Summons for Substituted Service or Dispensation of Service

Perform the normal filing process:

• Select “File a Document” from the Quick Access banner.

• Specify the relevant case number and click “Retrieve”.

• Select “Filing a new document into this case”.

Fig 1. Select “Summons” as the Category, and click “Add” to select the nature of Application(s) (“NOA”).

Fig 2a. Click “Save” when you are done.

Fig 3. Review the list of parties involved in the case, and ensure that the correct party is selected as the Filing Party.

If you would like to add a party, proceed to Figs 4a – 4b. If not, click “Start Application” and proceed to Fig 5 (Step 1: Case Information).

Fig 4a. Click on the “Add Party Manually” button.

Fig 4b. Enter all mandatory information. Click “Save” when you are done. Then click “Start Application”.

(1) Case Information

Application

Fig 5. Provide details of the documents to be served and the person to be served.

• The “person to be served” will be referred to as the Person throughout the rest of the guide.

Fig 6. Select the type of service that the Filing Party is applying for.

• If “Dispensation of Service” is selected, proceed to Fig 7.

• If “Substituted Service” is selected, proceed to Fig 6a.

• If “Others” is selected, provide details on what the Filing Party is applying for. Proceed to Fig 7.

Fig 6a. Select the method(s) by which the substituted service is to be effected.

• If either “Posting on the front door[…]”, or “AR registered post[…]” is selected, provide the address in the relevant text box.

• If “Virtual Service” is selected, proceed to Fig 6b.

• If “Singpass app Service” is selected, provide the Singpass ID of the Person.

• If “Advertisement” is selected, proceed to Fig 6c.

Fig 6b. Select the manner of virtual service and provide the details related to the selected manner of service, such as the number or the account details of the service that belongs to the Person.

Fig 6c. Select the applicable details for substituted service by way of advertisement.

Fig 6c(i). Provide the name of the newspaper if it is known.

Fig 6c(ii). Select how the Filing Party intends to serve the subsequent court documents in the event that the Person fails to respond within the time limit stated in the Rules.

Fig 7. Select the manner in which the costs of this summons the applying party is asking to be ordered.

• If “Costs to be paid by” is selected, provide the name or party that will pay the costs.

• If “Costs to be reserved to” is selected, state the event at which costs is to be decided.

• If “Others” is selected, provide details of how the costs will be paid.

Supporting Documents

Fig 8. Click “Add Document” to add the supporting documents to the Summons.

Fig 9. Enter the number of “Other document” that you wish to add, and click “Add”.

Affidavit Deponent

Fig 10. Click on “Add Deponent”. You will need to add at least 1 deponent in order to proceed with the rest of the application.

Fig 11. Select the party that you wish to add as a deponent. Upon selection, the party’s details will be displayed. Click “Add”. If the person that you wish to add as a deponent is not listed, you can consider if he/she should be added as a non-party to the case (refer to Figs 4a – 4b), or if he/she should be added solely for the sake of the affidavit. If the latter is true, select “Others” to add him/her to the deponent list (refer to Fig 11a).

Fig 11a. Provide the necessary details. Click “Add” when done.

Fig 12. Enter the details accordingly.

Introduction

Fig 13. The information entered earlier in the “Application” section (Fig 6) will be used to populate the fields here. If you need to edit the information, return to the “Application” section and edit the details in that section.

Fig 14. Select the basis for the application to be granted.

Substituted Service

This section contains questions that are only applicable if “Substituted Service” or “Others” were selected in Fig 6 (“Application” section). If “Dispensation of Service” was selected in Fig 6 (“Application” section), skip this section and proceed to Fig 20 (Other ways to effect service).

Fig 15. State why personal service is impractical in this case.

Fig 15a. Provide the reasons why substituted service will be effective. The manner of service will be automatically selected based on the selection in Fig 6a (Type of service the Filing Party is applying for). If “Others” was selected in Fig 6 (“Application” section), this section will be available for selection and input.

• Posting on the front door: Fig 15b.

• AR registered post: Fig 16a.

• Virtual service: Fig 17a.

• Singpass app inbox: Fig 18a.

• Advertisement in newspapers: Fig 19a.

Fig 15b. State the number of attempts that were made by the Filing Party to serve the documents personally.

Fig 15c. Select if the deponent will refer to the affidavit of service filed or is the person who attempted to serve the documents personally.

• If “The Applicant refers to the affidavit of service by [name] dated [date]” is selected, proceed to Fig 15c(i).

• If “The Applicant is the person who attempted to serve the documents personally” is selected, proceed to Fig 15c(ii) and (iii).

Fig 15c(i). Provide the details of the response to the affidavits at service referred to in the affidavit of service.

Fig 15c(ii). Click on “Add Attempted Service” to begin adding the details of the affidavit.

Fig 15c(iii). Provide the required details of the attempted service. Click “Add”.

Fig 15d. State if the deponent believes that the service at the provided address will be effective. If so, select the reasons for his/her belief.

• If “The property search results show that [the person] is a” is selected, proceed to Fig 15d(i).

• If “The Applicant is staying at the same address and confirms that [the person] is still living there” or “[The person] is staying at the address at which attempts at service were made. The Applicant believes [the person] is evading service” is selected, proceed to Fig 15e.

• If “The Applicant discovered that [the person] is living at this address through Applicant's efforts set out below” is selected, proceed to Fig 15d(ii).

• If “Other Reasons” is selected, provide details in the text box. Proceed to Fig 15e.

Fig 15d(i). Select the applicable option and exhibit the property search results to the affidavit (refer to Figs 30 - 30b). Proceed to Fig 15e.

Fig 15d(ii). If the deponent had discovered the Person’s whereabouts, provide the details of the efforts made to discover the whereabouts.

Fig 15d(iii). Provide the details of the deponent’s knowledge of the social contacts of the Person. Proceed to Fig 15e.

Fig 15e. State any other reasons or further elaborate on the chosen option(s).

Fig 16a. State where the Person is believed to ordinarily reside in and the reasons for that belief.

Fig 16b. Select the appropriate statement(s) that describe the last known correspondence or residential address of the Person.

• If “The Applicant believes that [the Person]” is selected, proceed to Fig 16c.

• If “Last visit to [the Person]” is selected, proceed to Fig 16d.

• If “This is [the Person’s] last known address which is stated in” is selected, proceed to Fig 16e.

Fig 16c. State the details of the deponent’s beliefs with regards to the Person’s address. Proceed to Fig 16f.

Fig 16d. Select or state the applicable person(s) who visited the Person and date of last visit. Proceed to Fig 16f.

Fig 16e. State the details of where the Person’s last known address was stated. Proceed to Fig 16f.

Fig 16f. State the reasons for the deponent’s statements.

Fig 17a. State where the deponent believes that the Person can be virtually contacted at.

Fig 17b. Select the appropriate option(s) which the deponent believes belongs to the Person and state the reasons for the selection.

Fig 18a. State the Singpass ID of the Person.

Fig 18b. Indicate the residency status of the Person.

• If “a holder of the following pass” is selected, proceed to Fig 18b(i).

• If “a Singapore citizen”, “a Singapore Permanent Resident” or “None of the above” is selected, proceed to Fig 18c.

Fig 18b(i). Specify the type of pass held by the Person.

• If “Others” is selected, provide details in the text box.

Fig 18c. State the Person’s period of stay in Singapore and when he/she started working in Singapore (if applicable).

Fig 18d. State the reasons for the deponent’s belief that the Person has a Singpass app.

Fig 18e. Declare that the deponent understands the terms of using the Singpass app to effect service.

Fig 19a. State if the deponent believes that service via advertisement in newspapers will bring the proceedings to the Person’s notice.

Fig 19b. State the Person’s citizenship and literacy, as well as the country that the Person is believed to be currently residing in.

Fig 19c. Provide details of the Person’s habit of reading newspapers, including the newspapers they are believed to read, and how the deponent is aware of this habit.

Fig 19d. State if the deponent believes that service via advertisement in newspapers will bring the proceedings to the Person’s notice.

Other ways to effect service

Fig 20. If “Dispensation of service” was selected in Fig 6 (“Application” section), this whole section must be completed. If substituted service by way of advertisement was selected in Fig 6 (“Application” section), this whole section (except “Advertisement”) must be completed. For all other ways of service, complete the applicable part(s).

• If substituted service by way of posting on the front door or AR registered post to an address is selected, “Physical Address” and “Locating the person to be served through his/her social contacts” need not be completed.

• If substituted service by way of posting on the front door, AR registered post to an address or by virtual service is selected, “Virtual address, Mobile number or Social media” need not be completed.

• If substituted service by way of 1 method of virtual service (e.g. virtual address or mobile number) is selected, complete “Virtual address, Mobile number or Social media” for the other method of virtual service (e.g. social media) and vice versa.

The following figures are only applicable if the corresponding statement is selected:

• Last contact with the person to be served: Fig 21.

• Physical Address: Fig 22.

• Locating the person to be served through his/her social contacts: Fig 23.

• Virtual address, Mobile number or Social media: Fig 24.

• Advertisement: Fig 25.

• Other Information: Fig 26.

Fig 21. State the last contact with the Person.

• If “The Applicant has never contacted [the Person]” is selected, proceed to Fig 21a.

• If “The last time the Applicant had contact with [the Person] was” is selected, proceed to Fig 21b.

Fig 21a. Explain why no contact was made with the Person.

Fig 21b. State the details on the last time the deponent had contact with the Person, including details on how they would communicate in the past and why the method stated no longer works to contact the Person.

Fig 22. State if the deponent knows the Person’s last known address.

• If “The Applicant has [the Person’s] last known address” is selected, proceed to Fig 22a.

• If “The Applicant does not have [the Person’s] last known address” is selected, proceed to Fig 22b.

Fig 22a. State the details of the Person’s last known address as of a particular date and reasons why service at the address will not be effective.

Fig 22b. Explain why the deponent does not have the Person’s last known address.

Fig 23. State if the deponent knows the Person’s social contacts.

• If “The Applicant knows [the Person’s]” is selected, proceed to Fig 23a.

• If “The Applicant does not know [the Person’s]” is selected, proceed to Fig 23b.

Fig 23a. Provide details of the known social contacts of the Person, how the deponent knows them and why the Person cannot be located through them.

Fig 23b. State the social contacts of the Person that are not known to the deponent and explain why the deponent does not know them.

Fig 24. State if the deponent knows the Person’s virtual address, mobile number or social media.

• If “Option 1: Virtual address or mobile number” is selected, proceed to Fig 24a.

• If “Option 2: Social Media” is selected, proceed to Fig 24b.

Fig 24a. State if the deponent knows the Person’s virtual address or mobile number.

• If “The Applicant is aware that [the Person] has the following virtual address or mobile number (e.g., email, WhatsApp, SMS)” is selected, proceed to Fig 24a(i).

• If “The Applicant does not have any of [the Person’s] virtual address or mobile number” is selected, proceed to Fig 24a(ii).

Fig 24a(i). Describe the known virtual address or mobile number of the Personand explain why service cannot be effected through these means.

Fig 24a(ii). State the reasons why the deponent does not have any of the Person’s virtual address or mobile number.

Fig 24b. State if the deponent knows the Person’s social media accounts.

• If “The Applicant is aware that [the Person] owns the following social media account(s)(e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Wechat)” is selected, proceed to Fig 24b(i).

• If “The Applicant is not aware any of [the Person’s] social media account. The Applicant has conducted a search on the following social media using Jane Doe's Name” is selected, proceed to Fig 24b(ii).

• If “The Applicant is unable to search for [the Person’s] social media account” is selected, proceed to Fig 24b(iii).

Fig 24b(i). Describe the known social media accounts of the Person and explain why service cannot be effected through these means.

Fig 24b(ii). Describe the efforts made to find the Person’s social media accounts.

Fig 24b(iii). Explain why the deponent is unable to search for the Person’s social media account.

Fig 25a. Describe the nationality, literacy and residencyof the Person. Indicate the country which the deponent believes the Person is currently residing in.

Fig 25b. Indicate the Person’s habit of reading newspapers.

• If “[The Person] has a habit if reading newspaper, namely:” is selected, proceed to Fig 25b(i).

• If “[The Person] does not have a habit if reading newspapers” is selected, proceed to Fig 25b(ii).

• If “The Applicant is not aware if [the Person] reads newspapers” is selected, proceed to Fig 25b(iii).

Fig 25b(i). State the country and/or name of the local newspapers and reasons why service cannot be effected via advertisement in that newspaper.

Fig 25b(ii). State the reasons for the Applicant’s statement on why [the Person] does not have a habit of reading newspaper.

Fig 25b(iii). Explain why the Applicant is not aware if [the Person] reads newspapers.

Fig 26. If the deponent wishes to provide further information to support his/her application, include details in this textbox provided.

Summary of Claim

Fig 27. Select the claim(s) that the deponent is asking for.

• If “the Court grants the summons” is selected, proceed to Fig 28 (Affirmation).

• If “Others:” is selected, provide details in the textbox provided.

Affirmation

Fig 28. State if the Filing Party swears to or affirms the document. Provide details of the date and place that this document was sworn / affirmed, especially if the document is to be digitally signed. Indicate if interpretation is required and if the document needs to be read audibly to the deponent.

Exhibits

Fig 29. Enter a prefix for the exhibits supporting this affidavit. The prefix should be the initials of the deponent’s name, e.g. TBH for Tan Beng Huat.

You may click the “Preview Affidavit” button to view a generated affidavit, based on the information entered thus far in the sections above in order to fill in the Reference in Affidavit to the exhibit field.

Fig 30. If the deponent wishes to include exhibits, click “Add Document”.

Fig 30a. Indicate the number of documents the deponent wishes to add and click “Add”.

Fig 30b. The line entries for exhibits will generate based on the deponent’s input on the number of documents to add. Indicate the title of the document and the paragraph reference to the affidavit (using the preview of the generated affidavit). The deponent will be required to upload a file for each document listed in the table. Click “Choose File” to open a browser dialog box to select a file, and click the icon to upload the document.

Fig 31. If you are unable to provide any documents or wish to explain why a certain document cannot be provided, click “Add Document” at Table 2.

Fig 31a. Indicate the number of documents you wish to add and click “Add”.

(2) Forms

Fig 33. You will be presented with an eForm.

Fig 34. To initiate online signing, click the “Confirm” button located at the bottom of the eForm.

Fig 34a. The row of the eForm will be updated with new buttons.

• Click the “Finalise Document” button to start the signing process. The “Finalise Document” button will only be enabled after all eForms are confirmed and all documents to be uploaded in Step 2 have been uploaded.

Fig 34b. The row of the eForm will be updated with new buttons if the document requires a signature. You may choose either digital signing or offline signing.

• You will be taken to the Document Signing Service (“DSS”) portal.

• Please refer to "eLitigation FAQ > Document Signing Service (DSS) Guide for eLitigation Users > How do I request signatures with DSS?" for a step-by-step guide on how to sign your documents with DSS.

• DSS will pre-populate the list of signers based on the details in the Case Information section. Do check that the list of signers is correct before proceeding. You can add or remove the signers, if necessary.

• The eForm in Step 2 will automatically be made available in DSS for online signing.

Fig 34c. A new row will be displayed.

Upon successfully completing the signing procedure (regardless of which method was chosen) or if none of the documents require a signature, the “Next” button should be enabled. Click on the “Next” button to proceed to Step 3: Admin Details.

(3) Admin Details

Fig 35. In Step 3: Admin Details, indicate any urgent processing, special request or waiver required. You can also opt to eServe the documents to another law firm.

(4) Submission

Fig 36. In Step 4: Submission, review all information and documents before submission. Upon acceptance / approval by Court, the documents will be sent to your eLitigation inbox.