Singapore: Supreme Court of Judicature (Amendment) Act 2019

January 2, 2021

Singapore: The Supreme Court of Judicature (Amendment) Act 2019 was enacted on November 5, 2019, and entered into force on January 2, 2021.

The Act introduces amendments to the following Acts:

(i) Patents Act (Chapter 221);

(ii) Trade Marks Act (Chapter 332);

(iii) Geographical Indications Act 2014;

(iv) Registered Designs Act (Chapter 266);

(v) Layout-Design of Integrated Circuits Act (Chapter 159A);

(vi) Plant Varieties Protection Act (Chapter 232A); and

(vii) Copyright Act (Chapter 63).

The amendments relate to the restructuring of the Supreme Court of Singapore, comprising the Court of Appeal and the High Court, by renaming the High Court as the "General Division of the High Court" and creating a new "Appellate Division of the High Court". The Act provides for the competency of the courts including, inter alia, the ability to hear appeals arising from intellectual property cases.