Community Disputes Resolution Act 2015 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 3 · Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals
29. Right of audience
Feedback & supportLast amended by an amending law of 2024. 2 amendments in all.
Subject to this section, a party to proceedings before the Registrar or a tribunal must present his or her own case.
Registrar
“Registrar” means the registrar of the State Courts appointed under section 12 of the State Courts Act 1970 and includes a deputy registrar appointed under that section;
The following persons may present a case on behalf of a party to proceedings before the Registrar or a tribunal:
tribunal
“Community Disputes Resolution Tribunal” or “tribunal” means a District Court designated under section 14 as a Community Disputes Resolution Tribunal;
where the party is a minor and is, in the opinion of the Registrar or tribunal, unable to present his or her own case, the minor’s parent or guardian, or any other person as may be approved by the Registrar or tribunal (as the case may be);
where the party is not resident in Singapore and is unable to remain in Singapore until the hearing of the case, any other person who is duly authorised in writing by that party and who is approved by the Registrar or tribunal (as the case may be);
where the party who, in the opinion of the Registrar or tribunal (as the case may be), is unable to present his or her own case by reason of old age, illiteracy or infirmity of mind or body, any other person who is duly authorised in writing by that party or who is approved by the Registrar or tribunal (as the case may be);
where the party is the Director-General, a public officer or any other person who is approved by the Registrar or tribunal, as the case may be.
Despite subsection (2), no party (other than the Director-General) to any proceedings before the Registrar or a tribunal may be represented by an advocate and solicitor unless —
Director-General
“Director-General” means the Director-General of Community Relations appointed under section 13B;
all the parties to the proceedings otherwise agree to that party being represented by an advocate and solicitor; and
the Registrar or tribunal (as the case may be) grants permission.
Except as provided in subsection (2), no party to any proceedings before the Registrar or a tribunal may be represented by an agent, whether paid or otherwise.
Despite subsection (2), the Registrar or tribunal must, before approving any person referred to in that subsection to represent a party, be satisfied that the person has sufficient knowledge of the case and sufficient authority to bind that party whom the person represents.