Part III: Originating Processes and Documents
30. Originating Summonses
Forms for originating summonses
Originating summonses to be heard in open Court
31. Identification numbers to be stated in cause papers
Parties named in the title of the documents
Parties not named in the title of the documents
Documents filed by 2 or more parties
Identification numbers for non-parties
Special cases
Identification numbers
Guidelines for the selection of identification numbers
Inability to furnish identification number at the time of filing a document
Meaning of document
Non-compliance
32. Personal service of processes and documents
33. Substituted service
34. Endorsements on originating processes and other documents
35. Amendment of documents
Application
Amendment of any document
Amendment of pleadings
Amendment endorsements on electronic forms
35A. Pleadings
30. Originating Summonses
(1) This paragraph applies to originating summonses filed on or after 1 January 2006.
Forms for originating summonses
(2) The former Form 6 of Appendix A of the Rules of Court (originating summons where appearance is required) has been deleted with effect from 1 January 2006. Solicitors’ attention is drawn to Order 12, Rule 9 of the Rules of Court which provides that no appearance need be entered to an originating summons.
(3) Where any legislation requires a party to file an originating summons and the form is not provided within the legislation, the originating summons must be filed using either Form 4 (Originating Summons) or Form 5 (Ex Parte Originating Summons) of Appendix A of the Rules of Court.
(4) The parties in Form 4 of Appendix A of the Rules of Court must be stated as “plaintiff” and “defendant”, or “appellant” and “respondent”, as the case may be.
(5) The party in Form 5 of Appendix A of the Rules of Court must be stated as “applicant”.
Originating summonses to be heard in open Court
(6) Order 28, Rule 2 provides that all originating summonses shall be heard in Chambers, subject to any provisions in the Rules of Court, written law, directions by the Court, or practice directions issued by the Registrar.
(7) The following are examples of originating summonses to be heard in open Court pursuant to written law:
(a) applications for a judicial management order (Rule 6(1)(a) of the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution (Corporate Insolvency and Restructuring) Rules 2020);
(b) applications to wind up a company (Rule 5 of the Companies (Winding Up) Rules or Rule 6(1)(b) of the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution (Corporate Insolvency and Restructuring) Rules 2020);
(c) applications to wind up a limited liability partnership (Rule 5 of the Limited Liability Partnerships (Winding Up) Rules);
(d) applications to wind up a variable capital company or a sub-fund (Rule 6(1)(a) of the Variable Capital Companies (Winding Up) Rules 2020);
(e) applications for an order declaring the dissolution of a company void (Rule 5(1)(c) of the Companies (Winding Up) Rules or Rule 6(1)(c) of the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution (Corporate Insolvency and Restructuring) Rules 2020;
(f) applications for an order declaring the dissolution of a limited liability partnership void (Rule 5(1)(c) of the Limited Liability Partnership (Winding Up) Rules);
(g) applications for an order declaring the dissolution of a variable capital company void (Rule 6(1)(c) of the Variable Capital Companies (Winding Up) Rules 2020) or an order declaring the dissolution of a sub-fund void (Rule 6(1)(d) of the Variable Capital Companies (Winding Up) Rules 2020);
(h) applications to rectify the register of members of a company (Rule 5(1)(e) of the Companies (Winding Up) Rules);
(i) applications to rectify the register of partners of a limited liability partnership (Rule 5(1)(e) of the Limited Liability Partnerships (Winding Up) Rules); and
(j) applications to rectify the register of members kept by a variable capital company (Rule 6(1)(f) of the Variable Capital Companies (Winding Up) Rules 2020).
(8) In addition to any provisions in the Rules of Court or other written law, and subject to any further directions made by the Court, the Registrar hereby directs that the following applications made by originating summonses shall be heard in open Court:
(a) appeals to the General Division from a Court, tribunal or person under Order 55, Rule 2(1);
(b) applications to the General Division by case stated in Order 55A, Rule 2(1);
(c) applications to the Court of Appeal in Order 57, Rule 16 and applications to the Appellate Division in Order 56A, Rule 17;
(d) [deleted]
(e) [deleted]
(f) applications for apportionment of salvage in Order 70, Rule 32;
(g) applications and appeals under the Trade Marks Act 1998 in Order 87, Rules 2 and 4;
(h) applications and appeals under the Patents Act 1994 in Order 87A, Rules 9, 10 and 13;
(i) applications for admission of advocate and solicitor under section 12 of the Legal Profession Act 1966;
(j) applications for ad hoc admissions under section 15 of the Legal Profession Act 1966;
(k) applications for leave for eligibility for election or appointment as a member of Council of Law Society under section 49(6) of the Legal Profession Act 1966;
(l) applications for the name of a solicitor to be replaced on the roll under section 102(2) of the Legal Profession Act 1966;
(m) applications for an order that a solicitor be struck off the roll, etc. under section 98(1) of the Legal Profession Act 1966;
(n) applications for the vesting of property of a registered trade union in a trustee under section 45 of the Trade Unions Act 1940;
(o) applications by the Public Trustee for the appointment of new trustees to administer a charitable trust under section 63(4) of the Trustees Act 1967;
(p) applications for a company to be placed under judicial management under section 227A of the Companies Act (Cap. 50, 2006 Rev. Ed); and
(q) applications under the Land Titles (Strata) Act 1967 in Order 100, Rule 2.
31. Identification numbers to be stated in cause papers
Parties named in the title of the documents
(1) Where a party to any proceedings in the Supreme Court first files a document in such proceedings, he or she shall provide his or her identification number in accordance with the Electronic Filing System data entry fields for identification number.
Parties not named in the title of the documents
(2) Where a party to any proceedings in the Supreme Court first files a document in such proceedings, and the name of the party does not appear in the title of the document but does appear in the body of the document, the identification number of the party should be provided in accordance with the Electronic Filing System data entry fields for identification number.
Documents filed by 2 or more parties
(3) Sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to documents which are filed by more than one party.
Identification numbers for non-parties
(4) If any person (living or dead), any entity or any property is the subject matter of any proceedings, or is affected by any proceedings, but is not a party thereto, and the name of such person, entity or property is to appear in the title of the documents filed in the proceedings, the party filing the first document in the proceedings must provide the identification number of such person, entity or property in accordance with the Electronic Filing System data entry fields for identification number. If the party filing the first document in the proceedings is unable, after reasonable enquiry, to discover the identification number of the person, entity or property, he or she may state “(ID No. not known)”.
Special cases
(5) The following directions shall apply in addition to the directions contained in sub-paragraphs (1) to (4):
(a) where a party is represented by a litigation representative or guardian in adoption, sub-paragraphs (1) to (3) shall apply to the litigation representative or guardian in adoption as if he or she was a party to the proceedings, and the identification numbers of the party, the litigation representative and/or the guardian in adoption must be provided in accordance with the Electronic Filing System data entry fields for identification number;
(b) where parties are involved in any proceedings as the personal representatives of the estate of a deceased person, sub-paragraphs (1) to (3) shall apply to the deceased person as if he were a party;
(c) where more than one identification number applies to any party, person, entity or property, the identification numbers shall be stated in any convenient order; and
(d) for bankruptcy matters, the creditor must, in addition to his or her own identification number, also provide the identification number of the debtor in the first document filed by the creditor in the bankruptcy proceedings.
Identification numbers
(6) When entering the identification number in the Electronic Filing Service, the full identification number, including the letters before and after the number should be entered.
Guidelines for the selection of identification numbers
(7) The following guidelines should be followed in deciding on the appropriate identification number:
NATURAL PERSON WITH SINGAPORE IDENTITY CARD
(a) For a natural person who is a Singapore citizen or permanent resident, the identification number shall be the number of the identity card issued under the National Registration Act 1965. The 7 digit number as well as the letters at the front and end should be stated. For example, “(NRIC No. S1234567A)”.
NATURAL PERSON WITH FIN NUMBER
(b) For a natural person (whether a Singapore citizen or permanent resident or not) who has not been issued with an identity card under the National Registration Act 1965, but has been assigned a FIN number under the Immigration Regulations (Cap. 133, Regulation 1), the identification number shall be the FIN number. The number should be preceded by the prefix “FIN No.”
NATURAL PERSON: BIRTH CERTIFICATE OR PASSPORT NUMBER
(c) For a natural person (whether a Singapore citizen or permanent resident or not) who has not been issued with an identity card under the National Registration Act 1965 or assigned an FIN number, the identification number shall be the birth certificate or passport number. The number should be preceded by either of the following, as appropriate: “(Issuing country) BC No.” or “(Issuing country) PP No.”
NATURAL PERSON: OTHER NUMBERS
(d) For a natural person who is not a Singapore citizen or permanent resident, and has not been assigned an FIN number and does not have a birth certificate or passport number, the identification number shall be the number of any identification document he may possess. Both the number as well as some descriptive words which will enable the nature of the number given and the authority issuing the identification document to be ascertained should be stated. For example, “Japanese Identification Card No.”
DECEASED PERSON
(e) For a deceased natural person, the identification number shall be as set out in sub-paragraph 7(a) to (d) above. However, if such numbers are not available, the identification number shall be the death registration number under the Registration of Births and Deaths Regulations 2022 or the equivalent foreign provisions, where the death is registered abroad. The number as well as the following words should be stated: “(Country or place of registration of death) Death Reg. No.”
COMPANY REGISTERED UNDER THE COMPANIES ACT 1967
(f) For a company registered under the Companies Act 1967, the identification number shall be the Unique Entity Number (UEN).
COMPANY REGISTERED OUTSIDE SINGAPORE
(g) For a company registered outside Singapore which is not registered under the Companies Act 1967, the identification number shall be the registration number of the company in the country of registration.
BUSINESS REGISTERED UNDER THE BUSINESS NAMES REGISTRATION ACT 2014
(h) For a body registered under the Business Names Registration Act 2014, the identification number shall be the UEN number.
LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP REGISTERED UNDER THE LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIPS ACT 2005
(i) For a limited liability partnership registered under the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2005, the identification number shall be the UEN number.
OTHER BODIES AND ASSOCIATIONS
(j) For any other body or association, whether incorporated or otherwise, which does not fall within sub-paragraph 7(f) to (i) above, the identification number shall be any unique number assigned to the body or association by any authority. Both the number as well as some descriptive words which will enable the nature of the number given and the authority assigning the number to be ascertained should be stated. For example, “Singapore Trade Union Reg. No. 123 A”.
SHIP OR VESSEL
(k) For a ship or vessel, the identification number shall be the registration number assigned by the port of registry. If no such registration number is available, the identification number assigned by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) or the number of the license granted by any authority shall be the identification number.
NO IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS EXIST
(l) Where the appropriate identification numbers prescribed by sub-paragraph (7)(a) to (k) above do not exist, the following words should be stated immediately below or after the name of the party, person, entity or property concerned: “(No ID No. exists)”.
Inability to furnish identification number at the time of filing a document
(8) If a party who wishes to file a document is unable at the time of filing to furnish the necessary identification numbers required by this paragraph, the party may indicate “(ID No. Not Known)” at the time of filing. However, when the necessary identification numbers have been obtained, the party will have to furnish the necessary identification numbers to the Registry through the Electronic Filing Service.
Meaning of document
(9) For the avoidance of doubt, the words “document” and “documents” when used in this paragraph include all originating processes filed in the Supreme Court regardless of whether they are governed by the Rules of Court. The words also include all documents filed in connection with bankruptcy proceedings.
Non-compliance
(10) Any document which does not comply with this paragraph may be rejected for filing by the Legal Registry of the Supreme Court.
32. Personal service of processes and documents
(1) The attention of solicitors is drawn to Order 62, Rule 2(1) of the Rules of Court, which provides:
“Personal service must be effected by a process server of the Supreme Court or by a solicitor or a solicitor’s clerk whose name and particulars have been notified to the Registrar for this purpose:
Provided that the Registrar may, in a particular cause or matter, allow personal service to be effected by any other named person and shall, in that case, cause to be marked on the document required to be served personally, a memorandum to that effect.” [emphasis added.]
(2) Solicitors are required to notify the Legal Registry of the Supreme Court of the particulars of such clerks who have been authorised by them to serve processes and documents (“authorised process servers”) by submitting a request to authorise user through the Electronic Filing Service. Where such authorised process servers are no longer so authorised, solicitors are to revoke or delete the authorisation immediately by submitting a request through the Electronic Filing Service. Solicitors’ clerks do not require the authorisation of the Registrar to effect personal service of processes and documents.
(3) As personal service can be effected by a solicitor or a solicitor’s clerk, Court process servers will not be assigned to effect personal service of processes and documents unless there are special reasons.
(4) If there are special reasons requiring personal service by a Court process server, a Request for such service should be filed through the Electronic Filing Service, setting out the special reasons. The approval of the Duty Registrar should then be obtained for such service. Once approval has been obtained, a process server will be assigned to effect service and an appointment for service convenient to both the litigant and the assigned process server will be given.
(5) On the appointed date, the person accompanying the process server should call at the Legal Registry. The amount required for the transport charges of the process server (a record of which will be kept) should be tendered. Alternatively, the Legal Registry should be informed beforehand that transport for the process server will be provided. The Legal Registry will then instruct the process server to effect service.
(6) Under no circumstances should any payment be made directly to the process server.
33. Substituted service
(1) In any application for substituted service, the applicant should persuade the Court that the proposed mode of substituted service will probably be effectual in bringing the document in question to the notice of the person to be served.
(2) Two reasonable attempts at personal service should be made before an application for an order for substituted service is filed. In an application for substituted service, the applicant shall demonstrate by way of affidavit why he or she believes that the attempts at service made were reasonable.
(3) The applicant should, where appropriate, also consider other modes of substituted service, such as AR registered post or electronic means (including electronic mail or Internet transmission) in addition to or in substitution of substituted service by posting on doors or gates of residential and business premises.
(4) An application for substituted service by posting at an address or by AR registered post should contain evidence (for example, relevant search results from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore, the Singapore Land Authority, the Housing & Development Board or the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority) that the person to be served is resident or can be located at the property.
(5) For the avoidance of doubt, substituted service by AR registered post is deemed to be effected when the postal service has delivered the document, or attempted to deliver the document (in cases where no one is present or willing to accept the document).
(6) If substituted service is by electronic mail, it has to be shown that the electronic mail account to which the document will be sent belongs to the person to be served and that it is currently active.
(7) An application for substituted service by advertisement (in one issue of the Straits Times if the person to be served is literate in English, or one issue of the Straits Times and one issue of one of the main non-English language newspapers where his language literacy is unknown) should only be considered as a last resort and should contain evidence that the person to be served is literate in the language of the newspaper in which the advertisement will be placed.
34. Endorsements on originating processes and other documents
(1) Where it is necessary to include endorsements on any document, the directions in this paragraph shall apply.
(2) Endorsements are normally made on originating processes and other documents to show renewal, amendments and authorisation for service of the document in question. Such endorsements on originating processes and other documents do not require the Registrar’s signature as they are made pursuant to either an order of Court or the Rules of Court. The Registrar should therefore not be asked to sign such endorsements.
(3) For documents that are filed through the Electronic Filing Service as electronic forms composed online:
(a) Solicitors should select the appropriate endorsement, and check the accuracy of the electronic form in the preview stage before filing the originating process or other document. The acceptance by the Registry of electronic forms composed online does not affect the regularity of any endorsements on the document.
(b) Where endorsements can be made prior to the filing or issuance of a document, those endorsements shall be incorporated into the document before the document is filed or issued.
(c) Where endorsements must be made on a document which has already been filed or issued, a fresh copy of the document containing the relevant endorsements shall be prepared, and the document must be re-filed or re-issued, as the case may be. An example of this would be renewals of writs of summons.
35. Amendment of documents
Application
(1) The directions in this paragraph shall apply to documents and pleadings filed in any proceedings.
Amendment of any document
(2) Where a document is required to be amended and filed in Court, a fresh copy of the document with the amendments included must be prepared, regardless of the number and length of the amendments sought to be made.
(3) The procedure for amending a document is as follows:
(a) A fresh amended copy of the document should be produced.
(b) The number of times the document has been amended shall be indicated in parentheses after the name of the document. It should therefore be entitled “\[document name\] (Amendment No. 1)” or “\[document name\] (Amendment No. 2)”, or as appropriate.
(c) The changes made in the document from the latest version of the document filed in Court should be indicated in the following way:
(i) deletions shall be made by drawing a single line across the words to be deleted; and
(ii) insertions shall be underlined.
(4) The directions in sub-paragraph (3)(b) shall not apply to originating summonses and summonses amended from an inter partes application to an ex parte application or vice versa.
(5) The directions in sub-paragraph (3)(c) shall not apply to the originating processes, summonses and other electronic forms that are composed online through the Electronic Filing Service.
Amendment of pleadings
(6) The directions in sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) shall apply to the amendment of pleadings. A Statement of Claim which is amended for the first time should be filed as “Statement of Claim” (Amendment No. 1)”, and a Defence that is amended for the second time should be filed as “Defence (Amendment No. 2)”.
COLOUR SCHEMES FOR AMENDMENTS
(7) The following colours shall be used to indicate the history of the amendments in pleadings:
(a) black for the first round of amendments;
(b) red for the second round of amendments;
(c) green for the third round of amendments;
(d) blue for the fourth round of amendments; and
(e) brown for subsequent rounds of amendments.
AMENDMENT FOR THIRD TIME OR MORE
(8) From the third round of amendments onwards, the amended pleading should comprise two versions of the document:
(a) a clean version without the amendments shown; followed in the same document by
(b) a version showing the amendments in colour.
Only one amended pleading consisting of these two versions is required to be filed.
Amendment endorsements on electronic forms
(9) Order 20, Rule 10(2) of the Rules of Court requires that an amended pleading or other document be endorsed with a statement that it has been amended, specifying the date on which it was amended and by whom the order (if any) authorising the amendment was made and the date thereof, and if no such order was made, the number of the Rule in Order 20 in pursuance of which the amendment was made. Where electronic forms are amended, the amendment endorsement shall take either one of the following forms:
(a) By order of court made on \[date order was made\]; or
(b) Pursuant to Order 20, Rule \[cite specific rule number\].
(10) The amendment endorsement shall be appended to the title of the electronic form, after the amendment number as required under sub-paragraph (3)(b) above. Where an electronic form is amended more than once, the endorsement need only cite the basis for the most recent amendment. For example,
(11) The date of the electronic form shall reflect the date on which the document is amended.
35A. Pleadings
(1) The attention of advocates and solicitors is drawn to the pleading requirements laid down by the Court of Appeal in the case of Sembcorp Marine Ltd v PPL Holdings Pte Ltd and anor [2013] SGCA 43 for disputes involving a contextual approach to the construction of a contract.
(2) In particular, the Court of Appeal made the following observations at paragraph 73 of the judgment:
(a) parties who contend that the factual matrix is relevant to the construction of the contract must plead with specificity each fact of the factual matrix that they wish to rely on in support of their construction of the contract;
(b) the factual circumstances in which the facts in sub-paragraph (2)(a) were known to both or all the relevant parties must also be pleaded with sufficient particularity;
(c) parties should in their pleadings specify the effect which such facts will have on their contended construction; and
(d) the obligation of the parties to disclose evidence would be limited by the extent to which the evidence is relevant to the facts pleaded in sub-paragraphs (2)(a) and (2)(b).
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