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Justice Vincent Hoong: Welcome address at the Small Claims Tribunals 40th Anniversary Symposium
Small Claims Tribunals 40th Anniversary Symposium 2025
Welcome Address
Wednesday, 16 April 2025
Justice Vincent Hoong
Presiding Judge of the State Courts
The Honourable Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon
The Honourable Minister of State for Law and Transport, Mr Murali Pillai SC
Fellow Judges
Deputy Attorneys-General
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
1. Introduction
1.1. Good morning and a very warm welcome to the State Courts. The symposium today commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Small Claims Tribunals (or “SCTs” in short). This is an opportune time for us to reflect on the development of the SCTs over the years, and the indispensable role these tribunals play within our justice system.
1.2. Allow me to begin by highlighting some of the SCTs’ notable characteristics.
2. Notable characteristics
2.1. By way of background, the SCTs came into operation in 1985. They are the oldest of three different tribunals in the State Courts. The SCTs were originally meant to be “experimental”,(1) but have evolved to keep pace with societal needs and advancements in technology. At the same time, filing fees have remained affordable. Cases commonly heard before the SCTs include disputes arising from contracts for the provision of goods or services, renovation-related matters, and tenancy agreements. The SCTs' current monetary jurisdiction is $20,000 but this can be increased to $30,000 with the consent of parties.(2)
2.2. Almost 50,000 cases were filed in the SCTs between 2020 and 2024. Notably, there was a near constant year-on-year increase in the number of cases filed during this period.(3) The rising caseload is reflective of the SCTs' core purpose: to widen and democratise access to quality justice. Court users are no longer confronted with the difficult dilemma of having to either expend disproportionate financial resources to assert their legal rights or forego otherwise meritorious claims because of monetary constraints.
2.3. The SCTs operate on a statutorily prescribed judge-led model.(4) These simplified procedures are designed to minimise technical impediments while giving parties a viable avenue in which to resolve common civil disputes. Amongst other things, the judge-led model entails that the tribunal identifies the key legal issues, takes the lead in posing pertinent questions to parties, and directs parties to adduce further evidence where necessary. This proactive approach towards dispute resolution ensures that parties are not prejudiced by the fact that they must act in person, without recourse to direct legal representation.
2.4. While amicable settlement is encouraged,(5) this may not always be possible, and adjudicated outcomes are sometimes necessary. Against this backdrop, our Judicial Officers and Tribunal Magistrates regularly deliver detailed oral judgments to explain their decisions in adjudicated cases in the SCTs. These oral judgments are also made available to parties on their application. As I reminded my colleagues earlier this year in my address at the Opening of the Legal Year, it is our duty as judges to deliver clear and well-reasoned judgments for parties to appreciate that our decisions are a result of a careful consideration of all relevant evidence and submissions. In doing so, we underscore our commitment to open justice and the rule of law.(6) I am pleased to report that our Judicial Officers and Tribunal Magistrates who hear cases in the SCTs have risen admirably to this challenge.
2.5. In the symposium, we will be launching a commemorative publication which traces the evolution of the SCTs and explains the work of these tribunals in greater detail. This commemorative publication honours the efforts of many who have tirelessly worked to shape the SCTs and improve its judicial and systemic processes. This publication is a labour of love by our Judicial Officers and Tribunal Magistrates in the Community Courts and Tribunals Cluster, who have devoted much time and energy to work on it, on top of their usual hearing duties. I commend the publication as a valuable resource for understanding the evolution of the SCTs, the vital functions that these tribunals perform, and the wealth of case law which the SCTs have developed to help court users gain a better understanding of the applicable principles relating to disputes that are regularly heard by the SCTs.
3. Notable developments
3.1. I now turn to focus on notable developments which have improved the SCTs over the years. In recent times, due in large part to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, our courts, including the SCTs, have been quick to optimise the use of technology to improve the court user experience for all litigants. It is now entirely plausible for the entirety of an SCT claim to proceed from filing to adjudication without parties having to physically travel to the courthouse. Parties can file and defend claims by accessing the online Community Justice and Tribunals System (or CJTS) with their Singpass accounts. Court attendance via video-link is available by default for parties who consent to remote hearings. This coheres with our goal of keeping court processes as seamless as possible; and the imperative to confront the “physical gap” which self-represented persons may experience in pursuing justice.
3.2. The SCTs have also embraced innovation in other areas. The recent implementation of the Defects Checklist, an initiative which received the Chief Justice Innovation Award in 2024, exemplifies this commitment. This online tool, which is integrated with CJTS, has streamlined the process of resolving disputes relating to defective goods or services, particularly in areas such as renovation claims. By providing a structured framework for identifying items in dispute, the checklist facilitates clearer communication between parties and reduces the need for protracted hearings.
3.3. The SCTs are also leveraging developments in Generative Artificial Intelligence (or AI). In collaboration with Harvey.AI, which is a pioneer in law-related AI, the SCTs have started offering complimentary AI-driven translation services for documents in cases before the SCTs. This initiative will expand in scope to allow parties to obtain AI-generated summaries of case documents.
3.4. The success of the SCTs is also built upon an ethos of collaboration with fellow stakeholders. This is why we will shortly witness the signing of an MOU between the SCTs and the Consumers Association of Singapore (or “CASE”). A key premise of this MOU is deepening cooperation in the management of consumer disputes. The SCTs and CASE share common areas of interest and greater good can only emerge when resources are shared and strategies aligned in terms of our training, knowledge sharing and public education. These are all oriented towards improving the court user experience for parties who may potentially require recourse to the SCTs.
3.5. Indeed, a key theme which will be strongly evident from this symposium is that the State Courts will continue to invest our time and resources, and collaborate with valued partners, towards ensuring that the SCTs remain an accessible and effective forum for the resolution of common civil disputes in an increasingly dynamic legal landscape, in pursuit of the evergreen goal of enhancing access to quality justice for all whom the SCTs exist to serve.
4. Conclusion
4.1. In conclusion, from humble beginnings, the SCTs have grown to become an indispensable part of Singapore’s administration of justice in the last four decades. The SCTs have accomplished this by faithfully striving to offer court users an efficient and affordable avenue for the resolution of common civil disputes. This is an important legacy worth preserving and fighting for. The various characteristics and developments which I have touched on today serve as benchmarks for what can be achieved when judicial officers and court administrators work hand in hand with abiding dedication and a firm commitment to excellence in delivering accessible and quality justice. They stand us in good stead as we strive to ensure that the SCTs continue to merit the public’s trust and confidence. All of this would not be possible without the diligence and dedication of all my colleagues in the Community Courts and Tribunals Cluster, led very ably by my colleagues, Principal District Judge Thian Yee Sze and Deputy Principal District Judge Jasbendar Kaur. I am very proud of all of them.
4.2. Thank you very much for your attendance today. I wish each and every one of you a fruitful and enjoyable symposium.
(1) Singapore Parliamentary Debates, Official Report (24 August 1984), vol 44 at col(s) 2002 and 2015 (Professor S Jayakumar, Second Minister for Law and Home Affairs).
(2) Sections 2(1) and 5(4) of the Small Claims Tribunals Act 1984 (the SCTA) collectively delineate the monetary jurisdiction of the SCTs.
(3) The number of cases filed in the SCTs in the preceding five years are as follows: 8,902 (2020), 9,280 (2021), 9,113 (2022), 10,288 (2023), and 11,771 (2024).
(4) Section 22(2) of the SCTA states that a tribunal is to adopt a judge-led approach when dealing with a claim.
(5) Section 12(1) of the SCTA states that the primary function of a tribunal is to attempt to bring the parties in a dispute to an agreed settlement.
(6) Vincent Hoong J, Speech at the State Courts Opening of the Legal Year in 2025 at [4.3].
Topics:
Collaborations and MOUs
2025/04/16
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