Small Claims Checker Singapore (2026)
Answer a few questions to see whether your dispute can be brought to the Singapore Small Claims Tribunals, and if not, where it should go instead. Free, instant, and calculated entirely in your browser.
Appears eligible
Your claim appears eligible for the Small Claims Tribunals
- A dispute under a contract for the sale of goods or the provision of services is one of the claim types the Tribunals hear.
- The amount is within the standard S$20,000 limit.
- It appears to be within the 2-year time bar.
Limit
$20,000
Filing fee
$10
How to file
File online through the Community Justice and Tribunals System (CJTS). CJTS runs its own eligibility check before you lodge, so confirm there before paying the fee.
Points to confirm on CJTS
- The filing fee shown is the individual (Consumer) rate. Companies and non-consumer claimants pay a higher scale, so check the fee for your case on CJTS.
This is a screening tool, not a decision
- The Small Claims Tribunals decide their own jurisdiction. This tool only tells you whether your situation clears the published gates, so it says a claim appears eligible or does not, never that you qualify.
- File through the Community Justice and Tribunals System (CJTS), which runs its own eligibility check before you lodge. Confirm your position there before paying the fee.
- The filing fee shown is the individual rate. Companies and non-consumer claimants pay a higher scale, so check the fee for your case on CJTS.
- Nothing here is legal advice. If the amount matters to you, or the other side is legally represented, take advice before you file.
What the Tribunals Cover
The Small Claims Tribunals sit within the State Courts and offer a cheap, informal route for low-value disputes under the Small Claims Tribunals Act 1984. The standard limit is $20,000, and it can be raised to $30,000 only where both parties sign a memorandum agreeing to the higher limit. Lawyers are not allowed to represent parties before the Tribunals.
Four kinds of claim are eligible:
- Goods or services under a contract for the sale of goods or the provision of services
- Damage to property in tort, provided it is not motor-vehicle accident damage
- A residential lease not exceeding two years
- An unfair practice under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act
A claim must be filed within two years of the cause of action. Claims are lodged through the Community Justice and Tribunals System (CJTS), which runs its own pre-filing eligibility check. Filing fees for an individual are $10 for a claim up to $5,000, $20 for a claim over $5,000 up to $10,000, and 1% of the claim for a claim over $10,000 up to $30,000.
What It Does Not Cover
Two disputes people often assume are small claims are not. Motor-vehicle accident damage is excluded even though it is damage to property, and it is dealt with by the courts instead. A dispute with a neighbour is not a Small Claims Tribunals matter either; those go to the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals after mediation. Anything above $30,000 is outside the Tribunals entirely, and a claim between $20,000 and $30,000 needs both parties to sign the memorandum first.
If a claim is over the limit, one option is to abandon the excess to bring it within $20,000, but that gives up the extra permanently. For the full procedure, including how to file and what happens at a hearing, see the Small Claims Tribunal guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the small claims limit in Singapore?
The standard limit is $20,000. It can be raised to $30,000 only where both parties sign a memorandum agreeing to the higher limit. Anything above $30,000 is outside the Small Claims Tribunals.
What types of claim can the Small Claims Tribunals hear?
Four: a contract for the sale of goods or provision of services; a tort claim for damage to property (but not motor-vehicle accident damage); a lease of residential premises not exceeding two years; and an unfair practice under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act.
How much does it cost to file a small claim in Singapore?
For an individual, the filing fee is $10 for a claim up to $5,000, $20 for a claim over $5,000 up to $10,000, and 1% of the claim amount for a claim over $10,000 up to $30,000. Companies and non-consumer claimants pay a higher scale.
Is there a time limit to file a small claim?
Yes. A claim must be lodged within two years of the cause of action. When the two years started can be arguable, so confirm on CJTS or with a lawyer before assuming a claim is out of time.
Can I bring a car accident claim to the Small Claims Tribunals?
No. Damage arising from a motor-vehicle accident is excluded, even though it is a property-damage claim. It is dealt with by the courts, typically the Magistrates’ Court for lower-value claims.
What if my claim is over S$20,000?
A claim between $20,000 and $30,000 can only be heard if both parties sign a memorandum agreeing to the higher limit. Otherwise you can abandon the excess to bring it under $20,000, or bring the full claim in the Magistrates’ Court.
Does this tool store or send my information anywhere?
No. Everything runs in your browser. Nothing you type is saved, transmitted, or used to contact you.
This checker applies the published eligibility rules of the Singapore Small Claims Tribunals under the Small Claims Tribunals Act 1984, with fees as published by the State Courts (statecourts.gov.sg). It is general information for Singapore, not legal advice, and RecordingLaw.com is not affiliated with the State Courts of Singapore. The Tribunals, not this tool, decide their own jurisdiction; the Community Justice and Tribunals System (CJTS) runs the official pre-filing eligibility check. If the amount matters to you, take advice.
Know someone who could use this? Share this free tool: