Filing time-wasting, baseless claims to be deemed contempt of court

Aim is to protect judicial system here; those who act in good faith will not be penalised

- David Sun

Those who abuse court processes by filing groundless applications and time-wasting claims may soon find themselves in jail and be fined.

Such abuses, known as "lawfare", include commencing civil proceedings seeking financial damages, despite knowing the claim is baseless, just to oppress the defendant.

The abuses include filing fictitious claims to delay criminal proceedings and persistently making groundless applications.

The phenomenon has been observed both in Singapore and overseas recently, said Minister of State for Law Murali Pillai on Nov 13, during the second reading of the Administration of Justice (Protection) (Amendment) Bill in Parliament.

He said it was necessary to make it clear that such an abuse of court processes would amount to contempt of court.

"The impact of egregious abuse of our court system can be serious, very serious... If we do not act, over time, trust in Singapore's justice system will be eroded.

"We also have a duty to ensure that our processes are not weaponised or abused."

When the Bill was introduced in Parliament on Oct 14, the Ministry of Law said the abuse of court processes was becoming more common here, with parties filing unmeritorious claims to oppress others, or for ulterior purposes.