1988

• The Singapore Academy of Law Act came into effect on 1 November.

1989

• The SAL crest representing various components of the legal system was introduced. It was later adapted into the SAL logo.
• The SAL Restaurant opened in January 1989 serving local and western fare. Members were required to be suitably attired when they dined there.
• The first issue of the Singapore Academy Law Journal was published in September. Members were invited to contribute articles.    

1990

• SAL was opened at City Hall by the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew, the former Prime Minister on 31 August. The title of Honorary Fellow for Life and Member for Life was conferred on Mr Lee.
• Some 200 members attended the first SAL Conference, “Legal Services in the 1990s”, on 1 September.

1992

• The title of Honorary Fellow for Life and Member for Life was conferred on former Chief Justice Dr Wee Chong Jin and Dr David Marshall.
• Inaugural issue of the Singapore Law Reports was published in collaboration with Butterworths Asia.