Compliance of Orders Issued by Small Claims Tribunals and Failure to Comply Due to Lack of Resources

53 Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for Law since 1 April 2022 (a) what is the number of orders issued by the Small Claims Tribunals; (b) whether the Ministry tracks the compliance of these orders; (c) whether the Ministry is aware of cases where either party fails to execute or enforce the order due to a lack of resources to hire a lawyer; and (d) if so, what is the percentage of such cases.

Mr K Shanmugam: From 1 April 2022 to 31 July 2024, the Small Claims Tribunals (SCT) issued about 10,750 money orders and work orders.

The Ministry does not track compliance with SCT orders nor the reasons that a party fails to execute or enforce an order.

Parties who require legal advice on the enforcement of SCT orders may approach the State Courts’ Community Justice Centre for free onsite legal advice or seek assistance from other legal clinics, such as those organised by the Law Society Pro Bono Services or community centres.