Criminal Legal Aid Scheme

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

1. What type of offences does CLAS cover?

CLAS covers offences under the following statutes:

  • Arms & Explosives Act (Cap. 13)

  • Arms Offences Act (Cap. 14)

  • Computer Misuse Act (Cap. 50A)

  • Corrosive & Explosive Substances & Offensive Weapons Act (Cap. 65)

  • Dangerous Fireworks Act (Cap. 72)

  • Enlistment Act (Cap. 93)

  • Explosive Substances Act (Cap. 100)

  • Films Act (Cap. 107)

  • Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act (Cap. 184)

  • Misuse of Drugs Act (Cap. 185)

  • Penal Code (Cap. 224)

  • Prevention of Corruption Act (Cap. 241)

  • Undesirable Publications Act (Cap. 338)

  • Vandalism Act (Cap. 341)

  • Sections 65(8) and 140(1)(i) of the Women’s Charter (Cap. 353)
    Section 65(8) – breach of personal protection order
    Section 1401(1)(i) – sexual intercourse with any girl below the age of 16 years except by way of marriage

 

 

 

 


 

2. Does CLAS cover death penalty offences?

CLAS does not cover death penalty offences as the State will assign you a lawyer if you cannot afford one under the Supreme Court Legal Aid Scheme for Capital Offences (LASCO).

 

 

 

 


3. Who may apply for criminal legal aid?

Anyone who is in Singapore and has been charged in Court for a criminal offence may apply for criminal legal aid under CLAS provided:

  • The charge relates to an offence covered by CLAS and you do not admit/plead guity to the charge*; and

  • You pass the means test.

 

You should inform the Court of your intention to find a lawyer.

 

*If you are 16 – 18 years old or suffering from a mental illness you may still be eligible for CLAS aid even if you are admitting/pleading guilty to the charge.

 

 

 


 

4. What is the means test?

CLAS provides criminal legal aid assistance to persons who do not have the means to pay for a lawyer.

 

To evaluate the financial means of an applicant, questions concerning his income, savings, property and other assets will be asked. This is called the means test, which comprises the income test and the disposable assets test.

 

To pass the income test, single applicants must earn less than $1,300 nett per month and married applicants must have a combined income of less than $1,700 nett per month. Where the married applicant has dependants (excluding spouse), an allowance of $160 is added to the $1,700 nett monthly ceiling.

 

For the disposable assets test, the applicant or their spouse who own private property or private motor-cars are not eligible for assistance under the scheme. In this context, HDB flats are not considered private property and a truck, van, lorry or pick-up will not be considered a private motor-car. Applicants who operate a business or have savings or shares the total nett value of which exceeds $3,000 (for single applicants) or $5,000 (for married applicants) are similarly not eligible for assistance. In this context, “shares” will not include SBS, NTUC Fairprice or SingTel shares.

 

In exceptional cases, discretion may be exercised to grant aid to an applicant who fails to meet the eligibility criteria.

 

 

 


 

5. What documents should I bring for a walk-in application or interview?

You should bring along:

  • All documents relating to the case e.g. charge sheet(s), bail bond(s), latest Court mention/hearing slip(s).

  • All bank passbooks, bank account statements for the last six months and fixed deposit slips of parents, unmarried siblings, children, applicant and applicant’s spouse (please update all passbooks and statements).

  • Pay slip(s) or letters from employers certifying the nett monthly or annual income of parents, unmarried siblings, applicant and applicant’s spouse. If not, the CPF statements for the last 12 months are required.

  • A brief explanation in writing of the facts of the case in English.

  • Outstanding bills, if any.

  • Birth certificates of unmarried siblings and applicant’s children.

  • Applicant’s marriage certificate or parents’ marriage certificate (juveniles).

 

 

 


 

6. Do I have to pay my volunteer lawyer?

Your volunteer lawyer will not charge you any legal fees for his/her advice or attendance in Court. You may however be requested to pay for out-of-pocket expenses such as the costs of obtaining police statements and transportation.

 

 

 


 

7. When does CLAS assistance end?

CLAS assistance ends either when your case ends or when CLAS withdraws its assistance or should you decide to proceed in the matter without the assistance from CLAS.

 

 

 


 

List of Law Practices supporting the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme

Please click here for a list of volunteer law practices supporting the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme


 

Disclaimer

The Law Society reserves the right to accept or reject any application for criminal legal aid under CLAS at its discretion. No undertakings may be presumed or otherwise construed or implied from any information or statement provided herein. The Law Society reserves the right to withdraw assistance under CLAS at any time at its discretion. The Law Society reserves the right to amend, vary or modify any condition or criteria in determining an application for criminal legal aid under CLAS at its discretion without prior notice.