Civil justice in S'pore: 50 and going strong

CIVIL society rests on the foundation that its members will conduct themselves justly. Aristotle described justice as the "bond of men in states". He believed that "the administration of justice, which is the determination of what is just, is the principle of order in political society".

AS Singapore celebrates its Golden Jubilee, it is opportune to track how its administration of justice has evolved, and cast an eye on the horizon ahead. When it gained independence in 1965, Singapore did not even have its own legislation governing the constitution and operation of its judiciary. Today, Singapore has a well-regarded judiciary and a leading arbitration centre, complemented by sophisticated mediation options. This comprehensive suite of dispute resolution services is sought after not only by the local population but also businesses worldwide. Both place faith in the ability of the civil justice system in Singapore to "right the wrongs" occasioned to them in their commercial dealings. This did not happen by chance but by planning and foresight.

In 1963, when Singapore became part of Malaysia, the High Court in Singapore was a branch of the Malaysian High Court. Appeals lay to the Federal Court of Malaysia, with further appeals in certain cases to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) which sat in London and was the highest court of appeal for the British Empire.