The Small Claims Tribunals are part of the Subordinate Courts of Singapore. The Tribunals were established on the 1st of February 1985, to provide a quick and inexpensive forum for the resolution of small claims between consumers and suppliers.
Jurisdiction of the Small Claims Tribunals
The Tribunals have jurisdiction to hear claims not exceeding $10,000, where the claims relate to disputes arising from:
1. a contract for the sale of goods; or
2. a contract for the provision of services; or
3. tortious damage to property (but not including damage arising in connection with motor vehicle accidents)
Where the Claimant and the Respondant consent in writing, the jurisdiction can be raised to $20,000.
All claims must be lodged or filed at the Small Claims Tribunals within one year from the date on which the cause of action accrued.
Bringing A Claim in the Tribunals
The procedure for bringing a claim in the Tribunals is very simple. For more information on bringing a claim, please refer to the "Claim Procedures:- A to Z of Bringing a Claim in the Small Claims Tribunals" option.
Lawyers are not permitted to represent any of the parties in proceedings before the Tribunals. Unless the Tribunals decide that a claim is either vexatious or frivolous, costs are not awarded to the winning party.
To lodge or file a claim at the Tribunals, a party is required to pay a lodgment fee. The applicable lodgment fees are as follows:
| Consumer | Non-consumer | |
| Not exceeding $5,000 | $10 | $50 |
| Exceeding $5,000 but not exceeding $10,000 | $20 | $100 |
| Exceeding $10,000 but not exceeding $20,000 | 1% of claim amount | 3% of claim amount |
Attending the Consultation / Mediation
After a claim is lodged or filed, the Tribunals will fix the claim for a Consultation / Mediation before the Registrar. The Tribunals will generally fix the Consultation / Mediation within 10 to 14 days from the date of lodging or filing of the claim. If a claim is not settled at the Consultation before the Registrar, it will generally be fixed for hearing within 7 days from the date of Consultation. For a tourist claim or an urgent claim, the Tribunals can fix both the Consultation / Mediation and the Hearing within 24 hours of the lodging or filing of the claim.
The Tribunals employ mediation extensively in their proceedings. At the Consultation before the Registrar, the Registrar will mediate the claim, to assist parties in resolving the dispute. If the claim is fixed for Hearing before the Referee, the Referee will also explore the possibility of settlement, before adjudicating the claim.
Our Operation Hours
Mondays to Thursdays: 8.30 am to 6.00 pm
Fridays : 8.30 am to 5.30 pm
(Lunch time: 1.00pm to 2.00pm)
Saturdays: 8.30 am to 1.00 pm
Filing or Lodging Times for your Claims and Counterclaims
Mondays to Fridays : 9.00 am to 12.00 noon and from 2.00 pm to 4.30 pm
Saturdays: 9.00 am to 12.00 noon
No comments:
Post a Comment