Singapore Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) Guide — How to File a Claim 2026

Plain-English Summary

The Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) is a division of the State Courts of Singapore that handles disputes involving amounts up to S$20,000 (or S$30,000 if both parties agree in writing). It is a quick, cheap, and informal way to resolve everyday disagreements—like faulty goods, unpaid service fees, or minor contract breaches—without needing a lawyer. You file a claim online or in person, attend a mediation session, and if no settlement is reached, a tribunal magistrate makes a binding decision. The process typically takes 1–2 months from filing to resolution.

What Is the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT)?

The SCT is part of the State Courts of Singapore and is designed to help individuals and businesses resolve small-value disputes efficiently. According to the State Courts website, the SCT handles claims arising from:

• Contracts for the sale of goods or provision of services (e.g., a defective phone, a renovation job gone wrong)
• Damage to property (e.g., a car scratched at a workshop)
• Claims for money owed (e.g., unpaid rent, unreturned deposits)
• Disputes under the Hire-Purchase Act (e.g., issues with a car loan agreement)

However, the SCT does not handle claims involving:

• Personal injury or death
• Disputes over land or property ownership
• Employment-related claims (these go to the Employment Claims Tribunal)
• Claims against the Government or statutory boards

The monetary limit is S$20,000 per claim. If both parties agree in writing, the limit can be raised to S$30,000. For claims above S$20,000, you may need to waive the excess amount to bring it within the SCT's jurisdiction.

Step-by-Step Guide to Filing a Claim in 2026

Filing a claim at the SCT is straightforward. Here is the process broken down into clear steps:

Step 1: Check If Your Claim Qualifies

Before filing, confirm that:

• Your claim is for S$20,000 or less (or up to S$30,000 with mutual agreement).
• The dispute falls under the SCT's allowed categories (goods, services, property damage, or hire-purchase).
• The other party (the "respondent") is based in Singapore or has a local address for service.
• You have tried to resolve the issue directly with the other party first—for example, by sending a formal letter or email.

If you are unsure, you can check the State Courts' SCT page or call the SCT helpdesk at 6435 5940.

Step 2: Gather Your Evidence

Collect all documents that support your claim. These typically include:

• Contracts, invoices, or receipts
• Correspondence (emails, WhatsApp messages, letters) with the other party
• Photos or videos of the damaged goods or poor workmanship
• Bank statements showing payments made
• Any repair estimates or third-party reports

Organise them in a clear folder—digital and physical copies are both acceptable.

Step 3: File Your Claim

You can file your claim online via the Community Justice Centre (CJC) portal or in person at the SCT office located at the State Courts building, 1 Havelock Square, Singapore 059724. The filing fee is based on the claim amount:

• Claims up to S$5,000: S$10
• Claims between S$5,001 and S$10,000: S$20
• Claims between S$10,001 and S$20,000: S$50
• Claims up to S$30,000 (by agreement): S$100

When filing, you will need to provide:

• Your full name, NRIC/FIN, and contact details
• The respondent's full name and address
• A clear description of the dispute and the amount claimed
• Supporting evidence (uploaded online or submitted in person)

After filing, you will receive a claim number and a hearing date (usually within 2–4 weeks).

Step 4: Serve the Claim on the Respondent

The SCT will send a notice of the claim to the respondent by registered post. If the respondent cannot be contacted, you may need to serve the claim personally or through a process server. The SCT will guide you on this if needed.

Step 5: Attend the Consultation (Mediation)

On the scheduled date, both parties attend a "consultation" (mediation) session with a tribunal magistrate or a mediator. This is an informal meeting where the magistrate helps you both try to reach a settlement. Around 70% of cases settle at this stage, according to State Courts data. If you agree, the terms are recorded as a consent order, which is legally binding.

Step 6: If No Settlement, Attend the Hearing

If mediation fails, the case proceeds to a hearing before a tribunal magistrate. The hearing is conducted in a simple, non-technical manner. You and the respondent present your evidence and arguments. The magistrate may ask questions and will then make a decision, usually on the same day. The decision is binding and can be enforced like a court order.

Step 7: Enforce the Decision

If the respondent does not comply with the decision (e.g., does not pay the amount ordered), you can apply to the SCT for enforcement. Options include:

• Writ of seizure and sale (to seize the respondent's goods)
• Garnishee order (to take money from the respondent's bank account)
• Bankruptcy or winding-up proceedings (for larger amounts)

Enforcement applications have additional fees, which you can check on the State Courts website.

Key Things to Know Before Filing

• No lawyers allowed: The SCT is designed for self-representation. Lawyers are generally not permitted unless both parties agree and the magistrate gives approval (rare).
• Time limit: You must file your claim within 1 year from the date the dispute arose (e.g., the date the goods were delivered or the service was completed).
• Language: Proceedings are conducted in English. If you need an interpreter, request one when filing—it is free.
• Costs: The SCT does not award legal costs or expenses, so you usually only pay the filing fee and any enforcement costs later.
• Appeals: You can appeal a decision only on a point of law, not on the facts. Appeals go to the High Court and must be filed within 14 days.

Practical Tips for a Successful Claim

• Communicate first: Send a formal letter or email to the other party stating your complaint and what you want. This shows you tried to resolve it and may even settle the matter without going to court.
• Keep a timeline: Write down key dates—when you bought the item, when the problem happened, when you contacted the other party. This helps the magistrate understand your case.
• Be prepared: Bring 3 copies of all evidence (one for you, one for the respondent, one for the tribunal). Organise them in a logical order.
• Stay calm: The SCT is informal but you must be respectful. Address the magistrate as "Your Honour" or "Sir/Madam".
• Consider mediation: Even before filing, you can try mediation through the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) or the Community Mediation Centre. This is free or low-cost and may resolve the issue faster.

FAQ

How long does the SCT process take from start to finish?

Typically, the entire process takes 1 to 2 months. Filing to the first consultation (mediation) takes about 2–4 weeks. If the case goes to a hearing, it is usually scheduled within 2–3 weeks after the consultation. Most cases are resolved within 8 weeks.

Can I file a claim against a company that has closed down?

Yes, but it becomes more complicated. If the company is still registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), you can file against it. If it has been wound up or struck off, you may need to contact the liquidator or file a claim against the directors personally if they were involved in the wrongdoing. The SCT can advise you on the best approach.

What if the respondent does not turn up for the hearing?

If the respondent does not attend the consultation or hearing without a valid reason, the tribunal may proceed in their absence. The magistrate will hear your evidence and make a decision. This is called a "default judgment." However, you must still prove your case with evidence.

Can I claim interest on the amount owed?

The SCT generally does not award interest on claims. The amount you claim should be the actual loss or damage you suffered. However, if the dispute involves a contract that specifies interest on late payments, you may include that in your claim, but the tribunal has discretion on whether to allow it.

Do I need to pay anything else besides the filing fee?

In most cases, no. The filing fee is the main cost. If you need enforcement later, there are additional fees (e.g., for a writ of seizure and sale, the fee is around S$100–S$200). If you use a process server to serve documents, that costs extra. But there are no hidden charges—the SCT is designed to be affordable.