A person can become a Singapore citizen via the following ways: Via Birth: A person who is born in Singapore with at least one parent who is a Singapore citizen. Via Descent: A person born outside Singapore after 15 May 2004, with at least one parent who is a Singaporean…
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How do I become a lawyer in Singapore?
There are many paths to becoming a lawyer in Singapore, none of which are easy. The first step to a legal career is to obtain an academic certificate from an accredited university. In Singapore, one can enroll in the 4 year Bachelor of Law programme from either the National University…
A Stomper took my picture and posted it on Stomp, defaming me. What can I do?
Unwanted publicity – that is, if someone took your photo without permission, posting it online, and accusing you of nasty behaviour, can be very damaging. It may even affect your reputation with your friends, colleagues, or even family members. Therefore, defamation laws in Singapore are in place to give you…
Is planking legal in Singapore?
The phenomenon of planking, pioneered by cartoon character Snoopy, adopting a different guise as “The Lying Down Game”, and making a dramatic comeback in recent years, has taken Singapore by storm. In fact, May 25th has been named Annual Planking Day for planking enthusiasts and newcomers alike to celebrate the…
How do I write a disclaimer on my blog?
If you are in the habit of publishing information on your website, you may find the need to post a disclaimer to protect yourself from any liabilities that may arise. For example, you may be a particularly adventurous, aspiring chef who publishes food recipes on your blog. In this case,…
What if someone uses a picture or text from my blog, without permission?
Singapore’s laws on copyright are governed by the Copyright Act and enforced vicariously by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore. Intellectual property can be categorised into patents, trademarks, copyrights and designs. If you took a photograph of the Singapore River, or wrote an article commenting on the General Elections, they…
What can I do if someone hacks into my user account and uses my account without permission? (Hotmail, Blogspot, Facebook etc)
If someone accesses your account, such as a Hotmail, Blogspot or Facebook, without permission, you may have legal recourse against the perpetrator. Under the Computer Misuse Act, various offences involving the unauthorised access of computer material are punishable crimes. These include, for instance: Logging into your account without permission Logging…
What should I do if I have been downloading media files illegally, and a lawyer’s letter has been served warning me to stop and to pay compensation?
In the 2007 ODEX anime saga, hundreds of illegal anime downloaders were issued letters demanding payment in place of litigation by ODEX. Payments asked for were as high as S$5,000 per downloader. ODEX was able to do so by first compelling Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to release personal information of…
What can I do if I am offended by a couple’s public displays of affection?
Behaviour such as kissing in public is currently unpunishable under Singapore law. The only related ordinances present in Singapore, such as section 27A of the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance Act), includes a prohibition on nudity in public places, or appearing in the nude in a private place that…
Consumer Rights through Subtle Senses and True Spa
In around May 2010, True Spa made headlines for leaving its clients in the lurch by closing down whilst clients were still holding on to thousands of dollars’ worth of unused spa packages. Fortunately, fallout from that incident was muted because Subtle Senses, another spa, offered to take over the…