Singapore legislation
Section 16I
Section 16I
Commencement of Part 3 proceedings
(1)
Subject to subsection (2), any Part 3 proceedings that may be heard and determined by a Protection from Harassment Court must in the first instance be commenced in a Protection from Harassment Court.
(2)
Despite subsection (1) —
a claim under section 11 may be commenced in the first instance in a Magistrate’s Court or the General Division of the High Court;
Part 3 proceedings may be commenced in the first instance in a District Court (other than the Protection from Harassment Court); and
Part 3 proceedings (except any Part 3 proceedings involving any claim under section 11) may be commenced in the first instance in a Family Court,in which any related proceeding is pending, with the leave of that court.
(3)
A court may grant leave under subsection (2) only if it is just, expeditious and economical for the disposal of the Part 3 proceedings, for the Part 3 proceedings to be commenced in that court.
(4)
Civil proceedings (other than Part 3 proceedings) may be commenced in the first instance in a Protection from Harassment Court only if those civil proceedings are —
related to any Part 3 proceedings that have been or will be commenced in the Protection from Harassment Court; and
commenced in the Protection from Harassment Court on or after the commencement of the related Part 3 proceedings.
(5)
Civil proceedings may, under this section, be commenced in a court only if the civil proceedings are within the civil jurisdiction of that court.