This guide aims to explain the Singapore legal and prison system to British Nationals who are arrested and imprisoned in Singapore.

Who can help?

The FCO is represented overseas by its Embassies (High Commissions in Commonwealth countries). Both employ consular officers, and one of their jobs is to provide help and advice to any Briton who gets into difficulty in a foreign country.

About the High Commission

We are impartial, we are not here to judge you. We aim to make sure that you are treated properly and fairly in accordance with Singapore regulations, and that you are treated no less favourably than other prisoners. 

We can answer questions about your welfare and about prison regulations but you must ask your lawyer or the court about legal matters. A list of lawyers is provided by the British High Commission for your convenience, but neither Her Majesty’s Government, nor any official of the High Commission, take any responsibility for the competence or probity of any firm/advocate on the list or for the consequences of any legal action initiated or advice given.

We cannot get you out of prison, pay fines or stand bail or interfere in local judicial procedures to get you out of prison nor secure you an earlier trial date; we cannot investigate a crime.

We have tried to make sure that the information in this booklet is accurate and up to date, but the British High Commission cannot accept legal responsibility for any errors or omissions in the information. If in doubt, contact a lawyer. 

Contact Information:
British High Commission
100 Tanglin Road
Singapore 247919

Tel: (65) 6424 4200
Fax: (65) 6424 4264
Web: www.ukinsingapore.fco.gov.uk
E-mail: Singapore-Consular@fco.gov.uk

Working Hours:
Monday to Friday: 08h30 – 13h00 / 14h00 – 17h00

Prisoners abroad

For more than 20 years the charity Prisoners Abroad has offered practical support and advice to Britons imprisoned overseas. It is the only UK charily providing this service and it is available to all, whether guilty or innocent, convicted or not.

Download Prisoner information pack