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How to file and serve a small claim
Before you file
Before you file, make sure you:
- Check that your case is eligible and take a pre-filing assessment.
- Find out the possible orders the Small Claims Tribunals (SCT) can make.
- Understand the small claims process.
Tip
All applications must be filed through the Community Justice and Tribunals System (CJTS). If you need access to computers, visit the Business Centre at Level 2 of the State Courts during the operating hours.
Key facts
If you are filing the claim, you are the claimant.
The other party is the respondent.
Refer to the following to find out how to file a small claim:
Who can file | An individual or a corporate entity with a claim that can be heard by the Small Claims Tribunals. |
When to file | Within 2 years of the event which creates your cause of action. Example: If a contract was broken on 15 November 2020, the last day to file a claim would be on 15 November 2022. |
Claim limit | $20,000. This can be raised to $30,000 if there is a Memorandum of Consent (DOCX, 38 KB) signed by both parties. |
Filing fees | Filing fees depend on your claim amount and if you are applying as an individual. Refer to this table. |
How long it takes | Most SCT cases conclude within 4 months of filing. |
Documents required | Depends on whether you are applying as an individual. Refer to this list. |
How to file | Through the Community Justice and Tribunals System (CJTS). |
Note
Lawyers are not allowed to represent parties in proceedings before the SCT.
Filing fees for a small claim
Claim amount | Individual | Other entity* |
|---|---|---|
Up to $5,000 | $10 | $50 |
Above $5,000 but up to $10,000 | $20 | $100 |
Above $10,000 but up to $20,000 | 1% of the amount claimed | 3% of the amount claimed |
Above $20,000 but up to $30,000 | 1% of the amount claimed | 3% of the amount claimed |
*Other entities include sole proprietorships, partnerships, unincorporated associations and other corporate organisations.
What you will need
For the application, you will need to provide:
- 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, contact number, email and address.
- The respondent's details, such as name and address.
- A summary of what you are claiming.
- The following documents.
Documents to upload for a small claim
You should prepare the following documents as PDF files.
Supporting documents for your claim. Examples include invoices, receipts, contracts, tenancy agreements, stamp duty certificates, photographs, emails or messages.
If your claim amount exceeds $20,000 but does not exceed $30,000
Memorandum of Consent (DOCX, 38 KB). This must be signed by both you and the respondent.If the respondent is a business entity
Respondent's ACRA business profile obtained within 1 month of filing.
- Purchase the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) business profile online on ACRA’s website. View this guide from ACRA for more information.
- Alternatively, you may enquire with any ACRA-accredited service providers, such as CrimsonLogic.
- Supporting documents for your claim. Examples include invoices, receipts, contracts, tenancy agreements, stamp duty certificates, photographs, emails or messages.
- Letter of Authorisation on your entity's letterhead.
- Find out how to prepare the Letter of Authorisation. You will need to present this every time you go to court.
- Your company's ACRA business profile obtained within 1 month of filing.
- Purchase the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) business profile online on ACRA’s website. View this guide from ACRA for more information.
If your claim amount exceeds $20,000 but does not exceed $30,000
Memorandum of Consent (DOCX, 38 KB): This must be signed by both you and the respondent.
If the respondent is a business entity
Respondent's ACRA business profile obtained within 1 month of filing.
Note
All documents not in English must be accompanied by an English translation.
How to file and serve a claim
You will need to follow these steps to file and serve your claim.
Step | Result |
|---|---|
Your claim is filed in the SCT. | |
You inform the respondent of your claim. | |
The SCT receives proof that you have served the claim on the respondent. |
When: within 2 years of the date of the cause of action
Log in to CJTS. Under the Online Applications tab, select Claim Form.
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 consultation date and time.
- Save and print a copy of the claim and Notice of Consultation to serve on the respondent.
For detailed instructions, refer to the CJTS user guide for small claims (PDF, 4434 KB)
When: within 7 days of filing the claim
After filing the claim, you must serve the claim and Notice of Consultation on the respondent within 7 days.
Note
A claim cannot be served outside Singapore.
You can serve a claim in one or more of the following ways:
Personal delivery | To an individual: Hand the notice to the respondent. To a company: Hand the notice to the staff or slip the notice under the door of the office premises. |
Registered post | To an individual: Send the documents by registered post to the party’s last known residential address or registered address. To a company: Send the documents to the party’s ACRA registered address, in an envelope addressed to the respondent. |
Note
If you are unable to serve the Notice of Consultation, proceed to attend the consultation. At the consultation, the registrar may direct you to serve by other means, for example, by email.
When: before the first consultation
After serving the claim, you must upload the Declaration of Service in CJTS. Under the Online Applications tab, select Submit Supporting Documents. This should be filed before the first consultation.
This Declaration of Service must include all of the following:
- Date and time when the Notice of Consultation was served on the respondent.
- Name of the person who served the notice. If the notice was served by a courier company, state the company’s details.
- Mode in which the notice was served (For example, personal delivery or registered post).
- Detailed outcome of serving the notice, such as whether the service was successful or unsuccessful.
After you file
Attend the consultation at the scheduled date and time.
Before going to court, you can try to resolve the dispute online with the respondent through eNegotiation or eMediation in CJTS.
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
Refer to A Guide to Small Claims (PDF, 544 KB)
Legislation associated with this topic includes:
Related questions
A cause of action is the set of facts which entitles you to start a court action against another party.
Example: A shopkeeper who does not get paid after delivering goods to a customer may have a cause of action to claim the price for the unpaid goods.
You will not be able to submit a claim at the SCT if you do not provide the particulars of the person you intend to file your claim against.
Go to Step-by-step guide
Step-by-step guide
Check if your case is eligible
File and serve a small claim
Resolve the dispute online
File an application, if needed
2021/07/23
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