Small Claims Tribunals Roll Out AI-Powered Translation Service

Consumers and merchants resolving disputes at the Small Claims Tribunals can now opt for documents submitted by the other party to be translated into Chinese, Malay, or Tamil using artificial intelligence (AI).

- Selina Lum

In Singapore, documents submitted in court must be in English.

The translation service is the first initiative launched through a collaboration between the Singapore courts and American legal start-up Harvey aimed at developing a generative AI program for users of the tribunals.

Highlighting the initiative on April 16, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon said efforts to enhance access to justice in the context of small claims are especially important because the justice gap in these kinds of cases may be the widest.

These disputes are often legally straightforward, yet the parties involved may be prevented from accessing justice because of practical obstacles that stand in their way of asserting or defending their rights, said the Chief Justice.

"Innovative solutions that harness the power of new technologies can go a long way towards bridging the gap, and can do so in ways and at a scale that would not be possible if we were to rely on human industry alone," he said.

Chief Justice Menon was speaking at a symposium held at the State Courts to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Small Claims Tribunals.

A commemorative publication tracing the evolution of the tribunals was also launched at the event.