Criminal Procedure (Expert Opinion) Rules 2025

No. S 759

Criminal Procedure Code 2010

Criminal Procedure
(Expert Opinion) Rules 2025

In exercise of the powers conferred by section 428A(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code 2010, the Criminal Procedure Rules Committee, with the approval of the Chief Justice and the Minister for Law, makes the following Rules:

PART 1

PRELIMINARY

Citation and commencement

1.  These Rules are the Criminal Procedure (Expert Opinion) Rules 2025 and come into operation on 31 December 2025.

Definitions

2.  In these Rules —

“Code” means the Criminal Procedure Code 2010;

“expert’s report” means a report, certificate or other document prepared by an expert on a point of scientific, technical or other specialised knowledge;

“Law Society” means the Law Society of Singapore established under section 37 of the Legal Profession Act 1966;

“medical practitioner” means a person registered under the Medical Registration Act 1997 or deemed to be so registered under section 72(1) of that Act;

“Panel” means the panel of psychiatrists established for the purposes of section 270 of the Code;

“psychiatrist” means any of the following:

(a) a medical practitioner who is registered as a psychiatrist in the Register of Specialists under the Medical Registration Act 1997;

(b) a person who is registered, and authorised to practice, as a psychiatrist in any jurisdiction other than Singapore, by the Medical Council or licensing authority of that jurisdiction;

(c) a psychiatry resident;

“psychiatry resident” means a person who is undergoing psychiatry residency training in Singapore;

“Register of Specialists” means the register, containing the names of persons registered as specialists, maintained by the Registrar of the Medical Council under section 19 of the Medical Registration Act 1997;

“Selection Committee” means the Selection Committee established for the purposes of section 270 of the Code;

“Specialists Accreditation Board” means the Specialists Accreditation Board established under section 34 of the Medical Registration Act 1997.

PART 2

EXPERT’S OPINION

Expert’s duty to the court and other parties

3.—(1)  It is the duty of an expert to assist the court on the matters within the expertise of the expert.

(2)  This duty overrides any obligation to the person from whom the expert has received instructions or by whom the expert is paid.

(3)  An expert who has provided an opinion in any proceeding must, without delay, inform all parties to the proceeding and (where appropriate) the court of any change to his or her opinion on any material matter.

Requirements of expert’s report

4.—(1)  Subject to paragraph (5) or unless the court otherwise directs, the expert must provide the expert’s opinion in an expert’s report.

(2)  An expert’s report must —

(a) be signed by the expert;

(b) state that the expert’s report was prepared by and sets out the opinion of the expert and that the expert accepts full responsibility for the report;

(c) give details of the expert’s qualifications and any relevant experience;

(d) give details of any literature or other material that the expert relied on in making the expert’s report;

(e) set out the issues that the expert has been asked to consider and the facts that the expert relied on in making the expert’s report;

(f) if applicable, state the name and qualifications of the person who carried out any test or experiment that the expert has used for the expert’s report, and whether such test or experiment has been carried out under the expert’s supervision;

(g) where there is a range of opinion on the matters dealt with in the expert’s report, contain a summary of the range of opinion that is known to the expert;

(h) state the conclusion reached on the issues set out in sub‑paragraph (e) and the reasons supporting the conclusion;

(i) contain a statement of belief of correctness of the expert’s opinion;

(j) contain a statement that the expert understands the expert’s duty in rule 3, and that in giving the expert’s report, the expert has complied, and will continue to comply, with the expert’s duty in that rule; and

(k) disclose any personal relationship between the expert and any person connected to the proceedings in which the expert’s report is provided, which may cause a conflict between the expert’s interests and the expert’s duty to the court.

(3)  If the expert is a psychiatrist, in addition to the requirements in paragraph (2), the expert’s report must —

(a) state whether a person whose psychiatric condition is assessed by the expert (called in this paragraph the subject) was interviewed by the expert, and if the subject was interviewed by the expert, state —

(i) the number of interviews and the date of each interview; and

(ii) the language in which each interview was conducted (and whether the interview was conducted through an interpreter);

(b) state whether any person apart from the subject was interviewed by the expert, and if any such person was interviewed by the expert, state —

(i) the person’s identity and relationship to the subject;

(ii) the number of interviews and the date of each interview; and

(iii) the language in which each interview with the person was conducted (and whether the interview was conducted through an interpreter);

(c) state whether the expert diagnosed the subject as suffering from a psychiatric disorder, and if so, state —

(i) what the psychiatric disorder is;

(ii) when the subject suffered from the psychiatric disorder (such as at the time of the alleged offence, the time of diagnosis or any other time, whichever is relevant);

(iii) the basis for the diagnosis, including the diagnostic criteria or test applied or relied on (if any), and the result and report (if any) obtained after the application of the criteria or test to the subject; and

(iv) the nature and severity of the psychiatric disorder, including the basis for this assessment;

(d) where the expert diagnosed the subject as not suffering from a psychiatric disorder, state the basis for this diagnosis;

(e) state whether the expert was given a copy of another psychiatrist’s expert report on the subject, and if so, for each report on the subject by another psychiatrist, state each part of that report that the expert agrees with and each part of that report that the expert disagrees with, and provide reasons for each agreement and each disagreement;

(f) state whether the expert was a member of the Panel when the expert’s report was made; and

(g) state the source of each material fact that the expert relied on in making the expert’s report.

(4)  An expert’s report that is prepared by 2 or more experts must —

(a) if at least one of the experts is a psychiatrist — comply with the requirements in paragraph (3);

(b) if 2 or more of the experts are psychiatrists — state, in relation to each interview mentioned in paragraph (3)(a) and (b), which psychiatrist conducted which interview; and

(c) be signed by all the experts who prepared the report.

(5)  The court may take into account any non‑compliance of an expert’s report with the requirements of this rule when determining the admissibility of the expert’s report and the weight to be given to the expert’s report.

(6)  This rule does not apply to any expert’s report described in the Schedule.

Service of expert’s report

5.—(1)  In this rule —

“CCD offence” means an offence to which the criminal case disclosure procedures apply under section 159 or 211A of the Code;

“Code Date”, in relation to a trial or other proceeding, means —

(a) the last day of the period mentioned in section 166(1) or (4) or 218(1) or (4) of the Code (called in this rule the relevant provisions), as the case may be, for the service of the items mentioned in the relevant provisions; or

(b) if the time for the service of the items mentioned in the relevant provisions is extended or further extended for a further period under section 223 of the Code — the last day of that further period;

“engaging party”, in relation to a trial or other proceeding, means the prosecution or the accused (as the case may be) who engages the services of an expert with the intention to admit the expert’s report at the trial or proceeding;

“Service Date”, in relation to a trial or other proceeding, means the earlier of the following:

(a) one month after the later of the following dates:

(i) the date on which the engaging party receives the expert’s report;

(ii) the date on which the accused is charged with the offence for which the trial or proceeding is to be held;

(b) 2 months before the date of commencement of the trial or the hearing of the proceeding.

(2)  The engaging party must serve the expert’s report on all other parties to the trial or proceeding —

(a) in the circumstances described in item (i) or (ii) of the following table — by the Code Date, but subject to section 166(3)(a) or 218(3)(a) of the Code, as the case may be;

(b) in the circumstances described in item (iii) or (iv) of the following table and if the Code Date is later than the Service Date — by the Code Date; and

(c) in any other case — by the Service Date.

Manner by which engaging party gives notice of intention to admit expert’s report at trial		Type of trial at which expert report is sought to be admitted
(i) By including the expert’s report in the list of exhibits in the Case for the Prosecution or the Case for the Defence, as the case may be		A trial at which only CCD offences are to be tried
(ii) By including the expert’s report in the list of exhibits in the Case for the Prosecution or the Case for the Defence, as the case may be		A joint trial involving both CCD offences and other offences, and the expert’s report relates to at least one CCD offence
(iii) By giving notice under section 231 of the Code after the Case for the Prosecution or the Case for the Defence (as the case may be) is served		A trial at which only CCD offences are to be tried
(iv) By giving notice under section 231 of the Code after the Case for the Prosecution or the Case for the Defence (as the case may be) is served		A joint trial involving both CCD offences and other offences, and the expert’s report relates to at least one CCD offence

(3)  Where the engaging party has served the expert’s report in accordance with the timelines and service requirements in paragraph (2), all other parties to the trial or proceeding must, within one month after the date on which the expert’s report is served, indicate to the engaging party if they will seek a second opinion, or challenge the expert’s report, or do both.

(4)  The timelines mentioned in paragraph (2) for an engaging party to serve an expert’s report and the timeline for another party to make the indication mentioned in paragraph (3) may be varied —

(a) by the court on its own motion or upon an application made by the engaging party or that other party, as the case may be; or

(b) with the consent of all parties to the trial or proceeding and the approval of the court.

(5)  Without limiting the court’s discretion under paragraph (4)(a), the court when deciding if the timelines for the service of an expert’s report should be varied, may consider whether the expert’s report was prepared in response to another party’s expert’s report.

(6)  This rule does not apply to any expert’s report described in the Schedule.

Concurrent expert evidence

6.—(1)  The court may order that some or all of the expert witnesses testify as a panel if the parties with an interest in the determination of the expert evidence consent to the production and examination of those expert witnesses as a panel.

(2)  The expert witnesses ordered under paragraph (1) to testify as a panel may do so at any time the court may determine (including before the close of the prosecution’s case).

(3)  For the purposes of paragraph (1), when consent is given by an accused who is not represented by an advocate, the court must be satisfied that the accused —

(a) understands that the evidence of the accused’s expert witness can be considered by the court to determine if the accused has a case to answer at the close of the prosecution’s case; and

(b) understands the manner in which the evidence of the experts will be given as a panel as provided in rule 7.

(4)  To avoid doubt, when an accused’s expert witness testifies as part of a panel during the prosecution’s case —

(a) the accused is not deemed to have waived the accused’s right to submit that there is no case for the accused to answer at the close of the prosecution’s case; and

(b) any evidence from the accused’s expert witness can be considered by the court in determining if the accused has a case to answer at the close of the prosecution’s case.

Procedure for panel

7.—(1)  Where expert witnesses testify as a panel, the expert witnesses must give their views and may be directed by the court to comment on the views of the other panel members and to make concluding statements.

(2)  Expert witnesses in the panel may pose questions to one another with the permission of the court.

(3)  The court may direct that all or some of the expert witnesses in the panel be cross‑examined and re‑examined by parties in any sequence as the court thinks fit, before or after they have testified as a panel.

(4)  The court may give any other directions (as to the giving of evidence where expert witnesses testify as a panel) as the court thinks fit.

PART 3

APPOINTMENT AND REVOCATION OF APPOINTMENT OF PSYCHIATRISTS

Application for appointment

8.—(1)  Every application by a psychiatrist (called in this Part the applicant) to be appointed as a member of the Panel must be made to the Selection Committee in accordance with this rule.

(2)  An application must —

(a) be in the form and manner that the Selection Committee requires;

(b) include all of the following particulars of the applicant:

(i) name and contact details;

(ii) current job title and employer;

(iii) basic medical degree;

(iv) training and qualifications relating to psychiatry;

(v) every jurisdiction in which the applicant is registered, and authorised to practise, as a psychiatrist at the time of the application;

(vi) whether any disciplinary action has been taken, or any disciplinary proceeding is pending, against the applicant as a medical practitioner or a psychiatrist (whether in Singapore or elsewhere), and if so, the relevant details of each disciplinary action (including the decision on any appeal against the disciplinary action) and each disciplinary proceeding;

(vii) whether the applicant has been convicted, or has been accused in any pending court proceedings, of any offence involving dishonesty, fraud or obstruction of justice (whether in Singapore or elsewhere), and if so, the relevant details of each conviction (including the decision on any appeal against the conviction) and each court proceeding;

(viii) any other information that the applicant wishes to present to the Selection Committee; and

(c) if the applicant is not registered as a psychiatrist in the Register of Specialists, contain a declaration by the applicant —

(i) that the applicant is a psychiatry resident; or

(ii) that the applicant has arranged, or will arrange, for the certificates mentioned in paragraph (3) to be sent to the Selection Committee.

(3)  For the purposes of paragraph (2)(c)(ii), the certificates are certificates of good standing of the applicant, issued —

(a) by the Medical Council or licensing authority of each jurisdiction in which the applicant is registered, and authorised to practise, as a psychiatrist at the time of the application; and

(b) in the 3 months immediately preceding or following the application.

(4)  Unless allowed by the Selection Committee, and subject to paragraph (7), if —

(a) a person had previously made an application to be appointed as a member of the Panel; and

(b) the Selection Committee had refused to appoint the person,

the person must not make another application to be appointed as a member of the Panel until at least one year after the date of the refusal.

(5)  If the applicant is a psychiatry resident, the applicant must, within 14 days after being notified of the outcome of an application —

(a) to be accredited as a psychiatrist by the Specialists Accreditation Board; or

(b) to be registered as a psychiatrist in the Register of Specialists,

inform the Selection Committee in writing of the outcome.

(6)  For the purposes of paragraph (5), the applicant’s obligation to inform the Selection Committee of the outcome of any application mentioned in that paragraph continues even after the applicant has been appointed as a member of the Panel.

(7)  If an applicant’s appointment as a member of the Panel was previously revoked, the applicant —

(a) must not apply to be appointed as a member of the Panel until at least 3 years after the date on which the latest revocation takes effect; and

(b) must, in addition to complying with the requirements mentioned in paragraph (2), also include the following information in the application:

(i) each date on which the applicant’s appointment was previously revoked;

(ii) the Selection Committee’s reasons for the revocation on that date;

(iii) the applicant’s justification to be appointed as a member of the Panel.

(8)  If an applicant’s appointment as a member of the Panel had previously expired without being renewed, the applicant —

(a) may, instead of complying with the requirements mentioned in paragraph (2), make his or her application in the form and manner that the Selection Committee requires; and

(b) must also include the following in the application:

(i) a declaration by the applicant on whether there has been any change to the information provided in the applicant’s latest application under this rule or rule 9 (as the case may be), and if so, the relevant details of the change with supporting documents where applicable; and

(ii) the reason why the applicant did not apply for renewal of his or her appointment as a member of the Panel, before the appointment expired.

Application for renewal of appointment

9.—(1)  Every application by an applicant to renew the applicant’s appointment as a member of the Panel must be made to the Selection Committee in accordance with this rule.

(2)  An application must —

(a) be in the form and manner that the Selection Committee requires; and

(b) include a declaration by the applicant on whether there has been any change to the information provided in the applicant’s latest application under rule 8 or this rule (as the case may be), and if so, the relevant details of the change with supporting documents where applicable.

(3)  An application under paragraph (1) must not be made after, or more than 3 months before, the expiry of the applicant’s current appointment as a member of the Panel.

Requirements for appointment or renewal of appointment by Selection Committee

10.—(1)  The Selection Committee must not appoint or renew the appointment of the applicant as a member of the Panel unless at least one of the following requirements is satisfied:

(a) the applicant is registered as a psychiatrist in the Register of Specialists;

(b) the applicant has successfully completed 3 years of psychiatry residency training in Singapore and is receiving formal training and ongoing supervision by a medical practitioner who is registered as a psychiatrist in the Register of Specialists; or

(c) both of the following requirements are satisfied:

(i) the applicant is registered, and authorised to practise, as a psychiatrist in a jurisdiction other than Singapore at the time of the application;

(ii) the Selection Committee has received certificates of good standing of the applicant, which are issued —

(A) by the Medical Council or licensing authority of each jurisdiction in which the applicant is registered, and authorised to practise, as a psychiatrist at the time of the application; and

(B) in the 3 months immediately preceding or following the application.

(2)  In addition to the requirements in paragraph (1), the Selection Committee must not appoint or renew the appointment of the applicant as a member of the Panel unless the Selection Committee is satisfied that there are no reasonable grounds to believe that the applicant has displayed, or is likely to display, a clear lack of objectivity or competence as an expert witness.

(3)  For the purposes of section 270(7) of the Code, the period is 3 years from the date on which the latest revocation of the applicant’s appointment as a member of the Panel took effect.

(4)  In considering if the applicant satisfies the requirement in paragraph (2), the Selection Committee may consider the following non‑exhaustive factors:

(a) the applicant’s qualifications and training relating to psychiatry;

(b) any observations by a court or tribunal, whether in Singapore or elsewhere, on the applicant’s evidence as an expert witness or on the applicant’s performance as a medical practitioner or psychiatrist;

(c) any disciplinary action taken against the applicant as a medical practitioner or a psychiatrist, whether in Singapore or elsewhere;

(d) any pending disciplinary proceedings against the applicant as a medical practitioner or psychiatrist, whether in Singapore or elsewhere;

(e) any previous convictions of the applicant of offences involving dishonesty, fraud or obstruction of justice, whether in Singapore or elsewhere;

(f) any pending court proceedings in which the applicant has been accused of offences involving dishonesty, fraud or obstruction of justice, whether in Singapore or elsewhere;

(g) any previous refusals of the applicant’s applications for appointment or renewal as a member of the Panel, that have not been overturned on appeal;

(h) any previous revocations of the applicant’s appointment as a member of the Panel, that have not been overturned on appeal;

(i) where the applicant’s appointment as a member of the Panel was previously revoked —

(i) the circumstances leading up to the revocation;

(ii) the reasons for the revocation;

(iii) the length of time between the revocation and the application; and

(iv) whether the applicant has demonstrated that the reasons for the revocation no longer exist.

(5)  If the Selection Committee considers it necessary for the purpose of the application, the Selection Committee may request —

(a) an applicant to provide any additional information or documents; and

(b) any other person to provide any information, document or opinion.

(6)  If the Selection Committee appoints or renews the appointment of an applicant, the Selection Committee must notify the applicant, the Public Prosecutor and the Law Society, in writing of the date of appointment or renewal of the appointment and the date on which the appointment expires.

(7)  If the Selection Committee refuses to appoint or renew the appointment of an applicant, the Selection Committee must —

(a) notify the Public Prosecutor and the Law Society in writing of its refusal; and

(b) notify the applicant in writing of its refusal and the reasons for its refusal.

Procedure for revocation

11.—(1)  The Selection Committee may start proceedings to consider whether to revoke the appointment of a psychiatrist as a member of the Panel (called in this Part revocation proceedings) based on a complaint made to it or on its own motion.

(2)  A complaint must —

(a) be made to the Selection Committee in writing;

(b) be in the form and manner that the Selection Committee requires;

(c) be supported by any statutory declaration that the Selection Committee requires, except that no statutory declaration is required if the complaint is made by a public officer; and

(d) set out the grounds for the complaint and the facts supporting such grounds, and be accompanied by any supporting documents.

(3)  After considering the complaint received in paragraph (2), the Selection Committee may —

(a) start revocation proceedings; or

(b) dismiss the complaint.

(4)  The Selection Committee must notify the complainant of its decision under paragraph (3).

(5)  To start revocation proceedings (whether after considering the complaint received in paragraph (2) or on its own motion), the Selection Committee must —

(a) notify the psychiatrist in writing that the Selection Committee is considering whether to revoke the appointment of the psychiatrist as a member of the Panel, and the potential grounds for the revocation;

(b) give the psychiatrist one month after the date the written notice mentioned in sub‑paragraph (a) is sent to send written representations to the Selection Committee; and

(c) notify the Public Prosecutor and the Law Society in writing that the Selection Committee is considering whether to revoke the appointment of the psychiatrist as a member of the Panel.

(6)  The Selection Committee may extend the period mentioned in paragraph (5)(b), if the psychiatrist applies to the Selection Committee in writing for an extension of time to send in the written representations.

(7)  The Selection Committee must consider any written representations, if they are sent by the psychiatrist within the period mentioned in paragraph (5)(b) or within any extended period granted under paragraph (6), as the case may be.

(8)  If the Selection Committee considers it necessary for the purpose of the complaint, the Selection Committee may request —

(a) the complainant to provide any additional information or documents;

(b) any other person to provide any information, document or opinion; and

(c) the psychiatrist (or the psychiatrist’s advocate) or any other person to appear before the Selection Committee.

(9)  The Selection Committee may —

(a) summarily dispose of the revocation proceedings without requesting the appearance of the psychiatrist (or the psychiatrist’s advocate) or any other person before the Selection Committee; and

(b) adopt any procedure in the revocation proceedings as the justice of the case requires, unless the procedure is inconsistent with this rule.

(10)  The Selection Committee may revoke the appointment of a psychiatrist as a member of the Panel if the Selection Committee is satisfied that —

(a) the psychiatrist no longer satisfies any of the requirements for appointment in rule 10(1);

(b) the psychiatrist has displayed, or is likely to display, a clear lack of objectivity or competence as an expert witness;

(c) the psychiatrist had failed to comply with rule 8(5); or

(d) any information in the psychiatrist’s application for the appointment or renewal of appointment was false or misleading in a material particular.

(11)  In deciding whether to revoke the appointment of a psychiatrist as a member of the Panel under paragraph (10), the Selection Committee must have regard, and give such weight as the Selection Committee considers appropriate, to all the factors mentioned in rule 10(4).

(12)  If the Selection Committee decides to revoke the appointment of a psychiatrist as a member of the Panel, the Selection Committee must —

(a) notify the Public Prosecutor and the Law Society in writing of its decision;

(b) notify the psychiatrist in writing of its decision and the reasons for its decision; and

(c) specify, in the written notice mentioned in sub‑paragraph (b), the date of the decision.

(13)  A revocation of the appointment of a psychiatrist as a member of the Panel does not take effect until —

(a) the expiration of 28 days after the date of the decision to revoke the psychiatrist’s appointment as a member of the Panel;

(b) where the psychiatrist has filed an appeal under rule 12(1), the earlier of the following dates:

(i) the date the revocation is affirmed by the Chief Justice or the appeal is withdrawn;

(ii) the date the psychiatrist’s appointment expires; or

(c) where the psychiatrist has made an application for an extension of time to file an appeal under rule 12(4), the latest of the following:

(i) the expiration of the period mentioned in sub‑paragraph (a);

(ii) the date the Chief Justice decides not to allow the extension of time;

(iii) the expiration of any extended period allowed by the Chief Justice for the psychiatrist to file the appeal;

(iv) where the psychiatrist files the appeal within the extended period mentioned in sub‑paragraph (iii), the earlier of the following dates:

(A) the date the revocation is affirmed by the Chief Justice or the appeal is withdrawn;

(B) the date the psychiatrist’s appointment expires.

Procedure for appeal

12.—(1)  For the purposes of section 270(5) of the Code, any psychiatrist who is aggrieved by any decision of the Selection Committee (called in this Part the appellant) may appeal to the Chief Justice by way of an originating application.

(2)  The originating application must be in Form 16 of Appendix A of the Supreme Court Practice Directions, and must, in addition —

(a) identify the decision appealed against;

(b) if the appeal is against a decision not to renew the appointment of the appellant, state the date on which the appellant’s latest appointment as a member of the Panel expires or has expired;

(c) state the reasons in support of the appeal;

(d) state whether the appellant wishes to adduce any further information, document or opinion and, if so, describe the further information, document or opinion that the appellant wishes to adduce; and

(e) enclose the Selection Committee’s decision and reasons.

(3)  The appellant must, within 28 days after the date of the decision of the Selection Committee —

(a) file the originating application using the electronic filing service established under Order 28, Rule 2 of the Rules of Court 2021 (G.N. No. S 914/2021); and

(b) serve the originating application on the Selection Committee by electronic mail at the electronic mail address provided by the Selection Committee.

(4)  The appellant may, at any time, apply to the Chief Justice in writing for an extension of time to file the appeal.

(5)  The Registrar of the Supreme Court may convene a case conference to give directions for the appeal, including directions on the filing and service, and the contents, of written submissions for the appeal.

(6)  If the Chief Justice considers it necessary for the purpose of the appeal, the Chief Justice may —

(a) request —

(i) that the appellant, the Selection Committee or any other person provide any information, document or opinion, which (unless otherwise directed by the Chief Justice) must be provided by way of a letter to the Chief Justice; and

(ii) that the appellant (or the appellant’s advocate) or any other person appear before the Chief Justice; and

(b) allow a request by the appellant to adduce any further information, document or opinion, which must be adduced in a manner directed by the Chief Justice.

(7)  The Chief Justice may do all or any of the following without hearing any oral arguments or setting the appeal down for a hearing:

(a) dispose of the appeal in accordance with paragraph (8) or (9);

(b) summarily dismiss the appeal;

(c) deliver his or her decision on the appeal in writing.

(8)  After considering the appeal, the Chief Justice may affirm or reverse the decision of the Selection Committee.

(9)  If the Chief Justice reverses the decision of the Selection Committee —

(a) not to appoint or renew the appointment of the appellant; or

(b) to revoke the appointment of the appellant,

the Chief Justice is to —

(c) in the case of a decision of the Selection Committee not to appoint or renew the appointment of the appellant, direct the Selection Committee to appoint or renew the appointment of the appellant, as the case may be; or

(d) in the case of a decision of the Selection Committee to revoke the appointment of the appellant, set aside the revocation.

(10)  In the appeal, court fees must be paid in the circumstances and in the manner set out in this rule and in the Fourth Schedule to the Rules of Court 2021, and, for the purposes of determining the court fees payable, the appeal is deemed to be a claim with a value of up to $1 million.

(11)  Order 6, Rule 2 and Order 25, Rules 1, 3 and 4 of the Rules of Court 2021 apply to the appeal, subject to the following modifications:

(a) the references in Order 25, Rule 3 to “The Court” or “the Court” are references to “The Chief Justice” or “the Chief Justice”, respectively;

(b) the reference in Order 25, Rule 3(3)(a) to “settlement, discontinuance or withdrawal” is a reference to “discontinuance or withdrawal”;

(c) the reference in Order 25, Rule 3(4) to “settled or discontinued, or transferred to another Court” is a reference to “discontinued”;

(d) the reference in Order 25, Rule 3(6) to “the giving of judgment or the dismissal of any claim or counterclaim” is a reference to “summarily dismissing the appeal”.

(12)  In this rule, “originating application” has the meaning given by Order 1, Rule 3(1) of the Rules of Court 2021.

Communications from Selection Committee or Chief Justice

13.—(1)  Where the Selection Committee or the Chief Justice wishes, or is required, to inform any person in writing of any matter under these Rules, the Selection Committee or the Chief Justice (as the case may be) may do so by post, fax, delivery or electronic mail.

(2)  The Chief Justice may also inform any person in writing of any matter under these Rules using the electronic filing service established under Order 28, Rule 2 of the Rules of Court 2021.

Psychiatrist’s duty to inform subjects of revocation proceedings

14.—(1)  When a psychiatrist is notified under rule 11(5)(a) that the Selection Committee is considering whether to revoke his or her appointment as a member of the Panel, the psychiatrist must inform each of his or her subjects that —

(a) there are pending revocation proceedings against the psychiatrist;

(b) once the revocation of the psychiatrist’s appointment takes effect, the psychiatrist will cease to be able to give his or her opinion on any matter concerning psychiatry (when given as the opinion of an expert) in any criminal proceedings in Singapore;

(c) until the revocation of the psychiatrist’s appointment takes effect, the psychiatrist may still give his or her opinion on any matter concerning psychiatry (when given as the opinion of an expert) in any criminal proceedings in Singapore; and

(d) if the revocation of the psychiatrist’s appointment takes effect after the psychiatrist has given his or her opinion on any matter concerning psychiatry (as the opinion of an expert) in any criminal proceedings in Singapore, the court hearing those proceedings may determine the weight to be given to the psychiatrist’s evidence, after considering all the circumstances of the case.

(2)  A psychiatrist who has been notified under rule 11(12)(b) that the Selection Committee has revoked his or her appointment as a member of the Panel must inform each of the psychiatrist’s subjects of the revocation.

(3)  In this rule, “subject”, in relation to a psychiatrist, means a person in relation to whom a psychiatrist has been, or is sought to be, engaged to provide an opinion on any matter concerning psychiatry for the purpose of adducing evidence in any criminal proceedings in Singapore.

THE SCHEDULE

Rules 4(6) and 5(6)

Expert’s reports to which rules 4 and 5 do not apply

1.  Any scientific report or certificate produced by the Health Sciences Authority in relation to the analysis of a specimen or an exhibit that meets all of the following criteria:

(a) an objective instrumental test or method of analysis is applied to the specimen or exhibit;

(b) the test or method of analysis in sub‑paragraph (a), when applied, yields objective and factual data;

(c) the data in sub‑paragraph (b) is reviewed and interpreted using objective or established methodology or criteria to evaluate the data;

(d) an analyst or a suitably qualified person reports the results of the analysis in sub‑paragraph (c) in the scientific report, without including any subjective evaluation or conclusion.

Examples

A report or certificate produced by the Health Sciences Authority in relation to —

(a) the presence, quantity or categorisation (or any combination thereof) of any drug in an exhibit (including any sample of blood, urine, hair, oral fluid or any other biological specimen);

(b) the presence and quantity of any alcohol or intoxicating substance in an exhibit;

(c) a DNA profile obtained from a specimen or exhibit, including any DNA testing or DNA comparison;

(d) the presence of any biological material on an exhibit;

(e) the presence of gunshot residue, ignitable liquid or liquid residue, explosives, any explosive precursor or ingredient, or any associated product of combustion on an exhibit;

(f) the chemical composition of an exhibit;

(g) the presence and quantity of any active ingredient, adulterant, poison, prohibited substance or restricted ingredient in an exhibit;

(h) the quantity of any restricted ingredient in an exhibit classified as a health product, including whether such quantity exceeds statutory limits;

(i) the quantity of any heavy metal, microbial contamination or poison (or any combination thereof) in an exhibit classified as a Chinese proprietary medicine, including whether such quantity exceeds statutory limits;

(j) the quantity of nicotine, tar or tobacco (or any combination thereof) in an exhibit (including a cigarette), including whether such quantity exceeds statutory limits; or

(k) the presence or quantity of any additive (including any flavour additive) regulated under the relevant legislation in an exhibit classified as a tobacco product, including whether such quantity exceeds statutory limits.

2.  Any report produced by the Health Sciences Authority in relation to scientific literature on any area of science that meets the following criteria:

(a) the information in the scientific literature is presented in an objective manner in the report;

(b) where applicable, the analyst or suitably qualified person preparing the report presents the information in sub‑paragraph (a) along with a general assessment or conclusion derived from the information.

Examples

A report produced by the Health Sciences Authority in relation to —

(a) information on an exhibit or a specific substance, including any brief statement about any potential risk or impact posed to public health arising from the information; or

(b) information on the pharmacological effects of consuming a specific drug (without any opinion on the effect of the drug on a specific individual).

3.  Any post‑mortem examination report under section 20(1) of the Coroners Act 2010.

4.  Any report produced by the Health Sciences Authority in relation to the classification of an exhibit that meets all of the following criteria:

(a) an objective scientific analysis, assessment or inspection is conducted on the exhibit;

(b) the results of the analysis, assessment or inspection in sub‑paragraph (a) are compared against relevant legislation or a rule‑based classification system;

(c) an analyst or suitably qualified person ascertains, from the comparison in sub‑paragraph (b), whether the exhibit falls within the parameters set out in the relevant legislation or the rule‑based classification system, as the case may be.

Examples

A report produced by the Health Sciences Authority in relation to —

(a) whether an exhibit constitutes a product as defined in —

(i) the Health Products Act 2007;

(ii) the Medicines Act 1975; or

(iii) the Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control Act 2021,

or any subsidiary legislation thereunder;

(b) the risk classification of an exhibit that is a medical device, based on the Health Sciences Authority’s general risk classification system; or

(c) the nature of any information relating to an article which is contained in any advertisement prohibited under —

(i) the Health Products Act 2007;

(ii) the Medicines Act 1975; or

(iii) the Medicines (Advertisement and Sale) Act 1955,

or any subsidiary legislation thereunder.

5.  Any pre‑sentence report (including any report annexed to the pre‑sentence report) in relation to an offender, that fulfils all of the following criteria:

(a) the pre‑sentence report is called for by the court that is to sentence the offender;

(b) the pre‑sentence report is in relation to any of the following types of sentences or orders:

(i) a probation order;

(ii) a sentence of reformative training;

(iii) a sentence of corrective training or preventive detention or a sentence for public protection;

(iv) a day reporting order;

(v) a community service order.

6.  Any written report mentioned in section 47(10) or (13) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1993 (including any report annexed to the written report) in relation to an offender, that fulfils all of the following criteria:

(a) the written report is called for by the court that is to make orders in respect of the offender; and

(b) the written report is in relation to any of the following types of orders:

(i) a probation order;

(ii) an order that the offender be sent to a juvenile rehabilitation centre or that the period of detention served by the offender in a juvenile rehabilitation centre be extended;

(iii) an order of reformative training.

7.  Any progress report (including any report annexed to the progress report) in relation to an offender, if —

(a) the progress report is submitted to the court after the court has made one of the following orders against the offender:

(i) a probation order;

(ii) a day reporting order;

(iii) a community service order; or

(b) the offender is resident in a juvenile rehabilitation centre or MSF Youth Home by order of the Youth Court.

8.  Any review report (including any report annexed to the review report) in relation to an offender, if —

(a) the offender —

(i) is subject to a probation order; or

(ii) is resident in a juvenile rehabilitation centre or MSF Youth Home by order of the Youth Court; and

(b) the report is submitted to the court as part of periodic review of the offender’s progress while subject to the probation order or in the juvenile rehabilitation centre or MSF Youth Home, as the case may be.

9.  Any assessment report (including any report annexed to the assessment report) in relation to an offender, if —

(a) the offender was previously subject to a probation order;

(b) the assessment report was prepared, after the probation order mentioned in sub‑paragraph (a) had ended or lapsed, to provide a summary of the offender’s progress during the period the offender was subject to the probation order; and

(c) the assessment report is submitted to the court as part of assessing the appropriate sentence for any offence committed by the offender during the period the offender was subject to the probation order mentioned in sub‑paragraph (a), where the sentencing for the offence takes place after the probation order had ended or lapsed.

10.  Any report called for by the court to supplement any report listed in paragraphs 5 to 8.

11.  Any victim psychological report or offender psychological report prepared by the Ministry of Social and Family Development.

Made on 26 November 2025.

SUNDARESH MENON

Chief Justice.

TAY YONG KWANG

Justice of the Court of Appeal.

HOO SHEAU PENG

Judge of the High Court.

VINCENT HOONG SENG LEI

Presiding Judge of the State Courts.

JILL TAN LI CHING

Registrar of the Supreme Court.

LEE LIT CHENG

Principal District Judge,
State Courts.

TAN KIAT PHENG

Chief Prosecutor,
Attorney-General’s Chambers.

CHRISTOPHER ONG

Deputy Chief Prosecutor,
Attorney-General’s Chambers.

WONG WOON KWONG

Deputy Chief Prosecutor,
Attorney-General’s Chambers.

GREGORY TAN

Senior Director,
Joint Operations Group,
Ministry of Home Affairs.

ZHANG WEIHAN

Deputy Commissioner
(Investigations and Intelligence),
Criminal Investigation Department,
Singapore Police Force.

ANAND NALACHANDRAN

Advocate and Solicitor.

WENDELL WONG

Advocate and Solicitor.

[CPC(EO)R LAW 63/009 2025; AG/LEGIS/SL/68/2020/10]

(To be presented to Parliament under section 428A(13) of the Criminal Procedure Code 2010).