Media Release: Increase in State Courts’ jurisdiction for certain claims

1 With effect from 1 December 2016, the State Courts’ jurisdiction for claims arising from road traffic accidents and claims for personal injuries resulting from industrial accidents will be increased from $250,000 to $500,000. The change is part of the plans to increase the civil district courts’ monetary jurisdictional limit in phases, which was announced by the Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon at the State Courts Workplan 2016¹ .

2 Parties who wish to file for damages of between $250,000 and $500,000 for claims arising from such cases will still commence action in the High Court. These cases will then be automatically transferred to the State Courts’ civil district courts, and they will follow the same statutes, Rules of Court and Practice Directions, and hearing and appellate structure that are currently applicable to district court cases of the same nature.

3 Please refer to Annex A for a graphical overview of the increase in the State Courts’ jurisdiction for claims arising from road traffic accidents and personal injuries resulting from industrial accidents.

4 For queries pertaining to the change in jurisdiction, the public can call the State Courts at 1800-JUSTICE (1800-5878423) or email their enquiries to contact@statecourts.gov.sg. 

¹For the full version of the Chief Justice’s Keynote Address at the State Courts Workplan 2016, please go to: https://www.statecourts.gov.sg/NewsAndEvents/Pages/Media-Release-State-Courts-Workplan-2016- “Charting-the-Future-Together”.aspx.  

Issued by : State Courts and Supreme Court
Date : 25 November 2016

For further information or clarification, please contact:
Ms Cheryl Ho
Senior Executive
Communications Directorate
State Courts
Tel: 6435 5498 cheryl_ho@statecourts.gov.sg

Mr Khurshed Haron
Assistant Director
Office of Public Affairs
Supreme Court of Singapore
Tel: 6332 6164 khurshed_haron@supcourt.gov.sg

Annex A

Overview of the Increase in State Courts’ Jurisdiction for Claims arising out of Road Traffic Accidents and Personal Injuries arising out of Industrial Accidents