2 SUBORDINATE COURTS 3 ANCHORING JUSTICE ANNUAL REPORT 2003 PREFACE BY The Subordinate Courts handle more than 95% of all court cases in Singapore. In absolute THE HONOURABLE THE terms, this is an average per year of approximately 251,000 criminal cases, 79,000 civil CHIEF JUSTICE cases, 18,000 matrimonial cases and 36,000 small claims. In these uncertain times and with our nation facing unprecedented challenges ahead, the Subordinate Courts must remain a firm anchor in the administration of justice. This is crucial for our nation’s continued stability and progress. Over the last 13 years, the Subordinate Courts have initiated fundamental judicial and administrative reforms which have enhanced public trust and confidence in the judicial system, protected public interests and ensured public access to justice. The Subordinate Courts have begun the process of institutionalising their best practices and entrenching their core values so as to ensure the sustainability of our judicial system in the long term, and to be a firm anchor in troubled and uncertain times. The Subordinate Courts must continue to be a first class judiciary, no matter how the external environment changes. Our judges and officers must continue to be of the highest calibre. We must continue to strive towards individual and organisational excellence. Our fundamental duties to the nation and society to provide stability and the assurance that the rule of law prevails and shall continue to prevail, demand nothing less. We must and will always remain true to our calling – to anchor justice in this land. “In my view, the success in the governance and administration of the courts lies in three THE HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE anchors – visionary leadership, strategic planning and effective implementation.” YONG PUNG HOW The Honourable the Chief Justice Yong Pung How, Keynote Address at the Subordinate Courts 12th Annual Workplan 2003/2004 on 17 May 2003. 4 SUBORDINATE COURTS 5 ANCHORING JUSTICE ANNUAL REPORT 2003 THE SENIOR DISTRICT JUDGE’S The 12th Subordinate Courts Workplan was set against a backdrop of uncertainty and MESSAGE unprecedented challenges for our island nation. The Honourable the Chief Justice reminded us that it was during such times that the foundation of our government and the strength of our institutional values are put to the ultimate test. His Honour went on to challenge us thus: “The Subordinate Courts have initiated fundamental judicial and administrative reforms over the past 12 years. The challenge now is to anchor these reforms and initiatives. It is only with a firm anchor in justice, and the due process of justice, that we can uphold the rule of law in the land as our nation traverses these troubled times.” We have carefully reviewed and enhanced each of our justice frameworks and processes and our governance structure. Our enduring task is to uphold the rule of law through the fair administration of justice. Our nation expects and deserves nothing less. We have met the challenges and kept faith with our task. This Annual Report is testimony of this. Dignus Honore “Our enduring task is to uphold the rule of law through the fair administration of justice. SENIOR DISTRICT JUDGE Our nation expects and deserves nothing less.” RICHARD MAGNUS 6 SUBORDINATE COURTS 7 ANCHORING JUSTICE ANNUAL REPORT 2003 ANCHORING JUSTICE ... As history has proven, I am confident that our SUBORDINATE COURTS leaders and our citizenry will walk through this solemn TH The Annual Workplan sets out the challenges which voyage with courage, fortitude, and confidence in the 12 WORKPLAN 2003/2004 the Subordinate Courts will face in the coming year administration of justice. I have the faith that the and the goals to be achieved. Senior District Judge and each one of you in the Subordinate Courts will serve the ends of justice well The Subordinate Courts 12 th Annual Workplan in these trying times. Our task is to uphold the rule 2003/2004, Anchoring Justice, was launched on of law through the fair administration of justice. 17 May 2003. The Keynote Address was delivered by Our gratitude to our forefathers, duty to posterity, The Honourable the Chief Justice Yong Pung How. and allegiance to our nation, make it imperative that we perform this task faithfully. Let the rule of law In the Keynote Address, His Honour announced rest upon the anchor of justice.” major initiatives to be undertaken by the various Subordinate Courts Justice Divisions in the areas of case management, enhancing access to justice, knowledge management, procedural reforms, the provision of services to the community, strategic planning and effective implementation of plans. “The administration of justice is as much a pragmatic enterprise as it is an idealistic endeavour. The Judiciary is an institution which represents the embodiment of ideals far greater than its parts. The Judiciary gives practical expression to our fundamental liberties. Above it all, the Judiciary must guard against the obstruction to justice, or more accurately, access to justice. We must strive to ensure that the public, and especially those who are indigent, can seek the redress available through the judicial process. ... The Subordinate Courts have in place a set of core values: accessibility; expedition and timeliness; equality, fairness and integrity; independence and accountability; and public trust and confidence. Work processes may change over time, but these values must endure. “The effective implementation of your Workplan is key to the attainment of the mission, objectives and goals laid down in your Justice Statement. Our constitutional duty demands ... In my view, the success in the governance and no less.” administration of the courts lies in three anchors – The Honourable the Chief Justice Yong Pung How, Keynote Address at the Subordinate Courts visionary leadership, strategic planning and effective 12th Annual Workplan 2003/2004 on 17 May 2003. implementation. 9 ANCHORING JUSTICE THE CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNANCE OF The President of the Republic of Singapore appoints THE COURTS the Senior District Judge, District Judges, Magistrates, Coroners and Referees of the Small Claims Tribunals 1. THE CONSTITUTION OF THE COURTS on the recommendation of The Honourable the Chief Justice. The Registrar and the Deputy Registrars are he Subordinate Courts are constituted by the appointed by The Honourable the Chief Justice and T Subordinate Courts Act (Cap 321) and derive their oversee the running of the Civil, Crime and Family judicial powers from Article 93 of the Constitution. Registries of the Subordinate Courts. Each District They comprise the District Courts, the Magistrates’ Judge and Magistrate of the Subordinate Courts is also Courts, the Coroner’s Court, the Juvenile Court and concurrently appointed as Deputy Registrar, Coroner the Small Claims Tribunals, and deal with more than and Referee of the Small Claims Tribunals. Before 95 percent of all judicial matters in Singapore. exercising the functions of their respective offices, they are required to take and subscribe to an oath of office Certain District Courts and Magistrates’ Courts are and allegiance, in which they pledge to faithfully designated as specialist courts, such as the Criminal discharge all judicial duties, without fear or favour, Mentions Courts, the Commercial Civil and Criminal affection or ill will to the best of their abilities to all Courts, the Family Mentions Court, the Family Court, manner of people after the laws and usages of the the Traffic Court, the Centralised Sentencing Court, Republic of Singapore. the Special Sentencing Court, the Filter Court and the Night Courts. The e@dr Centre and the Multi-Door Under the Group Management of Cases (GMC) scheme, Courthouse are also integral parts of the Subordinate the various courts are divided into groups. Each group Courts. As at 31 December 2003, there are a total of is overseen by a Group Manager, who is a District Judge 45 District and Magistrates’ Courts, 29 hearing of seniority. As at 31 December 2003, there are nine chambers in the Civil, Crime and Family Registries as GMC Groups. They consist of six groups of Criminal well as five settlement chambers in the e@dr Centre. Courts, the Civil Trial Courts group and the Family and Juvenile Courts group. The e@dr Centre forms one The Senior District Judge has immediate supervision GMC Group. All the Principal District Judges, Group of all the District Judges, Magistrates and staff of the Managers, the Registrar and the Senior Referees of the THE ADMINISTRATION Subordinate Courts. With effect from 1 August 2002, Small Claims Tribunals report to the Senior District the Singapore Legal Service has recognised five Judge. The Senior District Judge in turn is directly leadership positions in the Subordinate Courts as accountable to The Honourable the Chief Justice. OF JUSTICE Head of Department positions. They comprise four Principal District Judges and the Registrar; and assist 2. THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS the Senior District Judge in the management and administration of the Family and Juvenile Justice CRIMINAL JUSTICE “The Subordinate Courts have in place a set of core values: accessibility; expedition and timeliness; equality, fairness and integrity; independence and accountability; and public Division, the Criminal Trial Courts Division, the Civil The District Courts trust and confidence. Work processes may change over time, but these values must endure.” Justice Division, the Criminal Mentions, Night Courts The criminal jurisdiction of the Subordinate Courts is and Commercial Courts Division and the Registry of defined in the Criminal Procedure Code (Cap 68). The Honourable the Chief Justice Yong Pung How, Keynote Address at the Subordinate Courts the Subordinate Courts. In criminal cases, a District Court can hear and try 12th Annual Workplan 2003/2004 on 17 May 2003. 11 ANCHORING JUSTICE offences where the maximum term of imprisonment or the provision of services and any claim in tort in provided by law does not exceed 10 years or which are respect of damage caused to any property, where the punishable with a fine only.