ORDER 21
COSTS
Division 1General
Definitions and general matters of this Order (O. 21, r. 1)
1.—(1)  This Order applies to the costs of or incidental to contentious business and to any other proceedings if any written law provides or if the parties to any proceedings consent.
(2)  In this Order —
“assessed costs” means costs assessed in accordance with this Order;
“contentious business” has the meaning given by section 2(1) of the Legal Profession Act;
“costs” includes fees, charges, disbursements, expenses and remuneration;
“indemnity basis” has the meaning given by Rule 22(3);
“standard basis” has the meaning given by Rule 22(2).
(3)  In this Order —
(a)references to a fund, being a fund out of which costs are to be paid or which is held by a trustee or personal representative, include references to any estate or property, whether movable or immovable, held for the benefit of any person or class of persons; and
(b)references to a fund held by a trustee or personal representative include references to any fund to which the trustee or personal representative is entitled (whether alone or together with any other person) in that capacity, whether the fund is for the time being in the possession of the trustee or personal representative or not.
Powers of Court (O. 21, r. 2)
2.—(1)  Subject to any written law, costs are in the discretion of the Court and the Court has the power to determine all issues relating to the costs of or incidental to all proceedings in the Supreme Court or the State Courts at any stage of the proceedings or after the conclusion of the proceedings.
(2)  In exercising its power to fix or assess costs, the Court must have regard to all relevant circumstances, including —
(a)efforts made by the parties at amicable resolution;
(b)the complexity of the case and the difficulty or novelty of the questions involved;
(c)the skill, specialised knowledge and responsibility required of, and the time and labour expended by, the solicitor;
(d)the urgency and importance of the action to the parties;
(e)the number of solicitors involved in the case for each party;
(f)the conduct of the parties;
(g)the principle of proportionality; and
(h)the stage at which the proceedings were concluded.
(3)  Subject to the provisions of this Order and any written law, the costs payable by any party to any other party in any matter must be fixed by the Court which heard the matter after an oral hearing or by way of written submissions from the parties, unless the Court thinks fit to direct an assessment of the costs.
(4)  The costs in any matter are payable from the date of the Court’s order unless the parties otherwise agree.
(5)  The Court may order 2 or more parties’ costs to be set off against one another so that only the balance has to be paid.
(6)  The Court may stay or dismiss any application, action or appeal or make any other order as the Court deems fit if a party refuses or neglects to pay any costs ordered within the specified time, whether the costs were ordered in the present proceedings or in some related proceedings.
(7)  In the case of an appeal, the costs of the proceedings giving rise to the appeal, as well as the costs of the appeal and of the proceedings connected with it, may be dealt with by the Court hearing the appeal.
(8)  In the case of any proceedings transferred or removed to the General Division from any other court, the General Division may decide the costs of the whole proceedings, both before and after the transfer, or may direct that other court to decide the costs of the proceedings before the transfer.
Entitlement to costs and assessment of costs (O. 21, r. 3)
3.—(1)  Subject to the following provisions of this Order, no party is entitled to recover any costs of or incidental to any proceedings from any other party to the proceedings except under an order of the Court.
(2)  The Court must, subject to this Order, order the costs of any proceedings in favour of a successful party, except when it appears to the Court that in the circumstances of the case some other order should be made as to the whole or any part of the costs.
(3)  The costs of and occasioned by any amendment made without permission in the originating claim or any pleadings must be borne by the party making the amendment, unless the Court otherwise orders.
(4)  The costs of and occasioned by any application to extend the time fixed by these Rules or the Court, for serving or filing any document or doing any other act must be borne by the party making the application, unless the Court otherwise orders.
(5)  Where a person is or has been a party to any proceedings in the capacity of trustee, personal representative or mortgagee, that person is, unless the Court otherwise orders, entitled to the costs of those proceedings, insofar as they are not recovered from or paid by any other person, out of the fund held by the trustee or personal representative or out of the mortgaged property, as the case may be.
Adverse costs orders against successful party (O. 21, r. 4)
4.  The Court may disallow or reduce a successful party’s costs or order that party to pay costs, if —
(a)that party has failed to establish any claim or issue which that party has raised in any proceedings, thereby unnecessarily increasing the amount of time taken, the costs or the complexity of the proceedings;
(b)that party has done or omitted to do anything unreasonably;
(c)that party has not discharged that party’s duty to consider amicable resolution of the dispute or to make an offer of amicable resolution in accordance with Order 5; or
(d)that party has failed to comply with any order of court, any relevant pre‑action protocol or any practice direction.
Adverse costs orders against non‑party (O. 21, r. 5)
5.—(1)  Where it is just to do so, the Court may order costs against a non‑party if the non‑party has —
(a)assigned the non‑party’s right in the action to a party in return for a share of any money or property which that party may recover in the action;
(b)contributed or agreed to contribute to a party’s costs in return for a share of any money or property which that party may recover in the action; or
(c)contributed or agreed to contribute to a party’s costs and actively instigates or encourages that party to continue with the action.
(2)  Before the Court makes an order under paragraph (1), the Court must give the non‑party a reasonable opportunity to be heard, either by way of an oral hearing or by written submissions.
Adverse costs orders against solicitor (O. 21, r. 6)
6.—(1)  If the solicitor is responsible, either personally or through an employee or agent, for incurring costs unreasonably in the proceedings, the Court may —
(a)disallow the costs as between the solicitor and his or her client in whole or in part;
(b)order the solicitor to repay to his or her client costs which the client has been ordered to pay in the proceedings; and
(c)order the solicitor to indemnify any other party in the proceedings for costs payable by them.
(2)  Before the Court makes an order under paragraph (1), the Court must give the solicitor a reasonable opportunity to be heard, either by way of an oral hearing or by written submissions.
(3)  The Court may direct that notice be given to the solicitor’s client concerning any proceedings or order against the solicitor under this Rule.
(4)  The Court may, if the Court thinks fit, direct or authorise the Attorney‑General to attend and take part in any proceedings or inquiry under this Rule, and may make such order as the Court thinks fit as to the payment of the Attorney‑General’s costs.
Costs for litigant not legally represented (O. 21, r. 7)
7.  The Court may award costs to a successful party who is not represented by solicitors that would compensate him or her reasonably for the time and work required for the proceedings and for all expenses incurred reasonably.
Solicitor representing party who lacks capacity (O. 21, r. 8)
8.  In any proceedings in which money is claimed by or on behalf of, or for the benefit of —
(a)a minor;
(b)a person who lacks capacity within the meaning of the Mental Capacity Act in relation to matters concerning the person’s property or affairs; or
(c)a widow under the Civil Law Act,
the costs payable by the claimant or the claimant’s solicitor must be fixed or approved by the Court or assessed by the Registrar.
When party may sign judgment for costs without order (O. 21, r. 9)
9.—(1)  Where —
(a)a claimant by notice in writing and without permission either wholly discontinues the claimant’s action against any defendant or withdraws any particular claim made by the claimant in an action against any defendant; or
(b)an action is deemed discontinued,
the defendant is, unless the Court otherwise orders, entitled to the defendant’s costs of the action or claim incurred to the time of discontinuance, which may be assessed if not agreed between the parties, and the defendant may sign judgment for the defendant’s assessed costs after 48 hours after assessment.
(2)  If a claimant accepts money paid into Court in satisfaction of the cause of action, or all the causes of action, in respect of which the claimant claims, or if the claimant accepts a sum or sums paid in respect of one or more specified causes of action and gives notice that the claimant abandons the other causes of action, then subject to paragraph (4) —
(a)the claimant is entitled to the claimant’s costs incurred to the time of receipt of the notice of payment into Court, which may be assessed if not agreed between the parties; and
(b)the claimant may sign judgment for the claimant’s assessed costs after 48 hours after assessment.
(3)  Where a claimant in an action for libel or slander against several defendants sued jointly accepts money paid into Court by one of the defendants, then subject to paragraph (4), the claimant may have the claimant’s costs assessed and may sign judgment for them against that defendant in accordance with paragraph (2).
(4)  Despite paragraphs (2) and (3), the claimant is not entitled to have the claimant’s costs assessed if the Court otherwise orders or if the claimant accepts the money paid into Court after the trial or hearing has begun.
(5)  If a claimant accepts money paid into Court by a defendant who counterclaimed against the claimant, then, if the defendant stated in the notice of payment that the defendant had taken into account and satisfied the cause of action or all the causes of action in the defendant’s counterclaim, then, subject to paragraph (6) —
(a)that defendant is entitled to that defendant’s costs of the counterclaim incurred to the time of receipt of the notice of acceptance by the claimant of the money paid into Court, which may be assessed if not agreed between the parties; and
(b)that defendant may sign judgment for that defendant’s assessed costs after 48 hours after assessment.
(6)  Despite paragraph (5), the defendant is not entitled to have the defendant’s costs assessed if the Court otherwise orders or if the defendant pays money into Court after the trial or hearing has begun.
Fixed costs (O. 21, r. 10)
10.  In the cases to which Appendix 1 to this Order applies, the amount of costs allowed are as set out in that Appendix, unless the Court otherwise orders.
Powers of Registrar to assess costs (O. 21, r. 11)
11.—(1)  The Registrar of the Supreme Court has power to assess —
(a)any costs of or arising out of any cause or matter in the Supreme Court the assessment of which is directed by an order of the Court;
(b)any costs directed to be paid by an award made on a reference to arbitration under any written law or pursuant to an arbitration agreement; and
(c)any costs the assessment of which is allowed or directed by or under any written law.
(2)  The Registrar of the State Courts has power to assess —
(a)any costs of or arising out of any cause or matter in the State Courts the assessment of which is directed by an order of the Court; and
(b)any costs the assessment of which is allowed or directed by or under any written law.
Supplementary powers of Registrar (O. 21, r. 12)
12.  The Registrar may in assessing costs —
(a)take an account of any dealings in money made in connection with the payment of the costs being assessed, if the Court so directs;
(b)require any party represented jointly with any other party in any proceedings before the Registrar to be separately represented;
(c)examine any witness in those proceedings; and
(d)direct the production of any document which may be relevant in connection with those proceedings.
Costs of assessment proceedings (O. 21, r. 13)
13.—(1)  Subject to the provisions of any written law, the party whose bill is being assessed is entitled to the party’s costs of the assessment proceedings.
(2)  The party liable to pay the costs of the proceedings which gave rise to the assessment proceedings may make a written offer to pay a specific sum in satisfaction of those costs which is expressed to be “without prejudice except as to the costs of the assessment of costs”, at any time before the expiration of 14 days after the delivery to the party of a copy of the bill of costs under Rule 19 and, where such an offer is made, the fact that it has been made must not be communicated to the Registrar until the question of the costs of the assessment proceedings falls to be decided.
(3)  The Registrar may take into account any offer made under paragraph (2) which has been brought to the Registrar’s attention.
Interim certificates (O. 21, r. 14)
14.—(1)  The Registrar may, from time to time in the course of the assessment of any costs by the Registrar, issue an interim certificate for any part of those costs which has been assessed.
(2)  If, in the course of the assessment of a solicitor’s bill to the solicitor’s own client, it appears to the Registrar that in any event the solicitor will be liable in connection with that bill to pay money to the client, the Registrar may from time to time issue an interim certificate specifying an amount which in the Registrar’s opinion is payable by the solicitor to the client.
(3)  On the filing of a certificate issued under paragraph (2), the Court may order the amount specified in the certificate to be paid forthwith to the client or into Court.
Power of Registrar where party liable to be paid and to pay costs (O. 21, r. 15)
15.  Where a party entitled to be paid costs is also liable to pay costs, the Registrar may —
(a)assess the costs which that party is liable to pay and set off the amount allowed against the amount that party is entitled to be paid and direct payment of any balance; or
(b)delay the issue of a certificate for the costs that party is entitled to be paid until that party has paid or tendered the amount that party is liable to pay.
Assessment of bill of costs comprised in account (O. 21, r. 16)
16.—(1)  Where the Court directs an account to be taken and the account consists in part of a bill of costs, the Court may direct the Registrar to assess those costs, and the Registrar must do so and return the bill of costs, after assessment of the bill of costs, together with the Registrar’s report on the bill of costs to the Court.
(2)  The Registrar assessing a bill of costs in accordance with a direction under this Rule has the same powers, and the same fees are payable in connection with the assessment, as if an order for assessment of the costs had been made by the Court.
Division 2Procedure on assessment
Mode of beginning proceedings for assessment (O. 21, r. 17)
17.  A party entitled to have any costs assessed must file the bill of costs within 12 months after the date on which the entire cause or matter is finally disposed of, including any appeals arising, unless the Court otherwise orders.
Notification of time appointed for assessment (O. 21, r. 18)
18.  Where the bill of costs has been filed in accordance with Rule 17, the Registrar must give to the party beginning the proceedings at least 14 days’ notice of the date and time appointed for assessment.
Delivery of bills, etc. (O. 21, r. 19)
19.—(1)  A party whose costs are to be assessed in any assessment proceedings must, within 2 days after receiving a notice of the date and time under Rule 18, send a copy of the party’s bill of costs to every other party entitled to be heard in the proceedings.
(2)  Notice need not be given to any party who has not filed and served a notice of intention to contest or not contest or taken any part in the proceedings which gave rise to the assessment proceedings.
(3)  Paragraph (2) does not apply where an order for the assessment of a solicitor’s bill of costs made under the Legal Profession Act, at the application of the solicitor, gave rise to the assessment proceedings.
Form of bill of costs (O. 21, r. 20)
20.—(1)  Every bill of costs must set out in 3 separate sections the following:
(a)work done in the cause or matter, except for assessment of costs;
(b)work done for and in the assessment of costs;
(c)all disbursements made in the cause or matter.
(2)  The costs claimed for paragraph (1)(a) and (b) must be indicated as one global sum for each section, while the costs claimed for paragraph (1)(c) must set out the sum claimed for each item of disbursement.
(3)  The bill of costs must also set out the amount of goods and services tax (GST) payable on the costs claimed, if any.
(4)  Every bill of costs must be headed in the cause or matter to which the bill relates, with the name of the party whose bill it is, and the judgment, direction or order under which the bill is to be assessed, the basis of assessment and whether the bill is to be assessed between party and party or solicitor and client.
(5)  A bill of costs must be endorsed with the name or firm and business address of the solicitor whose bill it is.
(6)  For assessment of costs for contentious business —
(a)the bill of costs must set out sufficient information that will enable the Registrar to have regard to the circumstances mentioned in Rule 2(2), and must comply with any requirements specified in the practice directions;
(b)where attendances, telephone conversations and correspondence are concerned, it is sufficient to state only the number of such attendances, telephone calls and correspondence, and, where possible, the total number of hours of such attendances and telephone calls;
(c)where costs have already been awarded for any of the events set out, this fact and the amount awarded must be indicated;
(d)the bill must also contain a succinct narrative of the legal and factual issues involved;
(e)the bill may also contain the lists of authorities cited, indicating, where possible, those cited in the judgment of the Court; and
(f)work done in the cause or matter includes work done in connection with the negotiation of a settlement.
Powers of Registrar assessing costs payable out of fund (O. 21, r. 21)
21.—(1)  Where any costs are to be paid out of a fund, the Registrar may give directions as to the parties who are entitled to attend on the assessment of those costs and may disallow the costs of attendance of any party not entitled to attend by virtue of the directions and whose attendance the Registrar considers unnecessary.
(2)  Where the Court has directed that a solicitor’s bill of costs be assessed for the purpose of being paid out of a fund, the Registrar may, if the Registrar thinks fit, adjourn the assessment for a reasonable period and direct the solicitor to send to any person having an interest in the fund a copy of the bill, or any part of the bill, free of charge together with a letter containing the following information:
(a)that the bill of costs has been referred to the Registrar for assessment;
(b)the venue, date and time at which the assessment will be continued;
(c)any other information as the Registrar may direct.
Division 3Assessment of costs
Basis of assessment (O. 21, r. 22)
22.—(1)  Subject to the other provisions of these Rules, the amount of costs which any party is entitled to recover is the amount allowed after assessment on the standard basis where —
(a)an order is made that the costs of one party to the proceedings be paid by another party to those proceedings;
(b)an order is made for the payment of costs out of any fund; or
(c)no order for costs is required,
unless it appears to the Court to be appropriate to order costs to be assessed on the indemnity basis.
(2)  On an assessment of costs on the standard basis, a reasonable amount in respect of all costs reasonably incurred is to be allowed, and any doubts which the Registrar may have as to whether the costs were reasonably incurred or were reasonable in amount are to be resolved in favour of the paying party; and in these Rules, the term “the standard basis”, in relation to the assessment of costs, is to be construed accordingly.
(3)  On an assessment on the indemnity basis, all costs are to be allowed except insofar as they are of an unreasonable amount or have been unreasonably incurred, and any doubts which the Registrar may have as to whether the costs were reasonably incurred or were reasonable in amount are to be resolved in favour of the receiving party; and in these Rules, the term “the indemnity basis”, in relation to the assessment of costs, is to be construed accordingly.
(4)  Where the Court makes an order for assessment of costs without indicating the basis of assessment or on any basis other than the standard basis or the indemnity basis, the costs are to be assessed on the standard basis.
(5)  Despite paragraphs (1) to (4), if any action is brought in the General Division, which would have been within the jurisdiction of a State Court, the claimant is not entitled to any more costs than the claimant would have been entitled to if the proceedings had been brought in a State Court, unless the General Division otherwise orders.
Costs payable to solicitor by his or her own client (O. 21, r. 23)
23.—(1)  This Rule applies to every assessment of a solicitor’s bill of costs to the solicitor’s own client.
(2)  On an assessment to which this Rule applies, costs are to be assessed on the indemnity basis but are to be presumed —
(a)to have been reasonably incurred if they were incurred with the express or implied approval of the client;
(b)to have been reasonable in amount if their amount was, expressly or impliedly, approved by the client; and
(c)to have been unreasonably incurred if, in the circumstances of the case, they are of an unusual nature unless the solicitor satisfies the Registrar that prior to their being incurred the solicitor informed the client that they might not be allowed on an assessment of costs between the parties to the proceedings.
(3)  In paragraph (2), references to the client are to be construed —
(a)if the client at the material time lacked capacity within the meaning of the Mental Capacity Act and was represented by a person acting as litigation representative, as references to that person acting, where necessary, with the authority of the Court; and
(b)if the client was at the material time a minor and represented by a person acting as litigation representative, as references to that person.
(4)  The delivery of a bill of costs by a solicitor to the solicitor’s client does not preclude the solicitor from presenting a bill for a larger amount or otherwise for assessment, if assessment is ordered by the Court or is consented to by the solicitor and the solicitor’s client.
(5)  Upon an assessment mentioned in paragraph (4), the solicitor is entitled to such amount as is allowed by the Registrar, although such amount may be more than that claimed in any previous bill of costs delivered to the solicitor’s client.
Costs payable to trustee out of trust fund, etc. (O. 21, r. 24)
24.—(1)  This Rule applies to every assessment of the costs which a person who is or has been a party to any proceedings in the capacity of trustee or personal representative is entitled to be paid out of any fund which the person holds in that capacity.
(2)  On an assessment to which this Rule applies, costs are to be assessed on the indemnity basis but are to be presumed to have been unreasonably incurred if they were incurred contrary to the duty of the trustee or personal representative as such.
Division 4Certificate
Certificate (O. 21, r. 25)
25.  When the bill of costs has been assessed, the solicitor must apply for the certificate of the Registrar for the amount of costs allowed by the Registrar.
Certificate of Registrar to be conclusive unless set aside (O. 21, r. 26)
26.  Upon the assessment of the bill of costs, the certificate of the Registrar, unless set aside, is conclusive as to the amount of costs allowed, and, where the order contains a submission to pay, the solicitor may after 48 hours, if there is no application for review, apply for an enforcement order to be issued in respect of the costs allowed.
Division 5Review
Application to Judge for review (O. 21, r. 27)
27.—(1)  Any party to any assessment proceedings who is dissatisfied with the decision of the Registrar in respect of any item may apply to a Judge to review the assessment as to that item or part of an item, as the case may be.
(2)  An application under this Rule for review of the Registrar’s decision may be made at any time within 14 days after that decision.
(3)  An application under this Rule must be made by summons and must be heard in chambers, unless the Judge otherwise orders.
(4)  An application under this Rule for review of the Registrar’s decision in respect of any item does not prejudice the power of the Registrar under Rule 14 to issue an interim certificate in respect of the items of the Registrar’s decision which are not the subject of the review.
(5)  In this Rule and Rule 28, “Judge” means a Judge sitting in the General Division or a District Judge and includes a judge sitting in the Appellate Division or the Court of Appeal where appropriate.
Review of Registrar’s decision by Judge (O. 21, r. 28)
28.—(1)  Unless the Judge otherwise directs, no further evidence may be received on the hearing of the review of the Registrar’s decision by the Judge, but except as mentioned, on the hearing of the review, the Judge may exercise all such powers and discretion as are vested in the Registrar in relation to the subject matter of the application.
(2)  At the conclusion of the review, the Judge may make such order as the circumstances require, and in particular may order the Registrar’s certificate to be amended or (except where the dispute as to the item under review is as to amount only) order the item to be remitted to the Registrar for assessment.
Division 6Interest
Interest on costs (O. 21, r. 29)
29.—(1)  The costs mentioned in the first column of the following table carry interest at 5.33% per year from the date mentioned in the second column of the table until payment:
First column
Second column
Type of costs
Commencement date
(a)assessed costs
 
Date of assessment
(b)costs fixed by the Court
 
Date of order
(c)costs agreed between the parties
 
Date of agreement
(d)costs under Parts 1, 2 and 3 of Appendix 1 to this Order
 
Date of judgment.
(2)  Costs under Part 4 of Appendix 1 to this Order do not carry any interest.
APPENDIX 1
(O. 21, r. 10)
FIXED COST
Part 1
COSTS ON JUDGMENT
WITHOUT TRIAL
1.—(1)  The scale of costs set out in Part 2 of this Appendix applies in relation to the following cases:
(a)cases in which the defendant pays the amount claimed within the time and in the manner required by the endorsement of the originating claim;
(b)cases in which the claimant obtains final judgment in default of a notice of intention to contest or not contest or in default of defence;
(c)cases in which —
(i)the claimant obtains final judgment under Order 9, Rule 17 unconditionally;
(ii)the Court dismisses an application for summary judgment under Order 9, Rule 17; or
(iii)the Court gives the defendant against whom an application for summary judgment under Order 9, Rule 17 is made unconditional permission to defend.
(2)  Where the claimant is also entitled under the judgment to damages to be assessed, or where the claimant claims any relief of the nature specified in Order 52, Rule 1, this Part does not apply.
(3)  In respect of the cases set out in sub‑paragraph (1)(a) and (b), where the claimant is entitled under the judgment to costs on an indemnity basis, the scale of costs and disbursements set out in both Parts 2 and 3 of this Appendix apply.
Part 2
BASIC COSTS
2.  Costs to be allowed (excluding disbursements) in cases under the following sub-paragraphs of paragraph 1(1) in Part 1 of this Appendix:
 
High
Court
District Court
Magistrates Court
(a)under sub-paragraph (a)
$2,000
$1,500
$800
(b)under sub-paragraph (b)
$2,300
$1,800
$1,000
(c)under sub-paragraph (c)
$4,000 to $15,000
$3,000 to $10,000
$2,000 to $6,000
COSTS FOR ADDITIONAL ITEMS
 
 
Costs to be allowed
 
 
High
Court
District
Court
Magistrate’s
Court
  3.—(1)  Where there is more than one defendant, in respect of each additional defendant served —
 
 
 
 
(a)if the additional defendant is represented by the same solicitor as any other defendant
 
$100
$100
$100
(b)in any other case
 
$200
$200
$150
  (2)  Where substituted service is ordered and effected, in respect of each defendant served
 
$350 plus disbursement
$350 plus disbursement
$300 plus disbursement
  (3)  Where service out of Singapore is ordered and effected
 
$700 plus disbursement
$700 plus disbursement
$600 plus disbursement
The disbursements allowed under sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) are limited to disbursements reasonably incurred in connection with the substituted service and service out of Singapore, and are the following:
 
 
Disbursement to be allowed
 
 
High
Court
District Court
Magistrate’s
Court
(a)court fees
 
Actual fees
Actual fees
Actual fees
(b)affirmation fees for affidavit in support of application
 
Actual fees
Actual fees
Actual fees
(c)for each attempted service
 
$20
$20
$20
(d)for the substituted service, if effected within Singapore —
 
 
 
 
(i)by posting on the door
 
$20
$20
$20
(ii)by advertisement
 
Actual cost
Actual cost
Actual cost
(e)for service out of Singapore
 
Actual cost
Actual cost
Actual cost
(f)title searches
 
Actual cost
Actual cost
Actual cost
  (4)  In the case of a judgment in default of defence or judgment pursuant to an application for summary judgment under Order 9, Rule 17, where notice of intention to contest or not contest is not given on the day on which the notice is filed, and the claimant makes an affidavit of service for the purpose of a judgment in default of a notice of intention to contest or not contest (the allowance to include the search fee)
 
$200
$200
$150
  (5)  In the case of a judgment pursuant to an application for summary judgment under Order 9, Rule 17 where an affidavit of service of the summons is required
 
$200
$200
$150
  (6)  In the case of a judgment in default of a notice of intention to contest or not contest, or defence, on an application by summons under Order 51, Rule 4
 
$200
$200
$200
And where there is more than one defendant in respect of each additional defendant
 
$150
$150
$100
  (7)  Where bankruptcy or winding up searches are required by the Court
 
Actual cost
Actual cost
Actual cost
  (8)  Where the law firm is a GST‑registered firm
 
Actual GST payable
Actual GST payable
Actual GST payable
  (9)  Any other item approved by the Registrar
 
Actual amount allowed
Actual amount allowed
Actual amount allowed
Part 3
ADDITIONAL ITEMS WHERE
COSTS ARE ON INDEMNITY BASIS
4.  Disbursement to be allowed in addition to the items claimed under Part 2 of this Appendix in cases under paragraph 1(3) in Part 1 of this Appendix:
 
 
Disbursement to be allowed
 
 
High
Court
District
Court
Magistrate’s
Court
(a)court fees
 
Actual fees
Actual fees
Actual fees
(b)affirmation fees for supporting affidavit
 
Actual fees
Actual fees
Actual fees
(c)personal service of the originating claim in Singapore (if applicable)
 
$20
$20
$20
(d)for each attempted service, where there is no order for substituted service (if applicable)
 
$20
$20
$20
(e)postage, photocopying, miscellaneous charges and incidentals
 
$50
$50
$50
Part 4
MISCELLANEOUS
5.  Where a claimant or defendant signs judgment for costs under Rule 9, there is to be allowed the following costs, in addition to disbursements:
 
Costs to be allowed
 
High
Court
District
Court
Magistrate’s
Court
Costs of judgment
$300
$300
$200
6.  Where an application for enforcement of a judgment or an order is made, there is to be allowed to the enforcement applicant the following costs:
(a)costs (excluding the costs in sub‑paragraphs (b) and (c) below):
(i)in a Magistrate’s Court action — $1,000;
(ii)in a District Court action — $3,000;
(iii)in an action in the General Division — $5,000;
(b)charges, commission, expenses and fees paid to the Sheriff;
(c)reasonable disbursements incurred by the applicant.
Part 5
MAGISTRATES’ COURTS CASES
(EXCLUDING CASES IN PART 1 AND
NON‑INJURY MOTOR ACCIDENT ACTIONS
IN PART 6)
7.—(1)  Costs to be allowed in Magistrates’ Courts cases excluding —
(a)cases in Part 1 of this Appendix; and
(b)cases in Part 6 of this Appendix:
Sum settled or awarded (where the claimant succeeds) or sum claimed (where the claimant fails)
Costs (excluding disbursements) to be allowed
(i)up to $20,000
 
$3,000 to $6,000
(ii)more than $20,000 to $40,000
 
$4,000 to $12,000
(iii)more than $40,000 to $60,000
 
$5,000 to $18,000
(2)  The above scales apply to the entire proceedings irrespective of whether the issues of liability and quantum are tried together or separately.
(3)  Where the claimant’s claim for unliquidated damages is discontinued or dismissed, the court is to award such costs within the above scales as the court deems appropriate.
Part 6
NON‑INJURY MOTOR ACCIDENT ACTIONS
IN MAGISTRATES’ COURTS
8.—(1)  In this Part, “non‑injury motor accident action” means an action arising out of an accident on land due to a collision or an apprehended collision involving one or more motor vehicles, but not involving any claim for personal injuries.
(2)  The scale of costs set out in sub‑paragraphs (a) and (b) (which are exclusive of disbursements) together with paragraph 3 in Part 2 of this Appendix apply to all non‑injury motor accident actions filed in the Magistrates’ Courts —
(a)where the matter is concluded in respect of the issues of liability and quantum simultaneously, the costs are to follow the TABLE below:
TABLE
Stage of proceedings matter is concluded
Sum settled or awarded
(excluding interest if any)
 
Less than
$1,000
$1,000 to
less than
$10,000
$10,000
and above
Any stage before defence is served
$1,000
$1,000 — $1,200
$1,200 — $1,500
Where defence is served
$1,000
$1,200 — $1,500
$1,500 — $1,800
Where defence to counterclaim is served
$1,000
$1,500 — $1,800
$1,800 — $2,100
Where affidavits of evidence‑in‑chief are exchanged
$1,300
$1,800 — $2,800
$2,300 — $3,500
The 1st day of trial
$1,500 — $2,000
$3,200 — $3,800
$3,800 — $6,000
Each subsequent day of trial
Add up to $1,000
Add up to $1,500
Add up to $3,000
(b)where liability and quantum are resolved separately (i.e., interlocutory judgment is entered with damages to be assessed), costs will be fixed at a percentage of the scale in the TABLE as follows, depending on the stage at which liability and quantum are resolved:
(i)if liability is resolved before the originating claim is issued and the claimant follows or ought to have followed the procedure in these Rules or the relevant practice direction, costs will be 80% of the scale at the relevant stage at which the matter is concluded;
(ii)if liability is resolved after the originating claim is issued but before affidavits of evidence‑in‑chief are exchanged, costs will be 90% of the scale;
(iii)if liability is resolved after affidavits of evidence‑in‑chief are exchanged, costs will be 100% of the scale.