66.2.1 The foundation of the civil jurisdiction of a court in Singapore is statutory. The relevant statutes are the Supreme Court of Judicature Act, Cap 322, 1999 Ed (and corresponding provisions in the Subordinate Courts Act, Cap 321, 1999 Ed). Service of originating process on the defendant is the foundation of the jurisdiction of the court. There are two basic concepts that underlie the question of jurisdiction in cross-border disputes. First, there must be a legal connection between the case or the defendant and Singapore for jurisdiction to exist. Secondly, given the degree of connection of the case with Singapore and with other countries, the Singapore court may not exercise its jurisdiction unless it is satisfied that it is the most appropriate forum for the dispute. It should also be noted that there is a threshold test for the merits of the case that is related to but distinct from jurisdictional considerations. A weak case on jurisdictional considerations cannot be strengthened by testing the merits of the case; conversely a hopeless case on the merits cannot be strengthened by strong jurisdictional considerations (Bradley Lomas Electrolok Ltd v Colt Ventilation East Asia Pte Ltd [2000] 1 SLR 673; The Rainbow Joy [2005] SGCA 36).