Part I: Introduction

1. Citation

1A. Definitions

1B. References to repealed provisions of written laws

2. Commencement

3. Revocation of previous practice directions

4. Updating

5. Applicability of Practice Directions

• Practice Directions to apply to civil proceedings

• Proceedings using the Electronic Filing Service

• Proceedings not using the Electronic Filing Service

6. Forms

7. Registrar’s Circulars

7A. Business of the Registry

1. Citation

These Practice Directions may be cited as the Supreme Court Practice Directions 2013.

1A. Definitions

In these Practice Directions, unless the context otherwise requires: “Appellate Division” means the Appellate Division of the High Court; “General Division” means the General Division of the High Court; and “Rules of Court” means the Rules of Court (Cap 322, R 5, 2014 Rev Ed) as in force immediately before 1 April 2022.

1B. References to repealed provisions of written laws

In these Practice Directions, any reference to a repealed provision of any written law is a reference to that provision as in force immediately before the date the provision is repealed.

2. Commencement

These Practice Directions shall come into effect on 1 January 2013.

3. Revocation of previous practice directions

These Practice Directions are issued to consolidate all previous practice directions of the Supreme Court. All previous editions of practice directions are revoked with effect from 1 January 2013.

4. Updating

(1) Amendments to these Practice Directions will be done on a paragraph-for-paragraph basis. These Practice Directions will be automatically updated with the new amended paragraphs. A list of amendments made will also be found on the Singapore Courts website at https://www.judiciary.gov.sg.

(2) Where legislation is cited in these Practice Directions, the citation shall be read to refer to the edition of that legislation currently in force.

5. Applicability of Practice Directions

Application on and after 1 April 2022

(1) On and after 1 April 2022, these Practice Directions apply only to:

(a) any cause or matter, in the General Division, the Appellate Division or the Court of Appeal, that is governed by the Rules of Court; and

(b) any criminal proceedings commenced, in the General Division or the Court of Appeal, before 1 April 2022.

Proceedings using the Electronic Filing Service

(2) For proceedings using the Electronic Filing Service, Part XXII of these Practice Directions does not apply.

Proceedings not using the Electronic Filing Service

(3) For proceedings that do not use the Electronic Filing Service, the following paragraphs of Parts I to XXI do not apply:

(a) 37(3);

(b) 59(5);

(c) 69(1) to 69(3);

(d) 70(3) and (5);

(e) 71(3) to 71(7);

(f) 75(3) to (5);

(g) 78;

(h) 97;

(i) 100 to 115;

(j) 116 to 119;

(k) 134(6); and

(l) 145;

and Part XXII applies.

6. Forms

The forms in Appendix A of these Practice Directions shall be used where applicable, with such variations as the circumstances of the case may require.

7. Registrar’s Circulars

Registrar’s Circulars can be found at the Singapore Courts website at https://www.judiciary.gov.sg.

7A. Business of the Registry

(1) Pursuant to section 71(1) of the Supreme Court of Judicature Act 1969 and Order 60, Rule 1(1) of the Rules of Court, the Chief Justice has directed that the Registry of the Supreme Court (“the Registry”) shall comprise the Division for the Court of Appeal and the Appellate Division, the Division for the General Division and the Division for the Singapore International Commercial Court.

(2) There shall be one or more Divisional Registrars for the Court of Appeal and the Appellate Division, for the General Division, and for the Singapore International Commercial Court. The Divisional Registrar or Divisional Registrars for each division of the Registry shall have control and supervision of the affairs of that division. Overall control and supervision of the Registry shall remain with the Registrar of the Supreme Court.

(3) The Chief Justice may designate any Assistant Registrar as Senior Assistant Registrar. The Chief Justice may also designate the Deputy Registrar, any Senior Assistant Registrar or any Assistant Registrar as Divisional Registrar or Deputy Divisional Registrar of any division of the Registry.

(4) Appendix H sets out the names of the Registrar, Deputy Registrar, Senior Assistant Registrars, Divisional Registrars and Deputy Divisional Registrars.

(5) Pursuant to Order 60, Rule 1(3) of the Rules of Court, the business of the Registry is governed by the Rules of Court and these Practice Directions. For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby declared that any instruction manuals which may be issued from time to time by the Government are not applicable to the business of the Registry.