What is Contempt of Court?

Contempt of court may take many forms.
PDF

Comments

Guanyu said…
What is Contempt of Court?

Contempt of court may take many forms.

15 October 2008

It could be remarks made to influence the judge and therefore designed to interfere with an ongoing case. Or it could be attacks on the independence or integrity of the court or judges.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) pointed out that anything done or published that is calculated to bring a court or a judge of the court into contempt or to lower his authority is a contempt of court, also commonly referred to as ‘scandalising the court’.

Contempt of court is concerned with protecting the administration of justice, said the AGC in a statement yesterday. ‘One of the cornerstones of the administration of justice is that the public must be able to rely on the courts to deliver judgments free from bias or interference from others.

‘To this end, the confidence of the public in the integrity and independence of the courts must not be undermined.’

But unlike other public figures, it noted that judges do not have the liberty of entering into a public debate or defending themselves in a public forum when their integrity is attacked.

As the administration of justice is a matter of public interest, the Attorney-General as guardian of the public interest is responsible for taking contempt proceedings when the integrity and independence of the courts or judges are attacked, said the AGC.

Popular posts from this blog

Two ex-UOBKH staff charged with lying to MAS over due diligence reports on a Catalist aspirant