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Judicial review
The role of court and judiciary in the areas of environmental protection and sustainable development

The role of judiciary in Singapore

Purposive approach
- Singapore courts have favored the purposive approach in the interpretation of environmental statutes in order to determine their underlying purpose and object. The purposive approach need not be inconsistent with individualized justice - the accused may deserve to be punished, consistent with the object of the statute. Nonetheless, it may well be that in adopting a purposive approach, courts, faced with two or more interpretations, may choose one which advances the object of he statute rather than one which favors the accused. It should also be noted that in some cases, it does not make a difference which rule of interpretation is adopted - whether the literal rule or the purposive rule - the end result is the same.

Finding out the purpose
1. Be that as it may, section 9A of the 1993 Interpretation Act gives the courts ample armoury to find out the purpose of an Act and this could advance the cause of environment law in Singapore.

Upholding the rule of law
2. Courts have also recognized the importance of environmental concerns. Some cases may be examined to illustrate the positive role that Singapore courts have played in upholding the 'rule of law' in the area of the environment. (more….) Link this to cases related to the environment in Singapore