S'pore courts: Do more to encourage people to attend public hearings

During a recent visit to a State Courts public hearing, I was the sole member of the public present, which highlighted a striking gap in public engagement.

- Ethan Tan

This prompted me to consider why open court hearings—crucial for transparency and public trust—are rarely attended in Singapore compared with other countries.

Singapore's courts provide hearing schedules through an official online portal, allowing users to search months ahead. Most hearings are open to the public, except for sensitive matters held in camera. Despite this, public attendance remains low.