Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA): Singapore's primary data protection legislation that governs the collection, use, and disclosure of personal data. For recommendation letters, ensures proper handling of student information, requires consent for sharing personal data, and mandates compliance with data protection obligations.
Defamation Act: Legal framework protecting against false statements that harm reputation. When writing recommendation letters, statements must be truthful, factual, and non-defamatory, while maintaining professional assessment standards.
Private Education Act: Regulates private education institutions in Singapore. Relevant when writing recommendations for students applying to or from private educational institutions, ensuring compliance with institutional standards.
Education Act: Primary legislation governing education in Singapore. Provides framework for educational standards and practices that may influence the content and context of recommendation letters.
Common Law - Duty of Care: Legal principle requiring reasonable care in making statements that others may rely upon. Ensures recommendation letters are written with due diligence and professional responsibility.
Common Law - Negligent Misrepresentation: Legal principle preventing false or misleading statements made carelessly. Requires that all statements in recommendation letters are accurate and can be substantiated.
Professional Standards and Ethics: Non-legislative guidelines governing professional conduct in academic and educational contexts. Ensures recommendations maintain high ethical standards and professional integrity.
Institutional Policies: Internal rules and guidelines set by educational institutions regarding the format, content, and procedure for writing recommendation letters.
