> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://epd2021-supremecourt.judiciary.gov.sg/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://epd2021-supremecourt.judiciary.gov.sg/part-1-introduction.md).

# Part 1: Introduction

> 1\. Citation and application
>
> 2\. Definitions
>
> 3\. References to written laws
>
> 4\. Commencement
>
> 5\. Updating
>
> 6\. Applicability of Practice Directions
>
> * Practice Directions to apply to civil proceedings
> * Proceedings using the Electronic Filing Service
>
> 7\. Calculation of time
>
> 8\. Forms
>
> 9\. Registrar’s Circulars

### 1. Citation and application <a href="#id-1-citation-and-application" id="id-1-citation-and-application"></a>

(1) These Practice Directions may be cited as the Supreme Court Practice Directions 2021, and will apply, on and after 1 April 2022, to:

> (a) any cause or matter, in the General Division, the Appellate Division or the Court of Appeal, that is governed by the Rules of Court 2021; and
>
> (b) any criminal proceedings commenced, in the General Division or the Court of Appeal, on or after 1 April 2022.

(2) The Supreme Court Practice Directions as in force immediately before 1 April 2022 continue to apply, on and after 1 April 2022, to:

> (a) any cause or matter, in the General Division, the Appellate Division or the Court of Appeal, that is governed by the Rules of Court (Cap 322, R 5, 2014 Ed); and
>
> (b) any criminal proceedings commenced, in the General Division or the Court of Appeal, before 1 April 2022.

### 2. Definitions <a href="#id-2-definitions" id="id-2-definitions"></a>

In these Practice Directions, unless the context otherwise requires: “Appellate Division” means the Appellate Division of the High Court; and “General Division” means the General Division of the High Court.

### 3. References to written laws <a href="#id-3-references-to-written-laws" id="id-3-references-to-written-laws"></a>

In these Practice Directions, unless the context otherwise requires:

> (a) any reference to a repealed provision of any written law is a reference to that provision as in force immediately before the date the provision is repealed;
>
> (b) any reference to “Rules of Court 2021” is a reference to the Rules of Court 2021 (G.N. No. S 914/2021) as in force on or after 1 April 2022; and
>
> (c) where any legislation is cited in these Practice Directions, the citation is to be read as referring to the version of that legislation currently in force.

### 4. Commencement <a href="#id-4-commencement" id="id-4-commencement"></a>

These Practice Directions come into operation on 1 April 2022.

### 5. Updating <a href="#id-5-updating" id="id-5-updating"></a>

Amendments to these Practice Directions will be done on a paragraph-for-paragraph basis. These Practice Directions will be automatically updated with the new amended paragraphs. A list of amendments made will also be found on the Singapore Courts website at [https://www.judiciary.gov.sg](https://www.judiciary.gov.sg/).

### 6. Applicability of Practice Directions <a href="#id-6-applicability-of-practice-directions" id="id-6-applicability-of-practice-directions"></a>

***Practice Directions to apply to civil proceedings***

(1) These Practice Directions apply to civil proceedings only, unless otherwise stated.

***Proceedings using the Electronic Filing Service***

(2) For proceedings using the Electronic Filing Service, Part 5 of these Practice Directions does not apply.

### 7. Calculation of time <a href="#id-7-calculation-of-time" id="id-7-calculation-of-time"></a>

Unless otherwise stated, the provisions in the Rules of Court 2021 relating to the calculation of time apply to the calculation of time in these Practice Directions.

### 8. Forms <a href="#id-8-forms" id="id-8-forms"></a>

The forms specified by number in the Rules of Court 2021 are set out in Appendix A of these Practice Directions. The forms specified by number in these Practice Directions are set out in Appendix B of these Practice Directions. The forms are to be used where applicable, with such variations as the circumstances of the case may require.

### 9. Registrar’s Circulars <a href="#id-9-registrars-circulars" id="id-9-registrars-circulars"></a>

Registrar’s Circulars can be found at the Singapore Courts website at [https://www.judiciary.gov.sg](https://www.judiciary.gov.sg/)