Probate and Administration Act

(CHAPTER 251)

(Original Enactment: Ordinance 24 of 1934)

REVISED EDITION 2000

(1st July 2000)

An Act relating to the grant of probate and letters of administration.

[1st January 1935]

PART I

PRELIMINARY

Short title

1. This Act may be cited as the Probate and Administration Act.

Interpretation

2. In this Act, unless there is something repugnant in the subject or context —

“court” means —

(a)	the High Court or a judge when sitting in open court in all cases where proceedings are taken in the High Court; and
(b)	a District Court or a District Judge when sitting in open court in all cases where proceedings are taken in a District Court;

“judge” means —

(a)	a judge sitting in chambers in all cases where proceedings are taken in the High Court; and
(b)	a District Judge sitting in chambers in all cases where proceedings are taken in a District Court;

“letters of administration” means a grant under the seal of the court issuing the same, authorising the person or persons therein named to administer an intestate’s estate in accordance with law;

“letters of administration with the will annexed” means a grant under the seal of the court issuing the same, authorising the person or persons therein named to administer a testator’s estate in compliance with the directions contained in his will, and in accordance with law;

“prescribed form” means the form prescribed by rules made under any law for the time being in force relating to the courts;

“probate” means a grant under the seal of the court issuing the same, authorising the executor or executors expressly or impliedly appointed by a testator’s will, or one or more of them, to administer the testator’s estate in compliance with the directions contained in his will, and in accordance with law;

“probate action” means a cause or matter in which a probate application is contested by any person, and includes any application to alter or revoke the grant of any probate or letters of administration;

[42/2005 wef 01/01/2006]

“probate application” means an application for a grant of probate or letters of administration, and “probate applicant” shall be construed accordingly;

[42/2005 wef 01/01/2006]

“Public Trustee” means the Public Trustee appointed under the Public Trustee Act (Cap. 260) and includes a Deputy Public Trustee and an Assistant Public Trustee appointed under that Act;

[6/2004 wef 08/03/2004]

[Act 44 of 2014 wef 31/12/2014]

“registrar” means —

(a)	the Registrar or the Deputy Registrar or Assistant Registrar of the Supreme Court in all cases where proceedings are taken in the High Court;
(b)	a registrar or deputy registrar of a District Court in all cases where proceedings are taken in a District Court to which a registrar is attached; and
(c)	a District Judge in all cases where proceedings are taken in any other District Court;

“will” includes any codicil or other testamentary document.

[7/97]

Search within Legislation