File and serve pleadings (simplified civil process)
If the simplified civil process applies to your case, you must file and serve documents known as pleadings and a list of documents. Find out what they are.
Note
This page is for matters that the Rules of Court 2014 apply to. For content relating to matters that the Rules of Court 2021 apply, click here.
If you are uncertain as to which version of the Rules of Court applies to your matter, click here.
Note
This page describes the simplified civil process for cases begun by a Writ of Summons (Writ) and heard in the Magistrate's Court or the District Court where all parties consent to the application of the simplified civil process.
For cases where the simplified civil process applies, when a party files and serves the pleadings on the other party, they must also file and serve a list of documents prepared according to Form 234 of the Rules of Court.
A list of documents sets out every documents that a party has in their possession, custody or power which the party relies or will rely on and can do any of the following:
Adversely affect their own case.
Adversely affect another party’s case.
Support another party’s case.
Example
Documents that can be referred to in the list of documents may include (but not limited to) contracts, loan agreements or letters exchanged between the parties before the dispute arose.
Pleadings relating to the plaintiff
As a plaintiff, the pleadings in a civil action you may need to file include:
A Statement of Claim is a document containing the relevant facts which is relied on to establish your claim. You must file and serve the statement of claim on the defendant as the defendant may apply to the court for an order to dismiss your action if you fail to do so.
When to file
In general, you should file and serve a Statement of Claim on the defendant together with the Writ of Summons (Writ).
If the defendant wishes to contest your claim, the defendant will:
File and send a copy of a Memorandum of Appearance (MOA) to you within 8 days of service of the Writ (if the defendant is located in Singapore), or within 21 days of service of the Writ (if the defendant is located outside of Singapore).
The filing of an MOA is also known as entering an appearance.
File and serve a copy of their defence on you within 14 days of the time limited for an appearance.
If you are served with the defence, you may choose to file and serve a reply on the defendantwithin 14 days of receiving the defence.
If the defendant files a counterclaim
The defendant may also make a counterclaim in the same action if they think that they have any claim against you. In this case, they will file and serve their counterclaim, together with their defence, on you.
If you receive a copy of the defence and counterclaim, you may file and serve a reply together with your defence to the counterclaim on the defendant within 14 days of receiving the defence and counterclaim.
How to file
You may choose to file the documents personally or through a lawyer. If you are represented by a lawyer, the documents will be filed by your lawyer.
Refer to the following to find out the possible fees to file pleadings. You may also refer to Appendix B of the Rules of Court for the full list of court fees.
Both you and the defendant may not file and serve any pleading after pleadings are closed at the expiry of the following time limits:
14 days after service of the reply on the defendant.
14 days after service of the defence to counterclaim on the defendant (if there is no reply but only a defence to counterclaim).
14 days after the defendant serves their defence (or defence and counterclaim) on you (if you choose not to serve a reply or a defence to counterclaim on the defendant).
Entering a default judgment
You may consider entering a default judgment against the defendant if the defendant does either of the following:
Fails to file and send a copy of a Memorandum of Appearance (MOA) on you within 8 days of receiving the Writ (if the defendant is located in Singapore), or within 21 days of receiving the Writ (if the defendant is located outside of Singapore).
The filing of an MOA is also known as entering an appearance.
Fails to file and serve a copy of their defence on you within 14 days of filing the time limited for the entry of appearance.
Need help?
The information here is for general guidance as
the courts do not provide legal advice. If you need further help, you may want to get independent legal advice.