Singapore accedes to Hague Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters

30 May 2023

On 17 May 2023, the Ministry of Law (“MinLaw”) announced that Singapore deposited its instrument of accession to the Hague Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters (“Convention”) on 16 May 2023. 

As a Contracting Party to the Convention, Singapore will be able to leverage on a harmonised set of rules for the service of judicial and extrajudicial documents abroad, including in many of Singapore’s major trading partners. The Convention facilitates and streamlines the process for the service of court and related documents in civil and commercial matters overseas, providing greater legal certainty in cross-border litigation. Such legal certainty will enhance business confidence, including for companies operating overseas, and reduce costs and delays for Singapore litigants. 

The Convention will enter into force for Singapore on 1 December 2023. Singapore will implement its obligations under the Convention through amendments to the Rules of Court 2021, the Singapore International Commercial Court Rules 2021, and the Family Justice Rules. These amendments are expected to be made in conjunction with the Convention entering into force for Singapore. 

MinLaw will be designated as Singapore’s Central Authority under the Convention. 

Reference materials 

The press release is available on the MinLaw website www.mlaw.gov.sg.