Legal Systems and Singapore's Development

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Questions and Answers

What best describes a common feature of common law as a legal tradition?

It originated in the Roman legal system.

It is practiced only in the European Union.

It is based on codified statutes.

Precedent is supreme in its application. (correct)

Which legal tradition is primarily associated with codified laws?

Islamic law

Common law

Civil law (correct)

Customary law

What significant legal reform occurred in Singapore in 1852?

Introduction of admission examinations for Law Agents (correct)

Establishment of the Supreme Court

Introduction of a Court of Appeal

Liquidation of the East India Company

Which event in Singapore's legal history marked the official importation of English law?

Second Charter of Justice Signup and view all the answers

What does the mechanistic theory of law imply?

Cases yield specific and predictable outcomes. Signup and view all the answers

Which legal theory focuses on the fair distribution of resources and rights?

Distributive justice Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the R v Willans case in 1858 in Singapore's legal context?

Interpreted the Second Charter of Justice to have introduced English law. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following years marked Singapore becoming a separate Crown Colony?

1946 Signup and view all the answers

Who was appointed as the Yang Di-Pertuan Negara in 1959?

Yusof Ishak Signup and view all the answers

What significant legal change occurred in 1969 regarding jury trials?

Abolition of jury trials except for capital charges and as directed by the Chief Justice Signup and view all the answers

What was established by the Legal Profession Act 1966?

Advocates and Solicitors Society Signup and view all the answers

Which act in 1991 introduced the Elected Presidency?

Constitution (Amendment) Act 1991 Signup and view all the answers

What was a major change introduced by the Judicial Committee Repeal Act 1994?

Discontinued appeals to the Privy Council Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following acts limited legal professionals to law graduates from specific universities in 1993?

LPA (Amendment) Act 1993 Signup and view all the answers

What was a result of the 2016 Constitutional Amendment Act regarding NCMPs?

NCMPs were given full voting rights Signup and view all the answers

Which act split the High Court into General and Appellate Divisions in 2019?

Supreme Court of Judicature Act 2019 Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Legal Systems

Legal systems are the systematic integration of legal traditions and cultures within a jurisdiction.
Legal traditions differ based on concepts and values specific to each jurisdiction.
Common law, originating in England, relies on precedent and is practiced in Commonwealth countries.
Civil law, originating in Rome, is codified and practiced in continental Europe and its colonies.
Islamic law is based on the Quran.
Mechanistic theory views legal outcomes as predictable from input cases.
Commutative justice treats equal cases equally.
Distributive justice prioritizes the fulfilment of rights.

Development of Singapore's Legal System

1784: The Pitt's India Act established a joint British India government.
1819: The Treaty of Singapore established British control.
1823: Regulations were set concerning land, trade, and jurisdiction.
1824: Treaties, including the Anglo-Dutch Treaty, officially assigned Singapore's control to the British.
1826: A second Charter of Justice introduced English law to the Straits Settlements.
1829: The Straits Settlement Presidency ended and was under the Bengal Presidency.
1833: The Charter Act gave the Indian government power to legislate for Straits Settlements.
1852: Jeffcott Reforms established admission examinations for law agents.
1855: A third Charter of Justice created separate legal roles for Singapore.
1858: The Government of India Act ended East India Company rule in India.
1867: Singapore became a Crown Colony.
1868, 1873: Court ordinances instituted Courts of Appeals, with appeals to the Privy Council.
1877: Introduction of ExCo.
1942-1945: Japanese occupation.
1946: The Straits Settlements dissolved, and Singapore became an independent Crown Colony.
1953: Rendel Commission reviewed the constitution and formed the Legislative Assembly.
1959: Singapore attained internal self-governance.
1963: Singapore merged with other states to form Malaysia, but Singapore later seceded.
1965: Singapore achieved full independence.
Other dates and events detailed the further development of the Singapore legal system throughout the 1960s, 70s, 80s, and beyond.

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Description

This quiz explores the key concepts of various legal systems, including common law, civil law, and Islamic law. It also delves into the historical development of Singapore's legal framework, detailing significant milestones from British control to modern regulations. Test your knowledge on the integration of legal traditions and their evolution in Singapore.