FAQ

The Supreme Court comprises the High Court and the Court of Appeal. The State Courts comprise the District Courts, Magistrates’ Courts, Coroners’ Courts, Small Claims Tribunals, Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals and Employment Claims Tribunals. 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 (or up to S$500,000.00 for road traffic accident claims or claims for personal injuries arising out of industrial accidents) are generally heard in the State Courts. When the value of the claim exceeds S$250,000.00, it is generally heard in the Supreme Court. Criminal cases involving offences punishable with 10 years of imprisonment or less or which are fine-only offences are generally heard in the State Courts. Criminal cases involving the death penalty must be heard in the Supreme Court.

An application has to be filed with the General Division of 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. 

The forms are available on the Internet website of the Ministry of Law. Please click on https://io.mlaw.gov.sg/bankruptcy/pirforms/

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 5 below).

Step 3
You will need to place a bankruptcy deposit of $1,850 with the Official Assignee.

Cash payments can only be made at SingPost Counters islandwide. 

For payments by PayNow, please email MinLaw's Finance Department at Finance@mlaw.gov.sg, to request for the PayNow Proxy and Payment instructions. An official receipt will be issued via email within 4 working days. 

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 2 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.

FAQ >> Court Processes >> District Court Appeals

https://www.ifaq.gov.sg/SUPREMECOURT/apps/fcd_faqmain.aspx#FAQ_84657

https://www.ifaq.gov.sg/SUPREMECOURT/apps/fcd_faqmain.aspx#FAQ_32631