Old Supreme Court Building
Old Supreme Court Building
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: City Hall
How to get there
- Raffles Place • 9 min walk
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4.0
77 reviews
Excellent
23
Very good
39
Average
15
Poor
0
Terrible
0
GassyDoha
Singapore, Singapore469 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Definitely worth a visit if you are in Singapore. Located right in the smack of all the attractions and tourist places. This place is bound to take you back in time to witness our Proclamation of Independence and, our history and our fight for freedom. There are lots of artefacts and displays dating back to our rise before and after the Japanese invasion. A must visit!
Written 4 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gn123
Sydney, Australia44 contributions
June 2015
This is one of the most iconic buildings in Singapore. Its a walking distance from the City hall MRT. Lot of people get themselves photographed in front of this building especially during weddings and graduations.
Written 7 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SOH KIEN PENG
Singapore, Singapore9,330 contributions
July 2015 • Solo
The impressive classical architectural style Old Supreme Court building is an iconic landmark structure in Singapore. It was constructed by the Public Works Department between 1937 and 1939 apparently just before the invasion of the Japanese Imperial Army. In recognition of its architectural significance, the old Supreme Court was gazetted as a national monument.
It is located along St Andrew Road about 5 minutes walking distance from the City Hall MRT station. There are also other attractions nearby which include St Armenian Church, the Civil Defense Heritage Gallery, the Central FIre Station, the Funan Digital Mall, the Victoria Museum, the Padang, etc.
The Old Supreme Court features Corinthian columns, classical design, and spacious interiors with murals by the Italian artists.The most prominent feature of the Old Supreme Court is the allegory of justice below the cupola. This pediment sculpture is well featured in television crime series as the symbol of justice in an adversarial criminal justice system.
I have been to the Old Supreme Court on several occasions to testify in high Court trials as prosecution witness. I can still remember hearing the loud voice of the Court room Police officer shouted `Bow' as the judge walked in to take his seat in his bench and everyone in the court room stood to bow their respect to the presiding judge. Except for the occasional voices of the judge, the prosecutor and the defense counsel, there was complete silence in the Courtroom when the trial commenced. As a witness, I was not supposed to be in the court room and had to wait patiently in another waiting room for my turn to testify in the stand. Criminal cases triable in this Supreme Court include homicide or rape cases and the sentences meted out to the offenders were severely heavy ranging from the death penalty to long term incarceration. And I remember swearing on oath in the witness dock that I shall `tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.'
The Grounds of decisions by the appellate judges in the High Court and the Court of Appeal are binding case precedents. I like reading these `case laws' where you see the rational reasoning at work as the appellate judges explain in logical details how he arrives at the decision of whether the sentence meted out to the offender in the lower court is adequate or whether the appeal against conviction is allowed or quashed. Sometime, the decision made is really a matter of life and death to the convicted offender.
The Old Supreme Court building is no longer used as a Court for the administration of justice and has been converted into a National Arts Gallery which is scheduled to open soon.
The new Supreme Court was built in 2005 to take over the function of the High Court and the Court of Appeal. The new Supreme Court is just behind the Old Supreme Court. The glass architectural style of the new Supreme Court is modern and it symbolizes the transparency in the administration of justice. Entry into the new Supreme Court is free but no photography is allowed and you have to surrender your camera at the entrance screening counter.
Singapore is ranked as one of the least corrupted country in the world. In the administration of justice, the decisions made by the judges are independent and are not influenced by the executive or the legislative of the ruling government. Parliament passed the laws; the laws are enforced effectively and the judges met out sentence in accordance with what is prescribed in the laws, regardless of your race, religion, political inclination or whether you come from rich or poor background.
The Supreme Court whether new or old, symbolises the administration of justice, the transparency of the law and that no one is above the law. As Singaporean, I am proud of this great icon.
It is located along St Andrew Road about 5 minutes walking distance from the City Hall MRT station. There are also other attractions nearby which include St Armenian Church, the Civil Defense Heritage Gallery, the Central FIre Station, the Funan Digital Mall, the Victoria Museum, the Padang, etc.
The Old Supreme Court features Corinthian columns, classical design, and spacious interiors with murals by the Italian artists.The most prominent feature of the Old Supreme Court is the allegory of justice below the cupola. This pediment sculpture is well featured in television crime series as the symbol of justice in an adversarial criminal justice system.
I have been to the Old Supreme Court on several occasions to testify in high Court trials as prosecution witness. I can still remember hearing the loud voice of the Court room Police officer shouted `Bow' as the judge walked in to take his seat in his bench and everyone in the court room stood to bow their respect to the presiding judge. Except for the occasional voices of the judge, the prosecutor and the defense counsel, there was complete silence in the Courtroom when the trial commenced. As a witness, I was not supposed to be in the court room and had to wait patiently in another waiting room for my turn to testify in the stand. Criminal cases triable in this Supreme Court include homicide or rape cases and the sentences meted out to the offenders were severely heavy ranging from the death penalty to long term incarceration. And I remember swearing on oath in the witness dock that I shall `tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.'
The Grounds of decisions by the appellate judges in the High Court and the Court of Appeal are binding case precedents. I like reading these `case laws' where you see the rational reasoning at work as the appellate judges explain in logical details how he arrives at the decision of whether the sentence meted out to the offender in the lower court is adequate or whether the appeal against conviction is allowed or quashed. Sometime, the decision made is really a matter of life and death to the convicted offender.
The Old Supreme Court building is no longer used as a Court for the administration of justice and has been converted into a National Arts Gallery which is scheduled to open soon.
The new Supreme Court was built in 2005 to take over the function of the High Court and the Court of Appeal. The new Supreme Court is just behind the Old Supreme Court. The glass architectural style of the new Supreme Court is modern and it symbolizes the transparency in the administration of justice. Entry into the new Supreme Court is free but no photography is allowed and you have to surrender your camera at the entrance screening counter.
Singapore is ranked as one of the least corrupted country in the world. In the administration of justice, the decisions made by the judges are independent and are not influenced by the executive or the legislative of the ruling government. Parliament passed the laws; the laws are enforced effectively and the judges met out sentence in accordance with what is prescribed in the laws, regardless of your race, religion, political inclination or whether you come from rich or poor background.
The Supreme Court whether new or old, symbolises the administration of justice, the transparency of the law and that no one is above the law. As Singaporean, I am proud of this great icon.
Written 23 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dinna142
Singapore, Singapore9 contributions
May 2012
The judicial law of our country is not to be taken lightly. Proud to be a Singaporean and being a law abiding citizen
Written 16 November 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kangrui h
Singapore, Singapore39 contributions
July 2012
Singapore have recently been plague by scandals.
It is a great time for tourist to have a look at the local proceedings of an actual court case.
I am not sure if foreigners are allowed to enter. but it's a great experience for any Singaporeans who have too much time on hand. ;)
It is a great time for tourist to have a look at the local proceedings of an actual court case.
I am not sure if foreigners are allowed to enter. but it's a great experience for any Singaporeans who have too much time on hand. ;)
Written 30 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chelsea B
Milton Keynes, UK1,976 contributions
Dec 2019
A brilliant example of the classical British architecture that can be found in the colonial district.
Written 13 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pa E
166 contributions
Jan 2017
This is a huge architecture in the area, definitely worth visiting while in the area. Interior also very grand and cool.
Written 8 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jpbb2015
London, United Kingdom21 contributions
Feb 2015 • Solo
We all know that Justice is blind, but as the forbidding grey granite mass of the Supreme Court makes symbolically clear, is that she is deaf as well - in fact, implacable, immovable and stony-hearted. With its academically perfect classical orders, it soaring columns and inevitable dome punching through the skyline, this monument to colonial law enforcement has nothing to do with clemency or rehabilitation. Ironic, then, that the building itself is the subject of what looks like a very thorough and expensive restoration and refurbishment. The extreme neatness of the building site speaks volumes for military-style autocracy and organisation. The shriek of banksmen's whistles redirecting traffic as well as startling the pedestrians, penetrates the semi-oasis of calm around the squeaky-clean cathedral just to the north. It makes on glad - as Samuel Beckett might have observed - not to find oneself on the wrong side of the law!
Written 14 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BuzzyBas
Jakarta, Indonesia38 contributions
Sept 2014 • Solo
This is my 2nd time to visit this building. On 2013 I am coming to attend a seminar on the top of the building. On my first visit I found out that I can't take pictures on the area of Supreme Court building, the security even don't let me to bring the camera, they keep my camera on locker and It will returned to me when I leave the building.
On my second visit to this building, I was on attending 2 days training on 2nd floor. The rules still the same, I have to pass detector and security check.
But I can take a picture on Sunday morning from across the building. I take pictures where I am standing on parliament building area across the street.
This is "serious" building, so I think this is not the right spot for tourist, especially if you want to take pictures inside the building.
The building is near to City Hall MRT station, it's about 5 minutes walk from the station.
The nearest hotel to this building is Peninsula/Excelsior hotel at 5 Coleman street.
It only takes 5 minutes walk from the hotel to this building.
On my second visit to this building, I was on attending 2 days training on 2nd floor. The rules still the same, I have to pass detector and security check.
But I can take a picture on Sunday morning from across the building. I take pictures where I am standing on parliament building area across the street.
This is "serious" building, so I think this is not the right spot for tourist, especially if you want to take pictures inside the building.
The building is near to City Hall MRT station, it's about 5 minutes walk from the station.
The nearest hotel to this building is Peninsula/Excelsior hotel at 5 Coleman street.
It only takes 5 minutes walk from the hotel to this building.
Written 18 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LoisN21
Melbourne, Australia14 contributions
June 2014 • Family
The old Supreme Court is closed for restoration into a new function. The new court, located practically next door, is spectacular. When I visited the court was on holiday and there were no hearings open to the public, so I was unable to attend an actual case. I instead walked around the displays on the first floor regarding the courts history and through the educational display, where there is a multimedia version of a mock court and you can try on judges robes from around the world (and also take a picture). I also explored the rest of the building and went up to the 'space ship'. Singapore's highest courts are located in this part, which is very fitting. This building is incredibly underrated, as the view from the top two floors is incredible. Most tourists would not know about this building and that it is completely free to enter and enjoy the spectacular view and history. If you are carrying a camera you will be asked to sign it into a free locker at the security checkpoint, so sadly you cannot take pictures in here, but this rule is understandable and common around the world. I would also recommend a quick visit to Parliment's educational display, only a short way away, as well as to the museums and then onto the waterfront which is all in walking distance.
Written 4 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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