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Jurisdiction

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The State Courts of Singapore comprise the District Courts, the Magistrates’ Courts, and Tribunals.

 

For civil matters:

(a) A District Court has jurisdiction to hear and try an action for the recovery of a sum or sums not exceeding S$250,000 or, in the case of road traffic accident claims or claims for personal injuries arising out of industrial accidents, a sum or sums not exceeding $500,000.

(b) A Magistrate’s Court has jurisdiction to hear and try an action for the recovery of a sum or sums not exceeding $60,000.

(c) The Small Claims Tribunals have jurisdiction to hear claims not exceeding $10,000. This jurisdictional limit can be raised to $20,000 if the Claimant and Respondent consent in writing.

(d) The Employment Claims Tribunals have jurisdiction to hear salary-related claims not exceeding S$20,000. For employees who go through the Tripartite Mediation Framework or mediation assisted by their unions recognised under the Industrial Relations Act, the claim limit is S$30,000.

(e) The Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals hear community dispute-related claims where the Tribunal can make orders for damages (up to $20,000), injunction, specific instruction, an apology, or any other order to give effect to the above.

 

For criminal matters:

(a) A District Court generally has jurisdiction to try offences where the maximum imprisonment term does not exceed ten years, or which are punishable with a fine only. A District Court may pass any of the following sentences:

  1. Imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years;

  2. Fines not exceeding $30,000;

  3. Up to 12 strokes of the cane;

  4. Any lawful sentence combining any of the sentences which it is authorised by law to pass.

(b) A Magistrate’s Court generally has jurisdiction to try offences where the maximum imprisonment term does not exceed five years, or which are punishable with a fine only. A Magistrate’s Court may pass any of the following sentences:

  1. Imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years;

  2. Fines not exceeding $10,000;

  3. Up to six strokes of the cane.

However, where the law expressly provides for it, the District Courts and Magistrates’ Courts have jurisdiction to try offences and impose sentences which exceed the above limits.

 

Source:
www.statecourts.gov.sg

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