View source for Supreme Court of Singapore

{{Short description|National supreme court}}
{{Use Singapore English|date=July 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox high court
| image = SupremeCourtBuilding-Singapore-20070210.jpg
| imagesize = 300px
| caption = The new Supreme Court Building opened in 2005, designed by [[Norman Foster, Baron Foster of Thames Bank|Norman Foster]]
| established = {{Start date and age|df=y|1970|1|9}}<ref>The date of commencement of the {{Singapore legislation|title=Supreme Court of Judicature Act|no=24|year=1969|lk=off}}, now the {{Singapore legislation|title=Supreme Court of Judicature Act|cap=322|ed=2007}}.</ref>
| coordinates = {{Coord|1|17|26|N|103|51|2|E|region:SG-01_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| type = Executive selection
| authority = [[Constitution of Singapore]]
| terms = Tenure until the age of 65, but may be re-appointed
| chiefjudgetitle = [[Chief Justice of Singapore]]
| chiefjudgename = [[Sundaresh Menon]]
| termstart = 6 November 2012
| termend = <!-- year term for current chief as ends, if applicable-->
| website = [https://www.judiciary.gov.sg/ www.judiciary.gov.sg
}}
{{Chinese
| c = 新加坡最高法院
| p = Xīnjiāpō zuìgāo fǎyuàn
| msa = Mahkamah Agung Singapura
| tam = சிங்கப்பூர் உச்சநீதிமன்றம்
}}
{{Politics of Singapore}}

The '''Supreme Court of Singapore''' is a set of courts in [[Singapore]], comprising the [[Court of Appeal of Singapore|Court of Appeal]] and the [[High Court of Singapore|High Court]]. It hears both civil and criminal matters. The Court of Appeal hears both civil and criminal [[appeal]]s from the High Court. The Court of Appeal may also decide a point of law reserved for its decision by the High Court, as well as any point of law of public interest arising in the course of an appeal from a court subordinate to the High Court, which has been reserved by the High Court for decision of the Court of Appeal.

The High Court's [[jurisdiction]] is as follows: generally, a civil case is commenced in the High Court if the subject matter of the claim exceeds S$250,000. [[Probate]] matters are dealt with in the High Court if the value of the [[estate (law)|estate]] exceeds S$3 million or if the case involves the resealing of a foreign grant. In addition, ancillary matters in [[family law|family proceedings]] involving assets of S$1.5 million or above are heard in the High Court.

Criminal cases involving offences which carry the [[death penalty]] and generally those punishable with [[imprisonment]] for a term exceeding ten years, are prosecuted in the High Court. Non-bailable offences are generally tried in the High Court. As a rule of thumb, the High Court in Singapore has inherent jurisdiction to try all matters within Singapore.

==History==
The earliest predecessor of the Supreme Court was the Court of Judicature of Prince of Wales' Island (now [[Penang]]), Singapore and [[Malacca]], which was established by the Second Charter of Justice, issued by [[the Crown]] as [[letters patent]] dated 27 November 1826.<ref>{{citation |author=Andrew Phang Boon Leong |author-link=Andrew Phang |title=From Foundation to Legacy: The Second Charter of Justice |location=Singapore |publisher=[[Singapore Academy of Law]] |year=2006 |pages=19–23 |isbn=978-981-05-7194-8}}.</ref> The Court was presided over by the [[List of British Governors of the Straits Settlements|Governor]] of the [[Straits Settlements]] and Resident Councillor of the settlement where the court was to be held, and another judge called the [[Recorder (judge)|Recorder]].<ref>{{citation |author=Mavis Chionh |chapter=The Development of the Court System |editor=Kevin Y L Tan |title=Essays in Singapore Legal History |location=Singapore |publisher=Singapore Academy of Law; Marshall Cavendish Academic |year=2005 |pages=93–138 at 99–100 |isbn=978-981-210-389-5}}.</ref> The Third Charter of Justice of 12 August 1855 reorganised the Court, providing the Straits Settlements with two Recorders, one for Prince of Wales' Island and the other for Singapore and Malacca.<ref>Chionh, p. 103.</ref> Following the reconstitution of the Straits Settlements as a [[Crown colony]] with effect from 1 April 1867,<ref>By the [[Straits Settlements Act 1866]] ([[29 & 30 Vict.]] c. 115) (UK).</ref> the Court of Judicature was replaced by the Supreme Court of the Straits Settlements.<ref>By the Supreme Court Ordinance 1868 (No. 5 of 1868) (Straits Settlements).</ref> The Governor and Resident Councillors ceased to be judges of the Court.<ref>These changes were respectively effected by the Judicial Duties Act (No. 3 of 1867) (Straits Settlements) and the Supreme Court Ordinance 1868 (No. 5 of 1868) (Straits Settlements).</ref> Further changes to the Court's constitution were made in 1873. It now consisted of two divisions – the Chief Justice and the Senior [[Puisne Justice|Puisne Judge]] formed the Singapore and Malacca division of the Court, while the Judge of Penang and the Junior Puisne Judge formed the Penang division. The Supreme Court also received [[jurisdiction]] to sit as a [[Appellate court|Court of Appeal]] in [[civil law (common law)|civil matters]]. In 1878 the jurisdiction and residence of judges was made more flexible, thus impliedly abolishing the geographical division of the Supreme Court.<ref>By the Courts Ordinance 1878 (No. 3 of 1878) (Straits Settlements).</ref> Appeals from decisions of the Supreme Court lay first to the Court of Appeal and then to the [[Queen-in-Council]], the latter appeals being heard by the [[Judicial Committee of the Privy Council]].<ref>[[Judicial Committee Act 1844]] ([http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/legResults.aspx?LegType=All+Legislation&Year=1844&searchEnacted=0&extentMatchOnly=0&confersPower=0&blanketAmendment=0&sortAlpha=0&TYPE=QS&PageNumber=1&NavFrom=0&activeTextDocId=1034978 7 & 8 Vict., c. 69] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105023405/http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/legResults.aspx?LegType=All+Legislation&Year=1844&searchEnacted=0&extentMatchOnly=0&confersPower=0&blanketAmendment=0&sortAlpha=0&TYPE=QS&PageNumber=1&NavFrom=0&activeTextDocId=1034978|date=5 January 2023}}) (UK).</ref>

As a result of legislation passed in 1885,<ref>Ordinance No. XV of 1885 (Straits Settlements).</ref> the Supreme Court consisted of the Chief Justice and three puisne judges. The Court was significantly altered in 1907.<ref>By the Courts Ordinance 1907 (No. XXX of 1907, Straits Settlements).</ref> It now had two divisions, one exercising [[original jurisdiction|original civil and criminal jurisdiction]] and the other [[appellate jurisdiction|appellate civil and criminal jurisdiction]].<ref>Chionh, "Development of the Court System", pp. 104–106.</ref>

During the [[Japanese occupation of Singapore]] (1942–1945), all the courts that had operated under the British were replaced by new courts established by the Japanese Military Administration. The Syonan Koto-Hoin (Supreme Court) was formed on 29 May 1942; there was also a Court of Appeal, but it was never convened. Following the end of [[World War II]], the courts that had existed before the war were restored. There was no change in the judicial system when the Straits Settlements were dissolved in 1946, and Singapore became a [[crown colony]] in its own right,<ref>By the [[Straits Settlements (Repeal) Act 1946]] ([[9 & 10 Geo. 6]]. c. 37).</ref> except that the Supreme Court of the Straits Settlements became known as the Supreme Court of Singapore.<ref>{{citation |author=Kevin Y L Tan |chapter=A Short Legal and Constitutional History of Singapore |editor=Kevin Y L Tan |title=Essays in Singapore Legal History |location=Singapore |publisher=[[Marshall Cavendish|Marshall Cavendish Academic]] for the [[Singapore Academy of Law]] |year=2005 |pages=1–72 at 42–44 |isbn=978-981-210-389-5}}.</ref>

[[File:Singapore Supreme Court and City Hall aerial view.jpg|thumb|left|An aerial view of the [[Old Supreme Court Building, Singapore|Old Supreme Court Building]] ''(foreground left)'', the present Supreme Court Building ''(middle)'', and [[City Hall, Singapore|City Hall Building]] ''(foreground right)'']]

Singapore gained independence from the United Kingdom through merger with [[Malaysia]] in 1963. The judicial power of Malaysia was vested<ref>By the Malaysia Act 1963 (No. 26 of 1963, Malaysia).</ref> in a [[Federal Court of Malaysia|Federal Court]], a [[High Courts of Malaysia|High Court in Malaya]], a High Court in [[Borneo]] (now the High Court in [[Sabah]] and [[Sarawak]]), and a High Court in Singapore (which replaced the Supreme Court of the Colony of Singapore).<ref>The change was effected by the Courts of Judicature Act 1963 (No. 7 of 1964, Malaysia), reprinted as Act No. RS(A) 6 of 1966 in the ''Singapore Reprints Supplement (Acts)'' of the ''Government Gazette''.</ref> Appeals lay from the High Court in Singapore to the Federal Court in [[Kuala Lumpur]], and then to the Privy Council. The merger did not last: in 1965 Singapore left the Federation of Malaysia and became an independent republic. However, the High Court remained part of the Federal Court structure until 1969, when Singapore enacted the Supreme Court of Judicature Act<ref>Supreme Court of Judicature Act 1969 (No. 24 of 1969), now the {{Singapore legislation|title=Supreme Court of Judicature Act|cap=322|ed=2007}}.</ref> to regularise the judicial system. Coming into force on 9 January 1970, the Act declared that the Supreme Court of Singapore now consisted of the Court of Appeal, the Court of Criminal Appeal and the High Court. The [[Judicial Committee of the Privy Council]] remained Singapore's highest appellate court<ref>Constitution (Amendment) Act 1969 (No. 19 of 1969).</ref> until a permanent [[Court of Appeal of Singapore|Court of Appeal]] for both civil and criminal appeals was established. Appeals to the Privy Council were completely abolished in 1994.<ref>By the Judicial Committee (Repeal) Act 1994 (No. 2 of 1994).</ref><ref>Chionh, "Development of the Court System", pp. 108, 110–111, 113–114, 116.</ref>

The first woman to serve as a supreme court justice is [[Lai Siu Chiu]], who was sworn in on 30 April 1994.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |url=http://0-www.lexisnexis.com.lib.utep.edu/hottopics/lnacademic/ |title=S'pore's First Woman High Court Judge |date=1 May 1994 |work=The Straits Times |access-date=6 November 2017 |url-access=subscription |via=LexisNexis |archive-date=31 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231013727/https://lib.utep.edu/wamvalidate?url=http%3A%2F%2F0-www.lexisnexis.com.lib.utep.edu%3A80%2Fhottopics%2Flnacademic%2F |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Constitution of the Court==
Article 93 of the [[Constitution of Singapore|Constitution of the Republic of Singapore]]<ref>{{Singapore legislation|title=Constitution|rep=1999}}.</ref> vests the judicial power of [[Singapore]] in the Supreme Court and the [[Subordinate Courts of Singapore|Subordinate Courts]]. The [[Chief Justice of Singapore|Chief Justice]] is the head of the judiciary.

The Supreme Court is a [[superior court]] of [[court of record|record]].<ref name="SCJA s. 3">{{Singapore legislation|title=Supreme Court of Judicature Act|cap=322|ed=2007}} ("SCJA"), section 3.</ref> It is superior in the sense that its [[jurisdiction]] to hear [[civil law (common law)|civil]] and [[criminal law|criminal cases]] is unlimited compared to the Subordinate Courts, and it hears [[appeal]]s from these courts. As a court of record, it keeps a perpetual record of its proceedings. The [[Court of Appeal of Singapore|Court of Appeal]] is the upper division of the Supreme Court, the lower one being the [[High Court of Singapore|High Court]].<ref name="SCJA s. 3"/><ref>Constitution, Article 94(1): "The Supreme Court shall consist of the Court of Appeal and the High Court with such jurisdiction and powers as are conferred on those Courts by this Constitution or any written law."</ref>

[[File:Chief Justice's Chambers, Old Supreme Court Building, Singapore - 20080729.jpg|thumb|The [[Chief Justice of Singapore|Chief Justice]]'s chambers in the [[Old Supreme Court Building, Singapore|Old Supreme Court Building]]]]

The Supreme Court [[Bench (law)|Bench]] consists of the Chief Justice, the Judges of Appeal, and [[Judicial officers of the Republic of Singapore#The Chief Justice, Judges of Appeal, Judges and Judicial Commissioners|Judges]] and [[Judicial Commissioner]]s of the High Court. All members of the Bench are appointed by the [[President of Singapore]] if he, acting in his discretion, concurs with the advice of the [[Prime Minister of Singapore|Prime Minister]]. Before Judges of Appeal, High Court Judges and Judicial Commissioners are appointed, the Prime Minister must also consult the Chief Justice before tendering advice on the matter to the President.<ref>Constitution, Art. 95.</ref> A judge, for at least ten years, must meet the qualifications of the Legal Profession Act before being appointed.<ref>{{Singapore legislation|title=Legal Profession Act|cap=161|ed=2009}}, s. 2.</ref> or a member of the [[Singapore Legal Service]], or both.<ref>Constitution, Art. 96.</ref>

The Court of Appeal is made up of the Chief Justice, who is the President of the Court,<ref>In the Chief Justice's absence the presidency of the Court of Appeal is determined according to the following order of precedence: (1) the vice-presidents of the Court of Appeal, (2) the Judges of Appeal who are not vice-presidents of the Court; and (3) High Court judges. Within each category, judges rank among themselves according to the priority of their appointments: SCJA, s. 29(4) read with s. 4.</ref> and the Judges of Appeal.<ref>SCJA, ss. 29(1) and (4).</ref> The Chief Justice may ask High Court judges to sit as judges of the Court of Appeal to hear specific appeals.<ref>SCJA, s. 29(3).</ref> Pursuant to the Chief Justice's power to appoint Judges of Appeal as vice-presidents of the Court,<ref>SCJA, s. 29(2).</ref> Justice of Appeal [[Chao Hick Tin]] has been Vice-President of the Court since 18 April 2008.<ref>{{citation |author=Foo Chee Hock |title=Appointment of Vice-President of Court of Appeal &#91;Registrar's Circular No. 4 of 2008&#93; |url=http://app.supremecourt.gov.sg/data/doc/ManagePage/99/Registrars%20Circular%20No.%204%20of%202008.pdf |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5v4R7GgPT?url=http://app.supremecourt.gov.sg/data/doc/ManagePage/99/Registrars%20Circular%20No.%204%20of%202008.pdf |archive-date=18 December 2010 |publisher=Supreme Court of Singapore |date=18 April 2008 |url-status=dead}}. With effect from 11 April 2010, Chao J.A. was reappointed Judge of Appeal and Vice-President of the Court for another two years: {{citation |author=Foo Chee Hock |title=Re-appointment of Vice-President of Court of Appeal &#91;Registrar's Circular No. 4 of 2010&#93; |url=http://app.supremecourt.gov.sg/data/doc/ManagePage/99/Registrars%20Circular%20No%204%20of%202010.pdf |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5v4ROmvPf?url=http://app.supremecourt.gov.sg/data/doc/ManagePage/99/Registrars%20Circular%20No%204%20of%202010.pdf |archive-date=18 December 2010 |publisher=Supreme Court of Singapore |date=13 April 2010 |url-status=dead}}.</ref> The High Court consists of the Chief Justice and the Judges of the High Court,<ref>SCJA, s. 9.</ref> together with Judicial Commissioners who have the same powers and immunities as High Court Judges.<ref>Constitution, Art. 94(4).</ref>

When hearing an appeal, the Court of Appeal normally sits with a bench of three Judges of Appeal, one of whom is the Chief Justice. If necessary though, such as in cases of unusual difficulty or importance, the bench may comprise five or any greater uneven number of judges.<ref>SCJA, s. 30(1).</ref> Certain appeals, including those against [[interlocutory|interlocutory orders]], may be heard by only two judges.<ref>SCJA, s. 30(2).</ref> Matters before the Court are decided according to the opinion of the majority of the members of the Court hearing the case.<ref>SCJA, s. 31(1).</ref> If there are only two judges hearing an appeal and they disagree, the appeal is dismissed and the decision appealed against stands.<ref>SCJA, s. 31(2).</ref> Proceedings in the High Court are heard before a single judge, unless otherwise provided by any written law.<ref>SCJA, s. 10(1).</ref> A Judge of Appeal may also sit in the High Court as a Judge.<ref>SCJA, s. 10(3).</ref>

As of May 2022, the Supreme Court comprise 28 judges<ref>{{Cite web |title=Role and structure of the Supreme Court - structure |url=https://www.judiciary.gov.sg/who-we-are/role-structure-supreme-court/structure |access-date=20 May 2022 |website=Judiciary.Gov.SG |language=en |archive-date=2 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402100003/https://www.judiciary.gov.sg/who-we-are/role-structure-supreme-court/structure |url-status=live }}</ref> - including the chief justice and four judges of appeal - three senior judges and 17 international judges.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About the SICC |url=https://www.sicc.gov.sg/about-the-sicc/judges |access-date=20 May 2022 |website=SICC |language=en |archive-date=23 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523050822/https://www.sicc.gov.sg/about-the-sicc/judges |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Administration==
[[File:Warning sign at the Old Supreme Court Building, Singapore - 20101010.jpg|thumb|A sign at the [[Old Supreme Court Building, Singapore|Old Supreme Court Building]] advising members of the public to make enquiries at the Supreme Court Registry rather than from unauthorised persons]]

Administration of the Supreme Court is managed by its registry,<ref>SCJA, s. 71(1).</ref> which handles matters such as receiving and storing court documents filed in the court, and ensuring they are transmitted to judges for use during hearings. The Registry is headed by the Registrar<ref>SCJA, s. 71(2).</ref> who is assisted by the Deputy Registrar, Senior Assistant Registrars and Assistant Registrars. These officers are appointed by the President on the Chief Justice's recommendation,<ref>SCJA, s. 61(1).</ref> and are members of the Singapore Judicial Service.<ref>{{citation |title=Structure of the Singapore Judicial Service |url=https://www.jsc.gov.sg/structure/structure-of-the-singapore-judicial-service/ |access-date=19 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527231643/https://www.jsc.gov.sg/ |publisher=[[Singapore Judicial Service]] |archive-date=27 May 2023}}.</ref> Registrars deal with certain types of court proceedings [[in camera|in chambers]], such as the assessment of [[damages (law)|damages]], hearings of [[bankruptcy]] petitions and applications, interlocutory matters and pre-trial conferences. Registrars are also appointed as district judges or magistrates, which enables them to conduct preliminary inquiries to determine whether there are enough grounds for trying accused persons for criminal offences in the High Court.<ref>{{citation |editor=Kwek Mean Luck [''et al.''] |title=Hall of Justice: Supreme Court Singapore |location=Singapore |publisher=Supreme Court of Singapore |year=2006 |page=32 |isbn=978-981-05-5356-2}}.</ref> The Registry is also staffed by commissioners for oaths, interpreters, clerks and [[service of process|process servers]].<ref>SCJA, s. 67(1).</ref> [[Law clerk|Justices' law clerks]], who work directly under the Chief Justice's charge, assist Judges and Judicial Commissioners with legal research, particularly for Court of Appeal matters.<ref>{{citation |title=Our Courts |url=http://app.supremecourt.gov.sg/default.aspx?pgID=43 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100927181531/http://app.supremecourt.gov.sg/default.aspx?pgID=43 |archive-date=27 September 2010 |publisher=Supreme Court of Singapore |date=21 May 2010 |url-status=dead}}.</ref>

A Chief Executive of Judiciary Administration and Operations position was established on 1 February 2013. The Chief Executive's main responsibilities include overseeing the administration and operations of the Supreme Court.<ref>{{citation |title=Supreme Court appoints its first CEO |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1249753/1/.html |publisher=[[CNA (TV network)|Channel NewsAsia]] |access-date=24 January 2013 |archive-date=24 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124233425/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1249753/1/.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Court Administrators assist the Chief Executive in carrying out these duties. 

==Calendar==
[[File:Invitation card for the Opening of the Legal Year 2011, Singapore - 20110119-02.jpg|thumb|left|An invitation card for the Opening of the Legal Year 2011, which was held on 7 January 2011]]

The Chief Justice is empowered to determine the sitting times of the High Court and the Court of Appeal<ref>SCJA, ss. 11(1) and 32.</ref> and the distribution of business among judges,<ref>SCJA, s. 11.</ref> and to schedule vacations of the Supreme Court not exceeding two months in each [[calendar year]].<ref>SCJA, s. 12.</ref> In general, the High Court and Court of Appeal sits throughout the year except during the mid-year and end-year court vacations (usually end of May to end of June, and the beginning of December to the beginning of January respectively).<ref>See, for instance, the {{citation |title=Republic of Singapore Court Calendar 2010 |url=http://app.supremecourt.gov.sg/default.aspx?pgID=78 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110412141039/http://app.supremecourt.gov.sg/default.aspx?pgid=78 |archive-date=12 April 2011 |publisher=Supreme Court of Singapore |date=11 December 2009 |url-status=dead}}.</ref>

The opening of each legal year is marked with a ceremony usually held on the first Saturday of January, though in 2011 it took place on the first Friday. In form it is a court hearing, though lawyers are not required to dress in court robes. During the ceremony, the [[Attorney-General of Singapore|Attorney-General]] and the President of the [[Law Society of Singapore]] deliver speeches.<ref>See, for example, {{citation |author=Walter Woon |author-link=Walter Woon |title=Speech of Attorney General Professor Walter Woon as Delivered at the Opening of the Legal Year 2010 Held on 9 January 2010 |url=http://www.agc.gov.sg/aboutus/docs/Speech%202010.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003072614/http://www.agc.gov.sg/aboutus/docs/Speech%202010.pdf |archive-date=3 October 2011 |publisher=[[Attorney-General of Singapore|Attorney-General's Chambers]] |date=9 January 2010 |url-status=dead}}.</ref><ref name="Law Society">See, for example, {{citation |author=Michael Hwang |author-link=Michael Hwang |title=President's Speech at Opening of the Legal Year 2010 |url=http://www.lawgazette.com.sg/2010-02/news2.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720121055/http://www.lawgazette.com.sg/2010-02/news2.htm |archive-date=20 July 2011 |journal=Singapore Law Gazette |date=February 2010 |url-status=dead}}.</ref> The Chief Justice then responds with his own speech, and also announces the names of advocates and solicitors appointed as [[Senior Counsel]].<ref>See, for example, {{citation |author=Chan Sek Keong |title=Response of Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong |url=http://app.supremecourt.gov.sg/default.aspx?pgid=3141 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719011818/http://app.supremecourt.gov.sg/default.aspx?pgid=3141 |archive-date=19 July 2011 |publisher=Supreme Court of Singapore |date=20 January 2010 |url-status=dead}}.</ref> The speeches generally summarise legal developments over the past year and look forward to the future, and the Attorney-General and Law Society President traditionally pledge that legal officers and legal practitioners will continue to support the judiciary and co-operate with each other.<ref name="Law Society"/><ref>See, for example, {{citation |author=Sundaresh Menon |author-link=Sundaresh Menon |title=Opening of the Legal Year 2011: Speech of Attorney-General Sundaresh Menon SC as Delivered at the Opening of the Legal Year 2011 held on 7 January 2011 |url=http://www.agc.gov.sg/docs/OpeningofLegalYear2011.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110428020604/http://www.agc.gov.sg/docs/OpeningofLegalYear2011.pdf |archive-date=28 April 2011 |publisher=Attorney-General's Chambers |date=7 January 2011 |url-status=dead}}.</ref>

The Opening of the Legal Year ceremony can be traced back to the ceremonial opening of the first assizes of the year which was held in the 19th century when Singapore was managed by the [[East India Company]].<ref name="SFP 19230110">{{citation |title=Singapore Assizes: Yesterday's official opening |newspaper=Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser |date=10 January 1923 |page=7 |quote=Mr. E.R. Koek, said, on behalf of the members of the Bar, he wished to say that they [were] indeed pleased that His Lordship [the Chief Justice] should have revived the custom and ceremony that had taken place that day. During his 34 years experience he regretted to say that no such ceremony had taken place. In times of the East India Company, ... there was a very special ceremony, a service in the Cathedral and so on.}}</ref> The [[assizes]] were periodic criminal courts held in Singapore. The ceremony ceased for some years but was revived in 1923. In that year the ceremony involved the Chief Justice inspecting a [[Sikh]] [[guard of honour]] commanded by a ''[[subedar]]'' outside the Supreme Court, then being met by the Registrar, Deputy Registrar and Sheriff. The four gentlemen made their way to the Chief Justice's chambers in the courthouse, the route lined by police officers and members of the Bar.<ref name="SFP 19230110"/> By 1926, the practice of attending a service at [[St Andrew's Cathedral, Singapore|St. Andrew's Cathedral]] prior to the honour guard inspection had been revived,<ref>{{citation |title=Assize judge attends Cathedral service |newspaper=Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser |date=13 January 1926 |page=9}}.</ref> and in 1955 it was reported that a service was also held at the [[Cathedral of the Good Shepherd]] for [[Roman Catholicism in Singapore|Roman Catholic]] judges and lawyers.<ref>{{citation |title=Opening of the Assizes |newspaper=Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser |date=24 January 1955 |page=9}}.</ref> Church services ceased to be an official part of the ceremony when Singapore joined the [[Malaysia|Federation of Malaysia]] in 1963,<ref>{{citation |title=Ceremonial opening of the High Court |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=30 January 1965 |page=8}}.</ref> though members of the legal profession continued to attend special services in an unofficial capacity.<ref>{{citation |author=A.C. Dumper |title=Assizes ceremony [letter] |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=20 January 1966 |page=8}}, responding to the article {{citation |title=Ceremonial opening of the Assizes |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=17 January 1966 |page=22}}.</ref> Following Singapore's full independence in 1965, the ceremony became known as the Opening of the Legal Year.<ref>{{citation |title=Bishop will preach at legal year service |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=10 January 1967 |page=5}}; {{citation |title=High Court ceremonial opening for legal year |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=17 January 1967 |page=4}}; {{citation |title=Opening of legal year |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=18 January 1967 |page=4}}.</ref> The ceremony was generally held on the first Monday in January following the end-of-year court vacation, but in 1971 for the first time it was held on the first Saturday in January to coincide with the inaugural [[Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting]] in Singapore. This set the trend for subsequent years.<ref>For instance, the Opening of the Legal Year ceremony was held on the first Saturday of January in 1972 and 1973: {{citation |author=T.F. Hwang |title=Supreme Court to again break with tradition |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=4 January 1972 |page=4}}; {{citation |author=T.F. Hwang |title=T F Hwang takes you down memory lane |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=12 January 1974 |page=12}}.</ref> It appears that the parade by police officers during which Chief Justice inspected a guard of honour was abolished in the late 1960s or early 1970s.<ref>An inspection took place in 1968 ({{citation |title=Importance of teamwork – by Chief Justice |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=9 January 1968 |page=6}}), but in 1974 a ''[[The Straits Times|Straits Times]]'' columnist wrote that "[j]ust some years ago" the Chief Justice would review a parade mounted by the [[Singapore Police Force|Singapore Police]] but now the ceremony "is held indoors" (Hwang, "T F Hwang takes you down memory lane").</ref>

==Jurisdiction and powers==

===Jurisdiction===

====Court of Appeal====
The Court of Appeal exercises only [[appellate jurisdiction]] in civil and criminal matters. In other words, it possesses no [[original jurisdiction]] – it does not deal with trials of matters coming before the court for the first time. In general, the Court hears civil appeals from decisions of the High Court made in the exercise of the latter's original and appellate jurisdiction,<ref>SCJA, s. 29A(1).</ref> that is, decisions on cases that started in the High Court as well as decisions that were appealed from the Subordinate Courts to the High Court. However, this rule is subject to various restrictions. Some types of High Court decisions are not appealable to the Court of Appeal, while others are only appealable if the Court grants [[wikt:leave#Noun 2|leave]] (permission).<ref>SCJA, s. 34.</ref>

Where criminal matters are concerned, the Court only hears appeals from cases originating in the High Court.<ref>SCJA, s. 29A(2).</ref> Matters heard by the High Court on appeal from the Subordinate Courts cannot be further appealed to the Court of Appeal, though [[question of law|questions of law]] may be submitted to the Court for determination.<ref>SCJA, ss. 44(5), 59(1) and 59(4); {{Singapore legislation|title=Criminal Procedure Code|no=15|year=2010}} ("CPC"), ss. 395(1) and (4).</ref> During a Subordinate Court trial, instead of applying for the trial judge to state a case for the High Court's opinion, a party to the proceedings may apply to the Court of Appeal for leave for a case to be stated directly to that Court.<ref>CPC, s. 396.</ref>

====High Court====
The High Court hears both criminal and civil cases as a court of first instance – it can deal with trials of matters coming before the courts for the first time. A special aspect of the Court's original jurisdiction is its judicial review jurisdiction.<ref>See, for example, the {{Singapore legislation|title=Subordinate Courts Act|cap=321|ed=2007}} ("SCA"), s. 56A(4), which states that when a subordinate court refers to the High Court a question as to the interpretation or effect of a provision of the Constitution, "the High Court shall hear and determine the constitutional question arising out of the case in the exercise of its original jurisdiction".</ref> The Court exercises two types of judicial review: [[judicial review#Judicial review of primary legislation|judicial review under the Constitution of Singapore]],<ref>In {{cite WorldLII |litigants=Chan Hiang Leng Colin v. Public Prosecutor |link=Chan Hiang Leng Colin v. Public Prosecutor |court=ICHRL |year=1994 |num=26 |parallelcite=[https://web.archive.org/web/20121026151735/http://lwb.lawnet.com.sg/legal/lgl/rss/landmark/%5B1994%5D_SGHC_207.html &#91;1994&#93; SGHC 207], [1994] 3 S.L.R.(R.) [''Singapore Law Reports (Reissue)''] 209 at 231, para. 50, archived from [http://lwb.lawnet.com.sg/legal/lgl/rss/landmark/%5B1994%5D_SGHC_207.html the original] on 26 October 2012 |courtname=[[High Court of Singapore|High Court]] |juris=Singapore}}, the Court stated: "The court has the power and duty to ensure that the provisions of the Constitution are observed. The court also has a duty to declare invalid any exercise of power, legislative and executive, which exceeds the limits of the power conferred by the Constitution, or which contravenes any prohibition which the Constitution provides."</ref> and [[judicial review#Judicial review of administrative acts|judicial review of administrative acts]].<ref>Although judicial review of administrative acts by the High Court is not mentioned in any statute, the Court is specifically empowered to issue [[prerogative writ|prerogative orders]] that, according to English [[common law]], were issued by the court in the exercise of its judicial review jurisdiction: SCJA, s. 18(2) read with the 1st Sch., para. 1.</ref>

With a few limited exceptions, the High Court has the jurisdiction to hear and try any action ''[[in personam]]'' (that is, directed towards a particular person) where the defendant is served with a [[summons|writ of summons]] or other originating process in or outside Singapore, or where the defendant submits to the Court's jurisdiction.<ref>SCJA, s. 16(1).</ref> In theory, the Court has unlimited original jurisdiction – it can hear any type of case no matter how trivial or serious. In practice, though, parties may be penalised by having to pay higher [[costs (English law)|costs]] (legal fees) if they choose to bring a civil case before the High Court when it is more appropriately dealt with by a subordinate court. Generally, except in [[probate]] matters, a civil case must be commenced in the High Court if the value of the claim exceeds [[Singapore dollar|S$]]250,000.<ref>A district court is generally entitled to hear and try actions where the amount in dispute does not exceed the district court limit, which is S$250,000: SCA, ss. 20, 21, 25, 26(b)–(f), 28 and 29, read with s. 2(b) (definition of ''District Court limit''). Thus, where the amount exceeds the limit, the case must be brought in the High Court.</ref> Probate matters are commenced in the High Court only if the value of the deceased's estate exceeds $3 million,<ref>SCA, ss. 26(a) and 27, read with s. 2(a) (definition of ''District Court limit'').</ref> or if the case involves the resealing of a foreign grant of probate or letters of administration.<ref>{{Singapore legislation|title=Probate and Administration Act|cap=251|ed=2000}}, s. 47.</ref>

[[Admiralty law|Admiralty]] matters, bankruptcy proceedings and [[liquidation|company winding-up]] proceedings are exclusively heard by the High Court.<ref>SCJA, ss. 17(b)–(c).</ref> The Court also exercises jurisdiction relating to [[matrimonial law of Singapore|divorce and matrimonial matters]]; and to appoint and control the [[legal guardian]]s of [[wikt:infant#Noun|infants]] (minors) and mentally disordered persons, and make orders concerning their persons and property.<ref>SCJA, ss. 17(a), (d) and (e).</ref> However, matrimonial and guardianship proceedings have been transferred to the District Court,<ref>Supreme Court of Judicature (Transfer of Matrimonial, Divorce and Guardianship of Infants Proceedings to District Court) Order 2007 (S. 672/2007), para. 2(1); Supreme Court of Judicature (Transfer of Proceedings Pursuant to Section 17A(2)) Order 2007 (S. 673/2007), para. 2(1).</ref> except for contested applications for the division of matrimonial assets worth $1.5 million or more which are still heard in the High Court.<ref>Supreme Court of Judicature (Transfer of Matrimonial, Divorce and Guardianship of Infants Proceedings to District Court) Order 2007, para. 2(2); Supreme Court of Judicature (Transfer of Proceedings Pursuant to Section 17A(2)) Order 2007, para. 2(2).</ref> Proceedings under the Mental Capacity Act<ref>{{Singapore legislation|title=Mental Capacity Act|cap=177A|ed=2010}}.</ref> begun in the High Court on or after 1 March 2010 are also dealt with by district courts.<ref>Supreme Court of Judicature (Transfer of Mental Capacity Proceedings to District Court) Order 2010 (S. 104/2010), para. 2(1).</ref>

The High Court has jurisdiction to try all offences committed in Singapore and may also try offences committed outside Singapore in certain circumstances. In criminal cases, the High Court generally tries cases where the offences are punishable with death or imprisonment for a term which exceeds ten years. The High Court also hears appeals from the decisions of District Courts and Magistrates' Courts in civil and criminal cases, and decides points of law reserved in special cases submitted by a District Court or a Magistrate's Court. In addition, the High Court has general supervisory and revisionary jurisdiction over all subordinate courts in any civil or criminal matter.

===Powers===

====General====
The High Court exercises powers that are vested in it by written law.<ref>SCJA, s. 18(1).</ref> It may, for instance, order that [[evidence]] be preserved by [[search and seizure|seizure]], detention, inspection, photographing, the taking of samples, the conduct of experiments or in any manner, both before and after proceedings are commenced;<ref>SCJA, s. 18(2) read with the 1st Sch., para. 5.</ref> transfer any proceedings to any other court, or to or from any subordinate court;<ref>SCJA, s. 18(2) read with the 1st Sch., para. 10.</ref> and order the medical examination of a person who is a party to any proceedings where his or her physical or mental condition is relevant to any matter in question in the proceedings.<ref>SCJA, s. 18(2) read with the 1st Sch., para. 19.</ref> When hearing an appeal, the Court of Appeal possesses all the powers and duties of the High Court,<ref>SCJA, s. 29A(3), which states: "For the purposes of and incidental to — (a) the hearing and determination of any appeal to the Court of Appeal; and (b) the amendment, execution and enforcement of any judgment or order made on such an appeal, the Court of Appeal shall have all the authority and jurisdiction of the court or tribunal from which the appeal was brought." See also s. 37(2), which provides that in relation to civil appeals "the Court of Appeal shall have all the powers and duties, as to amendment or otherwise, of the High Court".</ref> and has "full power to determine any question necessary to be determined for the purpose of doing justice in any case before the Court".<ref>SCJA, s. 29A(4).</ref>

The High Court has power to prohibit [[vexatious litigation|vexatious litigants]] from bringing or continuing legal proceedings without its permission. The [[Attorney-General of Singapore|Attorney-General]] must apply to the Court for such an order, and the Court must be satisfied that the person has "habitually and persistently and without any reasonable ground instituted vexatious legal proceedings, in any court or subordinate court, whether against the same person or against different persons".<ref>SCJA, s. 74.</ref>

====Regulation of lawyers====
{{Main|Lawyers in Singapore}}

All advocates and solicitors admitted to the [[bar (law)|bar]] and all officers of the [[Singapore Legal Service]] are [[officer of the court|officers of the Supreme Court]].<ref>{{Singapore legislation|title=Legal Profession Act|cap=161|ed=2009}} ("LPA"), s. 82(1).</ref> The Court therefore plays important roles in the admission of lawyers to the bar and their professional discipline.

Persons seeking to become advocates and solicitors must apply to the Supreme Court.<ref>LPA, ss. 17 and 18.</ref> An [[advocate]] is a lawyer who appears in court on behalf of his or her client, while [[solicitor]]s traditionally deal with non-contentious legal matters that do not require court appearances. As the [[lawyers in Singapore|legal profession in Singapore]] is [[fused profession|fused]], applicants are admitted to the bar as both advocates and solicitors, and may practise as either or both. Admission is in the discretion of the Court and subject to the requirements specified in the Legal Profession Act.<ref>LPA, s. 11.</ref> The Act specifically provides that no person is disqualified by sex from being admitted and enrolled as an advocate and solicitor.<ref>LPA, s. 11(3).</ref> Unless the Chief Justice orders otherwise, applications for admission as an advocate and solicitor are heard on the second Wednesday of each month except during court vacations.<ref>LPA, s. 23(1).</ref> The Court generally arranges a "mass call" of advocates and solicitors on the last Saturday of May<ref>See, for example, {{citation |author=Foo Chee Hock |title=Admission of Advocates and Solicitors in May 2010 &#91;Registrar's Circular No. 2 of 2010&#93; |url=http://app.supremecourt.gov.sg/data/doc/ManagePage/99/Registrars%20Circular%20No%202%20of%202010.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719011922/http://app.supremecourt.gov.sg/data/doc/ManagePage/99/Registrars%20Circular%20No%202%20of%202010.pdf |archive-date=19 July 2011 |publisher=Supreme Court of Singapore |date=12 February 2010 |url-status=dead}}.</ref> to cater to the large number of graduates from the [[National University of Singapore Faculty of Law|Faculty of Law]] of the [[National University of Singapore]] and the [[SMU School of Law|School of Law]] of the [[Singapore Management University]] completing their professional training and seeking admission to the bar at this time of year. Where a case is difficult and complex, the Court may admit on an ''[[ad hoc]]'' basis a [[Queen's Counsel]] who does not ordinarily reside in Singapore or Malaysia and who has special qualifications or experience to practise as an advocate and solicitor for the purpose of the case.<ref>LPA, s. 21.</ref> Lawyers practising as advocates and solicitors, other than Queen's Counsel admitted ''ad hoc'', are required to apply annually to the Registrar of the Supreme Court for a practising certificate.<ref>LPA, s. 25.</ref>

Complaints about the conduct of advocates and solicitors may be referred by the Council of the [[Law Society of Singapore]] to an inquiry panel appointed by the Chief Justice.<ref>LPA, ss. 84 and 85.</ref> The inquiry panel investigates the complaint and reports on the matter to the council. The council, on considering the report, may decide that no formal investigation is necessary, impose a penalty on the lawyer concerned, or apply to the Chief Justice for a disciplinary tribunal to be appointed to formally investigate the complaint.<ref>LPA, ss. 86–89.</ref> If a disciplinary tribunal is convened, it hears and investigates the matter and decides whether any disciplinary action against the lawyer is warranted. If not, it may dismiss the matter or impose a penalty appropriate to the misconduct.<ref>LPA, s. 93.</ref> However, if it determines that disciplinary action is necessary, the Law Society must apply to the Supreme Court for the matter to be heard by a [[Court of Three Judges]], which has power to order that a lawyer be struck off the roll of advocates and solicitors, suspended from practice for not more than five years, fined up to $100,000, or censured.<ref>LPA, s. 98.</ref>

==Judicial precedent==
[[File:SingaporeLawReports-20050521.jpg|thumb|Copies of the ''Singapore Law Reports'', Singapore's official series of [[law report]]s containing judgments of the [[Constitution of the Republic of Singapore Tribunal]], Court of Appeal and [[High Court]]]]

As the highest court of Singapore and its final appellate court, under the principles of ''[[stare decisis]]'' (judicial precedent) decisions of the Court of Appeal are binding on the High Court and Subordinate Courts.<ref name=Woon>{{citation |author=Walter Woon |author-link=Walter Woon |chapter=The Doctrine of Judicial Precedent |editor=Kevin Y L Tan |title=The Singapore Legal System |edition=2nd |location=Singapore |publisher=Singapore University Press |year=1999 |pages=297–324 at 298, 301 and 306 |isbn=978-9971-69-213-1}}.</ref> Even if judges in these courts disagree with the reasoning given by the Court of Appeal in particular cases, they are required to apply the legal principles laid down in those cases.

The Court of Appeal became Singapore's final appellate court following the abolition of all appeals to the Privy Council with effect from 8 April 1994. On 11 July that year, the Court handed down a practice statement declaring that it would regard itself free to depart from previous decisions of its own or of the Privy Council<ref>Practice Statement (Judicial Precedent)
[1994] 2 S.L.R. 689, C.A.</ref>

{{Quote|in any case where adherence to such prior decisions would cause injustice in a particular case or constrain the development of the law in conformity with the circumstances of Singapore. Therefore, whilst this court will continue to treat such prior decisions as normally binding, this court will, whenever it appears right to do so, depart from such prior decisions. Bearing in mind the danger of retrospectively disturbing contractual, proprietary and other legal rights, this power will be exercised sparingly.}}

The Court justified this new principle on the basis that "the political, social and economic circumstances of Singapore have changed enormously since Singapore became an independent and sovereign republic. The development of our law should reflect these changes and the fundamental values of Singapore society."<ref>Practice Statement (Judicial Precedent).</ref>

Decisions of the High Court are binding on District Courts and Magistrates' Courts.<ref name=Woon/> However, a judge of the High Court is not bound by previous decisions by other High Court judges. As a matter of [[comity]], though, a High Court judge will generally not depart from a previous decision unless there is a good reason to do so, particularly if that decision has stood for some time. If there are conflicting High Court decisions, it is up to the Court of Appeal to decide which decision is correct.<ref>Woon, "The Doctrine of Judicial Precedent", p. 306.</ref>

Where the [[President of Singapore|President]] has referred to the [[Constitution of the Republic of Singapore Tribunal]] a question concerning the [[Constitution of Singapore|Constitution]]'s effect on a [[bill (proposed law)|bill]], no court – including the Court of Appeal – may subsequently question the Tribunal's opinion on the bill or, assuming the bill is found to be constitutional, the validity of any law based on the bill.<ref>Constitution, Art. 100(4).</ref>

==Court dress==

===Wigs===
Up to the early 20th century wigs were not consistently worn in court by judges in Singapore, apparently due to the hot climate – in a letter of 13 February 1934 to ''[[The Straits Times]]'' the writer said that when he first arrived in Malaya seven years earlier he had been "astonished" to discover that judges and barristers did not don wigs, which he felt were "an important or necessary part of Court attire".<ref name="ST 19340213">{{citation |author=M.T.S. |title=The wigs controversy [letter] |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=13 February 1934 |page=6}}.</ref> Full-bottomed (long) [[horsehair]] wigs were, however, worn on ceremonial occasions such as the opening of the assizes.<ref>{{citation |title=The first assizes: Ceremonial opening yesterday |newspaper=The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser |date=18 January 1928 |page=11}}.</ref> Two judges were notable for habitually wearing wigs: Justice Earnshaw, who wore a full-bottomed one;<ref>{{citation |title=Singapore Assizes: Trial of Kwong Yik Bank director: Alleged violation of articles |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=20 July 1915 |page=7 |quote=Mr. Earnshaw inspired some more than ordinary interest, particular among members of the Bar, by his appearance in a full-bottomed ceremonial wig – an article of adornment and dignity that has seldom been seen in Singapore.}}</ref><ref name="ST 19370621">{{citation |author=Anak Singapore |title=Notes of the Day: Singapore wigs |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=21 June 1937 |page=10}}.</ref> and [[Walter Shaw (judge)|Walter Sidney Shaw]], Chief Justice between 1921 and 1925, who wore a short bob-wig.<ref name="ST 19370621"/> Upon his retirement, Shaw C.J. said that he had introduced the custom of wearing his wig in court<ref>{{citation |title=Sir Walter Shaw: Bar's tributes to retiring Chief Justice |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=9 April 1925 |page=11}}; {{citation |title=Judge who introduced full bottomed wig to Malaya: Sir Walter Shaw's fine career recalled |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=26 April 1937 |page=12}}.</ref>

{{Quote|not because I have any desire to attire myself in fancy costume, or because I wished to give myself any special personal importance, but because I think that it tends to remind, not only the public and the Bar, but even the judge himself, that he is a representative of that very illustrious body of men – the English judges, who have done so much to establish and maintain the freedom of the English people.}}

From January 1934, judges began consistently wearing wigs in court, and most lawyers followed suit.<ref name="ST 19340213"/><ref>{{citation |title=Lawyers and wigs: New judge sets the example |newspaper=The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser |date=3 February 1934 |page=6}}; {{citation |title=Wigs on the Bench: Justice Prichard sets fashion in Penang |newspaper=The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser |date=8 February 1934 |page=9}}; {{citation |title=Bar dons wigs: Unique event in Malaya's legal history |newspaper=The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser |date=19 February 1934 |page=6 |quote=The Court of Appeal met in Penang, for the first time this year, to-day ... For probably the first time in the history of the Malayan bench all three wore wigs, while the impressiveness of the occasion was added to by several barristers who were also wearing wigs. ... A number of solicitors were in court without wigs.}}; {{citation |title=Wigs in court: Unique event in Penang |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=19 February 1934 |page=12}}.</ref> There was, however, occasional criticism of the practice.<ref>{{citation |author=D.E.S. Chelliah |title=Should judges wear wigs?: Clothes, they say, make the man – but do wigs make the judge? [letter] |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=3 June 1978 |page=17}}.</ref> The wearing of short wigs by lawyers was optional, and tended to be favoured by more senior lawyers.<ref name="ST 19890509">{{citation |author=Charmaine Chan |title=New lawyers find it hard to get robes: Only S'pore tailor making them has retired |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=9 May 1989 |page=15}}.</ref>

At the Opening of the Legal Year on 5 January 1991, the Chief Justice [[Yong Pung How]] announced that the Council of Judges had unanimously decided that the short wig would cease to be part of court dress for all judges and lawyers, including Queen's Counsel appearing in Singapore courts. However, judges would continue to wear full-bottomed wigs on ceremonial occasions.<ref>{{citation |author=Yong Pung How |author-link=Yong Pung How |chapter=Speech Delivered at the Opening of the Legal Year 1991, 5 January 1991 |editor=Hoo Sheau Peng |editor2=Lee Shen Dee |editor3=Phang Hsiao Chung |editor4=See Kee Oon |title=Speeches and Judgments of Chief Justice Yong Pung How |location=Singapore |publisher=FT Law & Tax Asia Pacific |year=1996 |pages=31–38 at 36 |isbn=978-981-3069-07-7}}. See also {{citation |title=No more wigs and no more 'Your Lordship' from today |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=6 January 1991 |page=2}}; {{citation |title=A change of wig, robe and title for judges |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=25 November 1996 |page=2}}.</ref> Two years later in 1993 the latter practice was itself done away with, the Chief Justice commenting that the judges' ceremonial red robes and full-bottomed wigs were "now considered by many to be inappropriate as court dress for Judges and Judicial Commissioners in an independent sovereign Singapore. These have in fact been the butt of more and more derisory comment."<ref name="OLY 1993">{{citation |author=Yong Pung How |author-link=Yong Pung How |chapter=Speech Delivered at the Opening of the Legal Year 1993, 9 January 1993 |editor=Hoo Sheau Peng |editor2=Lee Shen Dee |editor3=Phang Hsiao Chung |editor4=See Kee Oon |title=Speeches and Judgments of Chief Justice Yong Pung How |location=Singapore |publisher=FT Law & Tax Asia Pacific |year=1996 |pages=71–82 at 79–80}}.</ref>

===Robes===
[[File:Advokat, Engelsk advokatdräkt, Nordisk familjebok.png|thumb|upright|A 19th-century drawing of an [[Barristers in England and Wales|English barrister]] wearing a black robe with a wing-collared shirt and [[bands (neckwear)|bands]], and a bob-wig]]

In colonial times, a judge in Singapore dressed in a manner similar to some of his counterparts in the United Kingdom. He wore a long scarlet robe with a grey [[cape]] or [[mantle (clothing)|mantle]] and a black scarf around his shoulders, a white wing-collared shirt, and [[bands (neckwear)|bands]] (a [[linen]] collar made of two rectangular pieces tied at the throat).<ref>See, for example, the photographs at {{citation |title=Governor opens Singapore's new Supreme Court |newspaper=The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser |date=4 August 1939 |page=1}} and {{citation |title=New Supreme Court opened by Governor |newspaper=The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser |date=4 August 1939 |page=5}}. See also {{citation |title=Assizes open with ceremony |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=6 January 1936 |page=12 |quote=The Assizes service was held at St. Andrew's Cathedral, the red robes and long wigs of the three judges ... contrasting with the black robes of the lawyers.}}; {{citation |title=Pageant in red and Singapore Assizes |newspaper=The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser |date=7 January 1936 |page=3}}.</ref> Subsequently, the ordinary and ceremonial dress worn by judges was adapted from two of the various forms of court dress of English courts. On 9 January 1993, at the Opening of the Legal Year, the Chief Justice announced that judges would henceforth wear a lightweight black robe over an ordinary white shirt with a turn-down collar and a tie. The difficulty of obtaining shirts with wing collars and the growing sense that the traditional gown was inappropriate for the judiciary of an independent republic were cited as reasons for this change.<ref name="OLY 1993"/> On ceremonial occasions such as the Opening of the Legal Year, Supreme Court judges wear red robes with a black strip around the collar and extending down the front of the robe. The black strip on the Chief Justice's robe is edged with gold.

Formerly, a lawyer appearing in open court would wear a dark suit, a shirt with a wing collar, bands, and an [[Barristers in England and Wales|English barrister]]'s black robe.<ref name="ST 19890509"/> Women lawyers were required to wear skirts. With effect from 1993,<ref name="OLY 1993"/><ref>{{citation |title=Today's look |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=10 January 1993 |page=21}}; {{citation |title=New court attire: 'It's not the wig, but the grey cells under it that matter!' |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=13 January 1993 |page=29}}; {{citation |title=Lawyers take to new fashion in the courts |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=10 March 1993 |page=23}}.</ref> the need for bands and wing-collared shirts was done away with. In open court, male lawyers are required to dress in "the existing gown worn over an ordinary long-sleeved white shirt with a turn-down collar, a tie of a subdued or sober colour, a dark jacket, dark trousers and black or plain coloured shoes". The instructions for the attire of female lawyers is similar, except that they must wear "a long-sleeved white blouse high to the neck" and must avoid "[c]onspicuous jewellery or ornaments".<ref>These requirements appear to originate from Law Society guidelines dating back to the 1970s: {{citation |title=Survey of woman lawyers on dress guidelines |newspaper=The Straits Times |date=11 March 1978 |page=12}}.</ref> They may either wear a skirt or trousers. Gowns need not be worn when appearing before judges and registrars in chambers. Senior counsel may wear "a gown in the design of those worn by [[Queen's Counsel]] of [[England and Wales]]" made of silk, a silk and wool mix, or artificial silk.<ref>''Supreme Court Practice Directions'' (2006 Ed.), pt. II, p. 10, para. 15.</ref>

==Supreme Court Building==
{{See also|Old Parliament House, Singapore|Empress Place Building|Old Supreme Court Building, Singapore}}

The first courthouse in Singapore was the building known previously as Maxwell House and today as the [[Old Parliament House, Singapore|Arts House at the Old Parliament]]. It was built in 1827 as a residence for a merchant named John Argyle Maxwell, but he opted to rent it to the colonial government for a rent of 500 [[Indian rupee#The rupee in the Straits Settlements|Indian rupees]] a month for 15 years.<ref name="Sup Ct history">{{citation |title=History |url=http://app.supremecourt.gov.sg/default.aspx?pgID=39 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719010101/http://app.supremecourt.gov.sg/default.aspx?pgID=39 |archive-date=19 July 2011 |publisher=Supreme Court of Singapore |date=21 May 2010 |access-date=30 December 2010 |url-status=dead}}.</ref> A central room on the upper floor facing High Street was used by the Court of Judicature of Prince of Wales' Island, Singapore, and Malacca, while other rooms were used as government offices.<ref name="Hall of Justice 106">''Hall of Justice'', p. 106.</ref> In 1839, the court moved to a newly built one-storey annexe adjacent to Maxwell House so that the latter could be used entirely by the colonial government. Maxwell eventually sold the building to Sir [[George Bonham]], [[list of British Governors of the Straits Settlements|Governor of the Straits Settlements]], and the [[East India Company]] on 10 October 1842 for 15,600 [[Spanish dollar]]s.<ref name="Sup Ct history"/> However, the Maxwell House annexe proved to be unsuitable as a courthouse due to noise from a nearby shipbuilding yard. A new courthouse by the [[Singapore River]] was built in 1865. This building now forms the central core of the [[Empress Place Building]] which is occupied by the [[Asian Civilisations Museum]]. The courthouse was occupied by the court till 1875, when it moved into a new extension wing of Maxwell House.<ref name="Sup Ct history"/><ref name="Hall of Justice 106"/> Maxwell House was eventually taken over by the legislature in 1954.<ref>{{citation |author=Sumiko Tan |author-link=Sumiko Tan |title=The Singapore Parliament: The House We Built |location=Singapore |publisher=Times Media |year=2000 |page=18 |isbn=978-981-232-144-2}}.</ref>

Construction on a new courthouse, now called the [[Old Supreme Court Building, Singapore|Old Supreme Court Building]], began in 1937 on the site of the Grand Hotel de L'Europe on Saint Andrew's Road opposite the [[Padang, Singapore|Padang]]. On 1 April 1937 the building's foundation stone – then the largest in [[British Malaya|Malaya]] – was laid by the Governor, Sir [[Shenton Thomas]]. Beneath the stone were placed six Singapore newspapers dated 31 March 1937 and some [[Straits dollar#Coins|Straits Settlements coins]]; this [[time capsule]] is due to be retrieved in the year 3000. The Supreme Court Building was declared open by the Governor on 3 August 1939 and handed over to the Chief Justice Sir [[Percy McElwaine]].<ref name="Sup Ct history"/> Originally, the courthouse had four courts; another seven were added over the years. As this proved insufficient because of the Supreme Court's burgeoning caseload, at Chief Justice [[Wee Chong Jin]]'s direction six additional courtrooms were constructed in the [[City Hall, Singapore|City Hall Building]] next door in 1986, and another six in 1988.<ref>''Hall of Justice'', p. 109.</ref>

The present Supreme Court Building at 1 Supreme Court Lane (formerly Colombo Court) behind the old building was constructed between 2002 and 2005. Occupying {{convert|72000|m2}}, it was designed by British architectural firm [[Foster and Partners]] and local architectural consultants [[CPG Corporation]].<ref>''Hall of Justice'', pp. 110.</ref> The building is clad in translucent sheets of Portuguese ''rosa aurora'' marble. The liberal use of glass in [[atrium (architecture)|atria]], [[Daylighting (architecture)|skylights]] and lift shafts, and the open layout of the building, are said to signify the ideal of transparency in the law.<ref>''Hall of Justice'', pp. 119 and 122.</ref> Operations in the building started on 20 June 2005, the first hearings took place on 27 June, and the building was officially opened by [[President of Singapore|President]] [[Sellapan Ramanathan|S. R. Nathan]] at the Opening of the Legal Year ceremony on 7 January 2006.<ref>''Hall of Justice'', pp. 111–114.</ref> There are 12 civil courts, eight criminal courts and three appellate courts. High Court hearings take place in courtrooms on the second through sixth storeys, while the Court of Appeal is on the ninth storey, the highest level, in a disc-shaped structure that is a modern interpretation of the Old Supreme Court Building's dome and is intended to represent the impartiality of justice.<ref>''Hall of Justice'', pp. 118 and 125.</ref>

<gallery widths=200 heights=160>
File:Old Parliament House, Singapore, Jan 06.JPG|Maxwell House, now known as the [[Old Parliament House, Singapore|Arts House at the Old Parliament]], which was used as a courthouse from 1827 to 1865, and from 1875 to 1939
File:City Hall and Old Supreme Court.JPG|The [[Old Supreme Court Building, Singapore|Old Supreme Court Building]] (domed) and [[City Hall, Singapore|City Hall Building]], which housed the Supreme Court between 1939 and 2005
File:Supreme Court of Singapore at night (HDR) - 20071115.jpg|The new and old Supreme Court buildings at night
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Court of Appeal of Singapore]]
* [[Family Justice Courts]]
* [[High Court of Singapore]]
* [[Judicial independence in Singapore]]
* [[Judicial officers of the Republic of Singapore]]
* [[Judicial system of Singapore]]
* [[Law of Singapore]]
* [[Lawyers in Singapore]]
* [[Sources of Singapore law]]
* [[State Courts of Singapore]]

== Notes and citations ==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
===Legislation===
* {{Singapore legislation|title=Constitution|rep=1999}}.
* {{Singapore legislation|title=Legal Profession Act|cap=161|ed=2009}} ("LPA").
* {{Singapore legislation|title=Subordinate Courts Act|cap=321|ed=2007}} ("SCA").
* {{Singapore legislation|title=Supreme Court of Judicature Act|cap=322|ed=2007}} ("SCJA").

===Other works===
* {{Citation |last=Chionh |first=Mavis |chapter=The Development of the Court System |editor=Kevin Y L Tan |title=Essays in Singapore Legal History |location=Singapore |publisher=Singapore Academy of Law; Marshall Cavendish Academic |year=2005 |pages=93–138 |isbn=978-981-210-389-5}}.
* {{Citation |title=History |url=http://app.supremecourt.gov.sg/default.aspx?pgID=39 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719010101/http://app.supremecourt.gov.sg/default.aspx?pgID=39 |archive-date=19 July 2011 |publisher=Supreme Court of Singapore |date=21 May 2010 |access-date=30 December 2010 |url-status=dead}}.
* {{Citation |editor-last=Kwek |editor-first=Mean Luck [''et al.''] |title=Hall of Justice: Supreme Court Singapore |location=Singapore |publisher=Supreme Court of Singapore |year=2006 |isbn=978-981-05-5356-2}}.
* {{Citation |last=Yong |first=Pung How |author-link=Yong Pung How |chapter=Speech Delivered at the Opening of the Legal Year 1993, 9 January 1993 |editor=Hoo Sheau Peng |editor2=Lee Shen Dee |editor3=Phang Hsiao Chung |editor4=See Kee Oon |title=Speeches and Judgments of Chief Justice Yong Pung How |location=Singapore |publisher=FT Law & Tax Asia Pacific |year=1996 |pages=71–82 |isbn=978-981-3069-07-7}}.

==Further reading==
===Articles===
* {{Citation |author=Faizah binte Zakaria |title=Supreme Court |url=http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_1770_2011-04-05.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615174123/http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_1770_2011-04-05.html |archive-date=15 June 2011 |publisher=Singapore Infopedia, [[National Library Board]] |date=5 April 2011 |access-date=25 April 2011 |url-status=dead}}.
* {{Citation |title=Singapore court system |url=http://www.lawsociety.org.sg/public/you_and_the_law/singapore_court_system.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209032627/http://www.lawsociety.org.sg/public/you_and_the_law/singapore_court_system.aspx |archive-date=9 February 2010 |publisher=[[Law Society of Singapore]] |access-date=26 December 2009 |url-status=dead}}.
* {{Citation |last1=Tan |first1=Eugene |last2=Chan |first2=Gary |contribution=The Judiciary |title=The Singapore Legal System |url=http://www.singaporelaw.sg/content/LegalSyst1.html#Section7 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101017145356/http://www.singaporelaw.sg/content/LegalSyst1.html |archive-date=17 October 2010 |publisher=[[Singapore Academy of Law]] |date=13 April 2009 |access-date=26 December 2009 |url-status=dead}}.
* {{Citation |last=Wee |first=D. Y. T. [''et al.''] |title=Singapore New Supreme Court Building – Marrying Form and Function |journal=The Structural Engineer: Journal of the Institution of Structural Engineers |date=18 July 2006 |volume=84 |issue=14 |pages=17–21}}.

===Books===
* {{Citation |last=Chan |first=Helena H[ui-]M[eng] |chapter=The Judiciary |title=The Legal System of Singapore |location=Singapore |publisher=[[LexisNexis Butterworths|Butterworths Asia]] |year=1995 |pages=41–68 |isbn=978-0-409-99789-7}}.
* {{Citation |title=The Supreme Court and Subordinate Courts of Singapore: A Charter for Court Users |location=Singapore |publisher=Supreme Court of Singapore & [[Subordinate Courts of Singapore]] |year=1997 |oclc=224717046}}.
* {{Citation |title=Supreme Court Singapore: Excellence into the Next Millennium |location=Singapore |publisher=Supreme Court of Singapore |year=1999 |isbn=978-981-04-1266-1}}.
* {{Citation |title=Supreme Court Singapore: The Re-organisation of the 1990s |location=Singapore |publisher=Supreme Court of Singapore |year=1994 |isbn=978-9971-88-426-0}}.
* {{Citation |last=Tan |first=Kevin Y[ew] L[ee] |chapter=Without Fear or Favour: The Judiciary |title=An Introduction to Singapore's Constitution |edition=rev. |location=Singapore |publisher=Talisman Publishing |year=2011 |pages=107–131 |isbn=978-981-08-6456-9}}.
* {{Citation |last1=Tan |first1=Kevin Y[ew] L[ee] |last2=Thio |first2=Li-ann |author2-link=Thio Li-ann |chapter=The Judiciary |title=Constitutional Law in Malaysia and Singapore |edition=3rd |location=Singapore |publisher=[[LexisNexis]] |year=2010 |pages=505–630 |isbn=978-981-236-795-2}}.
* {{Citation |last1=Thian |first1=Yee Sze |last2=Chong |first2=Chin Chin |last3=Lim |first3=Sharon |title=In Session: Supreme Court Singapore: The Building, her Heritage and her People |location=Singapore |publisher=Supreme Court of Singapore |year=2002 |isbn=978-981-04-7671-7}}.
* {{Citation |last=Thio |first=Li-ann |chapter=The Judiciary |title=A Treatise on Singapore Constitutional Law |location=Singapore |publisher=Academy Publishing |year=2012 |pages=451–567 |isbn=978-981-07-1515-1}}.

===Serials===
* {{Citation |title=Singapore Academy of Law Annual Review of Singapore Cases |location=Singapore |publisher=[[Singapore Academy of Law]] |date=2001–{{currentyear}} |issn=0219-6638}}.
* {{Citation |title=Singapore Law Reports |location=Singapore |publisher=[[Singapore Academy of Law]] |date=1965–{{currentyear}} |issn=0218-3161}}.

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Supreme Court of Singapore}}
* [http://www.supremecourt.gov.sg Official website of the Supreme Court of Singapore]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110808032058/http://www.singaporelawwatch.sg/remweb/comm/urjfeed/judgment.jsp Recent Court of Appeal and High Court judgments from Singapore Law Watch]
* [http://www.commonlii.org/sg/cases/SGCA/ Selected Court of Appeal judgments from CommonLII]
* [http://www.commonlii.org/sg/cases/SGHC/ Selected High Court judgments from CommonLII]

{{Asia topic|Supreme Court of|title=Supreme Courts of Asia|countries_only=yes}}
{{Constitution of Singapore}}
{{Law of Singapore}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 2005]]
[[Category:Courts in Singapore]]
[[Category:Downtown Core (Singapore)]]
[[Category:Government buildings in Singapore]]
[[Category:National supreme courts|Singapore]]