Constitution of the Republic of Singapore · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 4 · Fundamental Liberties
9. Liberty of the person
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No person may lose life or liberty except as the law allows. On a complaint of unlawful detention, a court must order release unless the detention is lawful. An arrested person must promptly be told why, and may consult a lawyer of their choice. If not released, the person must see a magistrate within 48 hours, excluding necessary travel.
Summary · Drafted with AI, checked against the official text on 30 Sep 2026.
Last amended by an amending law of 2023. 3 amendments in all.
No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty save in accordance with law.
law
“law” includes written law and any legislation of the United Kingdom or other enactment or instrument whatsoever which is in operation in Singapore and the common law in so far as it is in operation in Singapore and any custom or usage having the force of law in Singapore;
Where a complaint is made to the General Division of the High Court or any Judge sitting in the General Division of the High Court that a person is being unlawfully detained, the General Division of the High Court shall inquire into the complaint and, unless satisfied that the detention is lawful, shall order him to be produced before the General Division of the High Court and release him.
sitting
“sitting” means a period during which Parliament is sitting continuously without adjournment, including any period during which Parliament is in committee;
Where a person is arrested, he shall be informed as soon as may be of the grounds of his arrest and shall be allowed to consult and be defended by a legal practitioner of his choice.
Where a person is arrested and not released, he shall, without unreasonable delay, and in any case within 48 hours (excluding the time of any necessary journey), be produced before a Magistrate, in person or by way of video-conferencing link (or other similar technology) in accordance with law, and shall not be further detained in custody without the Magistrate’s authority.
Clauses (3) and (4) shall not apply to an enemy alien or to any person arrested for contempt of Parliament pursuant to a warrant issued under the hand of the Speaker.
Nothing in this Article shall invalidate any law —
in force before the commencement of this Constitution which authorises the arrest and detention of any person in the interests of public safety, peace and good order; or
relating to the misuse of drugs, psychoactive substances or intoxicating substances which authorises the arrest and detention of any person for the purpose of treatment and rehabilitation,by reason of such law being inconsistent with clauses (3) and (4), and, in particular, nothing in this Article shall affect the validity or operation of any such law before 10 March 1978.