Attending court as a witness from Punggol? Read your Summons to a Witness or subpoena, confirm the date and time with the party who issued it, and plan to arrive early with your ID and the order itself. You must not ignore it. The State Courts are a direct North East Line ride from Punggol to Chinatown.
Most of us have never set foot in a courtroom, so feeling nervous is normal. Knowing what to expect takes away most of the worry.
This page is part of eduKate Punggol’s When You Need Help in Punggol, our practical guides for life’s occasions, big and small. It covers what a witness summons or subpoena means, what to bring when attending court, what happens in the witness box, the witness allowance, and support for elderly and child witnesses. It is general information, not legal advice.
Quick answer
- Do not ignore it. A Summons to a Witness (criminal cases) or a subpoena or order to attend court (civil and family cases) means you must attend on the days and times stated.
- Cannot attend? Tell the party who issued the order as soon as possible. If you are ill on the day, you need a special medical certificate excusing you from court.
- Getting there: the State Courts are at 1 Havelock Square, near Chinatown MRT (NE4/DT19), Exit D. Punggol MRT (NE17) is on the same North East Line. There is no parking at the State Courts.
- Bring: your NRIC or passport, the order, any documents it lists, a jacket and a bottle of water.
- Allowance: in criminal and coroner’s cases, Singapore residents can claim one-fiftieth of their monthly earned income per half day (at least $25, at most $350), plus up to $20 a day for transport. Claim within 2 months.
How to Prepare for Attending Court as a Witness
These steps follow the Singapore Courts’ guides for witnesses. Start a few days before, not on the morning itself.
- Read the order closely. Note who issued it, the date and time, the court, and any documents you must bring. Some orders ask you to testify, some to produce documents, and some both.
- Confirm the details with the party who issued it. Ask what time to arrive and how many days you are likely to be needed.
- Tell your employer early. The courts suggest giving your employer a copy of the order and explaining that you must comply.
- If you cannot attend, say so at once. Inform the party who issued the order as soon as possible. Do not simply stay away.
- Plan the journey. Take the North East Line from Punggol to Chinatown. There is no parking at the State Courts or the Family Justice Courts.
- Pack the night before. Bring your NRIC or passport, the summons or subpoena, the listed documents, a jacket or sweater (“the courtroom may be cold”), and water in a bottle or tumbler.
- On the day, arrive early. Go through security, then wait outside the courtroom or in a witness room. Expect delays, and bring something quiet to read.
- Keep your receipts and payslip. You will need them to claim the witness allowance.
Where to Go and Who to Contact
| Where or who | Address and how to get there | Hours | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Courts (outside Punggol) | 1 Havelock Square, Singapore 059724. Chinatown MRT (NE4/DT19), Exit D. | Mon–Thu 8.30am–1pm and 2pm–6pm; Fri 8.30am–1pm and 2pm–5.30pm; Sat 8.30am–1pm (Court 4A and Bail Centre only); closed Sun and public holidays. | Criminal cases and most civil cases. HELP Centre at Basement 1. |
| Family Justice Courts (outside Punggol) | 3 Havelock Square, Singapore 059725. Chinatown MRT (NE4/DT19) or Clarke Quay MRT (NE5). | Mon–Thu 8.30am–1pm and 2pm–6pm; Fri 8.30am–1pm and 2pm–5.30pm; closed Sat, Sun and public holidays. Service counters close earlier. | Family cases. |
| Supreme Court witness allowance | Online form at go.gov.sg/supcourtwitnessallowance | Online, within 2 months | Claiming expenses for a Supreme Court criminal case. |
| Volunteer Support Person (Singapore Children’s Society) | Ask the investigation officer, prosecutor or defence counsel | Arranged through the case; at the Family Justice Courts, the court links you with one on the hearing day | Free support for vulnerable witnesses. |
Checked October 2026 — confirm on the official page before you go: State Courts visit page (updated 4 June 2026), Family Justice Courts visit page (updated 19 August 2026) and receiving a summons or subpoena.
If you must drive, the courts list nearby car parks at People’s Park Centre, Furama City Centre, Chinatown Point, Blk 54 Chin Swee Road, Blk 8A Jalan Kukoh and Havelock II. The train is simpler.
Which Situation Fits You
You are a witness in a criminal case
You will usually have received a Summons to a Witness. If you do not attend without a valid reason, a Warrant of Arrest may be issued against you. Questions about the hearing and the allowance claim go through the investigation officer or prosecutor if the prosecution called you, or the defence counsel if the defence did.
You are a witness in a civil or family case
You may have a subpoena, an order to attend court or an order to produce documents. If you do not attend without a valid reason, the court may reject your Affidavit of Evidence-in-Chief. If you are a party in a family case yourself and need advice, our Legal Aid Bureau and pro bono clinics explainer and our free legal clinics guide cover your options.
An elderly parent or a child is the witness
They may count as a vulnerable witness. The courts include children and young people under 18, adults with the mental capacity of someone under 18, elderly victims over 65, traumatised victims or eyewitnesses of violent or sexual offences (with a doctor’s note), and people with a psychiatric condition. A trained Volunteer Support Person can explain the process, show them the courtroom and, with the court’s permission, sit behind them. Ask the investigation officer early.
You fall ill on the day
The courts ask for “a special medical certificate from a doctor that excuses you from attending court”, so tell the doctor it is for court.
Your hearing may be online
Some sessions are held virtually. The court will tell you if you do not need to attend in person, so do not assume it.
Courtroom Rules and the Witness Allowance
Getting in. Security screening is mandatory and “similar to that at airports”. Weapons, sharp objects such as scissors and pen knives, aerosol sprays and e-cigarettes are prohibited; e-cigarettes may be referred to the police. Recording devices are left at the security counter. Dress in business wear, smart casual or traditional dress. Do not bring infants or young children into the courtroom.
Inside the courtroom. Put your phone on silent, and do not eat, drink or record anything. Bow towards the State Crest or the judge when entering or leaving, and stand when the judge enters.
In the witness box. You take an oath or an affirmation; the courts’ guide says Protestant and Catholic Christians hold the Bible, and others affirm. Your evidence runs in three stages: examination-in-chief (questions from the side that called you), cross-examination (questions from the other side) and re-examination. Call the judge “Your Honour”. Do not guess. It is perfectly fine to say “I do not know”, “I am not sure” or “I cannot remember”, and you may ask for a break. Do not discuss your evidence with other witnesses or post about the case online.
The witness allowance (criminal and coroner’s cases, State Courts and Supreme Court):
- Singapore residents: one-fiftieth of monthly earned income per half day, at least $25 and at most $350, plus transport of up to $20 a day.
- A half day is 3 hours or less, excluding lunch; more than 3 hours counts as a full day.
- State Courts: submit the Local Witness Allowances Claim Form within 2 months of your last attendance, with your summons, ID, bank passbook or statement, payslip or Notice of Assessment, and transport receipts.
- Prosecution witnesses submit through the investigation officer or prosecutor; defence witnesses through the defence counsel. Approved amounts are paid into your bank account.
The Volunteer Support Person service for vulnerable witnesses is free.
Neighbour’s Tips
- Bring a cardigan, even on a hot day. The courts warn that courtrooms may be cold.
- Empty your bag at home. Scissors, pen knives, aerosols and vapes will not get past screening.
- Take the train. Punggol to Chinatown is one North East Line ride, and there is no parking at the courts.
- Keep your payslip or Notice of Assessment and every transport receipt. The allowance claim needs them, within 2 months.
- Give your employer the order early, so leave is not a last-minute argument.
- Ask about a support person straight away if an elderly parent or a child has to give evidence.
- Stay off social media about the case until it is over.
If It’s Urgent or Gets Worse
If anyone threatens you or pressures you about your evidence, call the police on 999, or SMS 70999 if it is not safe to talk. If you feel unwell while giving evidence, tell the court and ask for a break.
Watch for scams too. The Singapore Courts say their officers will never ask you to transfer money or disclose bank log-in details over the phone. If a call about your case feels wrong, check with ScamShield on 1799.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to go if I get a witness summons?
Yes. The courts say you must not ignore a Summons to a Witness, a subpoena, an order to attend court or an order to produce documents, and that attending is compulsory on the days and times stated.
Will I be paid for attending court?
In criminal and coroner’s cases, you can claim the witness allowance and transport costs within 2 months. The page we checked does not cover civil cases, so ask the party who called you.
Does my employer have to give me time off?
We could not confirm the employment rules on this. The courts’ advice is to give your employer a copy of the order and explain that you must comply.
What should I wear to court?
Business wear, smart casual or traditional dress. The courts may refuse entry to anyone dressed inappropriately.
What if I cannot remember something?
Say so. The courts’ guide says it is fine to answer “I do not know”, “I am not sure” or “I cannot remember”. Do not guess.
Can I bring my baby or young child?
Not into the courtroom. The courts ask visitors not to bring young children such as infants, so arrange childcare for the day.
More Help on eduKate Punggol
- Free legal clinics and legal aid for Punggol residents.
- Legal Aid Bureau, pro bono clinics, civil and criminal legal help explained.
- Police in Punggol: the Neighbourhood Police Centre and reports.
- Family violence, protection orders and safe support
- Separation and divorce: where Punggol families can get help.
- MRT, LRT and buses from Punggol
- Official: Going to court as a witness · Claiming witness expenses · Support for vulnerable witnesses · Guide to attending court
After Your Day in Court
Telling the court honestly what you saw or know is all anyone asks of you. When you are done, send in your allowance claim, file your receipts and give yourself a quiet evening. If it stirred up difficult memories, talk to someone you trust.
And if your family is also looking for calm, small-group English, Mathematics or Science, eduKate Punggol teaches classes of three in Punggol. Come find out more: Book a consultation · Chat on WhatsApp
eduKate Punggol
Small-group English, Mathematics and Science
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By appointment · +65 8823 1234
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Checked October 2026. Addresses, opening hours, fees and rules change, so please confirm with the official source before you go.
