Family Justice Courts (FJC)

ANNOUNCEMENT

With the exit of the circuit breaker, unless otherwise directed, all Court hearings in the Family Justice Courts 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.

From 17 May 2021, visitors to the Family Justice Courts building will be required to check in using the TraceTogether-only Safe Entry app or SafeEntry token. Completion of the Visitor Registration Form will continue to be a requirement for entry. Check-ins using the TraceTogether (Business) app or SafeEntry QR code using a regular phone camera or QR reader will not be allowed after 31 May 2021.

Please note the following:

The intake hours for both the Family Protection Centre and Maintenance Registry will be from 9am - 12pm, Monday to Friday except Public Holidays.

The Mental Capacity Act, Adoption and Probate Counter at MND Tower Block will be closed on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Public Holidays.

The Commissioner For Oaths (CFO) services are by appointment only.
For parties-in-person with proceedings in FJC who require CFO services, please fix an appointment through the relevant Registries. Alternatively, they can approach private law firms providing CFO services as prescribed under Rule 8 of the Commissioner for Oaths Rules (Cap 322, Rule 3).

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.

New Singapore Courts website (beta)

Try it out and let us know what you think.
(Currently limited to criminal law and selected civil law matters.)

Visit the beta website

At the Opening of the Legal Year 2021, CJ Menon spoke about the need to secure a fair criminal justice system, the legal landscape, post-pandemic and initiatives to advance the Rule of Law. Read CJ’s speech here.

Memorandum of Understanding was inked on 30 Dec between FJC and the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants on a Panel of Financial Experts to provide objective valuation of the matrimonial assets under contest. Click here to read more.

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 or Supervised Visits (SESV), the Divorce Support Specialist Agencies (DSSA) also provide remote access sessions through online platforms. The DSSAs have put in place safe management measures for the safety of the families and staff, which include putting staff on split-team arrangements and allowing fewer persons at the venue. This has resulted in fewer face-to-face SESV slots due to the reduced operational capacity. DSSAs will be providing a mix of face-to-face sessions with remote sessions to enable services to continue.