Singapore legislation
Section 21
Section 21
Evidence
(1)
A tribunal —
is not bound by the rules of evidence in the conduct of any proceedings; and
may inform itself on any matter in any manner that the tribunal thinks fit.
(2)
A tribunal may draw any inferences that the tribunal thinks fit from a party’s failure to comply with any obligation of that party under any written law specified in the Fourth Schedule, including (but not limited to) an inference that any evidence that is not available on account of that party’s failure to comply with that obligation would, if produced, have been unfavourable to that party.
(3)
Subject to subsection (4), evidence tendered to a tribunal need not be given on oath or affirmation.
(4)
A tribunal may —
require the whole or any part of any evidence tendered to a tribunal, whether orally or in writing, to be given on oath or affirmation; and
for that purpose, administer an oath or affirmation.
(5)
A tribunal may, on its own initiative, seek such other evidence, and make such other investigations and inquiries, as the tribunal thinks fit.
(6)
All evidence and information obtained by a tribunal under subsection (5) for any proceedings must be disclosed to every party to those proceedings.
(7)
A tribunal may require any written evidence given in proceedings before a tribunal to be verified by statutory declaration.
(8)
A tribunal need not keep a record of the evidence given in any proceedings before the tribunal, but must make —
a summary of the facts and issues in dispute, as determined by the tribunal; and
notes of the proceedings.