Can civil cases affect EP renewals?

GuestPoster44Guest09 May 2024 16:46:56

Hi all, have seen related topics posted before and with some helpful answers. Hoping someone can also provide some insight into my specific case.

I filed a small claims tribunal case against my landlord (classic dispute over who has to pay for aircon repair, etc) to be heard later this month. Out of spite, he filed a "protection against harassment" claim against me (for texting his agent that he is a "greedy a**hole), to be heard in early June in the "Protection against harassment" civil court. The most serious listed outcome of that is a court order to "stop using vulgarity", and there is an option in the CJTS portal to agree to that and potentially end the case.

At the same time, my current EP is currently being reviewed by MoM for a 3-year renewal (submitted in the first week of May).

My question is, could either of these civil cases influence the MoM's EP renewal decision? The more worrisome of which is the "PHC" court case - does anyone know if the court order would show up on searchable public records if I just agree to it? I've already asked a lawyer who could not answer that particular question and actually recommends I fight the claim in court (no doubt with some $$$ for his services).

Any insight would be appreciated. Thank you

beppi Germany/Singapore Expert

Member since 08 August 2010

Germany & Singapore Expert

beppiGermany/Singapore Expert09 May 2024 21:06:26

15584

Calling someone a "greedy a**hole" is harassment and thus a criminal offense - not a private matter between you and the landlord.

Having a conviction for harassment will certainly affect your next EP renewal. But since your current renewal is before the court case, you are probably "supposed innocent until declared guilty".

GuestPoster44 Guest

GuestPoster44Guest09 May 2024 23:03:06

@beppi the case is not a criminal case. it is a civil matter brought by the landlord in protection from harassment court (adjacent to SCT), not by the police in a criminal court. Im wondering what bearing civil cases have on EP renewal.

for whatever its worth, it is likely the landlord went to the police who deemed the matter too insignificant to press charges.