MinLaw, MSF: Family Justice Reform Bill to Streamline Court Proceedings

The Family Justice Reform Bill was introduced for first reading in Parliament last April 20, with the goal of streamlined family proceedings in court and further "sustainable maintenance outcomes." 

According to a press release by the Ministry of Law (MinLaw) and the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), the bill aims to amend multiple legislations, including the Family Justice Act, the Women's Charter, and the Guardianship of Infants Act.

Its proposed reforms are among the MinLaw, MSF, and Family Justice Courts' efforts to bolster the "therapeutic justice elements" in Singapore's family justice system in a bid to help families in distress and expand litigants' access to justice.

The bill will implement recommendations by the Committee to Review and Enhance Reforms (RERF Committee), among which is to promote efficiency in court proceedings by prohibiting the filing of any further application without approval from the court. The bill will likewise improve the “judge-led” approach in family proceedings and simplify court terminology so the public can easily understand what goes on in the proceedings.

Moreover, the bill proposes the establishment of a new Maintenance Enforcement Process (MEP) to streamline applications regarding non-payment of maintenance orders. The current mediation process will also be changed to a conciliation process under a new group of Maintenance Enforcement Officers (MEOs).

To learn more about the Family Justice Reform Bill, go here.