Legal assistance

[nanana]

I am representing myself in an up-coming court battle. Just wonder if there is anywhere or anyone that a layman like me can approach to seek help in preparing for the documents ?(no money for lawyer) I mainly just wish to know what is the format and the right terms to be used in my papers. really appreciate if you can point me to the right direction. Thanks

[Strong Eagle]

Start here: https://app.statecourts.gov.sg/subcourt ... geid=77220

Your goal should not be to win a court battle but to convince the other side to end the lawsuit outside of court. Singapore courts press hard to do exactly that. If the evidence is on your side, then negotiate first. But, if you are going to court...

Be aware that you must be aware of three things. First, you must be aware of the rules of civil procedure. I don't have much detail on Singapore but in Texas, for example, a case is initiated by the plaintiff with an "original petition" and responded to by the defendant with a "general response" or general denial.

There are rules for discovery of evidence, depositions, and requests for things like a summary judgement or dismissal. You should have a clear flow chart of each type of document and when it is filed. You should know where and with whom to file each type of document. You should be familiar with the various types of hearings, and you should be aware of courtroom etiquette.

As for document contents, you don't say if you are plaintiff or defendant... but in either case, you should review court dockets to find cases that are similar to yours, either with the same charges or the similar circumstances. You use these to create your own documents. You can copy the form (way the judge is addressed, etc), include the boilerplate, for example, there are multiple levels of discovery in Texas, and the original petition will always state the level to be used... if not, the defendant might ask for a dismissal based upon the failure to provide information, and the plaintiff might file an amended petition.

If you are the plaintiff, you always list the ways in which you have been aggrieved by the defendant, citing when, where, and damages to you. You then ask for relief from each of the charges you have made. If you are the defendant, you can issue a specific denial to each charge, although if you are serious about going to court, you can simply issue a general denial of all charges and say that you are prepared for court. You could also file a request for dismissal or file a counter suit against the plaintiff.

Finally, you must be fully aware of the specific statutes under which the plaintiff has filed the lawsuit. For example if the plaintiff was an employee suing you for not putting withheld CPF money into his account, you would need to know the law exactly, and be able to support why you did what you did. Ignorance will not save you.

Again, I say that settling out of court is always the desirable thing to do.

[nanana]

Dear Strong Eagle,
Thank you so much for your reply. The link is certainly helpful.
May I PM you for some of my queries so that I know how/what to ask the staffs when I consult them?

[Strong Eagle]

Dear Strong Eagle,
Thank you so much for your reply. The link is certainly helpful.
May I PM you for some of my queries so that I know how/what to ask the staffs when I consult them?

Unless your privacy is being violated, I would prefer that you ask questions here on the forum so that others may learn as well. If you wish to PM me with the particulars of your case, that is fine... but process and procedure will generally be applicable to all.

Please also note that a) I am not a lawyer but I am well experienced in the law, and b) my experience is in the Texas legal system. My only experience in Singapore was to be the defendant in a defamation lawsuit. The advice I can provide may be limited.

[nanana]

hi strong eagle,
no worries at all. thanks for your reply.

[nanana]

Just to update to those who are in similar situation. I went to the HELP desk as suggested on the state court link. I wanted to ask about the correct format, and terms to be used in my document (cos I wasn't sure if there is a specific term to address those involved in the case, and also the correct format and order for all the documents). I wasn't seeking any legal advice on the contents or what should I include. The staff said she is not legally trained and wasn't able to advise me on that. I asked if there is someone there who can help. She said they are all not legally trained, and she suggested for me to look up a legal dictionary. DUH! If I know what is the word I am looking for, I won't be asking right?

HELP desk is not so helpful afterall. or maybe it's just my bad luck.

[Strong Eagle]

Are you responding to a petition that has been filed against you (ie - you are the defendant), or are you trying to file an original petition (ie - you are the plaintiff)?