Provision for Summary Determination and Disposal of Vexatious Claims under Supreme Court (Protection from Harassment) Rules 2021
Ministry of LawSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns whether the Supreme Court (Protection from Harassment) Rules 2021 should be amended to allow for the summary disposal of frivolous claims without notifying respondents to prevent the court's collateral misuse. Minister for Law K Shanmugam explained that the Protection from Harassment Court (PHC) already holds powers in simplified proceedings to expeditiously deal with claims that are an abuse of process. For standard proceedings, normal striking out procedures under the Rules of Court apply, and the PHC may award costs against those filing meritless claims. He noted that the PHC usually requires a respondent’s input to determine if a claim is vexatious to ensure the court has a complete picture before dismissal. Additionally, the General Division of the High Court can issue restraint orders against repeat litigants who commence actions that are totally without merit.
Transcript
5 Mr Murali Pillai asked the Minister for Law whether the Supreme Court (Protection from Harassment) Rules 2021 may be amended to provide for summary determination and disposal of frivolous and vexatious claims by claimants without the need to notify the respondents to reduce the risk of the Protection from Harassment Court being used by claimants against respondents for collateral purposes.
Mr K Shanmugam: Claims filed under the Protection from Harassment Act can be made through simplified or standard proceedings.
For claims filed through simplified proceedings, which form a significant majority of cases filed in the Protection from Harassment Court (PHC), the PHC has, at any time after a claim is filed, powers to make such orders and directions as it thinks fit for the just, expeditious and economic disposal of a case. The PHC therefore may, notwithstanding that the proceedings are already simplified, deal with a case which is frivolous, vexatious or otherwise an abuse of process in an appropriate way.
For claims filed through standard proceedings, which form a small minority of cases filed in the PHC, the normal procedures provided for in the Rules of Court, such as striking out, are available.
Further, in making a decision to award costs and disbursements, the PHC may take into account whether the claim was dismissed for being frivolous, vexatious or otherwise an abuse of process.
As with civil disputes in general, the PHC will usually require the Respondent's side of the story to determine whether the claim is indeed frivolous or vexatious.
The General Division of the High Court (GDHC) is also empowered to, on application by the Attorney-General or any party to a claim, make restraint orders against a claimant who has repeatedly commenced actions that are totally without merit, to restrain such a claimant from commencing actions or applications. This provides another avenue for preventing frivolous or vexatious claims.