Singapore Judicial Assistance
| Party to Hague Service Convention? | No |
| Party to Hague Evidence Convention? | Yes |
| Party to Hague Apostille Convention? | No |
| Party to Inter-American Convention? | No |
| Service of Process by Mail? | N/A |
THE INFORMATION IS PROVIDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND MAY NOT BE TOTALLY ACCURATE IN A SPECIFIC CASE. QUESTIONS INVOLVING
INTERPRETATION OF SPECIFIC FOREIGN LAWS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE APPROPRIATE FOREIGN AUTHORITIES OR FOREIGN COUNSEL.
- Embassies and Consulates
- U.S. Embassy Singapore
27 Napier Road
Singapore 258508
Telephone: (65) 6476-9100
Emergency Telephone: (65) 6476-9100
Fax: (65) 6476-9340
singaporeacs@state.gov - List of Attorneys
- U.S. Embassy Singapore
- Helpful Links
- http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/aol/home.w3p
http://app.supremecourt.gov.sg/default.aspx?pgID=1 - Service of Process
-
Singapore is not a party to the Hague Service Convention. In the absence of any prohibition against it, service of process in Singapore may be effected by mail, by agent, such as a local attorney, or through letters rogatory. Litigants may wish to consult an attorney in Singapore before pursuing a particular method of service of process, particularly if enforcement of a U.S. judgment is contemplated in the future.
Service on a Foreign State: See also our Service Under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) feature and FSIA Checklist for questions about service on a foreign state, agency or instrumentality.
- Criminal Matters
-
Prosecution Requests: U.S. federal or state prosecutors should also contact the Office of International Affairs, Criminal Division, Department of Justice for guidance.
Defense Requests in Criminal Matters: Criminal defendants or their defense counsel seeking judicial assistance in obtaining evidence or in effecting service of documents abroad in connection with criminal matters may do so via the letters rogatory process.
- Obtaining Evidence in Civil and Commercial Matters
-
Singapore is a party to the Hague Convention on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil and Commercial Matters. The Singapore Central Authority for the Hague Evidence Convention designated to receive letters of request for the taking of evidence is the Supreme Court of Singapore. See the Hague Evidence Convention Model Letters of Request for guidance on preparation of the letter of request. Requests for the compulsion of evidence under the Hague Evidence Convention are transmitted directly from the requesting court or person in the United States to the Singapore Central Authority and do not require transmittal via diplomatic channels. Letters of Request and accompanying documents should be prepared in duplicate. See Singapore’s Declarations and Reservations regarding the Hague Evidence Convention. See also Singapore’s response to the 2008 Hague Conference questionnaire on the practical operation of the Hague Evidence Convention.
Requests from Singapore to Obtain Evidence in the United States: The U.S. Central Authority for the Hague Evidence Convention is the Office of International Judicial Assistance, Civil Division, Department of Justice, 1100 L St., N.W., Room 11006, Washington, D.C. 20530.
- Taking Voluntary Depositions of Willing Witnesses
- Voluntary depositions may be conducted in Singapore regardless of the nationality of the witness, provided no compulsion is used. Oral depositions or depositions on written questions may be taken by U.S. consular officers or by private attorneys from the United States or Singapore at the U.S. Embassy or at another location such as a hotel or office, either on notice or pursuant to a commission. If the services of a U.S. consular officer are required to administer an oath to the witness, interpreter and stenographer, such arrangements must be made in advance with the U.S. embassy directly.
- Authentication of Documents
- Singapore is not a party to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Legalization of Foreign Public Documents. Documents issued in the United States may be authenticated for use in Singapore by (a) contacting the U.S. Department of State Authentications Office and (b) then having the seal of the U.S. Department of State authenticated by the Embassy of Singapore in Washington, D.C. Documents issued in U.S. states must first be authenticated by the designated state authority, generally the state Secretary of State.
