The SICC is located at the Supreme Court building, 1 Supreme Court Lane, Singapore 178879.

The SICC Registry is located at Level 2 of the Supreme Court building. 

The SICC operates from 8.30am to 6.00pm from Mondays to Fridays (GMT +8).

The SICC Registry is open from 9.00am to 5.30pm from Mondays to Thursdays. On Fridays, it is open from 9.00am to 5.00pm.

The Judges of the SICC generally sit from 10.00am to 1.00pm and from 2.30pm to 5.00pm on weekdays.

The Registrars of the SICC generally sit from 9.00pm to 1.00pm and from 2.30pm to 5.00pm on weekdays.

The hours for the sitting of the SICC are subject to the discretion of the Judge or Registrar having conduct of the case or matter.

The attire for male counsel (which include Full Registration Foreign Lawyers), Restricted Registration Foreign Lawyers and Registered Law Experts appearing in open Court shall be an ordinary long-sleeved white shirt and a turn-down collar, a tie of a subdued or sober colour, a dark jacket, dark trousers and black or plain-coloured shoes. Conspicuous jewellery or ornaments should not be worn.

The attire for female counsel (which include Full Registration Foreign Lawyers), Restricted Registration Foreign Lawyers and Registered Law Experts appearing in open Court shall be a long-sleeved white blouse high to the neck, a dark jacket, a dark skirt or dark trousers and black or plain-coloured shoes. Conspicuous jewellery or ornaments should not be worn.

When appearing before a Judge in Chambers or a Registrar, the attire for both men and women shall be the same as for open Court.

The Chief Justice and Judges shall, when sitting in open Court or in Chambers, be addressed as “Your Honour”, and on social occasions or other extra-judicial occasions, as “Chief Justice” or “Judge”, as the case may be.

The Chief Justice and Judges shall, in all cause lists, orders of Court, correspondence and other documents, be described respectively as “Chief Justice” or “Justice” without any accompanying gender prefix.

The applicant may attend before the Registrar on duty during the hours of sitting of the SICC for the fixing of an urgent hearing date or for directions. Alternatively, the applicant may contact the SICC Registry to arrange for a teleconference or video conference with the Registrar on duty.

Paragraphs 14, 15 and 54 of the SICC Practice Directions apply to hearings of such urgent applications.

The applicant should contact the Registrar on duty at +65 6332 4351 or +65 6332 4352. The Registrar will only arrange for the hearing of applications which the Registrar considers are so urgent that they cannot be heard on the next working day.

Before contacting the Registrar on duty, all the necessary papers required for the application must be prepared together with the appropriate draft orders of Court and forwarded by way of an email to Supcourt_SICCRegistry@supcourt.gov.sg.

Paragraphs 14, 15 and 54 of the SICC Practice Directions apply to hearings of such urgent applications.

Hearings of urgent applications (interlocutory or otherwise) may be conducted through teleconference or video conference if directed by the Judge hearing the applications. Each party shall be responsible for ensuring that it joins the teleconference or video conference at the designated date and time. Costs reasonably incurred in participating in such teleconference or video conference are subject to the orders of the SICC as to costs.

Mondays to Thursdays: From 9.00am to 1.00pm, and from 2.00pm to 5.30pm
Fridays: From 9.00am to 1.00pm, and from 2.00pm to 5.00pm

The SICC is a division of the Singapore High Court. It has the jurisdiction to hear and try any action if:

1. the claims between the plaintiffs and defendants named in the originating process when it was first filed are of an international and commercial nature;
2. each plaintiff and defendant named in the originating process when it was first filed has submitted to the Court’s jurisdiction under a written agreement; and
3. the parties do not seek any relief in the form of, or connected with, a prerogative order (including a Mandatory Order, a Prohibiting Order, a Quashing Order or an Order for a Review of Detention).

The SICC may also hear cases which are transferred from the High Court. Third or subsequent parties may be joined to an action where the SICC has and assumes jurisdiction or in a case transferred to the SICC from the High Court.

A claim is international in nature if:

1. the parties have, their places of business in different States;
2. none of the parties to the claim have their places of business in Singapore;
3. at least one of the parties to the claim has its place of business in a different State from -
1. the State in which a substantial part of the obligations of the commercial relationship between the parties is to be performed; or
2. the State with which the subject matter of the dispute is most closely connected; or
4. the parties to the claim have expressly agreed that the subject matter of the claim relates to more than one State.

A claim is commercial in nature if

(a) the subject matter of the claim arises from a relationship of a commercial nature, whether contractual or not, and includes (but not limited to) any of the following transactions:

1. any trade transaction for the supply or exchange of goods or services;
2. a distribution agreement;
3. commercial representation or agency;
4. factoring or leasing;
5. construction works;
6. consulting, engineering or licensing;
7. investment, financing, banking or insurance;
8. an exploitation agreement or a concession;
9. a joint venture or any other form of industrial or business cooperation;
10. a merger of companies or an acquisition of one or more companies;
11. the carriage of goods or passengers by air, sea, rail or road.

(b) The claim relates to an in personam intellectual property dispute; or

(c) The parties to the claim have expressly agreed that the subject matter of the claim is commercial in nature

Yes, so long as the requirements under Order 110 Rule 7 are met and the SICC does not decline to assume jurisdiction under Order 110 Rule 8.

A foreign lawyer may generally act in SICC proceedings for offshore cases or for the purposes of submitting on questions of foreign law. For the full list of circumstances where a foreign lawyer may act for a party in SICC proceedings, please refer to paragraph 26 of the SICC Practice Directions.

Yes.

Yes. The High Court can make an order for the case to be transferred arising from an application by a party to the case, where that party has obtained the consent of the other parties. Such an application shall be made by summons supported by an affidavit. The High Court may also, after hearing the parties, order the transfer on its own motion. Please refer to Order 110 Rules 12 and 58 of the Rules of Court (Cap 322, R 5) for more information.

Yes. Parties can apply for transfer from the SICC to the High Court with the consent of all other parties. Such an application shall be made by summons supported by an affidavit. Please refer to Order 110 Rule 12 of the Rules of Court (Cap 322 R 5) for more information.

The full list of court fees and hearing fees for SICC cases can be found at Order 110 Rules 47 and 48 of the Rules of Court (Cap 322, R 5).

 

There is an initial deposit to be paid, from which the fees will be deducted. Under Order 110 Rule 49 of the Rules of Court (Cap 322, R 5), a party to a case commenced in the SICC must pay to the Registrar a deposit. The deposit must be paid by the plaintiff, upon the filing of the originating process; and by any other party, upon the filing of that party’s first document in the case.

Paragraph 36(1) of the SICC Practice Directions provides that the plaintiff shall furnish an initial deposit of S$8,000 upon the commencement of either a writ action or an originating summons in the SICC.

Paragraph 36(4) of the SICC Practice Directions provides that the defendant shall furnish a deposit of S$8,000 upon the entry of appearance to proceedings commenced by a writ of summons or when directed by the Registrar to do so, whichever is the earlier. Parties who are subsequently joined to the proceedings (including those being joined as an additional plaintiff or defendant, or a third or subsequent party) shall furnish a deposit of S$8,000 upon the entry of appearance to proceedings commenced by a writ of summons or when directed by the Registrar to do so, whichever is the earlier.

The deposit is to be furnished by direct interbank payment or telegraphic transfer into the Court’s nominated account.

Bank Name	United Overseas Bank
	Coleman Branch
Account Number	302-311-987-9
Account Name	Registrar Supreme Court/AG
Swift Code	UOVBSGSG
Bank Address	1 Coleman Street #01-14 & #B1-19
	The Adelphi
	Singapore 179803

 

Please note that the amount of S$8,000 for the initial deposit is the nett amount to be paid into the Court’s nominated account. Any additional fees and charges imposed in respect of the direct interbank payment or telegraphic transfer shall be borne by the payor separately.

Foreign law may be proved as a fact. But the SICC may, on the application of a party, order that any question of foreign law be determined on the basis of submissions (which may be oral or written or both) instead of proof.

For a case to be placed in the TIC List, it must first be commenced in or transferred to the SICC (see Question 9 above). An eligible case in the SICC may be placed in the TIC List only with the consent of all the parties. This may be done either at the point of commencement of the case in the SICC, at the point when a case is transferred from the General Division of the High Court to the SICC, or at any later point in time: see paragraph 155 of the SICC Practice Directions.

For a case to be eligible to be placed in the TIC List, it must involve technically complex issues and the nature of the dispute must be such that trial by a TIC Judge is desirable: see paragraph 154(1) of the SICC Practice Directions. A case in the TIC List which does not qualify, or no longer qualifies, for the TIC List may be transferred out of the TIC List.

Yes, subject to the provisions of section 34 of the Supreme Court of Judicature Act (Cap 322) and Order 110 of the Rules of Court (Cap 322 R 5) and any contractual exclusion or limitation by the parties of their rights of appeal. Any appeal from a judgment or order of the SICC will be heard and determined by the Court of Appeal.

Hearings will be conducted within the Supreme Court premises at 1 Supreme Court Lane, Singapore 178879. The SICC may also direct that hearings be conducted via videoconferencing or teleconferencing. Please refer to paragraph 98 of the SICC Practice Directions for more information.

The SICC is part of the Supreme Court of Singapore and is a division of the High Court. It is a superior court of law and the enforcement of judgments of the SICC is therefore no different from the enforcement of judgments of other superior courts. Please click here to find a note on enforcement of SICC judgments and orders.

It is not necessary for original documents to be submitted. Photocopies will be sufficient.

It need not be sworn / affirmed in Singapore. If it is sworn / affirmed outside Singapore, it should be sworn / affirmed before a court, judge, notary public or person having authority to administer oaths in testimony of an affidavit being taken before it or him.

No, there is no prescribed format, but the supporting affidavit should comply with Order 41 of the Rules of Court (Cap 322, R 5). The title of the affidavit should make reference to the specific provision of the Legal Profession Act in respect of which your application is made [i.e. section 36P of the Legal Profession Act (Cap 161)].

The SICC Registry will be able to assist you with enquiries on the procedures to be complied with, but will not be able to advise you on the likely outcome of your application or on any substantive legal matters. An applicant should submit a completed application enclosing the relevant documents in compliance with the Legal Profession (Representation in Singapore International Commercial Court) Rules 2014, together with the non-refundable registration fee of S$300. The application will then be placed before the Registrar for consideration.

Please include a list of case names or redacted case names (as appropriate) and the relevant citations, where available, of a representative sample or description of some of the relevant court or arbitration matters that you have been involved in, spanning at least 5 years. If these are set out in your curriculum vitae or website profile, you may wish to include a copy of your curriculum vitae or website profile and refer to the relevant portions therein.

There is no prescribed format. The certificate of good standing must be issued by the registration authority of the jurisdiction in which you are based or the jurisdiction the law of which you most frequently practise. The certificate should contain statements by the relevant foreign registration authority attesting to your good standing, including statements that confirm:

1. as at the date of the certificate, no disciplinary proceedings are pending or contemplated against you, and that your professional conduct is not under investigation; and
2. there has been no record of any professional misconduct or proceedings against you, or, if you have a record of professional misconduct or proceedings, stating what the charges / proceedings against you were and the results of those charges / proceedings.

The certificate of good standing must not be issued earlier than 6 months before the date on which your registration application is made.

You may make payment of the prescribed registration fee online, or in person at the Supreme Court cashier’s counter located at level 2 of the Supreme Court building at 1 Supreme Court Lane, Singapore 178879. The operating hours are 9.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. from Mondays to Thursdays and 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. on Fridays.

For online payments, payment can be made by electronic bank transfer to the following bank account or by credit card. For credit card payments, please note that we accept either Visa or Mastercard.

Bank Name	United Overseas Bank
	Coleman Branch
Account Number	302-311-987-9
Account Name	Registrar Supreme Court/AG
Swift Code	UOVBSGSG
Bank Address	1 Coleman Street #01-14 & #B1-19
	The Adelphi
	Singapore 179803

 

Please note that the amount of S$300 for the registration fee is the nett amount to be paid into the above mentioned bank account. Any additional fees and charges imposed in respect of the electronic bank transfer or credit card payment shall be borne by the payor separately.

If you choose to pay by electronic bank transfer, please let the SICC Registry have a bank transfer slip showing the payment of the prescribed non-refundable registration fee of S$300. Please indicate "RFL", followed by your full name, on the bank transfer slip to facilitate the SICC registry identifying the incoming bank transfer payment and linking it to your registration application.

If you are making the transfer from a Singapore bank account, you may wish to select the FAST mode of transfer and indicate “RFL” followed by your full name in the comments field. This will allow us to identify the incoming bank transfer payment and link it to your registration application.

If you prefer to make payment of the prescribed registration fee in person, please note that the Supreme Court cashier’s counter only accepts the following payment modes:

1. Credit card (Visa or Mastercard);
2. Nets/Cashcard;
3. Cash; or
4. Cashier’s Order (made payable to “Registrar Supreme Court / AG”)

 

If you choose to pay online, you would first have to create a user account in eLitigation. For more information, you may wish to refer to the following link: https://www.elitigation.sg/_layouts/IELS/Home/ReferenceCentre.aspx. In that link, click on “Quick Filing Guides” and select “Registration of Foreign Lawyers”.

You may wish to check your Junk E-mail folder for the eLitigation notifications. If the notification cannot be located therein, it could be that you have configured a whitelist in your email settings and you will need to add the 2 following domains into the whitelist to enable receipt of emails from eLitigation:

1. elitigation.sg
2. elitigation.com.sg