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IMPORTANT NOTICE: NOT LEGAL ADVICE
This website is not a law firm and does not provide legal services or legal advice. The information provided is for general informational purposes only. We are not lawyers, and nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice. For specific legal advice, please consult a qualified legal professional.
About This Resource
GetOdd.legal by Lionheart Advocates is a free, easy-to-access resource for Singaporeans facing frivolous civil claims—especially defamation lawsuits. Our guide offers step-by-step guidance on self-representation, practical tips for gathering evidence, and crucial insights into court procedures. We do NOT provide guidance on initiating lawsuits.
Please note: This information is provided for general guidance and is not legal advice.
First Steps: Seek Professional Legal Help
Before considering self-representation, we strongly encourage you to explore established legal aid channels:
- Legal Aid Bureau (LAB)
Provides legal assistance to Singapore citizens and permanent residents who meet qualifying criteria.
- Pro Bono SG
Offers various schemes to help individuals access legal services.
Understanding the Challenge
Many Singaporeans face a challenging situation when defending against frivolous lawsuits:
- Filing a lawsuit as a litigant-in-person costs relatively little
- Professional legal representation typically costs $30,000-$50,000
- Even if you win, cost awards often don't exceed $20,000
- Many Singaporeans earn too much to qualify for legal aid but not enough to comfortably afford legal representation
Is Self-Representation Right for You?
Before deciding to be a litigant-in-person (LIP), carefully consider these factors:
Time and Opportunity Cost
- A lawyer's hourly rate ($300-500) might seem high, but consider your own time value:
- If you're a high-income earner, your time might be more valuable than lawyer fees
- Consider income loss from taking time off work for court appearances and preparation
- Legal research and document preparation can take hundreds of hours
Required Skills and Experience
Self-representation is more manageable if you have experience in:
- Academic Background:
- Tertiary education, especially if you've defended a thesis
- Experience in structured writing and argumentation
- Ability to understand and analyze complex documents
- Professional Experience:
- Writing and defending project proposals
- Presenting to funding committees or boards
- Entrepreneurial experience in pitch presentations
- Experience in detailed documentation and record-keeping
Critical Thinking Skills
- Logical Reasoning:
- Understanding and identifying logical fallacies
- Ability to construct coherent arguments
- Capacity to analyze opposing arguments objectively
- Emotional Management:
- Ability to remain calm under pressure
- Capacity to separate emotional aspects from legal arguments
- Professional composure in face of aggressive questioning
Reality Check
- Legal procedures are complex and unforgiving of mistakes
- Courts expect you to follow proper procedures despite being a LIP
- You'll need to learn legal terminology and court etiquette
- Cases often take months or years to resolve
- You'll need excellent organizational skills to manage documents and deadlines
- Your opponent might use your lack of legal expertise against you
Self-Assessment Checklist
Rate yourself honestly on these qualities (1-5, where 5 is strongest):
If you scored mostly 3 or below, consider seeking legal representation if possible.
Common Logical Fallacies to Watch For
Ad Hominem
When the opponent attacks you personally rather than your argument.
Example: "Your argument is invalid because you're not a lawyer."
Appeal to Authority
Claiming something is true because a person of authority said so, without supporting evidence.
Example: "This senior businessman says your statement damaged his reputation, so it must be true."
False Equivalence
Comparing two situations that appear similar but are fundamentally different.
Example: "Sharing factual information about a company's public record is the same as spreading malicious rumors."
Strawman Argument
Misrepresenting your position to make it easier to attack.
Example: "By criticizing our business practices, you're attacking all small businesses."
Post Hoc Fallacy
Assuming that because B followed A, A must have caused B.
Example: "After your social media post, our sales dropped. Your post must have caused this."
False Dichotomy
Presenting only two options when there are more alternatives.
Example: "Either you retract your statement and apologize, or you're deliberately trying to harm our business."
Emotional Preparedness
Common Emotional Challenges
- Anxiety and Stress
- Court appearances can be intimidating
- The formal setting and procedures can increase anxiety
- Financial pressure from the lawsuit
- Uncertainty about the outcome
- Emotional Manipulation Attempts
- Opponents may try to provoke emotional responses
- You might face intimidation tactics
- Personal attacks disguised as legal arguments
- Personal Life Impact
- Strain on family relationships
- Impact on work-life balance
- Possible social media harassment
- Sleep disruption and health effects
Coping Strategies
- Build a Support System
- Confide in trusted friends and family
- Consider joining support groups for litigants
- Maintain regular contact with emotional supporters
- Professional Support
- Consider counseling or therapy
- Learn stress management techniques
- Practice meditation or mindfulness
- Practical Steps
- Maintain a regular exercise routine
- Keep a litigation journal to process emotions
- Set boundaries between legal work and personal life
- Take regular breaks from case work
Common Manipulation Tactics
Intimidation Tactics
- Threatening to sue your family members or friends
- Sending unnecessarily aggressive letters or emails
- Making excessive demands for documents
- Threatening to report you to professional bodies
- Copying multiple parties in correspondence to embarrass you
Communication Manipulation
- Sending communications late on Friday or before holidays
- Using legal jargon to confuse or intimidate
- Making misleading settlement offers with short deadlines
- Demanding immediate responses to complex questions
- Using excessive courtesy in written form but being aggressive in person
Pressure Points Exploitation
- Scheduling hearings during your known commitments
- Making references to your personal circumstances
- Threatening to contact your employer
- Using your social media posts out of context
- Making veiled threats about reputation damage
Procedural Abuse
- Filing unnecessary applications to increase your costs
- Making excessive document requests
- Raising irrelevant issues to waste time
- Last-minute filing of voluminous documents
- Repeatedly requesting deadline extensions while insisting on strict compliance from you
How to Respond
- Document everything – keep a detailed log of all interactions
- Maintain a professional tone in all communications
- Set up a separate email address for legal correspondence
- Never respond immediately to provocative communications
- Consider having a trusted friend review your responses
- Report any harassment to relevant authorities
- Keep evidence of any threatening or inappropriate behavior
Essential Timeline for Defendants
Notice to Contest
Must be filed within 14 days of being served with the Originating Claim.
Defense Filing
Must be filed within 21 days of being served.
Practical Guidance: Evidence Gathering & Court Preparation
Gathering Evidence
- Document Everything: Keep copies of emails, letters, social media posts, and other related materials.
- Preserve Evidence: Use screenshots and back up digital files with time stamps.
- Organize Chronologically: Maintain a clear timeline of events to support your case.
Court Preparation
- Familiarize Yourself: Learn local court procedures and filing requirements. Visit the Singapore Judiciary’s Civil Claim Services for detailed instructions.
- Prepare Your Case: Organize your evidence, draft clear arguments, and create a timeline of events.
- Plan Ahead: Understand what documents you need to file and when.
Alternative Dispute Resolution: Mediation and Settlement
Mediation as an Option: An informal process where both parties negotiate a settlement outside of court.
Benefits: Often faster, less stressful, and can reduce legal costs.
When to Consider: If both parties are open to negotiation, mediation might lead to a mutually acceptable resolution.
Settlement Considerations:
- Pros: Reduces time and financial burden.
- Cons: May involve compromises that do not fully address all issues.
- Guidance: Our resources provide insights to help you decide if mediation is right for your case.
Case Review by Lionheart Advocates
If you are not eligible for Legal Aid Bureau (LAB) or Pro Bono assistance and do not feel comfortable representing yourself as a litigant-in-person (LIP), you can request a case review by emailing [email protected].
Our High Level Criteria for Case Review
- The matter is a civil defamation case
- The plaintiff is an individual LIP
- The defendant is an individual
- The defendant is not eligible for LAB or Pro Bono assistance
- The defendant is not seeking to countersue for costs
If you meet these criteria, please reach out to us with a brief summary of your situation. We will review your case to determine if we can offer assistance or guidance.
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