I. CIVIL JUSTICE REVIEW COMMITTEE AND CIVIL JUSTICE COMMISSION
i. On 5 January 2015, the Chief Justice announced the establishment of the Civil Justice Commission (CJC) with the following terms of reference:
a. To transform, not merely reform, the litigation process by modernising it, enhancing efficiency and speed of adjudication and maintaining costs at reasonable levels.
b. To simplify rules, avoid outdated language without discarding established legal concepts, eliminate time-consuming or cost-wasting procedural steps, ensure fairness to all litigants, make good use of advancements in information technology and allow greater judicial control of the entire litigation process.
c. Such other aspects as the Chief Justice may direct from time to time.
The CJC also recognised the need to ensure that the Rules of Court (“Rules”) provide flexibility for the court to do right for each individual case, and ensure that parties will not be denied justice because of accidental procedural flaws
ii. On 18 May 2016, the Ministry of Law announced the establishment of the Civil Justice Review Committee (CJRC). The CJRC was tasked to make recommendations relating to:
a. Enhancing judicial control over litigation, civil procedure;
b. Professional training requirements and public education measures to support the recommendations; and
c. A review mechanism to assess the implementation of the CJRC’s recommendations two years post-implementation.
a. Indicate your name and the organisation you represent (if applicable) as well as contact details (email address and / or telephone number) to enable us to follow up and seek clarification, if necessary;
b. Focus your comments on how the recommendations can be improved or whether the changes are necessary; and
c. State clearly which specific recommendation you are giving feedback on by referring to the relevant paragraph in this public consultation paper.