Framework for statutory recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments consolidated following repeal of Reciprocal Enforcement of Commonwealth Judgments Act 1921

30 March 2023

On 1 March 2023, the Reciprocal Enforcement of Commonwealth Judgments Act 1921 (“RECJA”) was repealed.

In an announcement published on 1 March 2023, the Ministry of Law (“MinLaw”) explained that the repeal of the RECJA consolidates and streamlines the statutory recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments in civil proceedings in Singapore under the Reciprocal Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act 1959 (“REFJA”).

Final money judgments from the superior courts of Brunei, Australia, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, and the UK which were previously registrable under the RECJA are now registrable under the REFJA.

Reference materials

The following materials are available on the MinLaw website www.minlaw.gov.sg:

• MinLaw announcement: Repeal of Reciprocal Enforcement of Commonwealth Judgments Act 1921 (RECJA)
• Second reading speech by Senior Minister of State for Law, Edwin Tong on the Reciprocal Enforcement of Foreign Judgments (Amendment) Bill
• MinLaw press release: Enhancing the Regime for the Enforcement of Foreign Judgments through the Reciprocal Enforcement of Foreign Judgments (Amendment) Bill and the Reciprocal Enforcement of Commonwealth Judgments (Repeal) Bill