ANNOUNCEMENT
With the exit of the circuit breaker, unless otherwise directed by the Court, all Court hearings in the Family Justice Courts scheduled from 2 June 2020 onwards will be conducted by way of remote hearing through video conferencing or telephone conferencing where appropriate. Mediation and counselling sessions will likewise proceed by remote means in appropriate cases. Please note that wef 2 June 2020 (Post CB), the intake hours for both the Family Protection Centre and Maintenance Registry will be from 9am - 12pm, Monday to Friday except Public Holidays. The Commissioner For Oaths (CFO) services will be closed, except for those who have fixed an appointment through the relevant Registries. Alternatively, deponents can approach private law firms providing CFO services as prescribed under Rule 8 of the Commissioner for Oaths Rules (Cap 322, Rule 3). The Mental Capacity Act, Adoption and Probate Counter at MND Tower Block will be closed on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Public Holidays. Health and safety protocols will continue to be in force to minimise the risk of the transmission of COVID-19. Please click here for more information. Please click here for the latest message from the Chief Justice and here for the Registrar’s Circular No. 4 of 2020.
In the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic and the Circuit Breaker measures put in place by the Government to counteract this health crisis, parents are reminded to discharge their responsibilities by cooperating with each other, and act sensibly and safely in all arrangements made for their child(ren). Turning to the Court should be the last resort. Parents should communicate with each other, or through their lawyers (if any), regarding existing orders relating to access. They should work together to find practical and suitable solutions to access issues, and any other child-related issues that arise, bearing in mind the best interests of their child(ren) and the need to comply with the measures put in place by the Government.
Kenneth Yap Registrar, Family Justice Courts 7 April 2020
Child(ren) access arrangements
With the revision to the COVID-19 (temporary measures) Act 2020 on the restrictions on the movement of people, parents are allowed to transfer temporary custody or care of a child pursuant to any agreement regarding the access rights of a parent of the child, or in discharge of a legal obligation. Please refer to the regulation here. For Court-ordered Supervised Exchange and Supervised Visits, affected parents can contact the Ministry of Social and Family Development by email: dssaprogrammes@msf.gov.sg or phone: 6324 0024 as Divorce Support Specialist Agencies have suspended their services during this period.
The One Judiciary Annual Report 2019 - which sets out the achievements and priorities of the Supreme Court, the State Courts and the Family Justice Courts - has just been published. Click here to read the report.
Judiciary Times Issue No. 1 of 2020 Includes the highlights of the Opening of the Legal Year 2020, the Judiciary's response to COVID-19 pandemic and update on recommendations by Committee to Review and Enhance Reforms in the Family Justice System
For the first time, the Singapore Judiciary and DBS Bank have come together to organise a Hackathon, aimed at enhancing access to Justice. Watch this space for more updates.
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