5.0 Singapore was, until 1959, a British colony.2 Not unlike many other former British colonies, Singapore inherited the English common law tradition. The heavy influence of English common law in Singapore is therefore evident in areas such as contract, tort, trusts and equity. Some of the English statutes remain applicable in Singapore; in particular, as will be discussed later, the Marine Insurance Act 1906 (UK)3 regulates the law of marine insurance in Singapore. Following a brief description of sources of Singapore law, the Singapore judicial system and jurisdiction, we will consider the Singapore court’s approach to the various aspects of the law of marine insurance. The general body of English law described in is applicable in Singapore. Where there are differences or additions in Singapore’s jurisprudence, these will be pointed out in the course of this chapter.