Public Trustee Act
(CHAPTER 260)

(Original Enactment: Ordinance 3 of 1915)

REVISED EDITION 1985
(30th March 1987)
An Act to provide for the appointment of a Public Trustee.
[1st July 1935]
Short title
1.  This Act may be cited as the Public Trustee Act.
Interpretation
2.  In this Act, unless there is something repugnant in the subject or context —
“Board” means the Public Trustee Investment Board referred to in section 13;
“common fund” means the common fund referred to in section 10;
“expenses” includes costs and charges;
“letters of administration” means letters of administration of the estate and effects of a deceased person, whether general or with a will annexed, or limited either in time or otherwise;
“private trustee” means a trustee other than the Public Trustee;
“trust” includes an executorship or administratorship, and “trustee” shall be construed accordingly;
“trust property” includes all property in the possession or under the control wholly or partly of the Public Trustee by virtue of any trust.
Establishment of Public Trustee
Minister to appoint Public Trustee
3.—(1)  The Minister shall appoint a fit person to the office of Public Trustee, who shall hold office during his pleasure, and receive such salary or fees, and be appointed on such terms, as the Minister determines.
[7/1997 wef 01/10/1997]
(2)  The Minister may appoint such fit and proper persons to be Assistant Public Trustees and other officers of the Public Trustee as he considers necessary for the purposes of this Act and the Assistant Public Trustees and other officers shall hold office upon such terms, and be remunerated at such rates and in such manner, as the Minister may determine.
Any reference in this Act or in any other written law to officers or officer of the Public Trustee shall include an Assistant Public Trustee.
[7/1997 wef 01/10/1997]
Corporation sole
(3)  The Public Trustee shall be a corporation sole under that name, with perpetual succession and an official seal, and may sue and be sued under the above name like any other corporation sole.
Remuneration
(4)  The salary or remuneration of the Public Trustee and his officers and such other expenses of executing his office or otherwise carrying this Act into effect as are sanctioned by the Minister shall be paid out of the Consolidated Fund.
[7/1997 wef 01/10/1997]
(5)  The Public Trustee and every officer of the Public Trustee is hereby declared to be a public servant within the meaning of the Penal Code (Cap. 224).