Apply to change a court date

The procedure for applying to change a court date will depend on your case type.

For criminal cases

If you are representing yourself in a criminal case, you can change your court date in one of the following ways:

• Via the Integrated Case Management System (ICMS).
• In writing to the Registrar of the State Courts.
  • You will need to include your name, identity card (NRIC) number, case number, the original court date, the court in which your matter is fixed and the reasons for changing your court date in your letter.
• (For Night Court cases) Completing and submitting the Application for Adjournment Form (PDF, 133 KB) to the Registrar of the State Courts.

Once your application is made, it will be referred to the relevant judge for consideration. If your application is approved, you and your bailor (if any) will be notified in writing or via ICMS of the new date and time to attend your court session.

If your application is not approved, you will also be notified in writing that you are to attend court on the original date stated.

If you do not attend court

A Warrant of Arrest may be issued against you if you do not attend court.

If you do not attend court while on bail (also known as jumping bail), your bailor will have to explain to the court the reasonable efforts that had been made in carrying out the bailor duties. In the event the court does not find that your bailor has valid explanations, your bailor may lose the money or property pledged as security.

For tribunal cases

If you are the party who files the claim (the claimant or plaintiff) or the party against whom the claim is filed (the respondent), you must attend any of the following (if applicable):

• For small claims: consultations and Small Claims Tribunals (SCT) hearings.
• For employment claims: case management conferences (CMC) and Employment Claims Tribunals (ECT) hearings.
• For neighbour dispute claims: pre-trial conferences (PTC) and Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals (CDRT) hearings.

If you are not able to attend, you can apply to change your court date via the Community Justice and Tribunals System (CJTS). Login to CJTS and select Request for Change of Court Date under the Online Applications.

You will have to provide the reasons for your application and upload supporting documents to substantiate your reasons stated.

If your application is approved, the court will inform both you and the other party of the new court date. If you do not receive a response, you must attend the court session as scheduled.

If you do not attend court

The court may continue with the proceedings and issue a default order against you if you do not attend court. For example, if you are the claimant or plaintiff, your claim may be dismissed. If you are the respondent, a default judgment may be made in favour of the claimant.

For civil cases

The procedure to adjourn or vacate a hearing depends on the type of court session you have to attend.

For civil trials

If you are representing yourself in a civil trial, you will have to file the following via eLitigation at the LawNet & CrimsonLogic Service Bureau to apply to change your hearing date:

• A summons.
• A supporting affidavit containing the reasons for your application.
  • The affidavit should state whether the other parties to the matter consent to the request and exhibit all documents in support of the application including any written correspondence with the other parties on the request.
  • Find out how to prepare an affidavit.

The court will notify you of the outcome of your application to adjourn or vacate the trial. If your application is accepted, a new hearing date will be scheduled.

If your application is not accepted or if you do not receive a response on the outcome of your application, you must attend court on the date as originally scheduled.

For any other hearings

If you are representing yourself in any hearing other than a civil trial, you will have to file a request via eLitigation at the LawNet & CrimsonLogic Service Bureau to apply to change your hearing date.

Your request should:

• Set out your reasons for adjourning or vacating the hearing.
• State whether the consent of all other parties to the matter had been obtained.
  • You should attach any relevant correspondence between the parties in your request.
  • If the consent of one or more parties is not obtained, the request should set out the reasons for the other parties’ objections, or explain why the consent of one or more of the other parties cannot be obtained.
• Be made at least 2 working days before your hearing date.

The court will notify you of the outcome of your application to adjourn or vacate the hearing. If your application is accepted, a new court date will be scheduled.

If your application is not accepted or if you do not receive a response on the outcome of your application, you must attend court on the date as originally scheduled.

If you do not attend court

If you do not attend a hearing, the court may proceed with the case in your absence and may make orders as the court deems fit. The orders that the court may make include (but are not limited to) the following:

• (For trials or pre-trial conferences) The court may dismiss your claim (if you are the plaintiff) or enter a default judgment against you (if you are the defendant).
• (For other applications) The court may strike off the application (if you are the applicant) or grant the application against you (if you are the respondent).