PART 22: ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
193. Personal data
194. Operating hours of the Family Justice Courts
195. Hours for the sittings of the Family Justice Courts
196. Use of video or telephone conferencing for hearings
197. Technology facilities in Supreme Court building
198. Citation of case numbers
199. Requests and other correspondence
200. Request for court interpreters
201. Authorisation for collection of Court documents or mail
202. The Friends of Litigant-in-Person (“FLiP”) Scheme
193. Personal data
(1) For the purposes of the following sub-paragraphs:
(a) “personal data” has the same meaning as defined in the Personal Data Protection Act 2012; and
(b) “data subject” means a person whose personal data appears in any document filed in the Registry or an electronic cause book or register maintained by the Registry.
Consent to collection, use or disclosure of personal data
(2) Consent for the collection, use or disclosure of personal data contained in any document filed with, served on, delivered or otherwise conveyed to the Registrar need not be obtained.
(3) Pursuant to Part 26, Rules 3(1) to (3) of the Family Justice (General) Rules 2024, the Registrar may compile and maintain electronic cause books and registers by extracting information, including personal data, contained in any document filed with, served on, delivered or otherwise conveyed to the Registrar.
Access to personal data
(4) Contained in documents filed with, served on, delivered or otherwise conveyed to the Registrar. A data subject who wishes to access his or her personal data contained in any document filed with, served on, delivered or otherwise conveyed to the Registrar must comply with the applicable provisions in the Family Justice (General) Rules 2024 and these Practice Directions relating to the access to and inspection of case files. A data subject is not entitled to request information about the ways in which his or her personal data contained in any document filed with, served on, delivered or otherwise conveyed to the Registrar has been used or disclosed.
(5) Contained in electronic cause books and registers maintained by the Registry. A data subject who wishes to access his or her personal data contained in any electronic cause book or register must conduct a search through the Electronic Filing Service at a service bureau or at the Registry and must pay the fees prescribed by the Third Schedule to the Family Justice (General) Rules 2024. A data subject is not entitled to request information about the ways in which his or her personal data contained in any electronic cause book or register has been used or disclosed.
Correction of personal data
(6) Contained in documents filed with, served on, delivered or otherwise conveyed to the Registrar. A data subject who wishes to correct any error or omission in his or her personal data in any document filed with, served on, delivered or otherwise conveyed to the Registrar must comply with the applicable provisions in the Family Justice (General) Rules 2024 and these Practice Directions relating to the amendment of the relevant document.
(7) Contained in electronic cause books and registers maintained by the Registry. A data subject who wishes to correct any error or omission of his or her personal data in any electronic cause book or register maintained by the Registry must comply with the following procedure:
(a) The request to correct the error or omission must be made in writing by the data subject or by his or her solicitor, together with the reason for the requested correction. The request must clearly identify the record and the personal data to be corrected;
(b) If the data subject is not represented, his or her identification and contact details should also be included in the request, and his or her identification document (including physical or digital identity card) should be produced for verification when requested; and
(c) The following documents should accompany the request:
(i) recent copy of the record identifying the error or omission; and
(ii) supporting document(s) to substantiate the proposed correction.
This sub-paragraph does not apply if the personal data can be corrected by the data subject through the IELS.
(8) Where a correction is made pursuant to a request under sub-paragraph (7), any information that is licensed for use under paragraph 123(16) will be updated accordingly with the corrected personal data.
194. Operating hours of the Family Justice Courts
The various courts, offices and counters within the Family Justice Courts have different operating hours. These operating hours may be found on the Singapore Courts website at http://www.judiciary.gov.sg.
195. Hours for the sittings of the Family Justice Courts
The hours for the sittings of the Family Justice Courts shall be as follows, subject to the presiding judicial officer’s discretion in any case to conclude a sitting at such earlier or later time as he or she may direct:
196. Use of video or telephone conferencing for hearings
(1) These directions apply to hearings to be conducted by video or telephone conferencing, as directed by the Court.
Guidelines for video and telephone conferencing
(2) A set of guidelines (“Guidelines”) shall govern the scope, use and procedure for the conduct of hearings by video or telephone conferencing. The Guidelines are found on the Singapore Courts website at http://www.judiciary.gov.sg and solicitors / parties are to abide by and familiarise themselves with the Guidelines for hearings conducted by video or telephone conferencing. The Guidelines may be amended where necessary.
(3) Solicitors / parties shall ensure that their equipment meets the required technical specifications and that they are familiar with the applicable platform listed in the Guidelines.
Directions for hearing by video and telephone conferencing
(4) Selected hearings in the Family Justice Courts will be conducted by video conferencing or where appropriate, telephone conferencing. Where the Court issues directions for a hearing to be conducted by video conferencing or telephone conferencing, a Registrar’s Notice will be sent to the parties in advance of the scheduled hearing:
(a) Solicitors may write to the Court to raise any concerns that they may have within 2 days after receiving the Registrar’s Notice; and
(b) A party who is not legally represented is strongly encouraged to use video conferencing or telephone conferencing, but may inform the Court if he or she does not wish to do so.
(5) The Court retains full discretion to decide:
(a) whether to conduct any hearing by video conferencing or telephone conferencing; and
(b) whether to conduct any hearing with one or more parties attending by video conferencing or telephone conferencing and any other party attending physically in the Family Justice Courts.
Conduct of hearing
(6) Where hearings are conducted by video conferencing or telephone conferencing, all Court rules and practices on dress and etiquette will continue to apply. However, it will not be necessary to stand and / or bow to the Court at the start or end of the hearing or to stand when addressing the Court.
(7) If the hearing cannot be conducted, or if the Court decides that it is not expedient to deal with the matter by video or telephone conferencing, the Court may either direct that the hearing be adjourned for solicitors and / or parties to attend Court personally, or issue any other direction regarding the resolution of the case.
(8) Unauthorised audio or visual recording of hearings is strictly prohibited and in appropriate cases, the Court may require an undertaking that no such recording will be made. The attention of parties is drawn to section 5 of the Administration of Justice (Protection) Act 2016 regarding contempt of court by unauthorised recordings.
(9) Solicitors / parties are to ensure that the hearing is conducted in a private and secure location and not in a public area. No person shall attend at the video or telephone conferencing terminal if the Court is not aware of their presence. The identities of all persons present at the hearing must be disclosed to the Court at the start of the hearing, and permission is to be obtained for their attendance.
(10) In the event of non-compliance with the required technical specifications, prescribed Court etiquette or the applicable Guidelines, the Court may adjourn the hearing and issue further directions to be complied with.
(11) Any reference made to the record of proceedings in these Practice Directions shall refer to the Court’s record of proceedings of the hearing conducted by video or telephone conferencing.
(12) Any queries or requests for assistance pertaining to hearings by video or telephone conferencing may be sent by email to:
(a) FJC_MAINTPOS@judiciary.gov.sg (for maintenance and personal protection matters under the Women’s Charter 1961, the Maintenance Orders (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act 1975 or the Vulnerable Adults Act 2018 and Youth Court matters)
(b) FJC_FAMILY_REGISTRY@judiciary.gov.sg (for all other matters).
197. Technology facilities in Supreme Court building
(1) This paragraph shall apply only in respect of proceedings in the Family Division conducted at the Supreme Court building.
Use of the video conference facilities and the Mobile Infocomm Technology Facilities
(2) The video conference (“VC”) facilities and the Mobile Infocomm Technology Facilities (“MIT facilities”) may, at the discretion of the Registrar, be used:
(a) for the hearing of any matter, whether before a Judge or Registrar, in open court, in Court or in chambers; or
(b) for any other dispute resolution process.
(3) The Registrar may refuse any request for the use of any of the services described in this paragraph at any time owing to the unavailability of staff or equipment or for any other reason. The Registrar need not give any reasons for the refusal of such a request.
Applications to use the video conference facilities and usage of additional equipment
(4) A request to use the VC facilities for the hearing of any matter before a Judge or Registrar must be made by filing a request electronic form in the manner and form set out in Form 152 of Appendix B of these Practice Directions through the Electronic Filing Service at least 14 working days before the hearing at which the VC facilities are to be used.
(5) An application to use the VC facilities for any other dispute resolution process must be made by submitting Form 152 of Appendix B of these Practice Directions to the Registrar, through the relevant person-in-charge at the organisation at which the dispute resolution process is carried out, at least 14 working days before the dispute resolution proceedings at which it is to be used.
(6) Upon a successful request to use the VC facilities:
(a) prior arrangements for equipment testing have to be made at least 5 working days before the first day fixed for the hearing, in order to ensure equipment compatibility;
(b) applicants will be informed of the number for video conferencing during the testing session; and
(c) as a matter of general practice, the remote site will connect to the number and it is the responsibility of the party requesting the VC to coordinate the booking and calling in from the remote site.
(7) Any person who desires to use audio-visual and computer equipment additional to those provided in a courtroom will be asked to provide details of such equipment. The applicant must also be prepared to have the equipment available for testing with the audio-visual system of the courtroom at least 3 working days before the first day fixed for the hearing. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide equipment that is compatible with the audio-visual system of the courtroom.
Applications to use the Mobile Infocomm Technology Facilities
(8) A request to use the MIT facilities for the hearing of any matter in open court, in Court or in chambers before a Judge or Registrar must be made by filing a request electronic form in the manner and form set out in Form 152 of Appendix B of these Practice Directions through the Electronic Filing Service at least 14 working days before the hearing at which the MIT facilities are to be used.
(9) An application to use the MIT facilities for any other dispute resolution process must be made by submitting Form 152 of Appendix B of these Practice Directions to the Registrar, through the relevant person-in-charge at the organisation at which the dispute resolution process is carried out as soon as practicable, as availability of the resources are on a first-come, first-served basis.
(10) The MIT facilities are available for use in open court, in Court and in chambers.
(11) Any applicant desiring to use MIT facilities is required to provide details of the type of evidence to be presented and media format in the application form. The applicant must also be prepared to have the presentation material or media available for testing with the MIT facilities at least 5 working days before the first day fixed for the hearing. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide presentation materials or media format that is compatible with the equipment provided by the Court.
198. Citation of case numbers
(1) All originating processes and summons filed in the Family Justice Courts on or after 15 October 2024 must bear case numbers in the following format:
Description of Court / Type of application [Case number] / Year filed
For example:
(2) Parties are to cite the case number in full in all documents and correspondence which are submitted to the Court.
199. Requests and other correspondence
General correspondence
(1) All requests relating to or in connection with any family proceedings in the Family Justice Courts shall be addressed to the Registrar.
(2) For cases which have been commenced electronically through the IELS, all requests relating to or in connection with any pending cause or matter are to be made using the electronic forms available through the IELS. Where an electronic form is available through the IELS for the request that is sought, the Registry has the discretion to refuse acceptance of other forms of written correspondence (including letters) and to refuse to act on such correspondence.
(3) All correspondence to the Court relating to or in connection with any pending cause or matter must be copied to all other parties to the cause or matter or to their solicitors unless there are good reasons for not doing so. Solicitors are further reminded that the Court should not be copied on correspondence between parties or their solicitors. The Registry has the discretion to reject or refuse to act on any inappropriate correspondence or correspondence that is not copied to all other parties to the cause or matter or to their solicitors unless there are good reasons for not doing so.
(4) In addition, all letters should be captioned with the number of the case to which they relate and the names of the parties. For example:
FC/ OAD 1/2024 Between AB and CD
(5) If the letter relates to an interlocutory application, the reference number, hearing date and time of that application should be stated in the caption below the parties’ names. For example:
FC/SUM 1/2024 CASE CONFERENCE ON 1 JANUARY 2024 at 2:30PM
(6) Compliance with the directions in this paragraph will facilitate the expeditious processing of the request.
(7) For cases which have been commenced through the IELS, a letter may be sent to the Court by a law firm using the IELS only. If a letter is sent to the Court by a law firm in any other way, it is liable to be rejected. If a letter is sent to the Court by a law firm without the information specified in sub-paragraphs (4) and (5), it is also liable to be rejected. This sub-paragraph does not apply to a party who is not legally represented.
(8) Registrar’s Directions and Notices from the Registry will be sent to law firms who are registered users of the Electronic Filing Service through the Electronic Filing Service. Registered users are to ensure that the inbox of their Electronic Filing Service account(s) are checked and cleared regularly.
200. Request for court interpreters
Proceedings in the Family Division before a Judge
(1) For proceedings in the Family Division before a Judge, any party requiring interpretation services of interpreters from the Supreme Court’s Interpreters Section for himself or herself or any of his or her witnesses at a hearing is to comply with sub-paragraphs (2) to (10).
(2) The directions set out in sub-paragraphs (3) to (10) are to be followed in relation to all requests for interpretation services of interpreters from the Supreme Court’s Interpreters Section, whether the services are required for hearings in open court, in Court or in chambers.
(3) Not less than 7 working days before the day on which the services of an interpreter are required (“scheduled day”), the requesting party must file a request electronic form addressed to the appropriate Head Interpreter through the Electronic Filing Service in the manner and form set out in Form 153 of Appendix B of these Practice Directions.
(4) The request in sub-paragraph (3) must be filed for hearings of matters which have been adjourned or part-heard, even if the services of an interpreter were requested and provided at an earlier hearing of the same matter. In the event that a request is made in respect of an adjourned or part-heard matter, the request should state the date of the earlier hearing.
(5) The requesting party must make payment of any prescribed fees for interpretation services under the Third Schedule to the Family Justice (General) Rules 2024 upon approval of the request.
(6) In the event that the services of the interpreter are for any reason not required on any of the scheduled days specified in the request, the requesting party must immediately notify the appropriate Head Interpreter either by letter or email. This will serve as a notice of cancellation.
(7) Any request for refund of the fee paid under sub-paragraph (5) must be submitted to the Registrar through the Electronic Filing Service within 1 month after the date on which the reason for the refund arose. The supporting reasons and the amount of refund sought must be clearly indicated in the request for refund.
(8) Unless otherwise decided by the Registrar, the fee paid for any scheduled day may be refunded only if a notice of cancellation under sub-paragraph (6) is given at least 1 clear working day prior to that scheduled day.
(9) The provision of interpretation services by the Supreme Court’s Interpreters Section is subject to the availability of suitable interpreters on the day that the interpretation services are required. Failure to comply with the directions set out in sub-paragraphs (3) to (5) may result in the services of interpreters not being available or provided.
(10) Engagement of private interpreters (i.e. interpreters not from the Supreme Court’s Interpreters Section):
(a) To avoid doubt, a party may engage the services of a private interpreter for interpretation services in respect of the languages listed in Form 153 of Appendix B of these Practice Directions.
(b) If a party requires the services of an interpreter in a language apart from those listed in Form 153 of Appendix B of these Practice Directions, it is the duty of the party to engage such an interpreter directly to obtain his or her services for the scheduled hearing.
(c) Interpreters who are not from the Supreme Court’s Interpreters Section must be sworn in before the Duty Registrar before they may provide interpretation services for the proceedings.
Proceedings in the Family Courts and proceedings in the Family Division before a Registrar
(11) The directions in the following sub-paragraphs apply to proceedings in the Family Courts and proceedings in the Family Division before a Registrar.
(12) Any party requiring the interpretation services of interpreters from the Family Courts’ Interpreters Section for himself or herself or any of his or her witnesses at a hearing must inform the Registrar in writing:
(a) within 7 working days from the date of the case conference or other proceeding at which the hearing date was fixed; or
(b) 2 weeks before the day on which the services of an interpreter are required (“scheduled day”),
whichever is earlier. This practice is to be followed for all fresh and adjourned hearings, whether in open court, in Court or in chambers.
(13) Where an interpreter is required and the Registrar has not been so informed, any deployment of an interpreter will be subject to availability.
(14) The request should contain the following information:
(a) the case number;
(b) the parties to the suit;
(c) the names of witnesses requiring an interpreter;
(d) the Court / chamber number;
(e) the stage of the proceedings (e.g. fresh or adjourned hearing);
(f) the date and time of hearing (in the event the hearing is fixed for more than 1 day, the dates and time on which the interpreter’s services are required);
(g) the number of days for which the interpreter’s services are required; and
(h) the language / dialect spoken by the witnesses requiring the services of the interpreter.
(15) In the event that the services of the interpreter are for any reason not required on any of the scheduled days specified in the request, the requesting party must inform the Registrar in writing immediately.
(16) For proceedings other than proceedings under Parts 7 and 8 of the Women’s Charter 1961, the Vulnerable Adults Act 2018, the Children and Young Persons Act 1993 and the Maintenance Orders (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act 1975, the requesting party must file the request for the services of an interpreter through a “Request for Hearing Administrative Support” through the Electronic Filing Service.
(17) Engagement of private interpreters (i.e. interpreters not from the Family Courts’ Interpreters Section):
(a) If a party requires the services of an interpreter in a language apart from Chinese, Malay or Tamil, it is the duty of the party to engage such an interpreter directly to obtain his or her services for the scheduled hearing.
(b) Interpreters who are not from the Family Courts’ Interpreters Section must be sworn in before the judge hearing the proceeding before they may provide interpretation services for the proceedings.
Translation
(18) Requests for translations of documents in Chinese, Malay or Tamil for use in proceedings in the Family Justice Courts should be sent using the form available at the relevant counter at the Registry at least 6 weeks before the date the translations are required, unless there are exceptional reasons justifying non-compliance. Failure to comply with the directions set out in this sub-paragraph may result in translations not being available or provided by the date they are required.
(19) In the event that the Family Courts’ Interpreters Section is unable to accept a translation request, parties and solicitors should approach a private translation service instead.
201. Authorisation for collection of Court documents or mail
(1) Without limiting sub-paragraphs (3) and (4), all law firms are required to notify the Registry of the particulars of person(s) authorised to collect Court documents or mail from the Family Justice Courts on their behalf by submitting a request to authorise user through the Electronic Filing Service.
(2) Where such authorised persons are no longer so authorised, law firms are required to revoke or delete the authorisation immediately by submitting a request through the Electronic Filing Service. Until receipt of such notification of revocation or deletion, Court documents and mail will continue to be released to such authorised persons upon production of evidence of identification.
(3) Any solicitor may collect Court documents or mail on behalf of his or her firm and any person who is not legally represented may collect Court documents or mail intended for him or her in any matter in which he or she is a party.
(4) A law firm may authorise a courier service provider to collect Court documents or mail from the Family Justice Courts on their behalf. At the time of collection, the courier service provider should produce a letter of authorisation which is printed on the law firm’s letterhead and addressed to the courier service provider. The said letter of authorisation should clearly state the case number, the name of the courier service provider appointed to collect and the Court documents or mail to be collected. An employee or representative of the courier service provider collecting the Court documents or mail may be requested to provide evidence that will allow the Registry to verify that he or she is an employee or representative from the courier service provider, and will have to acknowledge receipt of the Court documents or mail collected.
202. The Friends of Litigant-in-Person (“FLiP”) Scheme
(1) The Court may, at any stage of proceedings, refer a litigant who is not legally represented (“the litigant”) to the Community Justice Centre for the assignment of a FLiP volunteer to assist him or her by providing administrative and emotional support in the conduct of his or her case such as:
(a) accompanying and attending court sessions with the litigant;
(b) providing emotional support and offering practical guidance on non-legal issues;
(c) sharing information on court procedure and processes;
(d) explaining key information and instructions given by the attending judge.
(2) The FLiP volunteer may attend court hearings, including hearings conducted in chambers, but will not be allowed to address the Court in the place of the litigant. The FLiP volunteer will also not provide legal advice or draft any legal documentation on behalf of the litigant.
(3) The FLiP volunteer shall not reveal to any third party any information relating to the proceedings he or she is assigned to.
Last updated