In this paper a new general algorithm is developed for the direct evaluation of all singular double integrals arising in the 2D Galerkin BEM, including those with hypersingular kernels. A distinguishing feature of the proposed method is that double singular integrals are treated as a whole, that is, not as inner integrals followed by outer ones. Therefore, when applied to the symmetric Galerkin BEM, the proposed technique is strictly symmetry preserving. Moreover, a careful analysis of the limiting process is performed which shows that some new free terms may arise.