To tackle this, a specialised court manned by legally-qualified Justices of the Peace has been set up to deal with these disputes.

Figures from the Subordinate Court's Centre for Research, eNovation and Statistics show a 56 per cent increase in the number of magistrate's complaints filed over a three-year period.

In 2004, 2,367 complaints were filed. The number has grown steadily to 3,716 last year.

These complaints, lodged by individuals, are essentially social and neighbourly disputes.

Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong, speaking at the Subordinate Courts Workplan Seminar on Friday, said this trend was not surprising given the high population density in Singapore.

He announced that a new Neighbourhood Court will be set up to deal wth such disputes. It will start hearing cases from May 15.

The court will adopt a 'problem-solving approach'. Parties are expected to make a serious effort to sort out their differences at the Community Mediation Centre before having their case heard in the Neighbourhood Court.

CJ Chan will also appoint legally qualified JPs as Magistrates to preside at these trials.