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How to file and serve a protection from harassment application
Note
This is the process to pursue civil remedies in the Protection from Harassment Court. View the other possible remedies for protection from harassment.
Before you file
Before you file, make sure you:
- Check that your case can be heard by the Protection from Harassment Court (PHC).
- Check whether the simplified or standard proceedings apply to your case.
- Understand the possible orders the PHC can make, and the difference between final and interim orders.
- Understand the protection from harassment application process.
Who can file
In most cases, the victim should file the application.
If the victim is below 21 years old, a representative who is at least 21 years old (usually their parent or legal guardian) must apply on their behalf.
In such cases, the application must:
- Be made via a lawyer.
- Include a written consent from the representative.
- Include a certificate by the solicitor, prepared according to the applicable Rules of Court.
Check which proceedings apply
Note
Before you file, check whether the simplified or standard proceedings apply to your case.
If the simplified proceedings apply | Refer to the steps to file through the Community Justice and Tribunals System (CJTS). |
If the standard proceedings apply | Refer to the steps to file through eLitigation. |
File under the simplified proceedings
If you file a claim under the simplified proceedings, you are the claimant.
The party against whom the claim is filed is the respondent.
Key facts
Refer to the following on how to file for protection from harassment under the simplified proceedings.
Who can file | Any person who has experienced the types of cases specified in the Protection from Harassment Act (POHA). View the cases that are eligible. The person should also have completed a pre-filing assessment and verified that the simplified proceedings apply. |
When to file | Within 2 years of the event which creates the cause of action. |
Estimated fees | Refer to this table for the list of fees. |
How to file | Through CJTS. |
Tip
All applications must be filed through the CJTS. If you need access to computers, visit the Business Centre at Level 2 of the State Courts during the operating hours.
What you will need
You will need to provide the following information:
- Your pre-filing assessment ID. If you do not have this, you should complete the pre-filing assessment in CJTS.
- Your personal details, such as name, identification number, contact number, email and address.
- The respondent's details, such as name and address.
- Particulars of your claim.
- The type of remedies you seek.
- (If any) Supporting documents that you wish to use as evidence to support your claim, as PDF files. Find out how to prepare such documents in the required format.
Estimated fees
The estimated fees include:
Item or service | Fees |
|---|---|
File a claim for a protection order (with or without an expedited order) | $30 |
File a claim for a false statement order or an interim false statement order | $30 |
File a claim for damages below $10,000 | $30 |
File a claim for damages above $10,000 and below $20,000 | $60 |
For the full list of fees, refer to the First Schedule of the Supreme Court of Judicature (Protection from Harassment) Rules.
How to file and serve (simplified proceedings)
The steps depend on whether you are applying for an interim order together with the final order.
You will need to follow these steps to file and serve your claim.
After you file
Step | Result |
|---|---|
| 1. File the claim | Your claim is filed in the PHC. |
| 2. Serve the claim | You inform the respondent of your claim. |
| 3. File a Declaration of Service | The PHC receives proof that you have served the claim on the respondent. |
1. File the claim
When: within 2 years of the event which creates the cause of action
Log in to CJTS. Under the Online Applications tab, select PHC, and then select Claim. Follow the instructions to fill in the required information and pay the filing fees.
Your application will only be processed after you have paid. After you have paid, you will need to:
- Choose a case management conference (CMC) date and time.
- Save and print a copy of the claim and Notice of CMC to serve on the respondent.
For detailed instructions, refer to the CJTS user guide for protection from harassment claims (PDF, 3366 KB).
2. Serve the claim
When: within 14 days after the date of filing the claim
After filing the claim, you must serve the claim and Notice of CMC on the respondent within 14 days. This informs the respondent of the claim and the court proceeding that they must attend.
You can serve in one or more of the following ways if you know the respondent's proper address:
- Leave with that person a copy of the document.
- Post a copy of the document on the front door of that person's proper address.
- Send a copy of that document by registered post to that person's proper address.
Note:
- If you wish to serve in other ways, you must file an application to the court.
- If you do not know the respondent's proper address, the court may direct you to serve in other ways, according to Rule 69 of the Supreme Court of Judicature (Protection from Harassment) Rules. Examples include sending an electronic communication of the document to the respondent's email address or social media account, where applicable.
3. File a Declaration of Service
When: within 8 days after the date you serve the documents on the respondent
After serving the claim, you must upload the Declaration of Service in CJTS within 8 days. This serves as proof that you have served the application on the respondent.
Log in to CJTS. Under Online Applications, select Declaration of Service and follow the instructions.
After you file
The respondent (or anyone else who has been served with your application) may file a reply within 14 days after the date of service of your documents.
The respondent may choose to initiate eNegotiation via CJTS.
Both you and the respondent will need to attend a CMC. Generally, this will be scheduled around 4 weeks after the date you filed your claim. Find out what you need to prepare before attending the CMC.
Interim orders include:
- Expedited Protection Order (EPO).
- Interim stop publication order (ISPO).
- Interim disabling order (IDO).
- Interim notification order (INO).
- Targeted interim notification order (TINO).
Log in to CJTS. Under the Online Applications tab, select PHC, and then select Claim.
You will need to indicate in your claim form that you wish to apply for an interim order.
Follow the instructions to fill in the required information and pay the filing fees. Your application will only be processed after you have paid.
For detailed instructions, refer to the
After you file
After you file, the court will contact you with the date and time of a hearing that you must attend.
You will then need to follow these steps:
1. Attend the hearing
During the hearing, a judge will decide whether to grant the interim or expedited order. Generally, this hearing will be within 2 working days from the date you filed your claim.
- If the court approves your application, you will be granted the interim or expedited order. You will need to serve both the order and your application documents on the respondent. You must serve the interim order as it only takes effect after service.
- If the court does not approve your application, you will not be granted the interim order. However, you will still need to serve your application documents on the respondent.
Note: The outcome of your application for an interim or expedited order does not affect your application for a final order. The court will hear these applications during separate sessions.
2. Serve the documents on the respondent
The judge will give you specific directions on how to serve the relevant documents on the respondent. This informs the respondent of your claim and the court proceeding that they must attend.
The respondent (or anyone else who has been served with your application) may file a reply within 14 days after the date of service of your documents.
The respondent may choose to initiate eNegotiation via CJTS.
Both you and the respondent will need to attend a case management conference (CMC). Generally, this will be scheduled around 4 weeks after the date you filed your claim. Find out what you need to prepare before attending the CMC.
File under the standard proceedings
If you file an application under the standard proceedings, you are the applicant.
The party against whom the application is filed is the respondent.
Key facts
Refer to the following on how to file for protection from harassment under the standard proceedings.
Who can file | Any person who has experienced the types of cases specified in the Protection from Harassment Act (POHA). View the cases that are eligible. |
When to file | Within 6 years of the event which creates the cause of action. |
Estimated fees | Refer to this table for the list of fees. |
How to file | Through eLitigation. |
What you will need
You need to prepare the following documents:
Originating Summons (OS)(for matters commenced before 1 April 2022); or Originating Application (OA)(for matters commenced on or after 1 April 2022) | Form 1 of the Supreme Court of Judicature (Protection from Harassment) Rules. |
Supporting affidavit | Form 2 of the Supreme Court of Judicature (Protection from Harassment) Rules.
|
All other supporting documents that you wish to use as evidence | These must be prepared in the required format. |
You need to prepare the following documents:
Originating Summons (OS)(for matters commenced before 1 April 2022); or Originating Application (OA)(for matters commenced on or after 1 April 2022) | Form 8 of the Supreme Court of Judicature (Protection from Harassment) Rules.
Note: If you are applying for an interim false statement order, you will also need to prepare Form 8A of the Supreme Court of Judicature (Protection from Harassment) Rules. |
Supporting affidavit | Form 9 of the Supreme Court of Judicature (Protection from Harassment) Rules.
|
All other supporting documents that you wish to use as evidence | These must be prepared in the required format. |
Tip: If you need access to computers to download or edit the forms, visit the Business Centre at Level 2 of the State Courts during the operating hours. You can download samples of these forms from the self-help kiosks there. You may wish to bring a thumb drive with you to save your work.
Estimated fees
The estimated fees include:
Item or service | Fees |
|---|---|
Originating Summons (OS) (for matters commenced before 1 April 2022); or Originating Application (OA) (for matters commenced on or after 1 April 2022) | $100 |
File the supporting affidavit with supporting documents |
|
File the Memorandum of Service |
|
Note: This table does not additional fees payable to the LawNet & CrimsonLogic Service Bureau.
How to file and serve (standard proceedings)
The steps depend on whether you are applying for an interim order together with the final order.
You may choose to file personally or through a lawyer. If you are represented by a lawyer, the application will be filed by your lawyer.
If you are not represented by a lawyer, follow these steps to file and serve your application.
Step | Result |
|---|---|
| 1. File the application | Your application is filed in the PHC. |
| 2. Collect the endorsed documents | You receive a copy of the documents that have been endorsed by the PHC. |
| 3. Serve the application | You inform the respondent of your application. |
| 4. File a Memorandum of Service | The PHC receives proof that you have served the application on the respondent. |
1. File the application
File your prepared documents through eLitigation. Visit the LawNet & CrimsonLogic Service Bureau to file in person.
2. Collect the endorsed documents
The Service Bureau will notify you via email or SMS of the outcome of your application.
If the court accepts your application, you will be asked to return to the Service Bureau to collect an endorsed version of the documents. This will include the date, time and venue of a pre-trial conference (PTC) (for matters commenced before 1 April 2022) or case conference (CC) (for matters commenced on or after 1 April 2022) that you and the other party must attend.
3. Serve the application
When: within 14 days after the date of filing the application
You will need to serve a copy of the endorsed documents on the respondent. This informs the respondent of the application and the court proceeding that they must attend.
You can serve in one or more of the following ways if you know the respondent's proper address:
- Leave with that person a copy of the document.
- Post a copy of the document on the front door of that person's proper address.
- Send a copy of that document by registered post to that person's proper address.
Note:
- If you wish to serve in other ways, you must file an application to the court.
- If you do not know the respondent's proper address, the court may direct you to serve in other ways, according to Rule 69 of the Supreme Court of Judicature (Protection from Harassment) Rules. Examples include sending an electronic communication of the document to the respondent's email address or social media account, where applicable.
4. File a Memorandum of Service
When: within 8 days from the date you serve the documents on the respondent
Within 8 days from the date you serve the documents on the respondent, you must file a Memorandum of Service (Form 21, Supreme Court of Judicature (Protection from Harassment) Rules) through eLitigation. This serves as proof that you have served the application on the respondent.
After you file
The respondent (or anyone else who has been served with your application) may file a reply within 14 days after the date of service of your documents.
Both you and the respondent will need to attend a PTC (for matters commenced before 1 April 2022) or CC (for matters commenced on or after 1 April 2022). Generally, this will be around 4 weeks after the date you filed your application. Find out what you need to prepare before attending the PTC (for matters commenced before 1 April 2022) or the CC (for matters commenced on or after 1 April 2022).
Interim orders include:
- Expedited Protection Order (EPO).
- Interim stop publication order (ISPO).
- Interim disabling order (IDO).
- Interim notification order (INO).
- Targeted interim notification order (TINO).
If you wish to apply for an interim order, you will need to file your prepared documents - the OS (for matters commenced before 1 April 2022) or the OA (for matters commenced on or after 1 April 2022), supporting affidavit and supporting documents - through eLitigation. You may choose to file personally or through a lawyer. If you are represented by a lawyer, the application will be filed by your lawyer.
If you are not represented by a lawyer, visit the LawNet & CrimsonLogic Service Bureau to file in person.
Note
Ensure that you have indicated in Part C of the supporting affidavit (Form 2 or Form 9) that you wish to apply for an interim or expedited order. You can only apply for an interim order that corresponds with a final order in your application.
After you file
The Service Bureau will notify you via email or SMS of the outcome of your application. If the court accepts your application, you will be asked to return to the Service Bureau to collect an endorsed version of the documents. This will include the date and time of a hearing that you must attend.
You will then need to follow these steps:
1. Attend a hearing
At the hearing, a judge will decide whether to grant the interim or expedited order. Generally, this hearing will be within 2 working days from the date you filed your application.
- If the court approves your application, you will be granted the interim or expedited order. You will need to serve both the order and your application documents on the respondent. You must serve the interim order as it only takes effect after service.
- If the court does not approve your application, you will not be granted the interim order. However, you will still need to serve your application documents on the respondent.
Note: The outcome of your application for an interim or expedited order does not affect your application for a final order. The court will hear these applications during separate sessions.
2. Serve the documents on the respondent
The judge will give you specific directions on how to serve the relevant documents on the respondent. This informs the respondent of your application and the court proceeding that they must attend.
The respondent (or anyone else who has been served with your application) may file a reply within 14 days after the date of service of your documents.
Both you and the respondent will need to attend a PTC (for matters commenced before 1 April 2022) or CC (for matters commenced on or after 1 April 2022). Generally, this will be scheduled around 4 weeks after the date you filed your claim. Find out what you need to prepare before attending the PTC (for matters commenced before 1 April 2022) or the CC (for matters commenced on or after 1 April 2022).
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.
Find out moreResources
Legislation associated with this topic includes:
- The Protection from Harassment Act.
- Supreme Court of Judicature (Protection from Harassment) Rules.
- Appendix B of the Rules of Court (for matters commenced before 1 April 2022).
- Fourth Schedule of the Rules of Court 2021 (for matters commenced on or after 1 April 2022).
Related questions
For matters commenced before 1 April 2022, the proper address of a person is defined in Order 62, Rule 6(2) of the Rules of Court as:
| If the party is represented by a lawyer | The business address of the solicitor who is acting for the party in the proceedings in connection with which service of the document in question is to be effected. |
| In the case of an individual | The individual's usual or last known address. |
| In the case of individuals who are suing or being sued in the name of a firm | The principal or last known place of business of the firm within the jurisdiction. |
| In the case of a body corporate | The registered or principal office of the body. |
For matters commenced on or after 1 April 2022, the proper address of a person is defined in Rule 2(1) of the Supreme Court of Judicature (Protection from Harassment) Rules as:
| In the case of a natural person | The person’s usual or last known address or the business address of the person’s solicitor. |
| In the case of an entity | Its registered or principal office or, if none exists, its last known place of business or its solicitor’s address. |
The court may allow you to serve the application outside of Singapore if the court is satisfied that:
- The respondent is not in Singapore.
- The circumstances of the case justify the service of the application out of Singapore.
You may seek legal advice if you are unsure if this applies to your case.
Go to Step-by-step guide
Step-by-step guide
Check if your case is eligible
File and serve the application
2021/07/23
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