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Set down for trial (from 1 April 2022)
After all pre-trial matters have been dealt with and the parties are ready for trial, parties should set down the case for trial.
Note
This page is for matters that the Rules of Court 2021 apply to. For content relating to matters that the Rules of Court 2014 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 pre-trial processes for civil cases begun by an Originating Claim (OC) and heard in the Magistrate’s Court (non-injury motor accident action and any action for personal injuries), the District Court or the General Division of the High Court.
Civil cases begun by an OC and heard in the Magistrate's Court (except non-injury motor accident action and any action for personal injuries).
Civil cases begun by an OC and heard in the District Court where all parties consent to the application of the simplified civil process.
Setting down an action for trial
Once all the pre-trial matters have been dealt with and the parties are ready for trial, the case must be set down for trial.
In general, the court will direct the party who filed the claim (the Claimant) to file the Notice for Setting Down Action for Trial. The Court will also give directions to the parties to file and serve –
(a) Their affidavits of evidence-in-chief or other affidavits (if such directions have not been given earlier);
(b) The bundles of documents; and
(c) Their opening statements (with a page limit of 25 pages) without the need for bundles of authorities.
What you will need
If you are the Claimant, you will need to prepare the following before you file:
You must state the length of the trial, the trial dates and the witnesses (if any) for each party in the Notice.
(For Magistrate’s Court and District Court cases) You will have to pay the hearing fees when filing the Notice, unless otherwise ordered by the court.
(For General Division of the High Court cases) If you are intending to set down for 4 days or more trial days, you will have to pay the hearing fees when filing the Notice, unless otherwise ordered by the court.
The orders of the Court given at the case conferences which are relevant for the trial; and
The documents which the parties are relying on at the trial, separating them into sections for documents of which authenticity is not in dispute and documents of which authenticity is in dispute.
The bundle of documents must be arranged chronologically or in some other meaningful order and must not contain repeat documents or documents which have not been exchanged or produced under Order 11.
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 for filing the documents. You may also refer to Fourth Schedule of the Rules of Court 2021 for the full list of court fees.
Setting down a cause or matter for hearing or judgment
$200
Filing of the bundle
$10
Magistrate's Court Cases
Item or service
Fees
Setting down a cause or matter for hearing or judgment
$150
Filing of the bundle
$10
Refer to the following for the filing fees if your claim is up to $1 million. In addition to the fees listed in the table, there are also other fees payable to the LawNet & CrimsonLogic Service Bureau.
Item or service
Fees
Setting down an action for trial
$500
Filing of the bundle
$50
Refer to the following for the filing fees if your claim is more than $1 million. In addition to the fees listed in the table, there are also other fees payable to the LawNet & CrimsonLogic Service Bureau.
Item or service
Fees
Setting down an action for trial
$1,000
Filing of the bundle
$100
After you file
After you file, you must serve a copy of the Notice for Setting Down an Action for Trial on all parties within 24 hours from the time that the Notice is filed.
For State Courts cases, parties will then have to attend a pre-trial case conference to confirm that all matters are dealt with before the court fixes the trial dates.
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.