Singapore's Supreme Court: A Breakdown Of Its Composition

what courts constitute the supreme court of singapore

The Supreme Court of Singapore is made up of the Court of Appeal and the High Court. The Court of Appeal hears civil and criminal appeals from the High Court and exercises appellate criminal and civil jurisdiction. The High Court, on the other hand, has original jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases and can hear any type of case, regardless of seriousness. The decisions of the High Court are binding on District Courts and Magistrates' Courts. The Family Justice Courts, which were established in 2014, also fall under the Supreme Court's jurisdiction and handle cases related to youth and family issues.

Characteristics Values
Number of courts 2
Court 1 Court of Appeal
Court 2 High Court
Court of Appeal hears Civil and criminal appeals from the High Court
Court of Appeal may also decide A point of law reserved for its decision by the High Court
Court of Appeal may also decide Any point of law of public interest arising in the course of an appeal from a court subordinate to the High Court
Court of Appeal may also decide Any point of law of public interest arising from 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
High Court hears Criminal and civil cases as a court of first instance
High Court has Judicial review jurisdiction
High Court exercises Two types of judicial review: judicial review under the Constitution of Singapore, and judicial review of administrative acts
High Court has Jurisdiction to hear and try any action in personam where the defendant is served with a writ of summons or other originating process in or outside Singapore, or where the defendant submits to the Court's jurisdiction
High Court has Unlimited original jurisdiction
High Court decisions Binding on District Courts and Magistrates' Courts
Court of Criminal Appeal Hears trials of capital offences
Family Justice Courts Hears cases relating to youth and family issues

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The Court of Appeal

As Singapore's final appellate court, the Court of Appeal is not required to follow its own previous decisions or the decisions of predecessor courts such as the Supreme Court of the Straits Settlements and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. However, it will generally not depart from a previous decision without a strong reason. The Court of Appeal is required to abide by decisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore Tribunal in certain situations.

In 1969, Singapore enacted the Supreme Court of Judicature Act to regularise the judicial system, which came into force on 9 January 1970. This Act established the Supreme Court of Singapore, consisting of the Court of Appeal, the Court of Criminal Appeal, and the High Court. Appeals to the Privy Council were completely abolished in 1994.

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The Court of Criminal Appeal

The Supreme Court of Singapore is made up of the Court of Appeal, the Court of Criminal Appeal, and the High Court. The Court of Criminal Appeal was established in 1934 in the Straits Settlements. It is an appellate court that hears appeals from criminal cases originating in the General Division.

A Notice of Appeal must be filed within 14 calendar days after the date of the sentence or order. This form signals a party's intent to appeal against the trial court's decision. For appeals against decisions of the State Courts, the completed Notice of Appeal can be filed online or in person. It costs $50 to file the Notice of Appeal. Appeals against decisions of the High Court can be filed via litigation, with no filing fees, but there is a cost of $0.50 per page for the Grounds of Decision.

It is important to note that seeking legal advice from an experienced criminal lawyer is recommended when considering filing a criminal appeal in Singapore. Heavy penalties are often attached to criminal charges, and sentences may be increased during the appeal process.

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The High Court

The Supreme Court of Singapore is made up of the Court of Appeal and the High Court. The High Court hears criminal and civil cases as a court of first instance, meaning it can deal with trials of matters coming before the courts for the first time. The High Court's jurisdiction covers both civil and criminal cases, and it has the authority to try all offences committed in Singapore.

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The Family Justice Courts

The Family Courts were established in 1995 to handle family-related matters under the Women's Charter. They later expanded to include divorce, nullity, and guardianship. The Family Courts can provide assistance and support to parents with children under 16 years old who display serious behavioural challenges. Guardianship gives a person the legal responsibility to care for a child below 21 years of age.

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The State Courts

The District Courts and Magistrates' Courts, which make up a significant portion of the State Courts, play a crucial role in delivering justice at the local level. These courts handle a high volume of cases, providing an accessible avenue for Singaporeans to seek legal redress and ensuring that justice is served in a timely and efficient manner.

Frequently asked questions

The Supreme Court of Singapore is made up of the Court of Appeal and the High Court.

The Court of Appeal hears civil and criminal appeals from the High Court and exercises appellate criminal and civil jurisdiction.

The High Court hears both criminal and civil cases as a court of first instance. It has unlimited original jurisdiction, meaning it can hear any type of case. The High Court also exercises appellate criminal and civil jurisdiction.

The Family Justice Courts were established in 2014 and include the Family Division of the High Court, Family Courts, and Youth Courts.

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