Criminal Legal Aid SchemeWhat is the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme?
It is the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (‘CLAS’) which arranges for you to have legal advice and representation if you cannot afford to engage a lawyer. You must be charged in Court by the police for an offence which is not punishable by death.
CLAS was set up by the Law Society of Singapore on 2 September 1985.
CLAS is different from the government's Legal Aid Bureau which provides legal aid and advice on civil matters only.
Will CLAS Help in All Types of Offences?
CLAS only covers offences under the following statutes:
Arms & Explosives Act
Arms Offences Act
Corrosive & Explosive Substances & Offensive Weapons Act
Dangerous Fireworks Act
Enlistment Act
Explosive Substances Act
Films Act
Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act
Misuse of Drugs Act
Penal Code
Prevention of Corruption Act
Undesirable Publications Act
Vandalism Act
Sections 65(8) and 140(1)(i) of the Women’s Charter
Misuse of Computer Act
However, when you are charged with an offence which is punishable by death, and you cannot afford to pay for a private Lawyer, the Registrar of the Supreme Court will arrange for two lawyers to represent you.
How Do I Apply for Criminal Legal Aid?
You must be charged in Court for an offence. If you do not admit to the charge and you cannot afford to pay a lawyer to defend you, you may apply for criminal legal aid. You should tell the Court that you want to apply for legal aid. The Court may then postpone your case to be heard on a later date. You should go as soon as possible to the CLAS office at:
Subordinate Courts
Level 5 (beside Subordinate Court No. 5)
1 Havelock Square
Singapore 059724
CLAS is open from 9am to 5pm, Mondays to Fridays. We are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays. However, you may call us at 6534 1564 and leave a message on the answering machine.
How Do I Qualify for Aid?
When you apply for aid, CLAS staff will ask you questions about your income, savings and property owned by you. This is called the Means Test. You need not be a Singapore citizen or permanent resident to qualify for aid. However you must pass the Means Test otherwise criminal legal aid cannot be availed to you.
All information which you give to CLAS must be true otherwise CLAS will withdraw its assistance even if you qualify for aid.
What Happens After My Application is Accepted?
CLAS will assign a volunteer lawyer to you to handle your case. You will then be treated as his/her client. A volunteer lawyer is a lawyer in private practice who has volunteered his/her services to CLAS. You must reply to letters from your volunteer lawyer and go for appointments at his/her office when asked to do so. If not, he/she may apply to Court to stop being your lawyer.
Do I Have to Pay My Volunteer Lawyer?
Your volunteer lawyer will not charge you any professional fees to his/her advice or representing you in Court. However, he/she may ask you to pay some out-of-pocket expenses such as the cost of getting statements or reports from the police.
When Does CLAS Assistance End?
CLAS assistance ends when:
your case is completed; or
CLAS withdraws its assistance to you if they find out that you have not told the truth in your Means Test; or
you decide to continue your case on your own without CLAS assistance
