Registrar's Circular No. 6 2022

In line with the announcement by the Multi-Ministry Taskforce on the easing of certain Safe Management Measures with effect from 29 March 2022, paragraph 5 of Registrar’s Circular No. 5 of 2020 (which paragraph limits the persons who may appear or attend physically at a hearing) will cease to apply with immediate effect. Where the Court determines that physical attendance before the Court is appropriate, the number of persons who may appear at the hearing will be subject to the overall capacity of the courtroom.

2. For the avoidance of doubt, in relation to Registrar’s Circular No. 5 of 2020 (which Circular specifies the measures put in place in the State Courts to reduce the local transmission of COVID-19):

(a) Paragraph 1 of that Circular applies as if the reference in that paragraph to “the State Courts website at https://www.statecourts.gov.sg were a reference to the Singapore Courts website at https://www.judiciary.gov.sg.

(b) Section F of the Schedule of that Circular applies as if:

(i) the references to “the State Courts website” were references to the Singapore Courts website;

(ii) the reference to “Practice Direction 110(1)” were a reference to Practice Direction 110(1) of the State Courts Practice Directions 2014 and, in relation to proceedings commenced on or after 1 April 2022, a reference to Practice Direction 10(1) of the State Courts Practice Directions 2021;

(iii) the reference to “Practice Directions 110(2) and (3)” were a reference to Practice Directions 110(2) and (3) of the State Courts Practice Directions 2014 and, in relation to proceedings commenced on or after 1 April 2022, a reference to Practice Directions 10(2) and (3) of the State Courts Practice Directions 2021;

(iv) the reference to “Practice Direction 111(1)” were a reference to Practice Direction 111(1) of the State Courts Practice Directions 2014 and, in relation to proceedings commenced on or after 1 April 2022, a reference to Practice Direction 11(1) of the State Courts Practice Directions 2021;

(v) the reference to “Practice Directions 111(5) and (8)” were a reference to Practice Directions 111(5) and (3) of the State Courts Practice Directions 2014 respectively and, in relation to proceedings commenced on or after 1 April 2022, a reference to Practice Directions 11(5) and (3) of the State Courts Practice Directions 2021 respectively; and

(vi) the reference to “Practice Direction 111(2)” were a reference to the relevant page of the Singapore Courts website on Magistrate’s Complaints (at https://www.judiciary.gov.sg/criminal/magistrates-complaints).

3. For the avoidance of doubt, Registrar’s Circular No. 10 of 2020 (which Circular sets out updates on measures relating to COVID-19 after the end of the circuit breaker period) applies as if:

(a) The reference in paragraph 3 of that Circular to “Order 38A Rule 1 of the Rules of Court” were a reference to Order 38A Rule 1 of the Rules of Court (Cap. 322, R 5, 2014 Ed.) and, in relation toproceedings commenced on or after 1 April 2022, a reference to Order 15 Rule 11(6) of the Rules of Court 2021 (G.N. No. S 914/2021).

(b) The reference in paragraph 4 of that Circular to “the State Courts website
https://www.statecourts.gov.sg/cws/covid-19/Pages/COVID-19.aspx” were a reference to the Singapore Courts website at https://www.judiciary.gov.sg/covid-19.

4. Except as provided in paragraph 1 and clarified in paragraphs 2 and 3 above, Registrar’s Circular No. 5 of 2020 and Registrar’s Circular No. 10 of 2020 will continue to apply until further notice.

5. All court users and visitors are advised to refer to the Singapore Courts website at
https://www.judiciary.gov.sg for the latest information and updates, especially prior to visiting the Court premises.

Dated this 20^th day of April 2022.