Official website links end with .gov.sg
A Singapore Government Agency Website
Secure websites use HTTPS
How to respond to a neighbour dispute claim
Before responding to a claim
Before you respond, make sure you:
- View details of the claim made against you on the Community Justice and Tribunals System (CJTS).
- You will be able to view the case details, file applications, monitor the progress of the case and check when you have to attend court once you have logged in.
- Understand the process of responding to a neighbour dispute claim.
- Understand the orders the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals (CDRT) can make.
- Understand how you should prepare your evidence.
- Read about past cases heard by the CDRT and their outcomes.
Tip
All applications must be filed through CJTS. If you need access to computers to respond to your claim, visit the Business Centre at the State Courts, Level 2 during operating hours.
Options you can take
The party who filed the claim is known as the plaintiff (for matters commenced before 1 April 2022) or claimant (for matters commenced on or after 1 April 2022).
You are the respondent.
You can respond to the claim in one of the following ways:
You may resolve the claim by initiating an online negotiation on CJTS. You should follow the instructions attached to the claim form served on you to settle the claim.
If both parties manage to reach a settlement, the plaintiff or claimant may apply to withdraw the claim. Alternatively, either party may apply for a consent order to be issued.
If the dispute is not settled by the date of the pre-trial conference (PTC) or case conference as stated in the Notice of Pre-trial or Case Conference served on you, you must attend the PTC or case conference.
If you do not agree with the claim, you must file and serve a Reply within 14 days after being served with the claim.
Key facts
Refer to the following to find out how to file and serve a Reply.
When to file and serve | Within 14 days after being served with a neighbour dispute claim. |
Filing fees | $20 |
How to apply | Through CJTS. |
What you will need
You should prepare the following (where applicable) before you file:
- Claim or application number.
- Your Reply to each of the incidents listed in CJTS.
- You may refer to the sample information for filing guide (PDF, 315 KB) for instructions.
- A soft copy of the evidence to be provided in support of your application in PDF format.
- You will need to upload evidence to substantiate your Reply to each incident mentioned via CJTS. Refer to Prepare evidence for a neighbour dispute claim for instructions on filing evidence.
- A soft copy of other supporting documents in PDF format.
- All supporting documents submitted must be in the English language. Otherwise, a certified translation for the documents must be provided.
How to file and serve
You will need to follow these steps to file a Reply:
- Log in to CJTS. Under the Online Applications tab, select Reply Form and follow the instructions to fill in the required information.
- For detailed instructions, refer to the CJTS user guide for filing neighbour disputes (PDF, 3015 KB)
- Print and serve a copy of your Reply and all your evidence submitted to the plaintiff or claimant within 14 days after the date you were served with the claim.
You may serve the documents on the plaintiff through one of the following ways:
Service method | What it is |
|---|---|
Personal service | Delivering hard copies of the documents personally to the plaintiff or claimant. |
Registered post | Sending hard copies of the documents in an envelope to the last known residential or registered address of the respondent. |
CJTS | Submitting soft copies of the documents to the plaintiff or claimant through CJTS. |
Others | Delivering the documents by any means as directed by the CDRT. |
After you file a Reply
You must attend the PTC or case conference on the specified date and time as stated on the Notice of Pre-trial or Case Conference.
If you are absent from the PTC or case conference, the court may continue with the proceedings and issue a default order against you.
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 moreResources
Refer to the Guide to Neighbour Dispute Claims (PDF, 4099 KB).
Legislation associated with this topic include:
Refer to
- Paragraph 141 and 141A of the State Courts Practice Directions for community dispute resolution, for matters commenced before 1 April 2022.
- Paragraph 129 of the State Courts Practice Directions 2021 for community dispute resolution, for matters commenced on or after 1 April 2022.
Related questions
You can file a claim provided you have obtained the previous sanction of the Official Assignee. The sanction has to be uploaded under Other Supporting Documents of the claim in CJTS.
Go to Step-by-step guide
Step-by-step guide
Understand neighbour dispute claims and respond
Resolve the dispute online
2022/04/01
Share this page:
