As a Commonwealth nation, Singapore’s legal system has its roots in English law and practice. Founded in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles, the once sleepy island was transformed into a major entrepȏt along the shipping route between Europe and the Far East. With the arrival of the English, English law and customs were adopted.
Since self-governance in 1959 and independence from Malaysia in 1965, Singapore has developed its own autochthonous legal system, establishing legislation and case law that are unique to its social and economic circumstances.
Despite forging its own path suited to Singapore’s requirements, there is one inherited British legal foundation that remains intact, albeit just: common law. Singapore inherited the English common law traditions, especially in contract, tort and restitution, and thus the stability, certainty and acceptance that such law enjoys among other Commonwealth nations. While Singapore courts still refer to case law emerging from England, it has made significant departures in the past 30 years, especially in statute-based areas such as company law, criminal law and evidence, in favour of local jurisprudence.
The Singapore legal structure comprises the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary. The Legislature is made up of the Parliament and an elected president. The Parliament is tasked with enacting laws of the land. Singapore has a unique Parliamentary composition. Besides elected Members of Parliament (MPs), non-elected MPs also sit in Parliament but their voting rights are restricted to matters that do not concern the Constitution, finance bills and votes of no-confidence in the Government.
The Executive is helmed by the President and comprises the Cabinet which is responsible for the general direction of the Government and accountable to Parliament. Cabinet ministers are drawn from MPs and as such there is no complete separation of powers between the Legislature and the Executive.
Source:
www.singaporelawwatch.sg/About-Singapore-Law/Singapore-Legal-System