Singapore Legal System
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Questions and Answers

What is the name given to laws enacted by Parliament in Singapore?

  • Statutes (correct)
  • Constitution
  • Common Law
  • Subsidiary Legislation

    • What is the term used to describe laws that are not written down?

  • Written Law
  • Unwritten Law (correct)
  • Common Law
  • Subsidiary Legislation

    • What is the purpose of the Constitution of Singapore?

  • To set out the fundamental rights of individuals
  • To define the structure of government
  • To outline the role of the judiciary
  • All of the above (correct)

    • Under which circumstances can a Presidential election be reserved for a particular community?

    <p>If the community has not held the office of President for 5 or more consecutive terms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the minimum break time an employer must give to an employee who is required to work for 8 consecutive hours?

    <p>45 minutes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the name of the website where Singaporean laws are available online?

    <p><a href="https://sso.agc.gov.sg/">https://sso.agc.gov.sg/</a></p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to a law that is inconsistent with the Constitution of Singapore?

    <p>It has no legal effect</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term used to describe laws that are enacted by Parliament and are usually referred to as 'Acts'?

    <p>Statutes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of criminal law?

    <p>To punish the criminal and deter others</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the burden of proof in civil cases?

    <p>On a balance of probabilities</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the court in the legal system?

    <p>To provide a place for resolving disputes and punishing wrongdoers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the outcome of a criminal trial?

    <p>Guilty or not guilty</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between law and morality?

    <p>Law and morality are distinct, but related</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the outcome of the Carrefour Singapore Pte Ltd v Leong Wai Kay case in terms of civil law?

    <p>Leong was liable for damages</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the key distinction between criminal and civil law?

    <p>Criminal law punishes wrongdoers, while civil law provides remedies for private wrongs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of a civil law?

    <p>Contract Law</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to s38(1)(i) of the Employment Act, what is the maximum number of consecutive hours an employee can be required to work?

    <p>8 hours inclusive of a period or periods of not less than 45 minutes in the aggregate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the usual title of additional rules and regulations made by the minister or administrative body as empowered by statute?

    <p>Regulations or Rules</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the source of Judge Made Law?

    <p>Written judgments of judges</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When is a court bound to follow the legal principle in an earlier case?

    <p>When the earlier decision is made by a judge in a court that is superior to the judge deciding the current case</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of providing a period or periods of not less than 45 minutes in the aggregate during which an employee has the opportunity to have a meal?

    <p>To ensure the employee has time for a meal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between a statute and a regulation?

    <p>A statute is made by the legislative branch while a regulation is made by the executive branch</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the legal principle that a court is bound to follow in a later case if it is similar to an earlier case?

    <p>Stare decisis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main advantage of Judge Made Law?

    <p>It allows for flexibility and adaptation to changing circumstances</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an advantage of using a tribunal?

    <p>It is a cheap and quick process</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the maximum amount of civil claims that can be heard in the Magistrates’ Court?

    <p>$60,000</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of cases can only be heard by the High Court?

    <p>Company Winding-Up Proceedings, Bankruptcy Proceedings, and Admiralty Matters</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the Court of Appeal?

    <p>To hear appeals against judgments of the High Court</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it important for the judge to ensure consistency in his decisions?

    <p>To ensure fairness and predictability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who can appeal against a judgment in a criminal matter in the Court of Appeal?

    <p>Both the defendant and the prosecutor</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the Court of First Instance?

    <p>To hear the dispute for the first time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the highest court in Singapore?

    <p>Court of Appeal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the limit of the court's power to deal with different types of cases called?

    <p>Jurisdiction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the maximum amount of civil claims that can be heard in the District Court?

    <p>$250,000</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many Supreme Court judges usually preside over the Court of Appeal?

    <p>3</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which court hears an appeal against the decision of the Court of First Instance?

    <p>Appellate Court</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the maximum amount of claim that can be made in the Small Claims Tribunal?

    <p>$20,000</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How long does the plaintiff have to bring a claim in the Small Claims Tribunal?

    <p>2 years from the date of entitlement to claim</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which court can the losing party appeal to in the Small Claims Tribunal?

    <p>High Court</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the nature of the proceedings in the Small Claims Tribunal?

    <p>Informal and lawyers are not allowed to represent the parties</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    What is Law?

    • Law: A body of rules to be obeyed
    • Legal System: Comprises institutions, laws, and ways to enforce the law (e.g., courts)
    • Function of the courts: Provides a place for resolving disputes, punish wrongdoers

    Classification of Law

    • Criminal Law:
      • Purpose: Punishment of the criminal, deterrence
      • Examples: Penal Code (murder, rape), Arms Offences Act (armed robbery)
      • Parties: Public Prosecutor, Accused/Defendant
      • Burden of proof: Beyond reasonable doubt
      • What the court decides: Guilty/Not Guilty
      • What the court orders: Fine, imprisonment, caning, or death
    • Civil Law:
      • Purpose: Defines rights and duties of individuals and businesses, provides remedies for private wrong
      • Examples: Contract Law, Tort Law
      • Parties: Plaintiff/Claimant, Defendant
      • Burden of proof: On a balance of probabilities
      • What the court decides: Liable/Not Liable
      • What the court orders: Damages (monetary compensation), specific performance

    Sources of Singapore Law

    • The Constitution of Singapore:
      • Sets out the structure of government: executive, legislature, and judiciary
      • Sets out fundamental rights of individuals (e.g., freedom of speech, freedom of religion, prohibition against slavery)
      • Supreme law of the land: any other law inconsistent with the Constitution has no legal effect
    • Legislation (Statutes) enacted by Parliament:
      • Written laws enacted by parliament
      • Examples: Business Registration Act, Companies Act
      • Available online at https://sso.agc.gov.sg/
    • Subsidiary Legislation:
      • Additional rules and regulations made by the minister or administrative body as empowered by statute
      • Examples: Workplace Safety and Health (First Aid) Regulations, Bankruptcy Rules
    • Common Law:
      • Judge-made law
      • After a judge has finished hearing a dispute, he will prepare a written judgment
      • In his judgment, the judge may lay down certain legal rules or principles
      • These rules become part of the common law

    Singapore Court Structure

    • Court of Appeal:
      • Hears appeals against judgments of the High Court in civil and criminal matters
      • Presided by 3 Supreme Court judges
      • Highest court in Singapore: no further right of appeal
    • High Court:
      • Unlimited jurisdiction for both civil and criminal matters
      • Can hear company winding-up proceedings, bankruptcy proceedings, and admiralty matters
    • District Court:
      • Limited to civil claims not exceeding $250,000 or up to $500,000 for road traffic accident claims or claims for personal injuries arising out of industrial accidents
    • Magistrates' Court:
      • Limited to civil claims not exceeding $60,000
    • Small Claims Tribunal:
      • Limited to claims not exceeding $20,000 (can be increased to $30,000 if both parties agree in writing)
      • Informal proceedings: parties conduct their own proceedings before a Referee who is legally trained

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    Week 1 SG Legal System PDF

    Description

    Test your knowledge of the Singapore legal system, including the definition of law, classification of law, sources of Singapore law, and the Singapore court structure.

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