Lion City Stories 2026: Supreme Courts Tour

Most people walk past the Supreme Court (both the Former and Current). Step inside to discover its stories and the judicial heritage! Most of us have walked past these buildings without knowing what happens inside. This guided tour lifts the veil on Singapore's Judiciary, from the grand colonial courthouse that anchored the Padang in 1939 to the glass-and-steel building where cases are heard today. You will move through several stops over about two hours, each with its own story. You will learn how the courts are organised, who plays which role in a trial, and how the Judiciary sits alongside Legislative and the Executive. You will also hear about milestones in our legal history and a few high-profile cases that passed through these halls. What you will see and learn The Former Supreme Court (now part of National Gallery Singapore) • The neoclassical building completed in 1939 • The foyer, and the time capsule sealed beneath the foundation stone to be opened in the year 3000 • The board of former Chief Justices, tracing how Singapore's legal system grew from colonial roots to an independent Judiciary • The original holding cells where accused persons once waited to be called upstairs, and what they tell us about fair trial and human dignity Today's Supreme Court • The building's architecture: glass, steel, rosa aurora marble from Portugal, and the circular dome housing the Court of Appeal • The Learning Court, for an overview of the Singapore Courts and the roles of the judge, prosecutor, defence counsel, witnesses and court officers • The Judicial Heritage Gallery, covering our legal heritage, the Magna Carta replica, landmark cases and the move towards accessible justice • The Supreme Court Service Hub, to see the business side of justice and how technology is used in the courts • The limited time SGLaw200 exhibition • The Court of Appeal, and why Singapore's apex court matters to every other court • The Viewing Gallery on Level 8, where the Supreme Court, Parliament House and the Treasury Building come into view together, and the separation of powers becomes easy to visualise Sit in on a hearing If a hearing is open to the public on the day, the group may enter a courtroom in session and watch quietly for about 10 minutes. This depends on the court schedule and cannot be guaranteed. Your guide will brief you on courtroom etiquette beforehand. If there are no hearings, we will spend the time in the Learning Court instead. Good to know • Duration: about 2 hours, mostly on foot with some stairs, escalators and lifts. • Meeting point: Drop-off Point, Padang Atrium, National Gallery Singapore. Please arrive 10 minutes before the start time. • Security screening: You will need to undergo a security screening before entering the court buildings. This screening is similar to that at airports. When you enter, you will walk through a metal detector. Your belongings, including all food and drinks, will be screened via X-ray machines. Examples of items that are not allowed into the court buildings include: > Weapons, dangerous items and prohibited tobacco products as listed on the Health Sciences Authority website, including e-cigarettes. You will be referred to the police if you have these items. > Sharp objects such as scissors, pen knives and card knives. > Flammable items such as aerosol sprays. > Recording devices such as cameras, video cameras and voice recorders. You will be asked to leave such devices at the security counter when you enter. This list of prohibited items is not exhaustive. The security personnel will inform you if you have items that you must deposit at the security counter. • Photography: Photography and videography are not allowed inside the Supreme Court building, except in designated areas, which your guide will brief you. Photos are welcome at the Former Supreme Court. If in doubt, please ask your guide first. • Courtroom etiquette: Silence phones, no photography or recording, no food & drinks, and no speaking during proceedings. Your guide will brief you before you enter. • Dress code: You should be properly attired in smart casual manner, with long pants and shoes. Visitors who are dressed in a manner that is deemed by the courts to be inappropriate, indecent or offensive, may not be allowed to enter the court buildings, courtroom or chambers. • Stay with the group: This is a guided tour, so please stay with your guide throughout unless told otherwise. • Language: English language guided tour For more information on visiting the courts, please refer to https://www.judiciary.gov.sg/attending-court/guide-to-attending-court Please note that your guide will not offer legal advice.