The applicability in Singapore of the principle of reasonable access to land open for public use

Abstract

The focus of this thesis is on the changing position in some common-law jurisdictions towards moderating the landownera??s exclusory powers, depending on the use to which the land is put. Accordingly, recent years have seen a move away from the a??arbitrary exclusion rulea?? towards a a??reasonable access rulea??, under which owners of land open for public use may nowadays exclude members of the public only on grounds that are objectively and communicable reasonable. The recognition of the principle of reasonable public access cuts both ways: it provides a clear ground of the exclusion of unreasonable users, but also guarantees access during reasonable behaviour.This paper considers the Singapore position on the this principle of reasonableness. Additionally, an overview of the approaches taken in other common-law jurisdictions, namely Australia, Canada, United Kingdom and United States, provides a comparative basis for the position taken in Singapore.