29.—(1) Subject to this section, a party to proceedings before the Registrar or a tribunal must present his or her own case.
(2) The following persons may present a case on behalf of a party to proceedings before the Registrar or a tribunal:
(a)
where the party is a minor and is, in the opinion of the Registrar or tribunal, unable to present his or her own case, the minor’s parent or guardian, or any other person as may be approved by the Registrar or tribunal (as the case may be);
(b)
where the party is not resident in Singapore and is unable to remain in Singapore until the hearing of the case, any other person who is duly authorised in writing by that party and who is approved by the Registrar or tribunal (as the case may be);
(c)
where the party who, in the opinion of the Registrar or tribunal (as the case may be), is unable to present his or her own case by reason of old age, illiteracy or infirmity of mind or body, any other person who is duly authorised in writing by that party or who is approved by the Registrar or tribunal (as the case may be).
(3) Despite subsection (2), no party to any proceedings before the Registrar or a tribunal may be represented by an advocate and solicitor unless —
(a)
all the parties to the proceedings otherwise agree to that party being represented by an advocate and solicitor; and
(b)
the Registrar or tribunal (as the case may be) grants leave.
(4) Except as provided in subsection (2), no party to any proceedings before the Registrar or a tribunal may be represented by an agent, whether paid or otherwise.
(5) Despite subsection (2), the Registrar or tribunal must, before approving any person referred to in that subsection to represent a party, be satisfied that the person has sufficient knowledge of the case and sufficient authority to bind that party whom the person represents.
Informal Consolidation | Amended Act 25 of 2021
Right of audience
29.—(1) Subject to this section, a party to proceedings before the Registrar or a tribunal must present his or her own case.
(2) The following persons may present a case on behalf of a party to proceedings before the Registrar or a tribunal:
(a)
where the party is a minor and is, in the opinion of the Registrar or tribunal, unable to present his or her own case, the minor’s parent or guardian, or any other person as may be approved by the Registrar or tribunal (as the case may be);
(b)
where the party is not resident in Singapore and is unable to remain in Singapore until the hearing of the case, any other person who is duly authorised in writing by that party and who is approved by the Registrar or tribunal (as the case may be);
(c)
where the party who, in the opinion of the Registrar or tribunal (as the case may be), is unable to present his or her own case by reason of old age, illiteracy or infirmity of mind or body, any other person who is duly authorised in writing by that party or who is approved by the Registrar or tribunal (as the case may be).
(3) Despite subsection (2), no party to any proceedings before the Registrar or a tribunal may be represented by an advocate and solicitor unless —
(a)
all the parties to the proceedings otherwise agree to that party being represented by an advocate and solicitor; and
(b)
the Registrar or tribunal (as the case may be) grants permission.
[Act 25 of 2021 wef 01/04/2022]
(4) Except as provided in subsection (2), no party to any proceedings before the Registrar or a tribunal may be represented by an agent, whether paid or otherwise.
(5) Despite subsection (2), the Registrar or tribunal must, before approving any person referred to in that subsection to represent a party, be satisfied that the person has sufficient knowledge of the case and sufficient authority to bind that party whom the person represents.