This chapter provides information on cases heard in the Supreme Court from 1 November 2004 to 31 October 2005. Where 2004 figures are referenced, these are based on cases heard from 1 November 2003 to 31 October 2004.

Jurisdiction

Civil matters pertaining to claims above the value of $250,000 and probate matters where the value of the deceased’s estate exceeds $3 million are commenced in the High Court. Contested ancillary matters involving the division of matrimonial assets asserted to be worth $1.5 million or more in gross value are also heard in the High Court. In addition, company winding-up proceedings, admiralty proceedings and bankruptcy proceedings are solely dealt with in the High Court.

Criminal cases involving offences punishable with death or imprisonment for a term exceeding ten years also come before the High Court.

The High Court also hears both civil and criminal appeals arising from the decisions made in the Subordinate Courts. Appeals arising from the decisions of the High Court are heard in the Court of Appeal.

Disposal Rate

The disposal rate for all civil and criminal matters for 2005 was 96%. The disposal rate for all civil and criminal matters for the period of 2004 and 2005 are depicted in the diagram below.

Original Civil & Criminal Jurisdiction

For originating processes in 2005, the disposal rate was 97% as compared to 99% for 2004. Interlocutory applications also registered a decline in the disposal rate from 97% in 2004 to 94% in 2005.

For criminal matters, the disposal rate was 113%1 in 2005 as compared to 100% in 2004.

Appellate Civil & Criminal Jurisdiction

The disposal rate for appellate civil matters in 2005 was 96% as compared to 111% in 2004.

Appellate criminal matters registered a significantly higher disposal rate of 120% in 2005 as compared to 95% in 2004. This was largely attributable to a higher disposal rate for Magistrate’s Appeals and criminal revisions.

The volume of caseload and disposal of civil and criminal proceedings, including enforcement proceedings, for 2005 and 2004 are provided in the tables that follow.

 

CASELOAD

The number of civil and criminal matters filed in the Supreme Court in 2004 and 2005 is illustrated in the following table. In 2005, the Supreme Court received a total of 17,571 new matters. This comprised 15,742 original civil matters, 38 original criminal matters, 842 appellate civil matters, 82 appellate criminal matters, and 867 taxation and enforcement proceedings.

 

DISPOSAL

The following table provides the number of civil and criminal matters disposed of by the Supreme Court in 2004 and 2005. In 2005, the Supreme Court disposed of a total of 16,012 matters. This comprised 15,060 original civil matters, 43 original criminal matters, 811 appellate civil matters and 98 appellate criminal matters.

1   Percentage may exceed 100% when the disposal figure is greater than the filing figure. Disposal figures may include the previous year’s caseload disposed in current year.
2 Registrars’ Appeals include matters arising from the decisions of Registrars in both the High Court and the Subordinate Courts.
3 These include Warrants for Committal for Contempt of Court, Orders for Attachment under the Debtor’s Act, Writs of Delivery and Orders pursuant to Section 23 of the Distress Act.

 

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