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Courts of Singapore

A compact common-law structure with the Court of Appeal at the top, the High Court below it, and State Courts for most everyday cases. A separate Syariah Court handles Muslim family law.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.

Supreme Court and State Courts

Court of AppealFinal court since appeals to the Privy Council ended in 1994
High CourtAppellate Division and General Division
State CourtsMost civil and criminal cases begin here

Specialised

Syariah CourtMuslim family law
Appeals travel up the arrows. Boxes with a heavier border are the top court of each track.

Worth knowing

  • The Singapore International Commercial Court is part of the High Court and hears cross-border commercial disputes.

Compare Singapore with another country →
Read the Singapore profile in the Legal Families Atlas →

Sources

Other systems

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TheLawToKnow Tools’s court-structure diagrams are simplified on purpose and are not legal advice. Report a mistake.