FAQs

How will hearings after the Circuit Breaker period be conducted?

Hearings will be conducted as far as possible through electronic means of communication i.e. video conferencing and telephone conferencing. Do note that all hearings conducted through such means will be recorded and the recordings will constitute the official record of hearing for the purposes of Rule 611 of the Family Justice Rules. 

All parties are to ensure that the preparation, presentation and conduct of their cases do not breach safe distancing measures in place at the relevant time. 

Masks are to be worn in FJC premises at all times. However, during the course of court proceedings, to facilitate the proper administration of justice, you may remove your masks only when speaking or giving evidence in order for you to be clearly heard by all and to ensure accurate official recording of the proceedings.

Litigants-in-person who do not have access to an electronic device capable of supporting video conferencing should inform the FJC Registry at fjcourts_maintpos@fjcourts.gov.sg (for maintenance and personal protection matters) and fjcourts_family_registry@fjcourts.gov.sg (for all other matters). 

Video conferencing facilities will be made available at the FJC premises at either 3 Havelock Square or at 5 Maxwell Road #04-00 Tower Block MND Complex to assist such litigants. 

Parties who may have other concerns or difficulties with proceeding by way of a remote hearing should likewise inform the Court, which may at its discretion schedule a physical hearing instead. 

Masks are to be worn in the court premises at all times; unless directed otherwise

4

My matter is urgent. How do I go about requesting for it to be heard after the Circuit Breaker period?

You may email the FJC Registry at fjcourts_maintpos@fjcourts.gov.sg for maintenance and family protection matters and fjcourts_family_registry@fjcourts.gov.sg for divorce and all other matters on any urgent query with the email subject stating the relevant details such as, “[Urgent Query][Case Number][Case Name]”, as may be applicable. 

If you are an eLitigation subscriber, you may file your request through eLitigation using the form “Other Hearing Related request”. Do note you must provide reasons explaining why the matter is essential and urgent. Further, in making such a request, parties should note paragraphs 4 (a) – (c) of the Registrar’s Circular No. 1 of 2020.

5.  

Will the FJC Registry Counters continue to operate?

 6.  

What do I do if I need to submit documents to the Court? 

For filings using the eLitigation system, you may continue to file documents electronically through the eLitigation system and send by AR registered post soft copy documents contained in CD-ROMs (as may be applicable) to the Court.

For Maintenance (MSS) and Family Violence (SS) cases, you are strongly encouraged to submit your documents/affidavits online via iFAMS using your SingPass. Once you have logged in, please select the ‘File AEIC / documents for hearing’ option under the ‘Applications and requests’ section and proceed as guided.

If you are directed to exchange documents with the other party/parties, please do so electronically via email or through normal mail.

 7.  

Is the Chinatown Point Service Bureau still open?

The Chinatown Point Service Bureau will resume operations on 2 June 2020.

For more information, please refer to https://www.elitigation.sg. 

8.

Are judgements still being delivered?

As per the Registrar’s Circular No. 1 of 2020, the Court may continue to deliver judgements during this period.

9.

Are Commissioners for Oaths (CFO) services open?

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 CJC located at the FJC premises will resume operations on 2 June 2020. 

11.

Am I allowed to come to FJC to make a PPO or VAA application?

Yes, however you are strongly encouraged to complete your Personal Protection Order (PPO) or Vulnerable Adults Act (VAA) application online via iFAMS using your SingPass before proceeding to FJC at Havelock Square to complete the application process within the application hours below. The draft application will be kept in the system for 28 days until you are able to attend in person for processing. 

We seek your understanding as some delays may occur during this period.

12.

I do not have access to a smart device and thus cannot access iFAMS how do I file my PPO application?

You may proceed to the Family Protection Centre, located at FJC at Havelock Square, where the Registry staff will assist you during the operating hours below.

13.

Who can I contact in relation to my queries on my family protection and Vulnerable Adults matters?

You may email the FJC Registry at fjcourts_maintpos@fjcourts.gov.sg.

14.

Am I allowed to come to FJC to make a maintenance application?

Yes, however you are strongly encouraged to complete your maintenance application online via iFAMS using your SingPass before proceeding to FJC at Havelock Square to complete the application process within the application hours below. The draft application will be kept in the system for 28 days until you are able to attend in person for processing. 

We seek your understanding as some delays may occur during this period.

15.

I have lost my job/my earnings have reduced as a result of COVID-19. How can I vary or postpone maintenance payment?

You may proceed to file an application to vary your maintenance (iFAMS court order) payment online via iFAMS using your SingPass before proceeding to FJC at Havelock Square to complete the application process within the application hours below. The draft application will be kept in the system for 28 days until you are able to attend in person for processing. 

If you are varying the divorce court order regarding maintenance, you would need to make the appropriate application by way of summons. To make the application, you may wish to engage a lawyer or file the appropriate documents through the eLitigation System. 

We seek your understanding as some delays may occur during this period.

You may wish to visit the MSF website for information pertaining the Temporary Relief Fund.

16.

Who can I contact in relation to my queries on Maintenance?

You may email the FJC Registry at fjcourts_maintpos@fjcourts.gov.sg.

17.

I am separated/divorced and my spouse/ex-spouse has care and control of my child(ren). I see my children as per access arrangements. Can these access arrangements continue?

If you are divorced and your children take turns to live with you and your ex-spouse, this arrangement can continue but do keep changes to a minimum, where possible, to lower the risk of transmission across different households. 

Please refer to the regulation here. 

18.

Is court ordered Divorce Support Specialist Agency supervised visitation or supervised exchange available?

From 2nd June onwards, Divorce Support Specialist Agencies (DSSAs) will be resuming services in phases. Safe management measures will be in place to safeguard the health and safety of all staff and clients.
 
As part of DSSAs’ enhanced measures, SESV slots will be reduced. In lieu of this, DSSAs will offer remote access services via online platforms.
 
DSSAs will be contacting their clients accordingly on the arrangements. If you need further information, please email dssaprogrammes@msf.gov.sg. 

What do I do if my spouse/ ex-spouse and I disagree on access arrangements?

In the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic and the Safe Management 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. 

Due to the extension of the Circuit Breaker, the Ministry of Education has announced that the June school holidays have been brought forward to fall from 5 May 2020 to 1 June 2020 (inclusive).  Additionally, there will be a one-week mid-term break from 20 to 26 July 2020. How will this impact my Court Orders referring to June school holidays?

Any reference to the June or mid-year school holiday in any Court order shall refer to the revised dates from 5 May 2020 to 1 June 2020 (inclusive). Any reference to any particular week or alternating week or half of the June or mid-year school holidays will also be interpreted in relation to the revised dates from 5 May 2020 to 1 June 2020 (inclusive). 

The one-week mid-term break will be classified as school holidays for the purposes of school holiday access

21.

Who can I contact in relation to my queries on Access Arrangements?

You may email the FJC Registry at fjcourts_family_registry@fjcourts.gov.sg.

22.

Am I allowed to come to FJC to make a Family Guidance Order (FGO) (replaces the former Beyond Parental Control order) application?

Parents or guardians can go to the appointed agencies to initiate the FGO application. Currently the appointed agencies are Singapore Children’s Society and Epworth Community Services. Please click here for more details.

23.

Who can I contact in relation to my queries on matters pertaining the Youth Court?

You may email the FJC Registry at fjcourts_maintpos@fjcourts.gov.sg and address your query to the Youth Courts team.

24.

I have a Counselling session/Family Conference session/Child Evaluation Report interview with a Court Family Specialist. Is this adjourned?

The above sessions are ordered by the Court and will not be adjourned without permission from the Court. These sessions will be conducted via phone, video conferencing and/or face to face. You will be contacted by the Court Family Specialist to make suitable arrangement for your session.

25.

Who can I contact in relation to my queries on Mediation and Counselling?

You may email the FJC Registry at fjcourts_family_registry@fjcourts.gov.sg.

26.

Who can I contact in relation to my queries on matters relating to Mental Capacity, Adoption and Probate (MAP)?

You may email the FJC Registry at fjcourts_maintpos@fjcourts.gov.sg or call our telephone lines at 6435 5864 (Probate) and 6325 7619 (Mental Capacity and Adoption).