Small Claims and Minor Disputes in Singapore

This is general legal information, not legal advice. Consult a qualified advocate and solicitor about your situation. Information last verified on 22 July 2026.

Minor disputes in Singapore

Not every disagreement needs a full civil suit. Singapore has a dedicated forum for small money disputes, the Small Claims Tribunals, designed so that an ordinary person can bring a claim without hiring an advocate and solicitor and without a long or costly process.

This section explains what the Small Claims Tribunals are, the kinds of dispute they can and cannot hear, and how to bring a claim. It is written for the consumer, tenant or small trader who wants to recover money or resolve a low-value dispute.

What the Small Claims Tribunals do

The Small Claims Tribunals (SCT) are part of the State Courts. They exist under the Small Claims Tribunals Act 1984 to resolve certain low-value civil disputes in a simple, low-cost way.

Two features define the Tribunals. First, the process is informal and fast, and parties represent themselves. Second, the Act sets firm limits on what the Tribunals can hear, both by the value of the claim and by its subject matter.

What kinds of dispute qualify

The Tribunals hear a defined list of claim types. The ones most people bring are disputes over a contract for the sale of goods or the provision of services, a claim in tort for damage to property, a dispute under a residential tenancy agreement not exceeding 2 years, and an unfair-practice claim under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act.

A claim must also fall within the money limit and the time limit. The value cannot exceed S$20,000, or S$30,000 if both parties sign a memorandum agreeing to the higher figure, and the claim must be filed within 2 years of the date the cause of action arose.

What the Tribunals cannot hear

The Tribunals cannot hear every low-value dispute. Damage to property caused by a motor-vehicle accident is excluded, so a claim for repair costs after a road collision does not belong here.

Disputes between neighbours are also outside the Tribunals. These are handled by the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals, a separate forum set up under the Community Disputes Resolution Act 2015. The detailed page below sets out exactly how these exclusions work, because the reason for each is different.

How to bring a claim

Claims are filed online through the Community Justice and Tribunals System (CJTS). Before filing, the system runs a pre-filing eligibility check so that a claim outside the Tribunals' jurisdiction is caught early.

The full procedure, the filing fees, the money and time limits, and what happens if you disagree with the outcome are set out on the main guide: Small Claims Tribunal Singapore: how to file a claim.

For a dispute that is really about a minor criminal matter between private parties, rather than money owed, a different route may apply, and a separate guide on that route will follow. For now, the Small Claims Tribunal guide is the place to start for a money or consumer dispute.

More in this section: The Magistrate's Complaint.

See also: how a letter of demand works.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum a Small Claims Tribunal can award in Singapore?

A claim cannot exceed S$20,000. The limit rises to S$30,000 only where both parties sign a memorandum agreeing to the higher figure. These limits have applied since 1 November 2019 under the Small Claims Tribunals Act 1984.

What types of dispute can go to the Small Claims Tribunal?

Mainly disputes over a contract for the sale of goods or provision of services, a tort claim for damage to property, a residential tenancy agreement not exceeding 2 years, and an unfair-practice claim under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act. Other niche categories exist, but these are the consumer-relevant ones.

Can I take a neighbour dispute to the Small Claims Tribunal?

No. Disputes between neighbours are handled by the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals under the Community Disputes Resolution Act 2015, not by the Small Claims Tribunals. Damage caused by a motor-vehicle accident is also excluded.

How long do I have to file a small claim in Singapore?

A claim must be filed within 2 years of the date the cause of action arose. A claim brought after that period is outside the Tribunals’ jurisdiction.

Do I need a lawyer (an advocate and solicitor) for the Small Claims Tribunal?

No. Advocates and solicitors are not permitted to represent parties at the Small Claims Tribunals. You present your own case, which is part of what keeps the process quick and low-cost.