Public Consultation on the Recommendations from the Committee to Review and Enhance Reforms in the Family Justice System

19 SEP 2019

19 Sep 2019 Posted in Press releases

  1. The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and the Ministry of Law (MinLaw) have received recommendations from the Committee to Review and Enhance Reforms in the Family Justice System (RERF Committee).

  2. The recommendations aim to further strengthen the family justice system with a focus on supporting and healing families. We invite members of the public to give their views on the recommendations on the Government e-consultation portal, REACH (go.gov.sg/rerf) from 20 September to 1 November 2019.

RERF Committee’s Recommendations

  1. The RERF Committee has proposed recommendations for the Government, judiciary and community partners to work together to strengthen support for families. The three key areas of recommendations are summarised below. See Annex B for more details.
    1. Couples considering divorce will receive more upstream support
      • Enhance existing Mandatory Parenting Programme for divorcing parties with children under 21
      • Easier access to divorce-related support services on a single online platform
      • Encourage use of counselling and mediation before parties file for divorce
      • Strengthen capabilities of professionals providing divorce support to better assist divorcing parties
    2. Enhancements to the family justice system to achieve better family outcomes
      • Enhance the judge-led approach for the just, expeditious and economical disposal of proceedings.
      • Simplify the Family Justice Rules which will result in simpler procedures, more timely processes and increased affordability.
      • Broadening the enforcement regime for child access orders to promote compliance.
      • Facilitate access to more affordable legal services in order to enhance access to justice.
    3. Providing more protection for persons without mental capacity and more support for their caregivers
      • Simplify the deputyship application process to make it simpler and more affordable for caregivers who require deputyship powers.
      • Provide training and support for appointed and prospective deputies to better understand their role and obligations.
      • Facilitate use of counselling and mediation for dispute resolution and to better support deputies who may face caregiver stress.
      • Enhance the Office of the Public Guardian’s (OPG) supervision of deputies so that appropriate intervention can be rendered for cases facing challenges.
      • Build up capabilities of professionals in the social sector to better support caregivers of those who have lost mental capacity.

Public Consultation

  1. Public consultation on this report will be hosted on the Government e-consultation portal, REACH (go.gov.sg/rerf) for 6 weeks from 20 September to 1 November 2019. The report of the RERF Committee can also be downloaded there.
  1. All views and feedback may be sent in electronic form or hard copy form. Please title all comments and feedback “Consultation on RERF Committee’s recommendations” and send them to the address below:
  • Share your views with MinLaw and MSF: consultations@msf.gov.sg OR
  • Post to:

Family Development Group

Ministry of Social and Family Development

#04-02, 20 Lengkok Bahru,

Singapore 159053

ISSUED BY
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT AND MINISTRY OF LAW
19 SEPTEMBER 2019

Annex A: Infographic (930KB)
Annex B: Frequently Asked Questions (520KB)
Annex D: About the RERF Committee (459KB)

Last updated on 20 Sep 2019