Singapore: Making It Easier Even for Lawyers

As we travel around the world, the Doing Business team visits government authorities and institutions. An inevitable visit is to the courts. I was amazed when I arrived to the so-called “UFO building” -- the new building of the Supreme Court of Singapore. It is called the UFO building because of its particular futuristic shape.

Upon my arrival, I realized that something was strange. There were no lines in order to present cases to a judge, and everything was calm and organized. I thought I was at the wrong place. But no, I was in a real court!

In Singapore, the number 1 ranked country in the ease of doing business for the second year running, when lawyers go to court, they do not need to stand in lines anymore. When they arrive, they go directly to a computer where they sign in and receive a ticket which clarifies the time and location where they should present their cases.

While they wait, they can go to the cafeteria, read the newspaper or prepare their documents. In the cafeteria, there is a big screen -- like the ones in airports -- showing who’s next. Also, if they want, they can be notified by a text message on their cell phones five minutes before the hearing starts, so they can start walking to the courtroom. And of course, if it is lunchtime, why not enjoy the cuisine of international chefs in the Court’s restaurant?

After seeing this, the usual images of courts came to my mind: long lines, uncomfortable buildings, noise and tension.

What is one of the key components of the success of this one-city country that many years ago was a developing economy with limited resources? The answer is simple and it is exhibited in the continual reform pace: how can we do better? Here, the quest of the reformer does not end with a successful reform. The focus is ahead.

As one of my professors mentioned on the first day of law school “law is a social movement that should constantly evolve with the rapid changes of today’s world”. For the reformer, this translates in to how can we do better?

In Singapore, one can almost hear… how can we do better for entrepreneurs… how can we do better for economic growth…. and, yes, … how can we do better to keep our top position in the Doing Business ranking?