Making Available Judgments of Employment Claims Tribunal Accessible

48 Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked the Minister for Manpower whether judgments and grounds of decision of the Employment Claims Tribunal can be made available for access and reference.

Mrs Josephine Teo: Today, any individual may request for a copy of the judgment or grounds of decision by the Employment Claims Tribunals (ECT), including both parties and non-parties to the proceedings. In assessing requests, ECT will consider factors, such as whether the information requested is necessary for the administration of justice, whether it is necessary to fulfil a legal requirement, or any other legitimate reason. This practice is consistent with applications for judgments and grounds of decisions of the State Courts, including other tribunals, such as the Small Claims Tribunals.

The Ministry of Manpower will make applications to the ECT to publish the judgment and grounds of decision for cases that are useful references to parties, including employers, employees and mediators. This will promote greater awareness of employment laws, as interpreted by the Courts.