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在新加坡执行中国法院判决的程序
Author Chong Yi Mei , Managing Partner. Dispute Resolution Practice. Contact [email protected] |
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[1] Absence of a Reciprocal Enforcement Regime
缺乏互惠执行机制
Presently, there are no formal and binding arrangements between Singapore and the People's Republic of China. However, the Memorandum of Guidance on the Recognition and Enforcement of Money Judgments in Commercial Cases (“MOG”) is used as a form of guidance. Hence, a Chinese court judgment can be enforced in Singapore through common law. 目前，新加坡与中华人民共和国未建立正式和具有法律约束力的判决互认执行机制。不过,《关于商事案件金钱判决承认与执行的指导备忘录》(简称 “MOG”）可作为指导文件使用。因此, 中国法院的判决可通过普通法在新加坡执行。
缺乏互惠执行机制
Presently, there are no formal and binding arrangements between Singapore and the People's Republic of China. However, the Memorandum of Guidance on the Recognition and Enforcement of Money Judgments in Commercial Cases (“MOG”) is used as a form of guidance. Hence, a Chinese court judgment can be enforced in Singapore through common law. 目前，新加坡与中华人民共和国未建立正式和具有法律约束力的判决互认执行机制。不过,《关于商事案件金钱判决承认与执行的指导备忘录》(简称 “MOG”）可作为指导文件使用。因此, 中国法院的判决可通过普通法在新加坡执行。
[2] General Requirements for Recognition and Enforcement of Chinese Court Judgments in Singapore
在新加坡承认与执行中国法院判决的一般要求
In deciding whether to enforce a Chinese court judgment in Singapore, the general common law test in determining whether a foreign judgment is capable of recognition will apply, which requires an assessment of whether:
新加坡法院在审理是否应承认与执行中国法院判决时，将依据普通法对外国法院判决的可承认性进行判断，通常须满足以下条件：
在新加坡承认与执行中国法院判决的一般要求
In deciding whether to enforce a Chinese court judgment in Singapore, the general common law test in determining whether a foreign judgment is capable of recognition will apply, which requires an assessment of whether:
新加坡法院在审理是否应承认与执行中国法院判决时，将依据普通法对外国法院判决的可承认性进行判断，通常须满足以下条件：
- a) The foreign judgment is final and conclusive;
判决为终局性且具有法律效力; - b) The foreign judgment was issued by a court of competent jurisdiction (in the eyes of Singapore private international law);
该外国判决是由具有管辖权的法院作出的（依据新加坡国际私法的认定标准 ); - c) The foreign judgment was issued by a foreign court with intentional jurisdiction over the party sought to be bound at the time of commencement of foreign proceedings;
判决系由对被执行人具有属人管辖权的外国法院在诉讼开始时所作出; - d) The foreign judgment is for a fixed and ascertainable sum of money;
判决内容系明确具体的金钱债务; - e) The foreign judgment was not procured by fraud;
判决并非经欺诈手段取得; - f) The enforcement and/or recognition or the foreign judgment is not contrary to Singapore's public policy; and
执行或承认该外国判决不违反新加坡的公共政策; - g) The court proceedings in which foreign judgment was obtained were contrary to natural justice.
作出该外国判决的司法程序未违反自然正义原则。
[3] Procedural Steps for Enforcement of Chinese Court Judgment
在新加坡执行中国法院判决的程序步骤
The legal procedural steps in the Singapore courts will include the following:
在新加坡法院提起执行程序的一般法律步骤如下：
在新加坡执行中国法院判决的程序步骤
The legal procedural steps in the Singapore courts will include the following:
在新加坡法院提起执行程序的一般法律步骤如下：
Step 1: Commencement of Civil Claim
第一步：提起民事诉讼
The first step is for the judgment creditor (the “Claimant”) to commence legal proceedings in Singapore by filing an originating claim in the General Division of the High Court Singapore. The purpose of this claim is for the Singapore courts to recognise the Chinese court judgment as a basis for a local judgment.
判决债权人（即 “ 原告 ”）须首先向新加坡高等法院普通庭提交原诉起诉书，正式提起民事诉讼。该诉讼的目的是请求新加坡法院 承认中国法院的判决，并据此作出具有本地法律效力的判决。
第一步：提起民事诉讼
The first step is for the judgment creditor (the “Claimant”) to commence legal proceedings in Singapore by filing an originating claim in the General Division of the High Court Singapore. The purpose of this claim is for the Singapore courts to recognise the Chinese court judgment as a basis for a local judgment.
判决债权人（即 “ 原告 ”）须首先向新加坡高等法院普通庭提交原诉起诉书，正式提起民事诉讼。该诉讼的目的是请求新加坡法院 承认中国法院的判决，并据此作出具有本地法律效力的判决。
Step 2: Service of Documents
第二步：送达法律文件
The legal documents must then be served on the judgment debtor (the “Defendant”). If the Defendant is in Singapore, it can be done directly. However, if they are located outside of Singapore, the Claimant will need to seek for leave of court to service the documents outside the jurisdiction.相关法律文件须依法送达判决债务人（即 “ 被告 ”）。如被告居于新加坡境内，则可直接送达；如其身处新加坡以外，则原告需向法院申请许可跨境送达。
Through the service of documents, the Claimant is also required to establish that the Singapore court has personal jurisdiction over the Defendant.
原告亦需通过送达程序证明新加坡法院对被告具有属人管辖权。
第二步：送达法律文件
The legal documents must then be served on the judgment debtor (the “Defendant”). If the Defendant is in Singapore, it can be done directly. However, if they are located outside of Singapore, the Claimant will need to seek for leave of court to service the documents outside the jurisdiction.相关法律文件须依法送达判决债务人（即 “ 被告 ”）。如被告居于新加坡境内，则可直接送达；如其身处新加坡以外，则原告需向法院申请许可跨境送达。
Through the service of documents, the Claimant is also required to establish that the Singapore court has personal jurisdiction over the Defendant.
原告亦需通过送达程序证明新加坡法院对被告具有属人管辖权。
Step 3: Applying for Summary Judgment
第三步：申请简易判决
If the requirements for enforcement are met, the Claimant may apply for summary judgment. This is a streamlined court procedure where the court rules in the Claimant’ s favour without a full trial on the basis that the debtor has no valid defence to the enforcement of the claim (unless the Defendant raises a triable issue in relation to a defence).
如符合执行条件，原告可向法院申请简易判决。该程序为简化审理机制，若法院认定被告对原告诉请无有效抗辩理由，即可在无 需全面审理的前提下作出有利于原告的判决（除非被告能提出有待审理的可争议事项作为抗辩）。
第三步：申请简易判决
If the requirements for enforcement are met, the Claimant may apply for summary judgment. This is a streamlined court procedure where the court rules in the Claimant’ s favour without a full trial on the basis that the debtor has no valid defence to the enforcement of the claim (unless the Defendant raises a triable issue in relation to a defence).
如符合执行条件，原告可向法院申请简易判决。该程序为简化审理机制，若法院认定被告对原告诉请无有效抗辩理由，即可在无 需全面审理的前提下作出有利于原告的判决（除非被告能提出有待审理的可争议事项作为抗辩）。
Step 4: Defences the Defendant may raise
四步：被告可能提出的抗辩理由
The defendant may raise the following defences/issues:
被告可提出下列抗辩事由：
四步：被告可能提出的抗辩理由
The defendant may raise the following defences/issues:
被告可提出下列抗辩事由：
- a) The foreign judgment was procured by fraud;
该外国判决是通过欺诈手段取得的； - b) The enforcement and/or recognition or the foreign judgment is contrary to Singapore’ s public policy e.g. judgment involves penal or revenue laws, or that the legal process in the foreign country was deemed unfair;
执行或承认该判决违反新加坡公共政策，例如判决涉及刑事或税收法律，或外国法院程序存在重大不公； - c) The court proceedings in which the foreign judgment was obtained were contrary to natural justice;
作出该判决的法院程序违反自然正义原则； - d) The foreign judgment is not yet final or conclusive under foreign laws; and
外国法律，该判决尚未为是最终或具结论性的判决；. - e) The foreign judgment is not for a fixed or ascertainable sum of money.
]判决金额未具确定性或可计算性。
Step 5: Obtaining a Singapore Judgment
第五步: 取得新加坡判决
If the Singapore court is satisfied that the Chinese court judgment fulfils all legal requirements with no valid defences that apply, it will issue a Singapore judgment in the Claimant’ s favour.
若新加坡法院认为中国法院的判决符合相关法律标准，且不存在适用的抗辩理由，即会作出支持原告请求的新加坡判决。
第五步: 取得新加坡判决
If the Singapore court is satisfied that the Chinese court judgment fulfils all legal requirements with no valid defences that apply, it will issue a Singapore judgment in the Claimant’ s favour.
若新加坡法院认为中国法院的判决符合相关法律标准，且不存在适用的抗辩理由，即会作出支持原告请求的新加坡判决。
[4] Enforcement Measures in Singapore
新加坡的执行措施
The Singapore judgment obtained can then be enforced to recover against the Defendant’ s assets in Singapore using the
usual domestic enforcement measures, which are:
一旦获得新加坡判决，原告即可依据本地执行程序，向被告在新加坡的资产进行强制执行。常见的执行方式包括：
新加坡的执行措施
The Singapore judgment obtained can then be enforced to recover against the Defendant’ s assets in Singapore using the
usual domestic enforcement measures, which are:
一旦获得新加坡判决，原告即可依据本地执行程序，向被告在新加坡的资产进行强制执行。常见的执行方式包括：
- a) an enforcement order for seizure and sale of property;
查封并拍卖财产的执行令； - b) an enforcement order for delivery or possession of property;
要求交付或占有财产的执行令； - c) an enforcement order for attachment of a debt;
债权扣押令； - d) an order for committal;
拘押令； - e) an order for bankruptcy or winding-up; or
宣告破产或公司清盘令； - f) an examination of the enforcement respondent
要求被执行人出庭接受财务状况审查的命令。
It is important to note that the Singapore court will not review the merits of a judgment of the Chinese courts.
须特别指出的是，新加坡法院不会对中国法院判决的实体内容进行实质性重新审理。
须特别指出的是，新加坡法院不会对中国法院判决的实体内容进行实质性重新审理。
[5] Limitations and Considerations
限制与注意事项
限制与注意事项
- a) Non-money judgments (e.g. injunctions) are generally not enforceable under common law;
非金钱性质的判决（如禁令）在普通法下通常不具可执行性； - b) The enforcement process can be time-consuming and costly, especially if the judgment debtor contests the claim; and
执行程序可能耗时且费用较高，尤其是在判决债务人提出抗辩的情形下； - c) Enforcement is highly dependent on the principles of private international law and the particular facts of the case.
判决能否执行高度依赖于国际私法原则及具体案件事实。
[6] Future Outlook
未来展望
Singapore and China are both not signatories to the 2019 Hague Judgments Convention, which provides a framework for reciprocal recognition and enforcement of court judgments. However, the Convention has not yet been acceded by either country and is not in force between them.
新加坡与中国均未签署《2019年海牙法院判决公约》，该公约为判决的跨境承认与执行提供制度框架。然而，两国目前尚未加入该公约，公约在两国之间尚未生效。
Until such international mechanisms are operational, parties seeking to enforce Chinese court judgments in Singapore must continue to rely on common law enforcement through fresh proceedings.
在国际机制正式落地前，寻求在新加坡执行中国法院判决的当事人仍需依赖普通法路径，通过重新提起民事诉讼实现执行。
未来展望
Singapore and China are both not signatories to the 2019 Hague Judgments Convention, which provides a framework for reciprocal recognition and enforcement of court judgments. However, the Convention has not yet been acceded by either country and is not in force between them.
新加坡与中国均未签署《2019年海牙法院判决公约》，该公约为判决的跨境承认与执行提供制度框架。然而，两国目前尚未加入该公约，公约在两国之间尚未生效。
Until such international mechanisms are operational, parties seeking to enforce Chinese court judgments in Singapore must continue to rely on common law enforcement through fresh proceedings.
在国际机制正式落地前，寻求在新加坡执行中国法院判决的当事人仍需依赖普通法路径，通过重新提起民事诉讼实现执行。
[7] Conclusion
结语
While Chinese court judgments cannot currently be registered for enforcement in Singapore, they may still be recognised and enforced by commencing a new civil action, provided the criteria for recognition are met.
尽管目前中国法院的判决尚无法直接在新加坡注册执行，但只要符合承认的条件，仍可通过提起新的民事诉讼在新加坡获得承认与执行。
结语
While Chinese court judgments cannot currently be registered for enforcement in Singapore, they may still be recognised and enforced by commencing a new civil action, provided the criteria for recognition are met.
尽管目前中国法院的判决尚无法直接在新加坡注册执行，但只要符合承认的条件，仍可通过提起新的民事诉讼在新加坡获得承认与执行。
Bibliography
- Memorandum of Guidance Between the Supreme People's Court of The People's Republic of China and The Supreme Court of Singapore on Recognition and Enforcement of Money Judgments in Commercial Case
- Order 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 22 Rules of Court 2021
- Hong Pian Tee v Les Placements Germain Gauthier Inc [2002] 1 SLR(R) 515, at [12]
- Poh Soon Kiat v Desert Palace Inc (trading as Caesars Palace) [2010] 1 SLR 1129 [13]‒[14]
- Hague Conference on Private International Law
