FAQ

An application has to be filed with the High Court in the following manner:

Step 1
Obtain the relevant forms for: 
(a) the Debtor’s Bankruptcy Application; 
(b) the Affidavit in Support of Debtor’s Bankruptcy Application; 
(c) the Statement of Affairs; and
(d) the Affidavit Verifying Statement of Affairs. 
As provided in Rule 2A of the Bankruptcy (Amendment) Rules 2016, the forms are set out on the Internet website of the Ministry of Law. Please click on https://io.mlaw.gov.sg/bankruptcy/forms1/

Step 2
Complete the relevant forms (all forms have to be typed except for the Statement of Affairs which can be handwritten). Do not sign on both the Affidavit in Support of Debtor’s Bankruptcy Application and the Affidavit Verifying Statement of Affairs yet (See Step 4 below).

Step 3
Proceed to the Insolvency Office managed by the Ministry of Law to place  a bankruptcy deposit of $1,850 with the Official Assignee. The Insolvency Office will issue you with a temporary receipt.

The Insolvency Office is located at 45 Maxwell Road #07-11 The URA Centre (East Wing) Singapore 069118.

Step 4
Bring the temporary receipt and completed documents to the Supreme Court’s Legal Registry located at Level 2 of the Supreme Court and then proceed to the Cashier’s Counter to make payment of the prescribed stamp fees/Commissioner for Oaths fees.

Step 5
Proceed to swear or affirm the Affidavit Verifying Statement of Affairs and the Affidavit in Support of Debtor’s Bankruptcy Application before a Commissioner for Oaths (located at Level 3M of the Supreme Court). The Commissioner for Oaths will sign and stamp on the documents.

Step 6
Proceed to the LawNet Service Bureau (located at Level 1 of the Supreme Court) to file all documents through eLitigation after payment of the prescribed fees. The LawNet Service Bureau will inform you when to return to collect your documents. Upon collection of the documents, the date and time for the hearing of your application will be printed on your application.

Step 7
You must attend the hearing on the appointed date and time. If you are unable to do so, you must write to the Registrar of the Supreme Court immediately to request for a later hearing date and state the reasons for your request.

The Supreme Court comprises the High Court and the Court of Appeal. The State Courts comprise the District Courts, Magistrates' Courts, Coroners' Court, Small Claims Tribunals and the Juvenile Court. The main difference between the Supreme Court and the State Courts is one of jurisdiction. Civil cases where the value of the claim is below S$250,000.00 are heard in the State Courts. When the value of the claim exceeds S$250,000.00, it is heard in the Supreme Court. Criminal cases involving sentences of less than 10 years of imprisonment are heard in the State Courts. Criminal cases involving sentences of more than 10 years of imprisonment or the death penalty are heard in the Supreme Court.

A list of hearings is available on our website' s homepage. Kindly click on Weekly Law Notices for details of the hearings being conducted.

All visitors to the Court should be properly attired. Visitors in singlets, shorts, slippers or other inappropriate attire may not be permitted to enter the Supreme Court.

All hearings in the Supreme Court, except for hearings that take place in the Judges' or Registrars' chambers, are open to the public. However, in sensitive cases involving the testimony of a vulnerable witness, for example, hearings may be closed to the public. On such an occasion, there will be a sign on the door bearing the words "Hearing in Camera".