An Ongoing Exhibition
An Ongoing Exhibition
Come Discover 200 Years of Justice in Singapore
The exhibition traces the development of the courts from pre-colonial justice to the present day, showcasing significant milestones and landmark cases that have defined the legal landscape in Singapore.
This year-long exhibition will be held at the Supreme Court and will allow members of the public to journey through legal history and understand how the courts have evolved over the years in order to maintain the Judiciary’s critical role in upholding the rule of law and enhancing access to justice in Singapore.
Visit Our Exhibition
- Supreme Court of Singapore
1 Supreme Court Lane, Singapore 178879
Level 2, Atrium
- Opening Hours
Monday to Friday:
8.30am to 4.30pm
Saturday (from 17 Jan 2026):
8.30am to 12.30pm
Closed on Sunday and public holidays.
Highlights
Song Ong Siang was first local Chinese lawyer who was called to the Bar in 1893.
Photo credit: Singapore History Museum.
Between 1824 and 1867, Singapore experienced rapid growth in trade and population, prompting calls for more effective governance and legal reform.
When the Straits Settlements became a Crown Colony in 1867, major changes followed: judicial, executive, and legislative powers were separated, the Supreme Court of the Straits Settlements was established, and only legally trained judges and qualified lawyers were allowed to practise.
These reforms professionalised the legal system and opened the legal profession to locals and women.
In July 1942, the Syonan Shimbun reported on District Judge M. V. Pillai fining a coffeeshop keeper $75 for charging 7 cents for a cup of coffee
Credit: Syonan Shimbun
Under Japanese rule, the law became a tool of those in power. During this turbulent period, the Syonan Supreme Court (Syonan Kōtō Hōin) was staffed by Japanese judges who often displayed clear bias.
Although the courts were reopened, they were permitted to operate only so long as they did not interfere with the military administration, severely limiting judicial independence.
The courts play a crucial role in keeping society safe by administering criminal justice fairly, impartially and consistently.
- Combatting New Forms of Crime in a Growing Nation
- Key Sentencing Approaches: From Deterrence to Rehabilitation
The effective administration of justice is integral to the upholding of the rule of law. Yet, many individuals face barriers that prevent them from accessing justice. In response, our judiciary has come up with various tribunals and specialist courts in an attempt to bridge this justice gap.
Over the years, these have become an indispensable part of Singapore’s justice system.
Small Claims Tribunals (SCT)
The SCT was established in 1985 to provide a quick and inexpensive forum to resolve small claims. Over the next four decades, SCT now also hears landlord-tenant disputes, consumer disputes involving unfair practices and other claims.
Employment Claims Tribunals (ECT)
ECT provides employees and employers with a quick, accessible, and cost-effective forum for resolving employment-related disputes. These include non-payment of salary and wrongful dismissal.
Community Dispute Resolution Tribunals (CDRT)
The CDRT oversees mainly neighbor disputes, involving interference with the enjoyment or use of their place of residence. The CDRT can also make orders prohibiting acts of neighbourhood nuisance that unreasonably interfere with neighbours' rights.
Protection from Harassment Court (PHC)
PHC was recently established in 2021 to provide victims with quick relief from acts of harassment. It covers a wide range of harassment, including threatening or abusive behaviour, online harassment, cyberbullying and the publication of false statements.
Small Claims Tribunals
The SCT was established in 1985 to provide a quick and inexpensive forum to resolve small claims.
Over the next four decades, SCT now also hears landlord-tenant disputes, consumer disputes involving unfair practices and other claims.
Employment Claims Tribunals
ECT provides employees and employers with a quick, accessible, and cost-effective forum for resolving employment-related disputes.
These include non-payment of salary and wrongful dismissal.
Community Dispute Resolution Tribunals
The CDRT oversees mainly neighbor disputes, involving interference with the enjoyment or use of their place of residence.
The CDRT can also make orders prohibiting acts of neighbourhood nuisance that
unreasonably interfere with neighbours' rights.
Protection from Harassment Court
PHC was recently established in 2021 to provide victims with quick relief from
acts of harassment.
It covers a wide range of harassment, including
threatening or abusive behaviour, online harassment, cyberbullying and the publication of false statements.
The breakdown of a family is often complicated by many underlying issues and raw emotions. Hence, the therapeutic justice model helps parties let go of hurt, refrain from inflammatory acts, and refocus on resolving the problems at hand.
To facilitate this process, a “One Family, One Team” approach is adopted where a multi-disciplinary team comprising a hearing judge, judge-mediator, and court family specialist works with the family from start to finish, ensuring consistency and coordinated care.
Credit: Singapore Courts
Singapore’s Judiciary is committed to strengthening the global and regional rule of law through active leadership, international cooperation, and bilateral judicial engagements. Recognising that a rules-based international order is essential in today’s uncertain global landscape, these partnerships—through dialogues, MOUs, and collaborations between courts—promote stronger legal systems and effective cooperation on cross-border legal challenges.
Anchoring Transnational Commercial Justice
The Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) provides a trusted and neutral forum for resolving international commercial disputes, including cases with little or no connection to Singapore.
As part of Singapore’s vision to be a leading dispute resolution hub, the SICC blends litigation and arbitration practices across common and civil law traditions and has grown in influence as a contributor to the international rule of law.
Harnessing Technology for Efficient and Accessible Justice
In today’s fast-paced world, digital technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) and rapid connectivity are constantly reshaping how individuals live, work, interact with others and even play.
Similarly, the justice landscape is also continually changing, shaped by digital technology to meet societal needs and expectations.
Over the past 200 years, Singapore’s courts have undergone significant transformations, transitioning from one courthouse to another as the needs of the justice system evolved. These structures have served as the physical spaces where the rule of law has been upheld, with the Judiciary continually enhancing its infrastructure and facilities to meet the growing needs of court users.
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