Magistrate's Complaint in Singapore: Private Criminal Redress

When the police decline to act on a private grievance, such as a minor assault or a case of criminal intimidation between individuals, a Magistrate's Complaint can be a route to have a court look at it. It is a formal step, with its own procedure and fees, and it is not the same thing as a police report or a small claim. This guide explains how it works.

This is general legal information, not legal advice. Consult a qualified advocate and solicitor about your situation.

Information last verified on 23 July 2026. This page provides general legal information about Singapore law and is not legal advice in an individual case.

What a Magistrate's Complaint is

A Magistrate's Complaint is a mechanism for a private individual to bring a criminal matter directly before a Magistrate, rather than relying on the police to investigate and the Public Prosecutor to charge. It is most often used for relatively minor offences between individuals where the police have decided not to pursue the matter.

It is governed by sections 150 to 153 of the Criminal Procedure Code 2010. The key section is section 151, which deals with the examination of the complaint.

Who can file, and what the Magistrate does

Any person may make a complaint to a Magistrate. Where the complaint comes from a private person, rather than a police officer or a law enforcement officer, the Magistrate must examine the complainant on oath about the substance of the complaint.

After hearing the complainant, the Magistrate has several options under the Act. The Magistrate may inquire into the case personally and summon witnesses, may direct a police officer to investigate and report back (a police referral), may refer the parties to mediation at a Community Mediation Centre, or may postpone the matter to let the parties try to resolve it amicably. If, after this, the Magistrate is satisfied that there is sufficient reason to proceed, the Magistrate may issue a summons requiring the accused person to attend court. That summons is the start of a private prosecution.

The Magistrate can also dismiss the complaint if there is insufficient reason to proceed, including where the complainant refuses mediation without a reasonable ground, and must record the reasons for dismissing it.

The fees

There are two fees, and they add up. Filing the complaint costs S$20, payable before the appointment with the Magistrate. If the Magistrate later issues a private summons, there is a further fee of S$20 for each summons. So a complainant who proceeds all the way to a private summons pays at least S$40 in total, more if several summonses are issued.

How it is filed

The complaint is prepared and lodged through the Automated Court Documents Assembly (ACDA) e-service and submitted to the State Courts. This is a separate system from the Community Justice and Tribunals System (CJTS), which is used for the Small Claims Tribunals, the Employment Claims Tribunals, the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals and the Protection from Harassment Court, and which does not handle Magistrate's Complaints. After the complaint is lodged, an appointment is arranged for the complainant to see the Magistrate, and the S$20 filing fee is paid before that appointment.

Magistrate's Complaint compared with a police report

A police report and a Magistrate's Complaint do different jobs. A police report tells the police about a suspected offence and asks them to investigate; the decision on whether to investigate and charge rests with the police and the Public Prosecutor. A Magistrate's Complaint goes directly to a court and asks a Magistrate to consider whether a private case should be started. People often turn to a Magistrate's Complaint after a police report has not led to action. For how to make a report, see the guide on how to make a police report in Singapore.

Magistrate's Complaint compared with the Small Claims Tribunal

A Magistrate's Complaint is a criminal process. It is not the way to recover money or the price of faulty goods. That is a civil matter, and for qualifying disputes the Small Claims Tribunal is the usual venue. If your real goal is compensation rather than a criminal outcome, the civil route is likely the right one. See the small claims and tribunals section page for the wider picture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Magistrate's Complaint in Singapore?

It is a way for a private individual to bring a criminal matter directly before a Magistrate under sections 150 to 153 of the Criminal Procedure Code 2010, rather than relying on the police to investigate. It is often used for minor offences between individuals where the police have not taken up the matter.

How much does it cost to file a Magistrate's Complaint?

The filing fee is S$20, payable before the appointment with the Magistrate. If a private summons is later issued, there is a further S$20 for each summons. The fees are additive, so proceeding to a summons costs at least S$40 in total.

What can the Magistrate do with my complaint?

After examining you on oath, the Magistrate may inquire into the case, direct the police to investigate and report back, refer the parties to mediation, or postpone the matter for amicable resolution. If there is sufficient reason to proceed, the Magistrate may issue a summons, which begins a private prosecution. The Magistrate may also dismiss the complaint and must record the reasons.

How is a Magistrate's Complaint different from a police report?

A police report asks the police to investigate a suspected offence, and the decision to charge rests with the police and the Public Prosecutor. A Magistrate's Complaint goes directly to a court and asks a Magistrate to consider whether a private case should be started. Many people file a Magistrate's Complaint after a police report has not led to action.

Can I use a Magistrate's Complaint to recover money?

No. A Magistrate's Complaint is a criminal process, not a way to recover money or the value of faulty goods. A money claim is a civil matter, and for qualifying disputes the Small Claims Tribunal is usually the right venue.