Supreme Court
1, St. Andrew's Road, Singpaore 178957
Civic District Trail 1, Marker 12

The Supreme Court was the first ever court in Singapore. Thus, it has witnessed numerous important cases. It was built between 1937 and 1939. It was designed by Frank Dorrington Ward, chief architect of the Public Works Department, and opened on 3 August 1939 by Sir Shenton Thomas, Governor of the Straits Settlements. The history associated with this landmark educates people about the justice situation of Singapore in the past, and how it is important to be united to maintain a low crime rate. It is located right next to City Hall.

The Supreme Court occupies the site of the former Hotel de L’Europe. The hotel opened in 1857, on the land formerly occupied by two bungalows designed by G. D. Coleman. Rebuilt in Edwardian Baroque style in 1907, it was a keen rival to Raffles Hotel. The site was taken over for the Supreme Court building in 1934 when the hotel closed for bankruptcy.
The building’s Corinthian columns are similar to City Hall while the dome is a miniature version of the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral in London. An Italian sculptor named Rodolpho Nolli crafted the large panel resting in the pediment, an Allegory of Justice.

The Supreme Court was the last of the great classical pre-war colonial buildings.