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Waiting Periods



Targets for waiting periods for various court processes have been set as part of the Supreme Court’s commitment to the provision of quality public service. These targets are reviewed annually to ensure that they are realistic and match international benchmarks. The Supreme Court endeavours to achieve 90% compliance with all targets set. For the past few years, the targets set have been consistently achieved.


The average timelines for waiting periods that were achieved in 2008 and 2009 are set out in the tables that follow. In particular, trial dates for civil cases were given within four weeks of the date of set down.



Original Civil Jurisdiction



Type of Proceedings Target set by Department
Achievement†
2008
2009
Trials in Writ Action 8 weeks from date
of set down to trial		 3.2 weeks 3.1 weeks
Originating Summonses (OS)      
(i) Inter-partes 5 weeks from date
of filing of the OS		 4.5 weeks 4.4 weeks
(ii) Ex-parte 3 weeks from date
of filing of the OS		 1.5 weeks 1.7 weeks
Bankruptcy OSˆ 6 weeks from date
of filing of the OS		 4.0 weeks 3.4 weeks
Company Winding-Up OS 4 weeks from date
of filing of the OS		 3.6 weeks 3.5 weeks
Probate OS 5 weeks from date
of filing of the OS		 3.1 weeks 3.2 weeks
Summonses (SUM)      
(i) Summonses for summary judgment pursuant to Order 14 of the Rules of Court 5 weeks from date of filing of the SUM (statutory minimum period of 4.4 weeks) 4.8 weeks 4.8 weeks
(ii) All other summonses 3 weeks from date of filing of the SUM Before Judge
1.6 weeks

Before Registrar
1.2 weeks		 Before Judge
1.2 weeks

Before Registrar
1.2 weeks
Probate SUM 4 weeks from date
of filing of the SUM		 2.5
weeks		 2.4
weeks
Bankruptcy SUM∂ 4 weeks from date of filing of the application (statutory minimum period of 3 weeks) 4.0 weeks 4.0 weeks




Original Criminal Jurisdiction



Type of Proceedings Target set by Department
Achievement†
2008
2009
Trials of Criminal Cases 6 weeks from date of
preliminary inquiry		 6.0 weeks 6.0 weeks


Appellate Civil Jurisdiction



Type of Proceedings Target set by Department
Achievement†
2008
2009
Appeal to the Court of Appeal      
(i) Civil appeal heard before 2 Judges Ready to be heard within 12 weeks from date of notification to collect records of proceedings (ROP) 12.0 weeks 12.0 weeks
(ii) Civil appeal heard before 3 Judges Ready to be heard within 16 weeks from date of notification to collect ROP 15.6 weeks 15.9 weeks
Registrar’s Appeal to the High Court Judge in Chambers 3 weeks from date of filing of appeal 2.2 weeks 2.1 weeks
  4 weeks from date of filing of appeal (against assessment of damages) 2.4 weeks 2.5 weeks
Appeals to the High Court from the Subordinate Courts 4 weeks from date of receipt of ROP 3.2 weeks 3.3 weeks


Appellate Criminal Jurisdiction



Type of Proceedings Target set by Department
Achievement†
2008
2009
Appeal to the Court of Appeal 8 weeks after the week of receipt of the last confirmation of the ROP 7.4 weeks 8.0 weeks
Appeal to the High Court from the Subordinate Courts 8 weeks from date of receipt of ROP 5.0 weeks 5.2 weeks


† “Achievement” refers to the average timelines attained for the year and excludes court vacations.


ˆ This item refers to applications for bankruptcy orders (known as bankruptcy petitions prior to April 2006) only.


∂ This item refers to applications for discharge only.