Singapore Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) Guide — How to File a Claim

Direct answer: This issue rarely turns on one fact alone. Check the original documents, key dates and the current official route before deciding whether you need a lawyer. The steps below help you organise the issue; they are not legal advice for your circumstances.

General legal information · Last reviewed 3 August 2026

What to establish first

• What the contract says and who the contracting parties are.
• What was promised, delivered, paid and disputed.
• Whether the dispute fits mediation, the Small Claims Tribunals or an ordinary civil route.

Evidence checklist

• Signed agreement, quotation or order
• Payment records and itemised invoices
• Before-and-after photos or inspection records
• Written requests and the other party’s replies

Keep original files. Do not rely only on cropped or edited screenshots. In your chronology, separate what you directly observed from what you believe or infer.

A careful next-step sequence

1. Read the source document or official notice. Do not rely on a verbal summary.
2. Write a one-page chronology. Match each event to a date, person and supporting record.
3. Check the current process at the responsible official source. Fees, time limits, eligibility and forms can change, so this page does not freeze those figures.
4. Get qualified legal help promptly for urgent safety risks, an approaching deadline or serious consequences. Lawson cannot assess your prospects or replace a lawyer.

Official routes

• Singapore Courts — File a small claim
• CASE — Mediation
• Singapore Courts — Legal help and support

What Lawson can and cannot do

Lawson can break a question into facts, evidence and official routes, and help you prepare questions for an agency or lawyer. It will not predict who will win, give personalised legal advice or draft formal legal documents that require professional review. Do not submit names, identity numbers, addresses, case numbers or other sensitive information.

Frequently asked questions

Can I act on a fee or deadline I found online?

Not safely without checking. Fees, limits, eligibility and procedure can change and may differ by case type. Check the responsible authority’s current page before acting.

When should I speak to a lawyer?

Seek qualified advice promptly where there is immediate safety risk, an approaching deadline, serious financial or family consequences, court papers, or uncertainty about the correct process.

Is this page legal advice?

No. It provides general information and navigation to official sources.