View source for Law of Singapore

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Singapore English|date=March 2015}}
[[File:Singapore old Supreme Court.jpg|thumb|220px|The [[Old Supreme Court Building, Singapore|Old Supreme Court Building]], which was in use between 1939 and 2005, as it appeared in September 2009]]

The '''legal system of Singapore''' is based on the [[English common law]] system. Major areas of law – particularly [[administrative law in Singapore|administrative law]], [[contract|contract law]], [[equity (law)|equity]] and [[trust law#United Kingdom|trust law]], [[property law]] and [[tort|tort law]] – are largely [[#Judicial precedents|judge-made]], though certain aspects have now been modified to some extent by statutes. However, other areas of law, such as [[criminal law of Singapore|criminal law]], [[Corporations law|company law]] and [[family law of Singapore|family law]], are largely [[#Legislation|statutory]] in nature.

Apart from referring to relevant [[Singapore]]an cases, judges continue to refer to English [[case law]] where the issues pertain to a traditional common-law area of law, or involve the interpretation of Singaporean statutes based on English enactments or English statutes applicable in Singapore. In more recent times, there is also a greater tendency to consider decisions of important [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] jurisdictions such as [[law of Australia|Australia]] and [[law of Canada|Canada]], as the Singapore Courts tend to consider decisions based on their logic, rather than their provenance.

Certain Singapore statutes are not based on English enactments but on legislation from other jurisdictions. In such situations, court decisions from those jurisdictions on the original legislation are often examined. Thus, [[law of India|Indian law]] is sometimes consulted in the interpretation of the {{Singapore legislation|title=Evidence Act|cap=97|ed=1997}} and the {{Singapore legislation|title=Penal Code|titlelink=Penal Code (Singapore)|cap=224|ed=2008}} which were based on Indian statutes.

On the other hand, where the interpretation of the {{Singapore legislation|title=Constitution|ed=1985|rep=1999}} is concerned, courts remain reluctant to take into account foreign legal materials on the basis that a constitution should primarily be interpreted within its own four walls rather than in the light of analogies from other jurisdictions; and because economic, political, social and other conditions in foreign countries are perceived as different.

Certain laws such as the {{Singapore legislation|title=Internal Security Act|titlelink=Internal Security Act (Singapore)|cap=143|year=1985}} (which authorises detention without trial in certain circumstances) and the {{Singapore legislation|title=Societies Act|cap=311|year=1985}} (which regulates the formation of associations) remain in the statute book, and both [[caning in Singapore|corporal]] and [[capital punishment in Singapore|capital punishment]] are still in use.

==History==
===Before 1826===
[[File:StamfordRaffles.jpeg|thumb|left|150px|Sir [[Stamford Raffles|Thomas Stamford Bingley Raffles]] (6 July 1781 – 5 July 1826)]]

Modern Singapore was founded on 6 February 1819 by Sir [[Stamford Raffles]], an officer of the [[British East India Company]] and [[Bencoolen Presidency|Lieutenant-Governor]] of [[Bengkulu|Bencoolen]], in an attempt to counter Dutch domination of trade in the East. Permission for the East India Company to set up a "factory" on the island was obtained from the [[Sultan of Johor]] and [[Temenggung]] of Johor on that date under the terms of the [[1819 Singapore Treaty|Treaty of Singapore]], and outright [[cession]] of Singapore took place in 1824. It has been suggested that prior to British acquisition of the island, the [[Malay people|Malay]] chief in charge of Singapore was the Temenggung of Johor. The [[Johor Sultanate]] was the successor of the [[Malacca Sultanate]], both of which had their own codes of law. It is also possible that [[adat|adat law]], often inadequately translated as "customary law", governed the inhabitants of the island prior to its acquisition by the British. However, little, if anything, is known about the laws that were actually applicable. The British have always assumed that no law prevailed on the island of Singapore when it was acquired.

In 1823 Raffles promulgated "Regulations" for the administration of the island. Regulation III of 20 January 1823 established a [[magistrate|magistracy]] which had jurisdiction over "all descriptions of persons resorting under the British flag". The magistrates were enjoined to "follow the course of the British magistracy, as far as local circumstances permit, avoiding technicalities and unnecessary forms as much as possible, and executing the duties of their office with temper and discretion, according to the best of their judgement and conscience and the principles of substantial justice". Raffles' Regulations were most likely illegal as he was acting beyond the scope of his legal powers in making them – although he had power to place the factory at Singapore under the jurisdiction of Bencoolen, he was not vested with power to place the entire island under Bencoolen's control. In this respect, he had treated Singapore as if the entire island had been ceded to the British when the Treaty with the Sultan and the Temenggung had only permitted the establishment of a trading factory.<ref>{{citation|author=Kevin Y[ew] L[ee] Tan|chapter=A Short Legal and Constitutional History of Singapore|editor=Walter Woon|editor-link=Walter Woon|title=The Singapore Legal System|location=Singapore|publisher=Longman|year=1989|isbn=978-9971-89-993-6|page=3 at 8}}.</ref>

The same year, Raffles appointed [[John Crawfurd]] as [[Resident (title)#Residents in (British) Asia|Resident]] of Singapore. Crawfurd doubted the legitimacy of the judicial system set up by Raffles, and annulled proceedings in which magistrates had ordered the flogging of gamblers and the seizure of their properties. He eventually abolished the magistracy, replacing it with a [[Court of Requests]] overseen by an Assistant Resident which dealt with minor civil cases, and a Resident's Court hearing all other cases which he himself presided over. Crawfurd had no authoritative guide to the applicable law, so he decided cases on "general principles of English law", taking into account so far as he could the "character and manners of the different classes" of local inhabitants.<ref>{{citation|author=L.A. Mills|title=British Malaya 1824–1867|journal=Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society|year=1960|volume=XXXIII|issue=3}}, cited in {{citation|author=Mavis Chionh|chapter=The Development of the Court System|editor=Kevin Y[ew] L[ee] Tan|title=Essays in Singapore Legal History|location=Singapore|publisher=[[Singapore Academy of Law]]; Marshall Cavendish Academic|year=2005|isbn=978-981-210-389-5|page=93 at 99}}.</ref> Unfortunately, Crawfurd's courts also lacked legal foundation, and he had no legal powers over Europeans in Singapore. Serious cases involving British subjects had to be referred to Calcutta; otherwise, all he could do was to banish them from the island.<ref>Chionh, pp. 97–98.</ref>

Despite the dubious legal status of the courts established in Singapore by Raffles and Crawfurd, they indicate that the ''de facto'' position was that between 1819 and 1826 English legal principles applied to Singapore.<ref>{{citation|author=Walter Woon|chapter=The Applicability of English Law in Singapore|editor=Walter Woon|title=The Singapore Legal System|location=Singapore|publisher=Longman|year=1989|isbn=978-9971-89-993-6|page=107 at 112–113}}.</ref>

On 24 June 1824 Singapore and Malacca were formally transferred to the East India Company's administration by the [[Transfer of Singapore to East India Company, etc. Act 1824]] ([[5 Geo. 4]]. c. 108 (UK)). By virtue of the [[Fort Marlborough in India Act 1802]] ([[42 Geo. 3]]. c. 29 (UK)). both territories, together with others in the region ceded to Britain by the [[Netherlands]], became subordinate to the [[Bengal Presidency|Presidency]] of [[Fort William, India|Fort William]] in [[Bengal]], and under the [[Government of India Act 1800]]<ref>39 & 40 Geo. 3 c. 79 (UK)</ref> these territories became subject to the [[jurisdiction]] of the [[Supreme court|Supreme Court]] of Fort William.

The [[Indian Salaries and Pensions Act 1825]]<ref>6 Geo. 4 c. 85 (UK).</ref> authorised the East India Company to place Singapore and Malacca under the administration of Prince of Wales' Island (now [[Penang]]). The Company did so, thus creating the [[Straits Settlements]].<ref>{{citation |first1=Geoffrey Wilson |last1=Bartholomew|first2=Elizabeth |last2=Srinivasagam|first3=Pascal Baylon |last3=Netto|title=Sesquicentennial Chronological Tables of the Written Laws of the Republic of Singapore 1834-1984|location=Singapore|publisher=Malaya Law Review, Malayan Law Journal|year=1987|isbn=978-9971-70-053-9|page=xxvii}}.</ref>

===1826–1867: The "Indian period"===
[[File:East India House THS 1817 edited.jpg|thumb|The [[East India House]], the headquarters of the East India Company, in Leadenhall Street, London, as seen {{circa}} 1817; it was demolished in 1869.]]

The statute 6 Geo. 4 c. 85 empowered the [[The Crown#United Kingdom|British Crown]] to issue [[letters patent]] providing for the administration of justice in the Straits Settlements. The East India Company petitioned the Crown for the grant of such letters patent establishing "such Courts and Judicatures for the due administration of Justice and the security of the persons rights and property of the Inhabitants and the Public Revenue of and the Trial and Punishment of Capital and other Offences committed and the repression of vice within the said Settlement of Prince of Wales’ Island Singapore and Malacca…"

Granting the petition, the Crown issued the [[Second Charter of Justice]] on 27 November 1826.<ref>The First Charter of Justice of 1807 applied only to Prince of Wales' Island (Penang).</ref> The Charter established the Court of Judicature of Prince of Wales' Island, Singapore and Malacca, which was conferred "full Power and Authority… to give and pass Judgement and Sentence according to Justice and Right". This key clause was later judicially interpreted to have introduced English law into the Straits Settlements. The present understanding of this clause is that it made all English statutes and principles of English [[common law]] and equity in force as at 27 November 1826 applicable in the Straits Settlements (including Singapore), unless they were both unsuitable to local conditions and could not be modified to avoid causing injustice or oppression.<ref>{{citation|author=Andrew Phang Boon Leong|author-link=Andrew Phang|title=From Foundation to Legacy: The Second Charter of Justice|location=Singapore|publisher=Singapore Academy of Law|year=2006|isbn=978-981-05-7194-8|pages=19–23}}.</ref>

The Charter provided that the Court of Judicature was to be presided over by the [[Governor#British Empire and Commonwealth|Governor]] of the Straits Settlements and [[Resident Councillor]] of the settlement where the court was to be held, and another judge called the [[Recorder (judge)|Recorder]]. Problems occurred with the first Recorder, Sir [[John Thomas Claridge]]. He complained that the Governor and Resident Councillors had refused to take any judicial business, and so responded by also refusing to take on the full business of the Court. He also bemoaned the lack of a "full, efficient and respectable court establishment of clerks, interpreters. etc." Although expected to travel from his base at Prince of Wales' Island to Singapore and Malacca, due to disputes over travelling expenses and arrangements, Claridge refused to do so. Thus, on 22 May 1828 the Governor [[Robert Fullerton]], together with the Resident Councillor [[Kenneth Murchison, Resident Counsellor of Singapore|Kenneth Murchison]], were obliged to hold the first [[assizes]] in Singapore by themselves. Claridge was eventually recalled to the UK in 1829.<ref>Chionh, pp. 99–100.</ref>

[[File:18261127-SecondCharterofJustice-titlepg.jpg|thumb|250px|left|The title page of the Second Charter of Justice of 27 November 1826, from the edition published in London by J. L. Cox in February 1827. This copy of the Charter was originally owned by the Supreme Court of the Straits Settlements, and a photocopy of it is presently in the collection of the Library of the Supreme Court of Singapore.]]

The Charter conferred no legislative power on the Governor and Council of Prince of Wales' Island or, indeed, on any other individual or institution.<ref>Bartholomew, p. xxxiii.</ref> The general power to make laws was vested with the Supreme Government of India and the British Parliament.<ref>Tan, p. 11.<!--The full citation is missing and needs to be inserted.--></ref> By the East India Company Act 1813 (also known as the [[Charter Act 1813]]) ([[53 Geo. 3]]. c. 155 (UK)), Prince of Wales' Island itself had been conferred an extremely limited power to issue regulations relating to duties and taxes it was empowered to levy; pursuant to this power, it issued nine regulations that applied to the Straits Settlements.<ref>Bartholomew, p. xxxiv.</ref> However, on 20 June 1830 the East India Company reduced the status of Prince of Wales' Island from a Presidency to a Residency.<ref>Bartholomew, p. xxxv.</ref> The island thus lost power to legislate for the Straits Settlements, which power was assumed by the [[Governor General of India|Governor General of Bengal]]. He issued four such regulations applicable to the Straits Settlements.<ref>Bartholomew, p. xxxvii.</ref>

Upon the downgrading of the Straits Settlements, the offices of Governor and Resident Councillors were abolished. This led Governor Fullerton to conclude that neither he nor the Resident Councillors were empowered any longer to administer justice under the Second Charter. In late 1830, Fullerton closed the courts and dismissed the judicial establishment before leaving for England. This led to legal chaos. Members of the mercantile community were in an uproar as they felt the ensuing confusion and inconvenience of having no local courts would disrupt commercial activity. In Singapore the Deputy Resident Murchison felt compelled to convene a court. However, the Acting Registrar James Loch<ref>It is not known whether this is the same person as the [[James Loch]] (1780–1855), a Scottish estate commissioner and a Member of Parliament.</ref> took the view that the court was illegal, and it was soon closed again. In September 1831 merchants of the Straits Settlements appealed to the British Parliament. By then, the East India Company had already decided that Fullerton had been mistaken. It decided to restore the titles of Governor and Resident Councillor so that these officers could continue to administer justice pursuant to the Charter. On 9 June 1832 the Court of Judicature reopened at Prince of Wales' Island, and disposed of many outstanding cases that had amassed during the two years when the courts were closed.<ref>Chionh, pp. 100–101.</ref>

In 1833, the [[Government of India Act 1833]] (also known as the Charter Act 1833) ([[3 & 4 Will. 4]]. c. 85]] (UK)). was passed by the British Parliament for the better government of the East India Company's possessions. Sole legislative power was transferred to the [[Governor General of India#Council|Governor General of India in Council]], thus inaugurating the period of Straits Settlements history known as the period of the "Indian Acts".<ref>Bartholomew, p. xxxix.</ref>

The Court of Judicature was reorganised by the [[Third Charter of Justice]] of 12 August 1855. The Straits Settlements now had two Recorders, one for Prince of Wales' Island, the other for Singapore and Malacca.<ref>Chionh, p. 103.</ref>

In 1858 the East India Company was abolished, and territories formerly administered by the Company were transferred to the Crown acting through the recently appointed [[Secretary of State for India]]. This was effected by the Government of India Act 1858 ([[21 & 22 Vict.]] c. 106 (UK)). There was no change to the structure of the legal system – the Governor General of India continued to legislate for the Straits Settlements.<ref>Bartholomew, p. xlvi.</ref>

Unfortunately, many Acts passed by the Governor General during this period were not relevant to the Straits Settlements, and it was difficult to determine which were applicable. The situation was remedied by the passing of the Statute Law Revision Ordinance 1889 (No. 8 of 1889) (Ind.), which appointed commissioners to inquire into the matter and empowered them to publish a volume containing the text of any Indian Acts considered in force. Any Acts not included ceased to be applicable forthwith.<ref>Bartholomew, p. xl.</ref>

===1867–1942: The Straits Settlements as a Crown colony===
On 1 April 1867, the [[Straits Settlements]] were detached from India and constituted as a separate [[British overseas territories|Crown colony]] by way of the [[Straits Settlements Act 1866]] ([[29 & 30 Vict.]] c. 115 (UK)).<ref>Bartholomew, p. xlvi.</ref> A separate [[Legislative Council of the Straits Settlements|Legislative Council]] with the authority to make laws was set up for the Straits Settlements. Pieces of legislation passed by the Legislative Council were known as "ordinances".<ref>Bartholomew, p. xlvii.</ref>

By the Supreme Court Ordinance 1868 (S.S.),<ref>Ordinance No. 5 of 1868 (S.S.).</ref> the Court of Judicature of the Straits Settlements was abolished, and in its place the Supreme Court of the Straits Settlements was established. The Governor<ref>By the Judicial Duties Act (No. 3 of 1867) (S.S.).</ref> and Resident Councillors<ref>By the Supreme Court Ordinance 1868 (No. 5 of 1868) (S.S.).</ref> ceased to be judges of the Court.

In 1873, the Supreme Court was reconstituted to consist of the [[Chief Justice]] and the Judge at Penang as well as a Senior and a Junior [[Puisne Judge]]. There were two divisions of the court, one at Singapore and Malacca and the other at Penang. As Singapore had become the Straits Settlements' centre of government and trade, the Chief Justice and Senior Puisne Judge were required to reside in Singapore, while the Judge of Penang and the Junior Puisne Judge resided in Penang. The Supreme Court was also conferred with jurisdiction to sit as a [[Court of Appeals|Court of Appeal]] in [[civil law (common law)|civil matters]]. Following changes in the court structure in England, in 1878 the jurisdiction and residence of judges was made more flexible, thus impliedly abolishing the geographical division of the Supreme Court.<ref>Tan, p. 18.</ref> The first hierarchy of courts was also established, consisting of the Supreme Court of the Straits Settlements, Courts of Request, Courts of Two Magistrates, Magistrates' Courts, Coroners' Courts and Justices of the Peace. Appeals from decisions of the Supreme Court lay in the first instance to the Court of Appeal, and then to Her Majesty in Council, the latter appeals being heard by the [[Judicial Committee of the Privy Council|Judicial Committee of Her Britannic Majesty's Privy Council]].<ref>The 1878 reforms were effected by the Courts Ordinance 1878 (No. 3 of 1878) (S.S.).</ref>

Also in 1878, a provision later known as section 5 of the Civil Law Act<ref>{{Singapore legislation|title=Civil Law Act|cap=43|ed=1985|lk=off}}.</ref> was introduced into Straits Settlements law.<ref>By the Civil Law Ordinance 1878 (No. 4 of 1878) (S.S.).</ref> The provision stated that if a question or issue arose locally with respect to certain named categories of law or with respect to [[law merchant|mercantile law]] generally, the law to be administered was to be the same as that administered in England at the corresponding period, unless other provision had been made by any law having force locally. It was felt the provision was needed because the Straits Settlements Supreme Court had a tendency to follow English case law premised on the existence of statutes that were not in force in the Colony. There was also a general sentiment that the common law should be common to the whole Empire.<ref>{{citation|author=Walter Woon|chapter=The Continuing Reception of English Commercial Law|editor=Walter Woon|title=The Singapore Legal System|location=Singapore|publisher=Longman|year=1989|isbn=978-9971-89-993-6|page=139 at 139–141}}.</ref> However, the manner in which section 5 was worded created much difficulty in determining whether particular English statutes applied locally.<ref>See, generally, Woon, pp. 142–153; and Phang, pp. 27–35.</ref> Despite major amendments to the provision in 1979,<ref>By the Civil Law (Amendment No. 2) Act 1979 (No. 24 of 1979).</ref> the problems with it were not resolved until it was finally repealed in 1993 ([[#1965 to the present: Singapore as a fully independent nation|see below]]).

Under the Courts Ordinance Amendment 1885 (S.S.),<ref>Ordinance No. 15 of 1885 (S.S.)</ref> the set-up of the Supreme Court was again altered so that it now consisted of the Chief Justice and three puisne judges.<ref>Chionh, pp. 104–106.</ref> In 1907 the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court was given a major overhaul.<ref>By the Courts Ordinance 1907 (No. 30 of 1907) (S.S.).</ref> The Court was split into two divisions – a Civil Division and a Criminal Division, each with both [[original jurisdiction|original]] and [[appellate jurisdiction]]. District Courts and Police Courts, which replaced the Magistrates' Courts, were also established. The Court of Requests, the jurisdiction of which had been drastically reduced in the intervening years, was abolished.<ref>Chionh, pp. 106–107.</ref> The last major changes in the court system before World War II took place in 1934 when a Court of Criminal Appeal, essentially an extension of the Supreme Court's jurisdiction, was created,<ref>By way of the Court of Criminal Appeal Ordinance 1931 (No. 5 of 1931) (S.S.): Tan, p. 19.</ref> and in 1936 when it was declared that the Supreme Court would consist of a High Court and Court of Appeal.<ref>By the Courts Ordinance (Cap. 10, 1936 Rev. Ed.) (S.S.).</ref>

===1942–1946: Singapore under Japanese and British Military Administration===
[[File:BritishSurrender.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Gen. [[Tomoyuki Yamashita]] ''(seated, left of centre)'' of the [[Japanese Imperial Army]] thumps the table with his fist to emphasise his terms – unconditional surrender of Singapore. Lt.-Gen. [[Arthur Ernest Percival|Arthur Percival]], General Officer Commanding (Malaya) of the [[British Army]] ''(right, back to camera)'' sits between his officers, his clenched hand to his mouth.]]

During [[World War II]], Singapore fell under Japanese Military Administration on 15 February 1942. There is much confusion as to where legislative authority lay, as there were several government or military bodies which had the power to make laws. These were, in order of descending authority, the Supreme Command of the Southern Army Headquarters, the 25th Army Headquarters, the Military Administration Department, the Malay (Malayan) Military Administration Headquarters, and the City Government of Tokubetu-si. Numerous regulations, laws and notices were issued by all these bodies through the Tokubetu-si without adhering to the normal chain of command. Although these laws were often contradictory, the body higher in the hierarchy always prevailed.

When the [[Japanese occupation of Singapore]] began, all existing courts ceased to function. By a decree of 7 April 1942, a Military Court of Justice of the Nippon Army was established, and the civil courts were reopened by a proclamation dated 27 May. This Proclamation made all former British laws applicable so long as they did not interfere with the Military Administration. The highest court was the Syonan Koto-Hoin (Syonan Supreme Court) which was opened on 29 May. Although a court of appeal was constituted, it never sat.<ref>Tan, p. 20.</ref>

There is some disagreement as to the status of judgments handed down by courts during the Japanese Occupation. The view has been taken by some post-Occupation courts that decisions by Japanese tribunals applying the law were valid. Others have held that since the Japanese administration did not set up tribunals in compliance with the requirements of Straits Settlements law, while the law continued to apply there were no proper courts in existence to enforce it.<ref>Bartholomew, pp. lxviii–lxix.</ref>

The Japanese surrendered on 12 September 1945. By Proclamation No. 1 (1945), the [[Supreme Allied Commander]] [[South East Asia Command|South East Asia]] established the [[British Military Administration (Malaya)|British Military Administration]] which assumed full judicial, legislative, executive and administrative powers and responsibilities and conclusive jurisdiction over all persons and property throughout such areas of Malaya as were at any given time under the control of forces under his command.<ref>Bartholomew, p. lxix.</ref> The proclamation also declared that all laws and customs existing immediately prior to the Japanese Occupation would be respected, except that such of the existing law as the Chief Civil Affairs Officer considered practicable to administer during the period of military administration. Otherwise, all proclamations and legislative enactments of whatever kind issued by or under the authority of the Japanese Military Administration ceased to have effect.<ref name="Bartholomew lxx">Bartholomew, p. lxx.</ref>

By Proclamation No. 23 (1945), the Deputy Chief Civil Affairs Officer for the Singapore Division provided that every conviction of any offence by a tribunal established by the Japanese Military Administration was quashed, and any judgment convicting or purporting to convict any person or any offence was set aside.<ref name="Bartholomew lxx"/> Civil proceedings were dealt with by the Japanese Judgements and Civil Proceedings Ordinance 1946 (No. 3 of 1946), which had the effect of permitting post-Occupation courts to review the decrees of Japanese tribunals and to confirm, modify or reverse them.<ref>Bartholomew, p. lxxi.</ref>

===1946–1963: The end of the Straits Settlements: Singapore as a separate colony and self-governing state===
The British Military Administration was terminated by Proclamation No. 77 (1946) dated 18 March 1946, and with effect from 1 April, the Straits Settlements were disbanded by the [[Straits Settlements (Repeal) Act 1946]] ([[9 & 10 Geo. 6]] c. 37 (UK)). By the Singapore Colony Order in Council 1946,<ref>S.R. & O. 1946 No. 464 (UK)</ref> Singapore was constituted as a new colony under the [[British Settlements Acts 1887]] ([[50 & 51 Vict.]] c. 54 (UK)). A Singapore Legislative Council was created with power to legislate for the peace, order and good government of the Colony.<ref>Bartholomew, pp. lxxxi–lxxxii.</ref> The High Court and Court of Appeal of the Straits Settlements became the Colony of Singapore High Court and Court of Appeal.

In 1958 Singapore was granted internal self-government and became the State of Singapore. This change was put into place by the Singapore (Constitution) Order in Council 1958<ref>[[List of Statutory Instruments of the United Kingdom, 1958|S.I. 1958 No. 1946]] (UK).</ref> made under powers conferred by the [[State of Singapore Act 1958]] ([[6 & 7 Eliz. 2]]. c. 59 (UK)).<ref>Bartholomew, p. lxxiv.</ref> The Legislative Council was transformed into a Legislative Assembly consisting mainly of elected members.

During this period, the basic structure of the courts remained much as it had been in the pre-war colonial era, with only minor changes being made such as the redesignation of the Police Courts as Magistrates' Courts in 1955.<ref>By way of the Courts Ordinance 1955 (No. 14 of 1955, later Cap. 3, 1955 Rev. Ed.): Chionh, p. 113.</ref>

===1963–1965: Independence from the British Empire and merger with Malaysia===
Singapore joined the [[Malaysia|Federation of Malaysia]] on 16 September 1963, and thus ceased to be a colony of the British empire. The legal arrangements were effected by the enactment of the [[Malaysia Act 1963]] ([[List of Acts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1963|c. 35]] (UK)). the Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore (State Constitutions) Order in Council 1963<ref>[[List of Statutory Instruments of the United Kingdom, 1963|S.I. 1963 No. 1493]] (UK).</ref> and the Malaysia Act 1963 (Malaysia).<ref>No. 26 of 1963 (M'sia): Bartholomew, p. lxxvi.</ref> The 1963 Order in Council provided that all laws in force in Singapore continued to apply subject to modifications, adaptations, qualifications and exceptions that might be necessary to bring them into conformity with its new Constitution and the Malaysia Act.<ref>Bartholomew, p. lxxvii.</ref> With Singapore now a state in a larger federation, the Singapore Legislative Assembly was transformed into the Legislature of Singapore with power to make laws only regarding certain matters set out in the [[Constitution of Malaysia|Malaysian Federal Constitution]]. Article 75 of the Federal Constitution also stated: "If any state law is inconsistent with a federal law, the federal law shall prevail and the state law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void."

During this period, a substantial number of Malaysian laws, including [[Federated Malay States]] Enactments and [[Malayan Union]] and [[Federation of Malaya]] Ordinances, were extended to Singapore. Some of these statutes continue to apply, often in modified form, in Singapore today.<ref>Bartholomew, p. lxxix.</ref>

Under the Malaysia Act 1963, the judicial power of Malaysia was vested in a [[Courts of Malaysia#Federal Court|Federal Court]], a [[Courts of Malaysia#High courts|High Court]] in Malaya, a High Court in Borneo and a High Court in Singapore. This new structure was officialised with effect from 16 March 1964 through the Courts of Judicature Act 1964 (M'sia),<ref>No. 7 of 1964 (M'sia), reprinted as Act No. 6 of 1966 in the ''Singapore Reprints Supplement (Acts)''.</ref> which replaced the Supreme Court of the Colony of Singapore with the High Court of Malaysia in Singapore.<ref>Tan, p. 30.</ref> The jurisdiction of the High Court in Singapore was limited to all territory in the State of Singapore.<ref>Chionh, p. 113.</ref>

===1965 to the present: Singapore as a fully independent nation===
[[File:Parliament House Singapore.jpg|thumb|left|[[Parliament House, Singapore]], which was officially opened on 4 October 1999]]

Merger with Malaysia did not last: within two years, on 9 August 1965, Singapore was expelled from the Federation and became a fully independent [[republic]]. This was effected by the signing of the Independence of Singapore Agreement of 7 August 1965 by Singapore and Malaysia, and the changes consequent to the Agreement were implemented by two Malaysian Acts, the Constitution and Malaysia (Singapore Amendment) Act 1965<ref>No. 31 of 1965 (M'sia).</ref> and the Constitution (Amendment) Act 1966;<ref>No. 59 of 1966 (M'sia).</ref> and by two Singapore Acts, the Constitution (Amendment) Act 1965<ref>No. 8 of 1965 (S'pore).</ref> and the Republic of Singapore Independence Act 1965.<ref>No. 9 of 1965 (S'pore).</ref> Section 5 of the latter Act provided that the legislative powers of the [[Yang di-Pertuan Agong]], the supreme ruler of Malaysia, ceased to extend to Singapore, and vested instead in the Head of State (that is, the [[President of Singapore]]) and the Legislature of Singapore. Again, all laws were expressed to continue in force with such modifications, adaptations, qualifications and exceptions as might be necessary to bring them into conformity with the independent status of Singapore upon separation from Malaysia.<ref>Bartholomew, pp. lxxix–lxxx.</ref> Today, the [[Parliament of Singapore]] is an organ of state with [[plenary power]] to enact legislation for Singapore.

At the time of independence, the Singapore Parliament did not make any changes to the judicial system. Thus, for an anomalous four-year period, the High Court in Singapore remained part of the Malaysian court structure. This was remedied in 1969, when the Constitution was amended to establish the [[Supreme Court of Singapore]] replacing the Federal Court of Malaysia with respect to Singapore, while retaining the [[Judicial Committee of the Privy Council]] in London as Singapore's court of final appeal.<ref>By the Constitution (Amendment) Act 1969 (No. 19 of 1969): Tan, pp. 30 and 32.</ref> The Supreme Court was divided into two divisions: the upper division consisted of the Court of Appeal and the Court of Criminal Appeal, which respectively dealt with civil and criminal matters; the lower division being the [[High Court of Singapore]].<ref>Supreme Court of Judicature Act 1969 (No. 24 of 1969), now {{Singapore legislation|cap=322|ed=1999}}.</ref>

[[File:Supreme Court Building, Aug 06.JPG|thumb|The [[Supreme Court of Singapore|Supreme Court Building]], designed by Foster & Partners, which commenced operations on 20 June 2005, as it appeared in August 2006]]

In 1970 the subordinate courts were re-organised.<ref>By the Subordinate Courts Act 1970 (No. 19 of 1970), now {{Singapore legislation|cap=321|ed=1999}}.</ref> Since that time, the Subordinate Courts of Singapore have consisted of the District Courts, the Magistrates' Courts, the Juvenile Courts and the Coroners' Courts.<ref>Chionh, pp. 114–115.</ref> The Subordinate Courts were renamed the [[State Courts of Singapore]] on 7 March 2014.

Steps to restrict appeals to the Privy Council were first taken in 1989. In that year, the law was changed<ref>By the Judicial Committee (Amendment) Act 1989 (No. 21 of 1989).</ref> such that appeals to the Privy Council would only be permitted in a civil case if all the parties agreed to such an appeal prior to the hearing of the case by the Court of Appeal. In criminal cases, an appeal to the Privy Council could only be taken if the death penalty was involved and if the judges of the Court of Criminal Appeal were not unanimous in their decision. These changes came shortly after the Privy Council restored a prominent opposition Member of Parliament, [[Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam]], to the roll of advocates and solicitors of the Supreme Court of Singapore after he had been struck off for a criminal conviction for making false statements in a [[statutory declaration]]; the court described the conviction as "a grievous injustice".<ref>''Jeyaretnam v. Law Society of Singapore'' [1988] 2 S.L.R.(R.) [''Singapore Law Reports (Reissue)''] 470 at 489, para. 59, [http://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKPC/1988/1988_25.html &#91;1988&#93; UKPC 25], [1989] A.C. 608 at 631, Privy Council (on appeal from Singapore); see also {{citation|author=Geoffrey Robertson|author-link=Geoffrey Robertson|title=Joshua Jeyaretnam: Lawyer and activist, he was for many years the only political opposition to Singapore's rulers &#91;obituary&#93;|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/oct/07/2|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|date=7 October 2008}}.</ref> In 1993, the previous set-up of a separate Court of Appeal and Court of Criminal Appeal was done away with, and in their place a unified Court of Appeal was constituted for both civil and criminal appeals.<ref>By the Supreme Court of Judicature (Amendment) Act 1993 (No. 16 of 1993).</ref> Judges of Appeal appointed to the Court of Appeal were no longer required to engage in High Court work. The Chief Justice sat as the President of the Court of Appeal. The establishment of the permanent Court of Appeal paved the way for the abolition of all appeals to the Privy Council with effect from 8 April 1994.<ref>The Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (Amendment) Act 1994 (No. 5 of 1994) repealed Art. 100 of the Constitution, which had provided that the President could make arrangements with Her Majesty for reference to the Privy Council of appeals from the Supreme Court. The Judicial Committee Act 1966 (No. 37 of 1966, later {{Singapore legislation|cap=148|ed=1985}}, which regulated the procedure for such appeals, was repealed by the Judicial Committee (Repeal) Act 1994 (No. 2 of 1994).</ref> Following this, the Court of Appeal issued a Practice Statement dated 11 July 1994, stating that while the Court would treat its own prior decisions and those of the Privy Council as normally binding, where it appeared that adherence to such decisions "would cause injustice in a particular case or constrain the development of the law in conformity with the circumstances of Singapore" it would regard itself as free to depart from such decisions. It added that this power would be exercised sparingly, bearing in mind the danger of retrospectively disturbing contractual, proprietary and other legal rights.<ref>Chionh, pp. 116–117.</ref> Today, the [[Court of Appeal of Singapore]] is the highest court in the land.

The independent status of Singapore's legal system was underlined by the repeal of section 5 of the Civil Law Act ([[#1867–1942: The Straits Settlements as a Crown colony|see above]]) on 12 November 1993 by the Application of English Law Act 1993.<ref>No. 35 of 1993, now {{Singapore legislation|cap=7A|ed=1994}}.</ref> The Act aims to clarify the extent of the application of English law in Singapore. It states that the common law of England (including the principles and rules of equity), so far as it was part of the law of Singapore immediately before the commencement of the Act, continues to be part of Singapore law so far as it is applicable to the circumstances of Singapore and its inhabitants and subject to such modifications as those circumstances may require.<ref>Application of English Law Act, s. 3.</ref> As for English statutes, only those that are listed in the Schedules to the Act apply or continue to apply in Singapore; no other English enactment is part of Singapore law.<ref>Application of English Law Act, ss. 4 and 5. See, generally, Phang, pp. 37–49.</ref>

==Sources of law==
[[File:Statutes-Singapore-20050521.jpg|thumb|''The Statutes of the Republic of Singapore'', a series that consists of all Acts of the Singapore Parliament and English statutes that are currently in force in Singapore]]

{{main|Sources of Singapore law}}

Generally, Singapore has three sources of law: [[legislation]], [[Precedent|judicial precedents]] ([[case law]]), and [[custom (law)|custom]].<ref>See, generally, ch. 6 of {{citation|author=Helena H[ui-]M[eng] Chan|title=The Legal System of Singapore|location=Singapore|publisher=Butterworths Asia|year=1995|isbn=978-0-409-99789-7|pages=105–112}}.</ref>

===Legislation===
Legislation, or [[statutory law]], can be divided into statutes and subsidiary legislation. [[Statute]]s are written laws enacted by the Singapore Parliament, as well as by other bodies such as the British Parliament, Governor-General of India in Council and Legislative Council of the Straits Settlements which had power to pass laws for Singapore in the past. Statutes enacted by these other bodies may still be in force if they have not been [[repeal]]ed. One particularly important statute is the [[Constitution of Singapore|Constitution of the Republic of Singapore]],<ref>The current version is the 1999 Reprint.</ref> which is the supreme law of Singapore – any law enacted by the Legislature after the commencement of the Constitution which is inconsistent with it is, to the extent of the inconsistency, void.<ref>Constitution, Art. 4.</ref> Statutes of the Singapore Parliament, as well as English statutes in force in Singapore by virtue of the Application of English Law Act 1993<ref>{{Singapore legislation|cap=7A|ed=1994}}.</ref> ([[#1965 to the present: Singapore as a fully independent nation|see above]]), are published in looseleaf form in a series called the ''Statutes of the Republic of Singapore'' which is gathered in red binders, and are also accessible on-line from [http://statutes.agc.gov.sg Singapore Statutes Online] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215173603/http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/ |date=15 December 2017 }}, a free service provided by the Attorney-General's Chambers of Singapore.

[[Delegated legislation|Subsidiary legislation]], also known as "delegated legislation" or "subordinate legislation", is written law made by ministers or other administrative agencies such as government departments and [[Statutory boards of the Singapore Government|statutory boards]] under the authority of a statute (often called its "parent Act") or other lawful authority, and not directly by Parliament.<ref>Para. 10.020 in vol. 1 of {{citation|title=Halsbury's Laws of Singapore|location=Singapore|publisher=[[LexisNexis Butterworths|Butterworths Asia]]|year=1999|isbn=978-981-236-000-7}}.</ref> Subsidiary legislation currently in force in Singapore is published in looseleaf form in a series called the ''Subsidiary Legislation of the Republic of Singapore'' which is gathered in black binders. New subsidiary legislation published in the ''Gazette'' may be viewed for free online for five days on the [https://web.archive.org/web/20061205225007/http://egazette.com.sg/current.php Electronic Gazette] website.

===Judicial precedent===
[[File:SingaporeLawReports-20050521.jpg|thumb|left|The ''Singapore Law Reports'', first published by the Singapore Academy of Law in 1992, contain reports of significant judgements handed down by the [[High Court of Singapore|High Court]], [[Court of Appeal of Singapore|Court of Appeal]] and [[Constitutional Tribunal of the Republic of Singapore|Constitutional Tribunal]] of Singapore]]

As Singapore is a [[English common law|common law]] [[jurisdiction]], judgements handed down by the courts are considered a source of law. Judgements may interpret statutes or subsidiary legislation, or develop principles of common law and [[equity (law)|equity]] which have been laid down, not by the legislature, but by previous generations of judges. Major portions of Singapore law, particularly [[contract|contract law]], equity and [[trust law#United Kingdom|trust law]], [[property law]] and [[tort|tort law]], are largely judge-made, though certain aspects have now been modified to some extent by statutes. Since 1992, judgements of the High Court, Court of Appeal and [[Constitutional Tribunal of the Republic of Singapore|Constitutional Tribunal]] of Singapore have appeared in the ''[[Singapore Law Reports]]'' (SLR), which is published by the [[Singapore Academy of Law]] under an exclusive licence from the [[Supreme Court of Singapore]]. The Academy has also republished cases decided since Singapore's full independence in 1965 in special volumes of the SLR, and is currently working on a reissue of this body of case law. Cases published in the SLR as well as unreported judgements of the Supreme Court and Subordinate Courts are available on-line from a fee-based service called [http://www.lawnet.com.sg LawNet], which is also managed by the Academy. Outside Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei, they are available online from another fee-based service called [http://www.justis.com/data-coverage/singapore-law-reports.aspx Justis].

===Custom===
A [[custom (law)|custom]] is an established practice or course of behaviour that persons who engaged in it consider law. Customs do not have the force of law unless recognised in a case. "Legal" or "trade" customs are not recognised as law unless they are certain and not unreasonable or illegal.<ref>Chan, p. 122.</ref> In Singapore, custom is a minor source of law as not many customs have judicial recognition.

== Civil Law ==
Since independence, the civil law of Singapore has developed distinctly from the English common law. Nonetheless, much of the Singaporean law is based upon the English law, and although English decisions made before 1827 are not considered binding, they are still persuasive in the judgments of the Singaporean court.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ch. 08 The Law of Contract |url=https://www.singaporelawwatch.sg/About-Singapore-Law/Commercial-Law/ch-08-the-law-of-contract |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=www.singaporelawwatch.sg |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Contract ===
The law of [[contract]] deals with the rules of contract and dispute resolution pertaining to breaches of contract. 

With regard to remedies in contract, the Singapore court has affirmed the English case of ''[[Hadley v Baxendale]]'' — which establishes two limbs that allow for the establishment of [[Remoteness in English law|remoteness]] in cases of breach: natural losses arising from breach, and special knowledge of a plaintiff — in the case of ''MXM Restaurants v Fish & Co''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Singapore Court of Appeal Decides On When Damages Are Too Remote To Be Recovered |url=https://eoasis.rajahtann.com/eoasis/lu/pdf/2010-Oct-FishCov2.pdf |website=Rajah and Tann}}</ref> In doing so, the court rejected Lord Hoffman's requirement of assumption of liability in the English case of ''[[Transfield Shipping Inc v Mercator Shipping Inc]]''.

=== Tort ===
[[Tort]] law is the branch of law that concerns private wrongs, including [[negligence]], [[malpractice]], and [[intentional tort]]. 

Whilst the current English paradigm for establishing a duty of care in cases of negligence was established in [[Caparo Industries plc v Dickman|Caparo v Dickman]], which formulated a three-stage test for determining duty of care, the Singaporean Court of Appeal has rejected the Caparo test in favour of their own test in [[Spandeck Engineering v Defence Science and Technology Agency|Spandeck v DSTA]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ch. 20 The Law of Negligence |url=https://www.singaporelawwatch.sg/About-Singapore-Law/Commercial-Law/ch-20-the-law-of-negligence |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=www.singaporelawwatch.sg |language=en-US}}</ref>

Determining medical malpractice and standards of care have also differed from the English common law.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Medical Negligence - The new legal test in Singapore to determine the standard of a doctor's duty in advising his patient |url=https://dentons.rodyk.com/en/insights/alerts/2017/may/31/medical-negligence-the-new-legal-test-in-singapore |access-date=2022-09-10 |website=dentons.rodyk.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Singapore codifies the legal test to determine the standard of care for the provision of medical advice |url=https://dentons.rodyk.com/en/insights/alerts/2020/october/15/singapore-codifies-the-legal-test-to-determine-the-standard-of-care |access-date=2022-09-10 |website=dentons.rodyk.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Criminal law==
[[File:Singapore MRT Fines.jpg|upright|thumb|A variety of activities ranging from [[tobacco smoking|smoking]] to carrying [[durian]]s are banned on Singapore's [[Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)|Mass Rapid Transit system]]]]

{{main|Criminal law of Singapore}}

Unlike the common [[English criminal law|criminal law of England]], the criminal law of Singapore is largely [[#Legislation|statutory]] in nature, owing largely from the importation of the Indian penal code into Singapore law. The general principles of criminal law, as well as the elements and penalties of common criminal offences such as homicide, theft and cheating, are set out in the [[Penal Code (Singapore)|Penal Code]].<ref>{{Singapore legislation|title=Penal Code|titlelink=Penal Code (Singapore)|cap=224|ed=2008}}.</ref> Other important offences are created by statutes such as the Arms Offences Act,<ref>{{Singapore legislation|title=Arms Offences Act|cap=14|ed=1998}}.</ref> Kidnapping Act,<ref>{{Singapore legislation|title=Kidnapping Act|cap=151|ed=1999}}.</ref> [[Misuse of Drugs Act (Singapore)|Misuse of Drugs Act]]<ref>{{Singapore legislation|title=Misuse of Drugs Act|titlelink=Misuse of Drugs Act (Singapore)|cap=185|ed=1998}}.</ref> and [[Vandalism Act (Singapore)|Vandalism Act]].<ref>{{Singapore legislation|title=Vandalism Act|titlelink=Vandalism Act (Singapore)|cap=341|ed=1985}}.</ref>

In addition, Singapore society is highly regulated through the criminalisation of many activities which are considered as fairly harmless in other countries. These include failing to flush toilets after use,<ref>Environmental Public Health (Public Cleansing) Regulations (Cap. 95, Rg. 3, 2000 Rev. Ed.), rg. 16.</ref> [[litter]]ing,<ref>{{Singapore legislation|title=Environmental Public Health Act|cap=95|ed=2002}}, s. 17(1).</ref> [[jaywalking]],<ref>Road Traffic (Pedestrian Crossings) Rules (Cap. 276, R 24).</ref> the possession of [[pornography]],<ref>Penal Code, s. 292(a) (possessing any obscene book, pamphlet, paper, drawing, painting, representation or figure, or any other obscene object).</ref> the sale of [[chewing gum ban in Singapore|chewing gum]],<ref>Sale of Food (Prohibition of Chewing Gum) Regulations (Cap. 283, Rg. 2, 2004 Rev. Ed.).</ref> and, prior to December 2022, sexual activity such as [[oral sex|oral]] and [[anal sex]] between men.<ref>Penal Code, [[section 377A of the Penal Code (Singapore)|s. 377A]].</ref> Nonetheless, Singapore is one of the countries with the least crime in the world, with a low incidence of violent crimes.<ref>
{{citation|author=Chang Hwee Yin |title=Crime in Singapore: A Statistical Comparison with Major Cities |url=http://www.singstat.gov.sg/pubn/papers/people/crimeinspore.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080124155324/http://www.singstat.gov.sg/pubn/papers/people/crimeinspore.html |archive-date=24 January 2008 |journal=Statistics Singapore Newsletter |date=October 1994 |volume=17 |issue=2 |quote=With the high standard of living, continued prosperity and increased civic consciousness, Singapore has been a relatively crime-free society by international standards. The crime rate, which is already low, has declined further in recent years. This paper presents an overview of the crime situation in Singapore during the last decade and gives a quantitative comparison of Singapore vis-a-vis selected major cities in the Asia-Pacific region (including North America); In 1991, Singapore's rate of violent crime (murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault) is the lowest amongst the cities excluding Tokyo. |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Singapore retains both [[corporal punishment]] (in the form of [[caning in Singapore|caning]]) and [[capital punishment]] (by [[capital punishment in Singapore|hanging]]) as punishments for serious offences. For some offences, most notably trafficking in drugs above a certain specified quantity, the imposition of these penalties is mandatory.

==See also==
*[[Caning in Singapore]]
*[[Capital punishment in Singapore]]
*[[Constitution of Singapore]]
*[[Judicial system of Singapore]]
*[[Law enforcement in Singapore]]
*[[Lawyers in Singapore]]
*[[Parliament of Singapore]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist|20em}}

==Further reading==
===General===
*{{citation|last=Chan|first=Helena H[ui-]M[eng]|title=The Legal System of Singapore|location=Singapore|publisher=[[LexisNexis Butterworths|Butterworths Asia]]|year=1995|isbn=978-0-409-99789-7}}.
*{{citation|editor-last=Lim|editor-first=Min|title=Teens and the Law|location=Singapore|publisher=Singapore Association of Women Lawyers|year=2005|isbn=978-981-3065-97-0}}.
*{{citation|last=Myint Soe|first=U.|title=Principles of Singapore Law (including Business Law)|edition=4th|location=Singapore|publisher=Institute of Banking and Finance|year=2001|isbn=978-9971-9900-9-1}}.
*{{citation|last=Phang|first=Andrew Boon Leong|author-link=Andrew Phang|title=The Development of Singapore Law: Historical and Socio-Legal Perspectives|location=Singapore|publisher=Butterworths|year=1990|isbn=978-0-409-99588-6}}.
*{{citation|last=Phang|first=Andrew Boon Leong|title=From Foundation to Legacy: The Second Charter of Justice|location=Singapore|publisher=[[Singapore Academy of Law]]|year=2006|isbn=978-981-05-7194-8}}.
*{{citation|editor-last=Sheridan|editor-first=L[ionel] A[stor]|title=Malaya and Singapore, the Borneo Territories: The Development of Their Laws and Constitutions|location=London|publisher=Stevens|year=1961|oclc=1838341}}.
*{{citation|editor-last=Tan|editor-first=Kevin Y[ew] L[ee]|title=Essays in Singapore Legal History|location=Singapore|publisher=Singapore Academy of Law; Marshall Cavendish Academic|year=2005|isbn=978-981-210-349-9}}.
*{{citation|editor-last=Tan|editor-first=Kevin Y[ew] L[ee]|title=The Singapore Legal System|edition=2nd|location=Singapore|publisher=Singapore University Press|year=1999|isbn=978-9971-69-213-1}}.
*{{citation|title=You & the Law 3|edition=3rd|location=Singapore|publisher=Singapore Association of Women Lawyers|year=2002|isbn=978-981-04-5152-3}}.

===Commercial law===
*{{citation|editor-last=Phang|editor-first=Andrew Boon Leong|title=The Law of Contract in Singapore|location=Singapore|publisher=Academy Publishing|year=2012|isbn=978-981-08-8692-9}}.
*{{citation|editor-last=Shenoy|editor-first=George T.L.|editor2-last=Loo|editor2-first=Wee Ling|title=Principles of Singapore Business Law|location=Singapore|publisher=Cengage Learning Asia|year=2009|isbn=978-981-425-373-4}}.

===Constitutional law===
*{{citation|last=Tan|first=Kevin Y[ew] L[ee]|last2=Thio|first2=Li-ann|author2-link=Thio Li-ann|title=Constitutional Law in Malaysia and Singapore|edition=3rd|location=Singapore|publisher=LexisNexis|year=2010|isbn=978-981-236-795-2}}.
*{{citation|editor-last=Thio|editor-first=Li-ann|editor2-last=Tan|editor2-first=Kevin Y[ew] L[ee]|title=Evolution of a Revolution: Forty Years of the Singapore Constitution|location=London; New York, N.Y.|publisher=[[Routledge|Routledge-Cavendish]]|year=2009|isbn=978-0-415-43862-9}}.
*{{citation|last=Thio|first=Li-ann|title=A Treatise on Singapore Constitutional Law|location=Singapore|publisher=[[Singapore Academy of Law|Academy Publishing]]|year=2012|isbn=978-981-07-1516-8}}.

===Criminal law===
*{{citation|last=Chan|first=Wing Cheong|last2=Hor|first2=Michael Yew Meng|last3=Ramraj|first3=Victor V[ridar]|title=Fundamental Principles of Criminal Law: Cases and Materials|location=Singapore|publisher=[[LexisNexis]]|year=2005|isbn=978-981-236-409-8}}
*{{citation|last=Chan|first=Wing Cheong|last2=Phang|first2=Andrew|author2-link=Andrew Phang|title=The Development of Criminal Law and Criminal Justice in Singapore|location=Singapore|publisher=Singapore Journal of Legal Studies, [[National University of Singapore Faculty of Law|Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore]]|year=2001|isbn=978-981-04-3720-6}}.
*{{citation|last=Yeo|first=Stanley Meng Heong|last2=Chan|first2=Wing Cheong|last3=Morgan|first3=N[eil] A.|title=Criminal Law in Malaysia and Singapore: A Casebook Companion|location=Singapore|publisher=LexisNexis|year=2009|isbn=978-981-236-680-1}}.

===Other subjects===
*{{citation|last=Chan|first=Gary Kok Yew|last2=Lee|first2=Pey Woan|title=The Law of Torts in Singapore|location=Singapore|publisher=Academy Publishing|year=2011|isbn=978-981-08-8691-2}}.
*{{citation|last=Leong|first=Wai Kum|title=Principles of Family Law in Singapore|location=Singapore|publisher=Butterworths Asia|year=1997|isbn=978-0-409-99888-7}}.
*{{citation|last=Tan|first=Sook Yee|last2=Tang|first2=Hang Wu|last3=Low|first3=Kelvin F[att] K[in]|title=Tan Sook Yee's Principles of Singapore Land Law|edition=2nd|location=Singapore|publisher=LexisNexis|year=2009|isbn=978-981-236-732-7}}.

==External links==
{{wikisource|Portal:Law of Singapore}}
{{Commonscat|Law of Singapore}}
===Singapore law===
*[https://sso.agc.gov.sg/ Singapore Statutes Online – a service of the Attorney-General's Chambers, Singapore]

===Government ministries and agencies===
*[https://www.agc.gov.sg/ Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC), Singapore]
*[https://www.mlaw.gov.sg/ Ministry of Law]
**'''Departments'''
***[https://cmc.mlaw.gov.sg/ Community Mediation Centre (CMC)]
***[https://io.mlaw.gov.sg/ Insolvency and Public Trustee's Office (IPTO)]
***[https://lab.mlaw.gov.sg/ Legal Aid Bureau]
**'''Statutory boards'''
***[https://www.ipos.gov.sg/ Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS)]
***[https://www.sla.gov.sg/ Singapore Land Authority (SLA)]
**'''Boards'''
***[https://ab.mlaw.gov.sg/ Appeals Board (Land Acquisition)]
***[https://www.ipos.gov.sg/about-ip/copyright/copyright-tribunal Copyright Tribunal]
***[https://lsb.mlaw.gov.sg/ Land Surveyors Board, Singapore]

===Parliament===
*[https://www.parliament.gov.sg/ Parliament of Singapore]

===Courts===
*[https://www.judiciary.gov.sg/ Singapore Courts]
**[https://www.judiciary.gov.sg/civil/small-claims Small Claims Tribunals]
*[https://syariahcourt.gov.sg/ Syariah Court of Singapore]

===Alternative dispute resolution===
*[https://cmc.mlaw.gov.sg/ Community Mediation Centre (CMC)]
*[https://siac.org.sg/ Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC)]
*[https://www.mediation.com.sg/ Singapore Mediation Centre (SMC)]

===Legal education===
*[https://nus.edu.sg/ National University of Singapore (NUS)]
** [https://cil.nus.edu.sg/ Centre for International Law (CIL)]
**[https://bschool.nus.edu.sg/strategy-policy/ Department of Business Policy, NUS Business School]
**[https://law.nus.edu.sg/ Faculty of Law]
***[https://law.nus.edu.sg/asli/ Asian Law Institute (ASLI)]
***[https://law.nus.edu.sg/apcel/ Asia-Pacific Centre for Environmental Law (APCEL)]
***[https://law.nus.edu.sg/ewbclb/ EW Barker Centre for Law & Business]
*[https://smu.edu.sg/ Singapore Management University (SMU)]
**[https://law.smu.edu.sg/ School of Law]
*[https://www.ntu.edu.sg/business Nanyang Technological University (NTU) — College of Business (Nanyang Business School)]
**[https://www.ntu.edu.sg/business/academic-divisions/business-law Division of Business Law]
*[https://www.tp.edu.sg/ Temasek Polytechnic — Temasek Business School]
**[https://www.tp.edu.sg/schools/bus/law-and-management Diploma in Law and Management]

===Legal associations and organisations===
*[https://www.lawsociety.org.sg/ Law Society of Singapore]
*[https://sal.org.sg/ Singapore Academy of Law]
*[https://www.scca.org.sg/ Singapore Corporate Counsel Association]
*[https://www.aseanlawassociation.org/ ASEAN Law Association, Singapore]

{{Law of Singapore}}
{{Singapore topics}}
{{Asia in topic|Law of|IL=Israeli law}}
{{English law}}

[[Category:Law of Singapore| ]]