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Before you file

Before you file, make sure you:

Tip
All applications must be filed through the Community Justice and Tribunals System (CJTS). If you need access to computers, visit the Business Centreat 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.
  • 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

1.File your claim

Your claim is filed in the SCT.

2.Serve the claim on the respondent

You inform the respondent of your claim.

3.File a Declaration Of Service (DOS)

Acknowledgement of service of claim to 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 Notice of Consultation on the respondent, you must file a DOS with proof of service in the CJTS.

Example
Examples of proof of service include a Singpost registered post slip or a form signed by the respondent to acknowledge that they have received the documents from you.

Login to CJTS. Under the Online Applications tab, select Declaration Of Service and follow the instructions.

For detailed instructions, refer to the CJTS user guide for small claims (PDF, 4434 KB).

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 more

Resources

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.
2021/07/23

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