Registrar's Circular No. 1 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. 3 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. To avoid doubt, in relation to Registrar’s Circular No. 3 of 2020 (which Circular specifies the measures put in place in the Supreme Court to reduce the local transmission of COVID-19):

(a) paragraph 1 of that Circular applies as if the reference in that paragraph to “the Supreme Court website at https://www.supremecourt.gov.sg” were a reference to the Singapore Courts website at https://www.judiciary.gov.sg;

(b) Schedule 1 of that Circular applies to a hearing before the Appellate Division of the High Court, or a court of 3 Supreme Court Judges mentioned in the Legal Profession Act 1966, as it applies to the Court of Appeal;

(c) Schedule 1 of that Circular applies to a hearing before the General Division of the High Court consisting of any uneven number of Judges as it applies to a hearing before a High Court Judge; and

(d) Schedule 1 of that Circular applies as if the reference in that Schedule to “paragraph 12(4) and (6) of the Supreme Court Practice Directions” were a reference to paragraph 12(4) and (6) of the Supreme Court Practice Directions 2013 and, in relation to proceedings commenced on or after 1 April 2022, a reference to paragraph 86(4) and (6) of the Supreme Court Practice Directions 2021.

3. To avoid doubt, Registrar’s Circular No. 6 of 2020 (which Circular sets out updates on measures relating to COVID-19 after 1 June 2020) applies as if:

(a) the reference in paragraph 2 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 to proceedings 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); and

(b) the references in paragraphs 3 and 5 of that Circular to “the Supreme Court website at https://www.supremecourt.gov.sg” were references to the Singapore Courts website at https://www.judiciary.gov.sg.

4. Except as provided in paragraph 1, and as clarified in paragraphs 2 and 3, Registrar’s Circular No. 3 of 2020 and Registrar’s Circular No. 6 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 31st day of March 2022.