Courts actively foster transparency and public trust: Forum

We thank Mr Ethan Tan for his Forum letter, “Encourage more people to attend public hearings” (June 13). We agree that open court hearings are vital for transparency and public trust in our judiciary.

In today’s digital age where diverse narratives proliferate, it is even more crucial that the public understands the work of our courts. Witnessing judicial processes first-hand can demystify legal proceedings and foster a more informed citizenry.

To increase public awareness of open court hearings, we actively use SG Courts social media platforms (YouTube, Instagram and TikTok) to provide videos and guides. These resources, with over 360,000 views, offer insights on courtroom decorum and personal accounts of open justice.

We are also simplifying information on hearing schedules on the SG Courts portal to address challenges laypeople might face, and will consider Mr Tan’s suggestion to enhance court signage.

Beyond making court hearings accessible, the Singapore Courts are committed to bridging the gap and enhancing public understanding of our work through various initiatives.

Our website hosts all Supreme Court written judgments since 2000, many with summaries for lay readers. Our official WhatsApp channel provides concise summaries of notable judicial decisions for over 17,000 subscribers.

In 2024, our “Conversations with the Community” series engaged a wider audience as judges explored various aspects of our work. Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon kick-started the series, explaining the courts’ dual role (adjudicative and systemic) and the crucial importance of access to justice. Following seven sessions, we plan to consolidate this material into a freely available e-book.

Our student outreach programmes actively engage young people, including a partnership with Kiss92 FM to reach 10,000 students. Our annual “A Day in Court” features fireside chats with judges and mock court role-playing sessions. Additionally, our “Justice Awareness @ Heartlands” community outreach initiative brings legal education directly to local communities; a recent session in Woodlands focused on family violence and harassment.

In 2025, we will also hold open houses at the Family Justice Courts and Small Claims Tribunals to foster greater public familiarity with their roles.

Finally, the media plays a crucial role in explaining court cases in layman terms, and we continue to work closely with it. We remain committed to proactive and transparent communication to foster public understanding and trust in our justice system.

Michelle Chiang
Director, Outreach and Engagement
Singapore Courts

Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.

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