Focus on Singapore investment immigration and Singapore law:
▲ The Judicial System of Singapore
After assuming the position of Chief Justice in the 1990s, Singapore's current Chief Justice Yong Pung How implemented major reforms to the judicial system and reorganized the Supreme Court and the Subordinate Courts, enabling Singapore's judicial system to adapt to the development of the times and stand at the forefront of international justice. The World Bank has hailed Singapore's courts as a model for the international community, and the American Judicature Society awarded the "Justice Achievement Award" to the Subordinate Courts of Singapore.
The following points are worth noting:
1. Emphasis on the overall quality of judicial officials, forming an institutionalized force
The "Legal Service Commission," established under the Constitution, operates on the principle of meritocracy and is responsible for the appointment of legal officers and judicial personnel. The Singaporean legal profession is an organized and institutionalized force, a community of legal professionals. Because Singapore believes in the rule of law rather than the rule of man, in the contemporary national context and social environment, "it is difficult for us to rely on individual heroic figures like Judge Bao to sweep across the world with a single stroke of the dragon-headed guillotine."
2. Judicial organs exercise their powers independently in accordance with the law and fair procedures
Judicial organs exercise their powers independently in accordance with the law and fair procedures, free from interference by the government or individuals. The Constitution of Singapore establishes the independent judicial power of the judiciary. Judicial officers enjoy judicial immunity and cannot be sued in civil court for their judicial acts. To ensure judicial independence, the Constitution explicitly stipulates that Parliament may not deliberate on the judicial conduct of judges unless one-quarter of the Members of Parliament request such a review. Singapore does not implement a system of accountability for wrongful cases, as it is believed that this would undermine judicial independence. The law also guarantees the authority of the judiciary; anyone who commits contempt of court may be sentenced to imprisonment or fined.
Judges of the High Court are protected by the Constitution and are appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister. Judges enjoy the right of an "iron rice bowl" and cannot be removed from office before the statutory retirement age of 65, unless they (1) resign voluntarily, (2) are removed from office by a specially constituted tribunal in accordance with legal procedures due to criminal conduct, or (3) must resign due to physical or health reasons.
The above provisions ensure that High Court judges can exercise judicial power independently without fear, and without worrying about losing their jobs due to their judicial decisions.
The appointment of Subordinate Court judges and legal officers is determined by the Legal Service Commission, and these judges are civil servants of the state. Because the Chairman of the Legal Service Commission is the Chief Justice, the Chief Justice provides unified leadership to these Subordinate Court officials and legal officers. Therefore, these judges are independent of other government departments, follow the leadership of the Chief Justice, and exercise judicial power independently, free from interference or influence by any government department or individual.
For victims of domestic violence in marriage and family, the Singaporean judicial system provides them with comprehensive counseling.
3. The Judicial Declaration of the Subordinate Courts of Singapore
Approximately 98% of civil cases in Singapore are heard in the Subordinate Courts, so the judiciary of the Subordinate Courts can be considered representative of the Singaporean judiciary. The following records the declaration of justice, efficiency framework, and judicial guidelines stipulated by the Subordinate Courts to demonstrate Singapore's determination for judicial fairness.
Declaration of Justice
One Mission: To administer justice.
Two Goals: First, to uphold the rule of law; second, to facilitate access to justice.
Three Purposes: First, to adjudicate cases fairly; second, to enforce the law efficiently; third, to maintain public trust and confidence in the judiciary.
Four Models of Justice: First, criminal justice to protect the public; second, civil justice to resolve disputes effectively and fairly; third, family justice to protect the family; fourth, youth justice to assist in rehabilitation and improvement.
Five Values: Accessibility of the law, promptness and timeliness, equality, fairness and integrity, independence and accountability, trust and confidence.
Six Principles: Faithful administration of justice, administering justice for people of different backgrounds, administering justice according to Singaporean law, fearlessness of power, impartiality, dedication to justice, and loyalty to Singapore.
Efficiency Framework
The Singaporean judiciary has a blueprint for perfecting the Singaporean judicial system.
Judicial Guidelines
The Singaporean legal profession has established certain judicial standards, such as the requirement that judicial personnel must ensure that the public has confidence in and shows respect for Singapore's institutional system; a fair system must protect human dignity and uphold the enforcement and improvement of the law; judicial independence, fairness, etc. From the above, it can be seen that the Singaporean legal profession is full of confidence in the future of the judiciary and possesses the vigilance and will to implement and perfect the judicial system.
