Tag: MinLaw

MinLaw: Improving CDRT Accessibility

27 Feb 2026

Committee of Supply Debate 2026, Ministry of Law

The Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals (CDRT) serve as an avenue of last resort for neighbour disputes. Between 2020 and 2024, only 1,031 claims were filed, a fraction of the 2,500 neighbour dispute cases reported monthly. Having observed residents attempting to navigate this process, I have seen how digital and financial requirements can be a deterrence, and could account for the relatively low utilisation of this channel.

The mandatory Pre-Filing Assessment requires a 17-question checklist where the system repeatedly persuades applicants to seek alternative channels. For residents who have already exhausted these channels, such persistent redirections can be frustrating.

Completing the five-part form is equally taxing. Residents who do not know their neighbour’s name must pay $5.25 at the Integrated Land Information Service portal before even paying the $150 filing fee. The English-only interface and the assumption that all residents can manage PDF downloads and digital evidence create massive barriers for those with lower digital literacy.

How many individuals has the State Courts Service Hub assisted to successfully file applications in each of the last three years? Will the Ministry consider reducing the initial filing fee to $20, with only the unsuccessful party paying the remaining $130?

Parliamentary Questions on 26 and 31 Ridout Road

Parliament sits on 3 July and I have filed two questions for the Minister for Law related to the controversy surrounding the rental of properties on Ridout Road:

Gerald Giam Yean Song (Aljunied GRC): To ask the Minister for Law whether the Government has plans to redevelop more of the land that is currently occupied by black and white colonial bungalows for more productive uses like public housing, industry or commerce.

Gerald Giam Yean Song (Aljunied GRC): To ask the Minister for Law (a) whether the bidding process of black and white bungalows managed by SLA is audited by the AGO annually; (b) if not, in which year was the latest audit conducted; (c) what sampling methodology was used for the latest audit conducted; and (d) whether bids by Government officials, Members of Parliament and related parties are always included as part of this sample.

Other Workers’ Party MPs have also filed questions for the Minister. They can be found on the Order Paper. 

There will be four Ministerial Statements delivered, after which MPs may ask for clarifications. These Ministerial Statements will likely be made after Question Time, which ends at 12.30pm on Monday 3 July. The full Parliament proceedings can be watched live on YouTube (search “Parliament Sitting 3 July 2023”).

Photo by Galen Crout on Unsplash