Judiciary: figure of ‘Justice’ by Rodolfo Nolli on the facade of the old Supreme Court building.
judiciary The judiciary is the chief guardian of Singapore’s Constitution, which it safeguards through the process of judicial review. Judicial power is vested in the Supreme Court, and in such subordinate courts as may be provided for by any written law for the time being in force.
The Constitution establishes two levels of courts: the Supreme Court and the Subordinate Courts. The Supreme Court consists of the High Court and the Court of Appeal. The High Court is presided over by puisne judges, led by the chief justice. All Supreme Court judges are appointed by the president, who acts on advice from the prime minister. In order to ensure judicial independence, Supreme Court judges enjoy constitutional protection. This is provided for through guarantees on tenure and remuneration, so that judges cannot be arbitrarily removed, their offices abolished or their salaries reduced. Judges have security of tenure up to the age of 65.
Judges appointed to the Court of Appeal are known as judges of appeal. In addition to puisne judges and judges of appeal, there are judicial commissioners, who hold the same rights and privileges as puisne judges, but do not enjoy the same security of tenure or remuneration.
The Subordinate Courts include the District Courts, the Magistrates’ Courts, the Family Court, the Syariah Court and the Small Claims Tribunal. Judges, registrars and assistant registrars in the Subordinate Courts are members of the legal service, and do not enjoy security of tenure or remuneration. Typically, they are rotated between various courts, the Attorney- General’s Chambers and government ministries. The Subordinate Courts are headed by the senior district judge, who works with the Legal Service Commission to determine the placement of junior judges.
Photo credit: Timothy Auger
Judiciary: figure of ‘Justice’ by Rodolfo Nolli on the facade of the old Supreme Court building.