Voluntarily causing hurt is one of the most commonly encountered offences under the Penal Code. Yet many people are unsure of what legally counts as “hurt,” whether a slap is an offence, how the law treats provocation, and when a situation escalates into “grievous hurt.”
This guide explains the law clearly and practically, with examples, case references, possible penalties, and insights into what courts typically consider. Throughout, we also highlight where early legal advice can make a difference, especially if you are being investigated.
Table of Contents
- What Counts as Voluntarily Causing Hurt
- Hurt vs Grievous Hurt
- When Anger Takes Over — Provocation
- Slight Harm That Is Not an Offence
- Accidental, Negligent & Rash Conduct
- Voluntarily Causing Grievous Hurt
- Possible Penalties for Causing Hurt & Grievous Hurt
- Practical Everyday Hypotheticals
- When You Should Seek Legal Advice — And How GJC Law Supports You
- FAQs Voluntarily Causing Hurt in Singapore
What Counts as Voluntarily Causing Hurt
Under Section 319 of the Penal Code 1871 (“Penal Code”), “hurt” includes bodily pain, disease or infirmity. It is not necessary for the hurt to be visible, such as a bruise or bleeding.
Why this point is critical:
Many people assume that “pain” or “minor injuries” are not considered “hurt”. In reality, many incidents reported to the police fall into this category.
Under Section 321 of the Penal Code, a person voluntarily causes hurt if all three elements are present:
- Intention to cause hurt or Knowledge that the act is likely to cause hurt; and
- Hurt was actually caused.
Examples of acts that may legally qualify as causing hurt:
- A slap that causes pain
- Punches resulting in bruises
- A forceful grip that causes pain
- Twisting someone’s arm resulting in swelling
- Shoving someone who falls and sprains a wrist
How GJC Law can help at this stage:
Most clients approach us right after the police have contacted them and before the charges are served.
We help you understand:
- The investigation process
- Whether your situation constitutes an offence
- What defence may apply
- Whether early representations can be made to reduce the charges
- What evidence should be preserved immediately
Hurt vs Grievous Hurt
One of the biggest misconceptions is that “hurt” and “grievous hurt” depend only on how hard someone was hit.
Legally, the difference lies in the outcome of the injury, not just the act.
What counts as “hurt”?
Short-term pain or minor injuries:
- Bruises
- Scratches
- Temporary pain
- Mild swelling
- Redness or soreness
What counts as “grievous hurt”?
Grievous hurt includes injury that is:
- Serious
- Permanent
- Severe
- Life-threatening
Section 320 of the Penal Code lists the following as grievous hurt:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Permanent disability | Loss of sight, loss of hearing |
| Permanent injury to limbs/joints | Tendon rupture, impaired mobility |
| Permanent disfiguration | Deep facial cuts, broken chin, broken skull |
| Fractures or dislocations | Broken finger, fractured nose, dislocated shoulder |
| Life-endangering injuries | Deep stab wound, high-impact fall injury |
| Inability to perform daily activities for 20 days due to severe bodily pain | Bed rest from severe sprain or deep tissue injury |
| Penetrative injuries causing severe bodily pain | Non-consensual penetration causing severe bodily pain |
Where GJC Law assists:
When clients come to us, the biggest question is:
Will this be classified as hurt or grievous hurt?
This classification affects the potential charges and sentences. We assist to review medical reports, photographs and evidence to assess the appropriate category and challenge any inaccurate charges.
When Anger Takes Over — Provocation
Many people ask:
“If the person insulted me first, can I claim provocation?”
The law allows this, but only in limited circumstances.
Requirements for “grave and sudden provocation”
Subjective test
You must have genuinely lost self-control.
Objective test
A reasonable person in your position would also have lost self-control.
Some illustrations:
- Insults about appearance: usually insufficient
- Threats of serious harm: possibly sufficient
- Long-standing resentment: not sudden enough
- Mild teasing: not grave enough
Reduced Penalties for Provoked Acts
Your charge may be reduced to a lesser one which carries a lower penalty if there was grave and sudden provocation.
Where GJC Law helps
Provocation cases are very fact-sensitive.
We help clients:
- Build a timeline of events
- Present the emotional context clearly
Slight Harm That Is Not an Offence
Section 95 of the Penal Code provides protection for very minor acts where:
- Harm is so slight
- That a person of “ordinary sense and temper” would not complain
Examples that often fall under Section 95:
- Playful tap on arm
- Light push with no pain
- Gentle flick of an ear
- High-five that stings momentarily
However:
- Intentional acts
- Acts done in anger
- Acts likely to cause pain
…usually fall outside this protection.
Accidental, Negligent & Rash Conduct causing hurt
It is also an offence to cause hurt to someone by doing an act so rashly or negligently that it endangers human life or the personal safety of others.
Negligence
Negligence means failing to exercise reasonable care. For example, leaving a sharp object on a chair resulting in another person sitting on it.
Penalties:
- Up to 6 months’ jail, or
- Up to $2,500 fine, or both
Rash Acts
A rash act means an act where the risk was clearly foreseeable. For example, throwing a hard object into a crowd of people resulting in another person being hit by the object.
Penalties:
- Up to 1 year’s jail, or
- Up to $5,000 fine, or both
Where GJC Law helps
Many clients charged under these provisions did not intend harm.
We help:
- Reconstruct events
- Show lack of negligence or rashness
- Use evidence and prepare witnesses to present your case
Voluntarily Causing Grievous Hurt
This applies where:
- Intention to cause grievous hurt or Knowledge that the act is likely to cause grievous hurt; and
- Grievous hurt was actually caused.
Penalties
- Up to 10 years’ jail, and
- Shall be liable to fine and/or caning
Using dangerous weapons or means can lead to:
- Life imprisonment, or
- Up to 15 years’ jail and shall be liable to fine and/or caning
Where GJC Law helps
We examine:
- Whether the injury truly qualifies as grievous hurt
- Whether intention is established
- Whether the accused only intended “hurt”
- Whether reducing the charge is possible
This is often where early intervention may change the outcomes.
Possible Penalties for Causing Hurt & Grievous Hurt
| Scenario | Hurt | Grievous Hurt |
|---|---|---|
| Voluntarily | Up to 3 years’ jail, $5,000 fine, or both | Up to 10 years’ jail, fine, caning |
| Voluntarily with dangerous weapon/means | Up to 7 years’ jail, fine, caning | Life imprisonment, or up to 15 years’ jail, fine, caning |
Practical Everyday Hypotheticals
-
“I slapped someone during an argument.”
- Likely hurt
- Possible jail term
- Severity depends on context and injury
- “I pushed someone who insulted me.”
- If slight pain → possible to seek a warning only
- If bruising → hurt
- If fracture → grievous hurt
-
“I injured someone when things heated up.”
- Could be a rash conduct or voluntarily causing hurt depending on the situation and your intention.
-
“The injury is small — just a bruise.”
- A bruise is considered “hurt” under the Penal Code.
When You Should Seek Legal Advice — And How GJC Law Supports You
Facing a hurt-related accusation can be confusing and stressful. Many clients only realise the seriousness after receiving:
- A police call
- A request for a statement
- A notice to attend investigation
- A formal charge
Early legal guidance is crucial, and this is where we come in.
At GJC Law, we assist clients in:
- Understanding what offence applies
- Assessing whether injuries meet “hurt” or “grievous hurt” thresholds
- Preparing representations to reduce or prevent charges
- Protecting your rights during police interviews
- Gathering medical and factual evidence early
- Mitigation to seek a lower sentence if you wish to plead guilty
Our experience handling a wide range of hurt and grievous hurt cases allows us to guide clients strategically through both pre-court and court processes.
If you believe you may face investigation, even if the incident feels minor, speak to us early.
Proper guidance at the start can change the entire trajectory of your case.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Voluntarily Causing Hurt in Singapore
It refers to intentionally or knowingly causing bodily pain to another person.
Yes. Even a single slap that causes pain qualifies as hurt and may result in a charge.
Hurt involves minor pain or short-term injury. Grievous hurt involves severe, permanent, or life-endangering injuries.
Yes. Grave and sudden provocation may lead to a lesser charge with lower penalties, but it does not fully excuse the act.
If the harm is extremely slight, Section 95 of the Penal Code may apply, meaning no offence is committed.
Yes. It may be an offence if the injury was caused by negligent or rash acts that endanger safety.
Up to 3 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. Penalties increase if weapons are used.
Up to 10 years’ imprisonment, plus fine and/or caning. With dangerous weapons, imprisonment may extend to 15 years or life.
Yes. Bruises, swelling, or stinging sensations may still legally qualify as hurt.
Immediately if police contact you or you suspect a report has been made. Early advice helps protect your rights.
