SINGAPORE — Various steps are being taken to make the justice system more affordable and compassionate, with the Ministry of Law undertaking a review of the criminal and civil justice systems. This will range from exploring whether more can be eligible for community-based sentencing regimes, and claim limits at the Small Claims Tribunals.

Speaking in Parliament yesterday during the Committee of Supply debate for the Law Ministry, Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said of the criminal justice system: “Given how quickly technology has advanced and crime has evolved, our laws and practices must keep pace.”

Expanding the pool for community-based sentencing — which includes options like ordering offenders with psychiatric conditions to undergo treatment or ordering community service — will help with the rehabilitation process, said Mr Shanmugam.

Meanwhile, in the civil justice system, up for review are the framework for legal costs and fee structures to ensure affordability, and the enhancing of judicial control over litigation, said the minister, adding that more details would be announced in due course.

During the debate, Senior Minister of State (Law and Finance) Indranee Rajah offered updates on the many areas of community justice.

The Community Disputes Resolution Tribunal, an avenue for feuding neighbours to settle their differences, started operations last October. By end January, 32 claims had been filed. Most involved complaints pertaining to excessive noise, littering, obstruction or interference with movable property.

Of the 13 claims referred by the tribunal to mediation, four have been settled, while another five are awaiting mediation. The remaining cases were sent back to the tribunal.

In total, 11 claims have been “disposed of”, and 21 are still pending. “These are early results but they are positive,” said Ms Rajah.

On the Protection from Harassment Act, 171 applications for protection orders have been filed as at end January by victims of online, sexual, workplace and debt collection-related harassment, among others. There were also 799 Magistrate’s Complaints lodged. Fifty-four protection orders and 45 expedited protection orders were granted.

“A number of applications were also withdrawn. This suggests that some disputes are being resolved amicably,” said Ms Rajah.  

During the debate yesterday, MPs raised questions about keeping Singapore law relevant, helping small and medium law firms and improving access to legal aid.

Labour Member of Parliament Patrick Tay (West Coast GRC) urged Minlaw to review the jurisdiction of the Small Claims Tribunals “so that more people can have economical and expedient orders and judgment to their contractual claims”.

“In particular, I know many professional freelancers who are on a contract for service. They use the Small Claims Tribunals when they are not paid or when their payments are delayed, especially for work rendered,” said Mr Tay, who is assistant secretary-general of the labour movement.

In response, Ms Rajah said that the claims limits of the tribunals were included in the review of the Small Claims Tribunals Act, carried out by Minlaw and the State Courts.