SingaporeI was assaulted in public. Can I claim criminal compensation?
Yes, you may claim criminal compensation in Singapore if the offender is convicted — the court can order compensation as part of the sentence under the Criminal Procedure Code. The Civil Law Act does not govern criminal compensation claims.
What the Law Says
Criminal compensation in Singapore is governed by the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC), not the Civil Law Act. Section 11 of the Civil Law Act deals with civil liability for personal injuries but does not apply to criminal compensation orders made by courts after conviction.
If someone assaults you in public and is convicted in a Singapore criminal court, the court may — on its own motion or upon your application — order the offender to pay you compensation for injury, loss, or damage resulting from the offence.
This power comes from the Criminal Procedure Code, not the Civil Law Act. The Civil Law Act, s. 11 (Cap. 43, 1999 Rev Ed) addresses civil claims for personal injury and states: 'In any action brought by a person who has sustained personal injury... the court may award damages.' However, this applies only to civil lawsuits — not criminal proceedings.
Criminal compensation is faster, free of court fees, and does not require you to file a separate civil suit — but it is only available if the accused is convicted.
Statutory TextIn any action brought by a person who has sustained personal injury...
— Civil Law Act, s. 11 — Personal injury actions
What to Do
Report the assault to police immediately and cooperate fully with the investigation.
Attend court hearings and inform the prosecutor (or the court) that you wish to claim criminal compensation.
Submit supporting documents (e.g., medical reports, receipts for treatment or lost wages) before sentencing.
If compensation is ordered, the court will fix the amount — usually capped at $10,000 unless higher amounts are justified and approved by a High Court judge.
If no compensation is ordered or the offender fails to pay, you may still file a separate civil claim under the Civil Law Act — but this requires engaging a lawyer and paying court fees.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.