for harassment-related cases.

Expansion of existing services

Existing LAP service areas have also been expanded

Criminal and private prosecution matters will now include support for filing a Magistrate’s Complaint, giving union members a formal avenue to address grievances that may amount to criminal wrongdoing.

Family law support has been broadened to include Maintenance Summons proceedings and the enforcement of existing divorce and maintenance orders.

Employment-related legal support has also been updated in anticipation of the Workplace Fairness Act coming into effect in 2027, ensuring the LAP remains aligned with legal and regulatory developments.

Union members can apply for the enhanced LAP services online via the NTUC website, through NTUC’s affiliated unions and associations, or at NTUC Membership Services from 1 January 2026.

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