Singapore

Defendant Absent at Small Claims Hearing (SG)

S$20,000
Maximum claim amount under SCT jurisdiction
7 days
Time to apply to set aside default judgment after service
30 days
Deadline to file written submissions if unable to attend
100%
Likelihood of default judgment if no valid reason given for non-attendance
The Short Answer

If the defendant fails to attend the Small Claims Tribunal hearing in Singapore, the tribunal may proceed in their absence and issue a default judgment in favour of the claimant.

What the Law Says

Practical Steps

Important Deadlines

When to See a Lawyer

Sources

statuteSmall Claims Tribunals Act (Cap. 301)statuteSmall Claims Tribunals Rules (Cap. 301, R 1)governmentSmall Claims Tribunal – What Happens If a Party Does Not Attend?governmentSCT Forms & Guides

Related Questions

How do I file a small claim in Singapore?Can I appeal a Small Claims Tribunal decision?What evidence is accepted in Small Claims Tribunal?How long does a small claims hearing take in Singapore?How do I enforce a Small Claims Tribunal judgment?

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: 2026-10-18.