Update on Review of Streamlined Enforcement Framework for Civil Judgments
Ministry of LawSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Murali Pillai’s inquiry regarding the Ministry of Law’s review to simplify and streamline the enforcement of civil judgments. Minister for Law K Shanmugam highlighted that the Rules of Court 2021 already simplified processes by allowing single applications for multiple enforcement methods. He noted that a joint Bill with the Ministry of Social and Family Development is being developed to enhance the effectiveness of the maintenance enforcement regime. Additionally, the Ministry is studying new powers to punish non-compliance with court orders and enhanced asset-tracking capabilities to better identify a debtor’s assets. These proposals are currently being refined through stakeholder engagement, with more details to be announced at a later date.
Transcript
4 Mr Murali Pillai asked the Minister for Law whether he can provide an update on the Ministry's review of the civil enforcement framework to make enforcement of civil judgments simpler and more streamlined.
Mr K Shanmugam: My Ministry has been working on improving various aspects of the civil enforcement framework.
Most recently, the Rules of Court 2021, which came into operation on 1 April 2022, simplified the process which applies to the enforcement of civil judgments and orders. For example, where the judgment debt is not satisfied, the party seeking to enforce the order or judgment may now make a single application requesting one or more methods of enforcement. Previously, separate applications were required for different methods of enforcement.
We are currently working with MSF on a joint Bill to introduce enhancements to the maintenance enforcement regime. These enhancements are intended to make the enforcement of maintenance orders more efficient and effective, and to minimise repeat enforcement.
We are also working with the Courts to study possible changes to make the enforcement of civil judgments more effective, efficient and simpler. These include the introduction of new powers to punish and deter non-compliance with Court orders in respect of both monetary and non-monetary judgments, and enhanced powers to track and trace the assets of the judgment debtor where the debtor fails to comply with the Court order.
We are engaging stakeholders and refining our proposals based on their feedback. We will announce more details at a later date.