{"id":7492,"date":"2021-07-10T11:21:33","date_gmt":"2021-07-10T03:21:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dollarsandsense.sg\/business\/?p=7492"},"modified":"2021-07-10T11:21:35","modified_gmt":"2021-07-10T03:21:35","slug":"small-claims-tribunal-filing-a-claim","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dollarsandsense.sg\/business\/small-claims-tribunal-filing-a-claim\/","title":{"rendered":"Small Claims Tribunal: Complete Guide To Filing A Claim"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong><em>This article was first published on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/dollarsandsense.sg\/small-claims-tribunal-complete-guide-filing-claim\/\">DollarsAndSense.sg<\/a><\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Disputes with our renovation contractors, neighbours, and shop owners are unfortunate but common occurrences in Singapore. However, if the dispute escalates and we wish to seek financial compensation, we can seek recourse at the small claims tribunal. A common small claims filing is for renovation works in HDB flats where homeowners seek financial compensation from contractors. According to the State Courts\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.statecourts.gov.sg\/cws\/Resources\/Documents\/OneJudiciaryAnnualReport2019.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">FY2019 annual report<\/a>, 10,927 cases of small claims dispute were filed within the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Under&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.supremecourt.gov.sg\/who-we-are\/the-supreme-court\/singapore-judicial-system\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Singapore\u2019s judiciary system<\/a>, there are three main courts \u2013 Supreme Court, State Court and Family Justice Court. Currently, the small claims tribunal lies under the State Court which covers both criminal and civil cases. The Small Claims Tribunal covers claims not exceeding $20,000. However, the limit can be raised to $30,000 if both parties agree to and file a Memorandum of Consent online. Any amount bigger than $30,000 should be referred to other courts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Read Also:&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dollarsandsense.sg\/7-ways-protect-interior-design-companies\/\"><strong><em>7 Ways To Protect Yourself From Errant Interior Design Companies During Your Home Renovations<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"things-to-note-before-filing-for-small-claims\">Things To Note Before Filing For Small Claims<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Claims are to be made and filed by the claimant. In general, we can file for&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.statecourts.gov.sg\/cws\/SmallClaims\/Pages\/Before%20filing%20a%20claim.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">small claim on these cases<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Claims on goods and services contracts<\/li><li>Tort property damages<\/li><li>Unfair practises for hire purchases based on Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act<\/li><li>Refund of motor vehicle deposits<\/li><li>Residential rental contract<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For more details on the cases eligible for small claims, the list of claims permissible can be found in the &nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sso.agc.gov.sg\/Act\/SCTA1984#Sc-\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Small Claims Tribunals Act<\/a>. The Small Claims Tribunal has the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sso.agc.gov.sg\/Act\/SCTA1984#pr5-\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">right to refuse claims<\/a>&nbsp;for cases that are not within the State Court\u2019s jurisdiction or property damages related to motor vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Currently, all small claims are required to be made electronically. The filing fee is<strong>&nbsp;non-refundable,&nbsp;<\/strong>and the filing fees are as shown in the table below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img src=\"https:\/\/dollarsandsense.sg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/1.-table-for-application-1024x301.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-38798\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Source:&nbsp;<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.statecourts.gov.sg\/cws\/SmallClaims\/Pages\/GeneralInformation.aspx\"><em>State Court<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We can do a quick assessment&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.statecourts.gov.sg\/CJTS\/\">here<\/a>&nbsp;to find out if our cases are eligible for small claims. Regardless, the assessment is not counted as legal advice, so do consult a lawyer for legal advice. However, do note that the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.statecourts.gov.sg\/cws\/SmallClaims\/Documents\/SCTBrochure_12022020.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">lawyers are unable to represent us in the Small Claims Tribunal Court<\/a>&nbsp;unless the case escalates to a different court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Aside from having sufficient evidence to make a case, there is a time limit to the claims made. All small claims must be filed&nbsp;<strong>within two years<\/strong>&nbsp;from the day of action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Read Also:&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dollarsandsense.sg\/heres-what-you-can-do-legally-as-recourse-if-a-company-owes-you-money-in-singapore\/\"><strong><em>Here\u2019s What You Can Do Legally As Recourse If A Company Owes You Money In Singapore<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"step-by-step-guide-to-complete-e-filing\">Step By Step Guide To Complete E-Filing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Since 2017, all small claims are to be filed online via Singapore State Court. Before using the online platform, we need to prepare relevant support documents for submission. Do note that non-English documents are required to be translated to English for submission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For individuals, we need a signed memorandum of consent if the claims exceed $20,000 and proofs of claim. These proofs include contracts, invoices, photos, communication evidence or other proofs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For entities, we would need our ACRA business profile, letter of authorisation (if required) a signed memorandum of consent if the claims exceed $20,000 and proofs of claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the relevant documents, we can follow the guide published on Singapore State Court to do the online filing of our claims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Step 1\u200b<\/strong><\/td><td>\u200bGo to&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.statecourts.gov.sg\/CJTS\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">http:\/\/www.statecourts.gov.sg\/CJTS\/<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Step 2\u200b<\/strong><\/td><td>\u200bLogin using your Singpass by clicking on \u201cFor Individual Users\u201d if you are an individual or \u201cFor Business Users\u201d if you are transacting on behalf of a business entity.<br>If you are not eligible for Singpass, you may apply for a CJTSPass by clicking \u201c<strong>Register for CJTSPass<\/strong>\u201d.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>\u200bStep 3<\/strong><\/td><td>\u200bUpdate \u201c<strong>My Profile<\/strong>\u201d with your personal particulars.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>\u200bStep 4<\/strong><\/td><td>\u200bClick \u201c<strong>Online applications<\/strong>\u201d then \u201c<strong>Claim Form<\/strong>\u201d<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u200b<strong>Step 5<\/strong><\/td><td>\u200bKey in your Pre-filing ID or proceed to do your pre-filing assessment to obtain a Pre-filing ID.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u200b<strong>Step 6<\/strong><\/td><td>\u200bComplete the questions in the pre-filing assessment and click \u201c<strong>Submit<\/strong>\u201d.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u200b<strong>Step 7<\/strong><\/td><td>\u200bFill in your claim.<br>\u2013 Enter the claimant\u2019s + respondent\u2019s details<br>\u2013 Upload supporting documents<br>\u2013 Click \u201c<strong>Submit<\/strong>\u201d, then \u201c<strong>Confirm to Proceed<\/strong>\u201d.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u200b<strong>Step 8<\/strong><\/td><td>\u200bPay the filing fees. Claims and Applications filed with CJTD will be processed only after the requisite payments are made. Payment may be made (a table of the applicable filing fees may be found at this&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.statecourts.gov.sg\/cws\/SmallClaims\/Pages\/FilingFees.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">link<\/a>)&nbsp;:<br><strong>Online:<\/strong>&nbsp;Credit Card \/ eNets<br><strong>Offline:<\/strong>&nbsp;Click \u201c<strong>Pay Later<\/strong>\u201d and then \u201c<strong>Generate Payment Advice<\/strong>\u201d. Bring the payment advice to the State Courts and pay by cash, Nets, Nets FlashPay or credit card&nbsp;at the payment kiosks in the State Courts.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u200b<strong>Step 9<\/strong><\/td><td>\u200bChoose a Consultation date and time.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u200b<strong>Step 10<\/strong><\/td><td>\u200bClick \u201c<strong>Save respondent\u2019s notice<\/strong>\u201d. Print the&nbsp;<strong>Notice of Consultation<\/strong>&nbsp;&amp; the&nbsp;<strong>Claim<\/strong>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.statecourts.gov.sg\/cws\/SmallClaims\/Pages\/Serving-a-claim.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">serve on the respondent<\/a>.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Source:&nbsp;<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.statecourts.gov.sg\/cws\/SmallClaims\/Pages\/LodgingaClaim.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Small Claims Tribunal<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"what-comes-next-after-e-filing\">What Comes Next After E-Filing?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img src=\"https:\/\/dollarsandsense.sg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/2.-overview-of-process.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-38799\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Source:&nbsp;<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.statecourts.gov.sg\/cws\/Resources\/Documents\/Media%20Release%20-%20Small%20Claims%20Tribunals%20to%20Accept%20Higher%20Value%20Claims%20from%201%20November%202019.pdf\"><em>State Court<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Upon completing our e-filing, we would have to wait for our claims to be approved by the Order of Registrar. Once our claims are accepted by the Registrar, both parties would be allowed to interact online via e-negotiation. Each party has 5 rounds of offers to make on the e-Negotiation platform. If parties agreed to a settlement, we may apply online for a Consent Order without the need to come to Court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the case that the approval for our claims was rejected, we can appeal against the Order of Registrar by\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.statecourts.gov.sg\/cws\/SmallClaims\/Pages\/Appeal-against-Registrars-Discontinuance-Order-to-the-Referee.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">e-filing<\/a>\u00a0and paying a $20 fee to appeal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If e-mediation turns out unsuccessful, a consultation date would be fixed for both parties to appear before Registrar in Court. At the consultation, if both parties are still unable to resolve the case, the Registrar may arrange for further consultations, order mediation, or arrange a hearing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When a hearing is ordered, we would need to prepare our case before the hearing with the relevant supporting evidence. The Tribunal Magistrate can either order financial settlement, service settlement, or dismiss the claim at the hearing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Read Also:&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/dollarsandsense.sg\/financial-disputes-financial-adviser-5-ways-seek-recourse\/\"><strong><em>Have A Dispute With Your Financial Adviser? Here Are 5 Avenues You Can Use To Seek Recourse<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the event we are unsatisfied with the outcome of the hearing, we can contest the verdict by submitting an appeal&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.statecourts.gov.sg\/cws\/SmallClaims\/Pages\/AppealingagainstaRefereesDecisiontotheHighCourt.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">within 14 days<\/a>&nbsp;from the Tribunal hearing. We may wish to start engaging a lawyer for our appeal to the District Court against the Tribunal hearing. Upon approval of appeal, the case would be taken to the High Court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>High Court cases can take an average of about six months to a year for settlement. If we decide to pursue the appeal, the legal fees for engagement are likely to be high and exceed the original expected small claims of under $20,000. Apart from the legal fees and prolonged duration, the possibility of losing the appeal should be factored into our consideration for pursuing the appeal.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"All small claims are to be filed online.\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7493,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[95],"tags":[1099,1098,1100],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v16.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Small Claims Tribunal: Complete Guide To Filing A Claim | DollarsAndSense Business<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"All small claims applications have to be filed online via the Singapore State Courts\u2019 online Community Justice and Tribunals System (CJTS).\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link 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