Coronavirus - Government measures in key jurisdictions - Flipbook - Page 71
Singapore
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The SG government has also enacted legislation to make property owners to pass on
the tax rebate to their tenants.
– The passing on of the rebates by the property owner to their tenants/licensees may
be by way of cash payment (lump sum or instalment) or by way of an off-set against
the rent/licence fee payable by the tenant/licensee or a combination of both.
– Property owners must not subject the passing of the rebate to any conditions – any
such conditions will be void.
– Property owners must also retain records to prove that the rebates were passed on
for a period of 3 year.
– If property owners fail to pass the rebates to their tenants/licensees or fail to comply
with the record keeping obligations, the property owner will be guilty of an offence
and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding SSGD5,000.
6
Litigation
Are the courts
operating?
•
The Honourable Chief Justice has directed that the Supreme Court, State Courts
and Family Justice Courts will hear only essential and urgent matters from 7 April
2020 to 4 May 2020 (“Relevant Period”).
•
The three courts issued Registrar’s Circulars identifying matters which may be
considered as essential and urgent. Such matters will be heard by electronic means
of communication as far as possible, without requiring physical attendance before
the court. If physical attendance is required, safe distancing measures must be
adhered to. The essential and urgent matters differ depending on which court is
hearing the matter. For the High Court, some examples of essential and urgent civil
matters are, inter alia:
– An application for urgent injunction or search order.
– An application to set aside an injunction or search order.
– An application for the arrest or release of a vessel.
– An application for the discharge of dangerous or perishable cargo.
•
All matters that were scheduled for hearing during the Relevant Period which are
not essential and urgent will be adjourned.
•
As for arbitration, the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (“SIAC”) has
closed its offices since 7 April 2020, but will remain fully operational as its staff are
telecommuting. All communications with SIAC are to be via e-mail.
Government measures in key jurisdictions
71