On January 13, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon revealed that Singapore's courts are taking steps to enhance how sexual offence cases are managed. Starting immediately, all sexual offence cases in the High Court will be overseen by a select group of experienced judges who have undergone specialized training. This initiative aims to ensure that the unique challenges posed by such cases are handled with the utmost care, considering the potential repercussions for both the complainants and the accused.
In addition to High Court cases, serious sexual offences in the State Courts will also be put under the jurisdiction of this specialist list. This list will include cases that involve situations of penetrative acts, exploitation of vulnerable individuals, abuse of trust, as well as instances involving deception or violence. Moreover, trials that include complainants or defendants with special needs affecting their ability to provide testimony will also be included.
Currently, there are seven judges assigned to the specialist list in the High Court and 12 district judges in the State Courts. These judges will receive enhanced training and resources aimed at increasing their expertise in sexual offence cases. To bolster case management, the courts will be initiating a pilot program that incorporates improved pre-trial checklists, allowing for a more structured approach to identifying critical issues before a trial begins. This checklist system is designed to streamline the proceedings while safeguarding the complainants’ rights and ensuring fair trial standards are maintained.
The Chief Justice also announced a new policy aimed at combating workplace harassment within the legal profession. This policy, part of a broader initiative on ethics and professional standards, includes a toolkit for law firms that outlines essential frameworks and procedures for mitigating harassment and bullying at work. Additionally, the recommendations highlight the necessity of including ethics as a compulsory subject in bar examinations to keep legal professionals updated on their ethical duties.
6 Comments
BuggaBoom
Having a specialized list of judges will help streamline complex cases and minimize trauma for complainants.
Katchuka
How do we know this training will be effective? There’s plenty of research showing that training alone isn’t a solution.
Eugene Alta
Specializing judges may create an impression that sexual offence cases are different from other serious crimes, which they shouldn't be.
Loubianka
Doing this at the High Court level but not addressing it in lower courts feels disjointed. We need a cohesive legal strategy.
BuggaBoom
This initiative respects the rights of both complainants and the accused. It's fair to ensure expertise in such sensitive matters.
Eugene Alta
This sounds more like a PR move than a genuine effort to address the problems in our legal system.