SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE (AMENDMENT) BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

2.45 pm

Prof. Jayakumar: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

The Bill before us is consequential on the amendments introduced by the Subordinate Courts (Amendment) Bill which we have just dealt with. At present an appeal lies to the High Court from a District Court in any suit or action for the recovery of immovable property or in any civil cause or matter where the amount in dispute or the value of the subject matter exceeds $500. Sir, to reflect the increase in the jurisdiction of a District Court, this amount of $500 will now be increased to $2,000. The Bill also provides for an appeal from a decision of a Magistrate Court to the High Court in similar circumstances.

The amendment to section 34(1)(a) of the Supreme Court of Judicature Act is for consistency. At present no appeal shall be brought to the Court of Appeal where the amount or value of the subject matter in the trial is less than $1,000. This amount is similarly being increased to $2,000.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House.

The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Prof. S. Jayakumar].

Bill considered in Committee.

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Clause 1 -

The Chairman: The citation year will be altered from "1985" to "1986".

Clause 1 ordered to stand part part of the Bill.

Clauses 2 and 3 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Bill reported without no amendment; read a Third time and passed.