What exactly is the Rule of Law?

Stripped of its legal jargon, the Rule of Law is a set of enduring principles. That no one – not even the government – is above the law.

That laws are clear, applied consistently and enforced by independent courts. And that, every person, whatever their status or means, is equal before the law and is entitled to a fair hearing.

The Rule of Law is not an abstract ideal. It is what gives every citizen confidence that he or she will be treated fairly in court. It is what gives every business the assurance that a contract will be honoured. And it is what gives every investor certainty that the rules will not change overnight.

For a small city-state with no natural resources, trust is everything.

The foundations of Singapore’s legal system

Singapore inherited its modern legal system from the British. In 1826, the Second Charter of Justice established Singapore’s modern legal and judicial system and, for the first time, a common body of law applied to everyone on the island – regardless of race, language or religion. It was a significant moment.

But for much of the colonial era, the law was wielded less for the benefit of ordinary inhabitants than to advance the interests of empire and trade.

Click here to explore early milestones that helped lay the foundations of Singapore’s legal system.

The legal systems gave merchants the legal certainty they needed to do business, and it helped grow revenue for the British colonial power – including through the licensing of opium sale for profit.

The courts were largely the preserve of the wealthy. Social services were thin, and the police had limited ability to enforce laws and maintain stability for the population.

The focus of the legal system only began to change after independence.

Building trust, stability and prosperity