Enforcement Applications Filed in Respect of Community Disputes Resolution Tribunal Orders Issued between 2020 and 2024
Ministry of LawSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the enforcement of Community Disputes Resolution Tribunal (CDRT) orders, with MP Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song inquiring about application statistics and compliance monitoring. Minister Edwin Tong Chun Fai reported that between 2020 and 2024, 69 Special Direction and 13 Exclusion Order applications were filed, with an approximate 30% success rate. He explained that since CDRT proceedings are private actions, claimants typically monitor compliance, though breaching such orders constitutes contempt of court and carries criminal penalties. The Minister detailed that enforcement measures, including Special Directions and Exclusion Orders, provide legal recourse for non-compliance, potentially leading to fines or imprisonment. He added that the Community Relations Unit pilot in Tampines can assist by using investigative powers to verify order breaches in severe noise or hoarding cases.
Transcript
31 Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Law (a) how many enforcement applications were filed in respect of the 233 Community Disputes Resolution Tribunal orders issued between 2020 and 2024; (b) what percentage of these applications resulted in an enforcement order; and (c) whether the Ministry will introduce a mechanism for the court to direct agencies to verify and monitor compliance with non-monetary orders on-site.
Mr Edwin Tong Chun Fai: Between 2020 and 2024, 69 applications for Special Directions and 13 applications for Exclusion Orders were filed.
Of these applications filed, 24 Special Directions and two Exclusion Orders were made. This means that around 30% of enforcement applications resulted in an enforcement order. Due to the small number of applications involved, caution should be exercised in interpreting these percentages which are subject to wide statistical fluctuations.
Orders made by the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals (CDRT) are Court orders that must be complied with. The breach of a CDRT order constitutes contempt of Court. The breach of a Special Direction or Exclusion Order is also an offence punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for up to three months.
CDRT proceedings are private actions between private parties. As such, the claimants in private actions would typically monitor compliance with Court orders issued in their favour and decide how to proceed. If a CDRT Order has been breached, a claimant can apply for a Special Direction to enforce the CDRT Order. If a Special Direction has been breached, a claimant can further apply for an Exclusion Order to exclude the respondent from his or her residence. In severe noise nuisance and hoarding cases in the pilot town of Tampines, the Community Relations Unit can assist by using its investigation powers to verify the breach of a CDRT Order or a Special Direction.