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Respond to a civil claim

If you receive a Writ of Summons or Originating Summons, it means that a party has started a civil claim against you. Find out what you can do in response.

Note

This page is for matters that the Rules of Court 2014 apply to. For content relating to matters that the Rules of Court 2021 apply, click here.

If you are uncertain as to which version of the Rules of Court applies to your matter, click here.

Before you respond to a civil claim

A civil action begins when a party (the plaintiff) files a claim document called an originating process against another party (the defendant).

This document can either be a Writ of Summons (Writ) or an Originating Summons (OS), depending on the nature of the case.

Refer to the following to find out which court process you have to follow and the conditions that apply:

You will have to...	The process applies for any of the following...
Respond to a civil claim made by Writ of Summons (simplified civil process)	You have been served a Writ by the plaintiff or their lawyers (if any) that states the plaintiff is claiming for a sum up to $60,000. You have been served a Writ by the plaintiff or their lawyers (if any) that states the plaintiff is claiming for a sum between $60,000 and $250,000, or up to $500,000 for a road traffic accident or personal injuries arising out of industrial accidents and you consent for the simplified civil process to apply for the case.
Respond to a civil claim made by a Writ of Summons	You have been served a Writ by the plaintiff or their lawyers (if any) that states the plaintiff is claiming for a sum between $60,000 and $250,000, or up to $500,000 for a road traffic accident or personal injuries arising out of industrial accidents. You have been served a Writ by the plaintiff or their lawyers (if any) that states the plaintiff is claiming for a sum that exceeds $250,000, or exceeds $500,000 for a road traffic accident or personal injuries arising out of industrial accidents.
Respond to a civil claim made by an Originating Summons	You have been served an OS by the plaintiff or their lawyers (if any).

Note

This page is for matters that the Rules of Court 2014 apply to. For content relating to matters that the Rules of Court 2021 apply, click here.

If you are uncertain as to which version of the Rules of Court applies to your matter, click here.

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Respond to a civil claim

Before you respond to a civil claim

Singapore Courts