Know Your Rights — Singapore
Your rights in Singapore, in plain English — with the Act behind them and clear next steps.
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Understanding Singapore's Legal System
Singapore is a unitary parliamentary republic with a common-law system. Day-to-day rules come from Acts of Parliament — the Employment Act (most workers), the Housing and Development Act (HDB flats), the Penal Code, and the Women's Charter (marriage, divorce, family for non-Muslims). Muslim personal law goes through the Syariah Court under the Administration of Muslim Law Act.
Workplace disputes start with TADM mediation, then the Employment Claims Tribunal — low-cost and no lawyer needed. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) enforces the Employment Act and EFMA. The Legal Aid Bureau handles civil matters for lower-income residents; the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme covers criminal cases.
Browse by Category
Workers' Rights
Employment Act protections, CPF contributions, workplace safety, retrenchment benefits, leave entitlements, and dispute resolution under Singapore national law.
Police Encounters
Rights during arrest, detention, police searches, right to counsel, bail, statements to police, and traffic stops under Singapore's Criminal Procedure Code and Constitution.
Housing Rights
HDB flat ownership, tenancy protections, security deposits, landlord obligations, strata management, subletting rules, and property defect claims under Singapore law.
Tax Rights
IRAS assessments, income tax filing, GST obligations, property tax, tax reliefs and deductions, objections and appeals, and audit protections under Singapore tax law.
Family Law
Divorce, child custody, spousal maintenance, division of matrimonial assets, domestic violence protection orders, maintenance of parents, and adoption under Singapore law.
Consumer Rights
Lemon law, unfair practices, Small Claims Tribunals, e-commerce protections, moneylending, product safety, CASE mediation, and personal data protection under Singapore law.
Immigration Rights
Employment Pass, S Pass, Work Permit, Permanent Residence, Dependant's Pass, employment dispute rights for foreign workers, and deportation protections under Singapore law.
Healthcare Rights
MediSave, MediShield Life, informed consent, emergency treatment, medical negligence, mental health rights, patient confidentiality, and access to medical records under Singapore law.
Immigration Pathways
Practical guide to Singapore work visas, family sponsorship, student immigration, permanent residency, citizenship, humanitarian protection, immigrant protections, and common immigration mistakes.
How It Works
Find your situation
Browse categories or search for the issue you're facing — employment, housing, police encounters, taxes, and more.
Understand your rights
Read a plain-language summary of your rights under Singapore national law — based on Acts of Parliament and official guidance.
Take action
Get clear next steps: what to say, what to file, who to contact, and where to find legal help if you need it.