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Corporate Planning Directorate Digital Transcription Services Interpreters Special Projects Corporate Services Directorate Human Resource and Administration Library Office Management and Security Legal Directorate Disciplinary Tribunal EFS Statistics and Learning Unit Legal Registry Finance and Financial Policy Directorate Corporate Communications Directorate Corporate Planning Directorate The Corporate Planning Directorate comprises Court Reporting Services, the Interpreters Section and the Special Projects Section. Digital Transcription Services This unit provides audio recording of all open court proceedings using digital technology. Transcripts are made available to lawyers who wish to use them, on the payment of the usual fees to recover the cost of the services. Interpreters The Interpreters Section, which has a total staff strength of 22 Chinese, Malay and Indian interpreters, provides interpreting and translation services in the Supreme Court. It also handles the affirmation of oaths in respect of affidavits, and the taking of declarations relating to High Court matters. Special Projects The Special Projects Section takes charge of specific projects including the microfilming of court documents and the development of business continuity plans. Corporate Services Directorate The Corporate Services Directorate comprises the Human Resource and Administration, Office Management and Security as well as the Library. Human Resource and Administration The section manages staff service conditions, training and development, performance appraisal, recognition and promotion with a view to encouraging optimal staff performance. Library The Library serves the information needs of all court users, with its rich collection of legal resources and access to an extensive range of electronic databases. Besides loans and information services, the Library also provides document delivery and alert services to keep users updated on the latest legal developments both in Singapore and abroad. Office Management and Security The section provides logistical support and general office administration services to all staff and tenants. Apart from ensuring facilities are operational at all times, the section also ensures compliance with resource management requirements. The section also ensures the security and safety of the premises and occupants of the building.  Finance and Financial Policy Directorate The Finance and Financial Policy Directorate's mission is to promote proper stewardship of the Supreme Court's resources through the following:   • Application of best practices in resource management • Professional and responsive advice on optimal resource deployment • Providing timely and accurate management reports • Maintaining system integrity and internal control adequacy Corporate Communications Directorate The Corporate Communications Directorate comprises of two sections – the Corporate Communications Section and the International Relations Unit. The Corporate Communications Section’s main objective is to establish and maintain a pro-active corporate communications programme to achieve mutual understanding between the Supreme Court and the public. The International Relations Unit promotes the awareness of Singapore law and judicial/ arbitral institutions; raises the profile and international recognition of the Supreme Court Bench; exchanges best practices in judicial administration; provides opportunities for training and exposure of its legal officers and staff; and grows the Supreme Court’s own knowledge base. Legal Directorate The Legal Directorate comprises the following sections:  Support Services Disciplinary Tribunal The Disciplinary Tribunal processes disciplinary cases against lawyers, which have been referred to a Disciplinary Tribunal for formal investigation by the Council of the Law Society. The Secretariat assists the members of the Disciplinary Tribunal in the management of Disciplinary Tribunal cases within the framework laid down by the Legal Profession (Disciplinary Tribunal Proceedings) Rules, and provides administrative support to the members of the Disciplinary Tribunal during the conduct of Disciplinary Tribunal hearings. Electronic Filing System (EFS) The Electronic Filing System (EFS) Section provides administrative support to ensure the smooth operation of the Electronic Filing System. Statistics and Learning Unit This section focuses on developing and managing a statistical judicial information system of quality and integrity, to support the organisation's planning and key policy-making decisions. One of its main tasks is to drive process and outcome improvement through the analysis of caseload trend to facilitate the distribution of resources based on objective and quantifiable information. Legal Registry Functions The Registry is responsible for processing, registering and maintaining all court documents and records, and for making these available to court users. It also provides administrative support to the Registrar to ensure the efficient and expeditious disposition of all cases by fixing applications and trials for hearing within reasonable timeframes, monitoring the hearing lists, keeping track of any adjournments and updating all hearing results. Set up The Registry is divided into six units which handle a variety of matters:-   Name of Unit   Matters handled by the Unit   Writs and Drafts   Writs Draft Orders of Court/ Judgments Service of Processes out of jurisdiction Subpoena Pre-trial Conferences Assessment of Damages Ancillary Matters in Divorce Proceedings Civil Appeals to the Court of Appeal   Originating Summons   Originating Summons Originating Motions Originating Petitions Summons-in-chambers Motions Taxation   Trials and Appeals   Trials Registrar's Appeals Appeals from the Subordinate Courts and Small Claims Tribunal Other appeals (other than appeals to the Court of Appeal) Records Booking of Technology Courts   Specialised and Insolvency   Probate matters Power of Attorney Practising Certificates Admission of Advocates and Solicitors All bankruptcy matters Company Winding-up matters Judicial Management matters Limited Liability Partnership matters   Sheriff   Writs of Seizure and Sale Writs of Possession Warrants of Arrest (Admiralty) Bills of Sale   Criminal Matters   Preliminary Inquiries Criminal Cases Criminal Appeals to the Court of Appeal Magistrate's Appeals from the Subordinate Courts Criminal Motions Criminal Revisions Criminal References Show Cause proceedings       The Registry is located at Level 2, near the Lift Lobby C landing. At the Registry, there are six counters for each of the sections described above. In addition, there is a Records Section at the Registry where court records can be inspected by the public. Filing of court documents Manual filing of non-EFS documents For the manual filing of non-EFS documents, this should be done at the relevant counters handling the specific matter. For instance, a summons-in-chambers can be filed in general at the 'Originating Summons and Summons-in-Chambers' counter but a summons-in-chambers application for a bankruptcy matter should be filed at the 'Insolvency' counter at the Registry. Filing of EFS documents EFS documents may be filed through the EFS front-end system at law firms or alternatively at the LawNet Service Bureau located at Level 1 of the Supreme Court building. Filing of hard copy documents Civil trials - Any hard copy documents for use in civil trials such as trial bundles, bundles of authorities and opening statements should be filed at the 'Trials and Appeals' counter at the Registry. Civil appeals before the High Court Judge - Any hard copy documents for use in civil appeals before the High Court Judge: - (i) under Order 55 D of the Rules of Court such as Records of Appeal, written Cases and any bundle of authorities; and (ii) under Order 55 C of the Rules of Court and paragraph 50 C of the Practice Directions such as Records of Appeal, Submissions, Core Bundles and any bundle of authorities, should be filed at the 'Trials and Appeals' counter at the Registry. Other civil hearings - Any hard copy documents for use in other civil hearings such as written submissions for hearings before registrars should be filed at the 'Trials and Appeals' counter. Where the judge or registrar hearing the matters can be identified (such as hearings which are part-heard before a specified judge or registrar), the hard copy documents can also be filed at the Despatch counter at the Registry but the name of the judge or registrar hearing the matter must be clearly indicated on the document. Criminal proceedings - Any hard copy documents for use in criminal proceedings such as criminal trials, Magistrate's Appeals and Criminal Appeals should be submitted at the 'Crime' counter at the Registry. Filing of documents after close of Registry Solicitors wishing to file hard copy documents after the Registry is closed for the day may deposit them at the deposit boxes located at the Information Counter at Level 1. Please note the times of the day when the boxes are cleared (as indicated on the boxes). Enquiries Any query in relation to a specific matter (including queries on rejection of documents or the date fixed for a particular hearing) or any request in relation to the fixing of cases or applications for hearing should be directed at the counter that is in charge of the matter. For example, any query in relation to the filing of bankruptcy petitions may be directed to the staff at the 'Insolvency' counter. However, please note that while court staff may give general procedural information, they are not permitted to give specific legal advice in any case which is or may come before the court. In addition, the responsibility for any document filed in court remains with the person who filed the document.

Last updated on 16 APR 2010