Part B 2014 Reading List & Syllabus

Family Law Practice

SYLLABUS
1.

Nature of Family Proceedings

2.

Substantive Family Law

2.1

Formation of Marriage

2.1.1

Void and Voidable Marriages

2.2

Dissolution of Marriage

2.2.1

Jurisdiction

2.2.2

Time Restriction

2.2.3

Ground for Divorce / Facts / Bars

2.3

Obligations During Marriage

2.3.1

Maintenance of Wife

2.3.2

Maintenance of Children

2.4

Ancillary Matters Upon Divorce

2.4.1

Children

2.4.1.1 Custody: Joint / Sole / No order

2.4.1.2 Care and control
2.4.1.3 Access: Supervised / Reasonable
2.4.2

Maintenance of Ex-Wife and children

2.4.3

Division of Matrimonial Assets:

2.4.3.1 Principles and Ideology

2.4.3.2 Approach
2.4.3.3 Definition
2.4.3.4 Factors
2.4.3.5 `Just and Equitable
2.4.4

Marital Agreements: Prenuptial / Post-nuptial

3.

Legislation

3.1

Primary Legislation

3.2

Secondary Legislation

3.3

Transfer Orders

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3.4

Practice Directions

4.

Scope of the Family Justice Process

4.1

Maintenance

4.2

Enforcement of maintenance orders: Civil / Syariah

4.3

Family Protection

4.4

Dissolution

4.5

Children

4.6

Division of Assets

4.7

Interlocutory Applications

4.8

Resolution and Joint Conferences (Mediation)

4.9

Mental Capacity Act

4.10

International Child Abduction

4.11

Adoption

5.

Maintenance of wife and children during marriage

5.1

Persons entitled to maintenance

5.2

Persons under the duty to maintain

5.3

Powers of the Court

5.4

Application for maintenance

5.5

Factors in assessing maintenance

5.6

Enforcement

5.7

Effect of Attachment of Earnings Order

5.8

Rescission and Variation

5.9

Appeals

5.10

New amendments to enforcement modes

6.

Protection of Family

6.1

Definition of Family violence

6.2

Persons who can seek protection under the Womens Charter

6.3

Application

6.4

Types of Orders:

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Expedited Orders (EO)

Personal Protection Orders (PPO)

Domestic Exclusion Order (DEO)

Counselling and Guidance Order (CGO)

6.5

Consequences of Breach

7.

Dissolution: Divorce / Nullity / Judicial Separation

7.1

Applicable law

7.2

Jurisdiction

7.3

Divorce within 3 years of marriage

7.4

Irretrievable breakdown of marriage - facts showing breakdown

7.5

Reconciliation : duty of Court

7.6

Agreements and arrangements

7.7

Procedure:

7.7.1

Writ, Statement of Claim, Statement of Particulars, Parenting Plan and Matrimonial Property
Plan

7.7.2

Service of writ/Notice of Proceedings (Third Party)

7.7.3

Entry of Appearance

7.7.4

Withdrawal and Discontinuance

7.7.5

Consent to grant of Judgment of Divorce

7.7.6

Parties and interveners

7.7.7

Contested and uncontested matrimonial proceeding

7.7.8

Defence/Counterclaim/Reply

7.7.9

Interlocutory applications

7.7.10 Further and Better Particulars

7.7.11 Discovery/Inspection and production of documents
7.7.12 Interrogatories
7.7.13 Striking out / Amendments
7.7.14 Mode of Trial / Setting down for trial
7.7.15 Evidence/Affidavit of Evidence-in-chief
7.7.16 Procedure at trial
7.7.17 Intervention by Attorney-General or other person
7.7.18 Form of Judgments (Interim/Final) and Orders
7.7.19 Costs

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7.7.20 Ancillary matters/Affidavit of Means/Facts and Position Sheet

7.7.21 Certificate of making interim Judgment Final
7.7.22 Rescission of Interim Judgment

8.

Nullity

8.1

Void marriages

8.2

Voidable marriages

8.3

Bars to relief

8.4

Effect of Decree of Nullity

9.

Children

9.1

Definition of child of marriage

9.2

Orders :Custody / Care and Control / Access

9.3

Principles applied

9.4

Reports of Welfare Officers

9.5

Duration of Order

9.6

Variation and Rescission

9.7

Agreements

9.8

Agreed Parenting Plan

9.9

Proposed Parenting Plan

10.

Financial Provisions

10.1

Powers of the Court:

10.2

Division of Matrimonial Assets

10.3

Maintenance for Wife and children

10.3.1 Application
10.3.2 Factors to be taken into account
10.3.3 Setting aside dispositions intended to defeat maintenance claims
10.3.4 Affidavit of Means
10.3.5 Duration of Orders
10.3.6 Variation and Rescission

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11.

Mediation

11.1

Comprehensive mediation for family disputes

11.2

Statutory provisions

11.3

Mediation process: venues, advantages, mediator, preparation

11.4

Specific disputes: Contested divorces, maintenance, division of assets, children

11.5

Child Focused Resolution Centre (CFRC)

11.5.1 CFRC Conference

11.5.2 Counselling Session
11.5.3 Mediation Session
11.5.4 Joint Conference

12.

Cross-border Family Practice Issues

12.1

Jurisdiction

12.2

Forum non conveniens / Lis Alibi Pendens

12.3

Recognition of Foreign Decrees

12.4

Financial Provisons Consequent Upon Foreign Divorce

12.5

Enforcement of Foreign Orders

12.6

Relocation

12.7

Parental Child Abduction

13.

The Art of Family Lawyering

13.1

Understanding, preparing and managing for your case

13.1.1 Taking Instructions

13.1.2 Social and legal resources
13.1.3 Things to look out for: bankruptcy, HDB issues, CPF issues, 3rd party interests
13.2

Discovery process

13.3

Missing Defendant

13.4

Children issues

13.5

Preparing for a Pre-trial Conference

13.6

Preparing for a Mediation

13.7

Recording a Consent Order

13.8

Preparing for a Hearing

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13.9

Drafting an Affidavit

13.10 Written Submissions

13.12 Enforcement and Variation: options and limitations
13.13 Ancillary Matters Order
13.14 Originating Summons
13.15 Foreign party v Local party
13.16 Party with Limited Funds
13.17 Elusive party
13.18 Ethical Issues
13.19 Dealing with a Litigant in Person
13.20 The Family Client
13.20.1 Dealing with the client
13.20.2 Billing
13.20.3 Costs

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READING LIST
1.

Practitioners Textbooks:

Practitioners Library: Family and Juvenile Court Practice (2008, LexisNexis)

The Art of Family Lawyering (2013, The Law Society of Singapore) (2nd edition)

2. Key Cases:
2.1

Nullity/ Void and Voidable Marriages

Kwong Sin Hwa v Lau Lee Yen [1993] 1 SLR(R) 90

Heng Joo See v Ho Pol Ling [1993] 2 SLR(R) 763
Tan Ah Thee (administrators of the estate of Tan Kiam Poh (alias Tan Gna Chua), deceased) v Lim Soo
Fong [2009] 3 SLR (R) 957
ADP v ADQ [2012] SGCA 6 ancillary powers
2.2

Divorce

Ng Kee Shee v Fu Gaofei [2005] 4 SLR(R) 762

Livingstone-Stallard v Livingstone-Stallard [1974] Fam 47
Wong Siew Boey v Lee Boon Fatt [1994] 1 SLR(R) 323
Le Brocq v Le Brocq [1964] 1 WLR 1085
Leong Kwek Keong v Lee Ying Kuan [1990] 1 SLR(R) 112
Cheng William v Chai Mei Ling [1999] 1 SLR(R) 1093
AQB v AQC [2011] SGHC 101
Hou Wa Yi v Yap Kiat Cheong (Yap Chai Leng and another, interveners) [2012] SGHC 66 termination
of marriage
Lee Mei-Chih v Chang Kuo-Yuan [2012] 4 SLR 1115 matrimonial jurisdiction
2.3

Maintenance of child

WX v WW [2009] 3 SLR(R) 573

EB v EC (divorce: maintenance of stepchildren) [2006] 2 SLR(R) 475
AJE v AJF [2011] 3 SLR 1177
2.4

Parent & Child

CX v CY (minor: custody and access) [2005] 3 SLR(R) 690

Soon Peck Wah v Woon Che Chye [1997] 3 SLR(R) 430
Wong Phila Mae v Shaw Harold [1991]1 SLR (R) 680
Kim Chun Ahe v Ng Siew Kee [2002] SGDC 276
BG v BF [2007] 3 SLR(R) 233; High Court decision at BF v BG [2006] SGHC 197
AHJ v AHK [2010] SGHC 148
AQB v AQC [2011] SGHC 101
AQL v AQM [2011] SGHC 264

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Family Law Practice

ZO v ZP and another appeal [2011] SGCA 25

ATC v ATD [2011] SGDC 254 - relocation
AYE v AYD [2012] SGHC 42
AWN v AWO [2012] SGHC 228
AZB v AYZ [2012] 3 SLR 627 - relocation
AOF v ACP and another [2014] SGHC 99
2.5

Division of assets

TQ v TR and another appeal [2009] 2 SLR(R) 961

Tan Siew Eng (alias Tan Siew Eng Irene) v Ng Meng Hin [2003] 3 SLR(R) 474
Koo Shirley v Mok Kong Chua Kenneth [1989] 1 SLR(R) 244
Hoong Khai Soon v Cheng Kwee Eng and another appeal [1993] 1 SLR(R) 823
Chen Siew Hwee v Low Kee Guan (Wong Yong Yee, co-respondent) [2006] 4 SLR(R) 605
Koh Kim Lan Angela v Choong Kian Haw and another appeal, SCA, [1993] 3 SLR(R) 491
Lim Choon Lai v Chew Kim Heng [2001] 2 SLR(R) 260
Lock Yeng Fun v Chua Hock Chye [2007] 3 SLR(R) 520
Koh Bee Choo v Choo Chai Huah [2007] SGCA 21
NK v NL [2007] 3 SLR(R) 743
Pang Rosaline v Chan Kong Chin [2009] 4 SLR(R) 935
AJR v AJS [2010] SGHC 199
Tay Ang Choo Nancy v Yeo Ching Lin [2010] SGHC 126
Yeo Chong Lin v Tay Ang Choo Nancy and another appeal [2011] SGCA 8
ZO v ZP and another appeal [2011] SGCA 25
O Connor Rosamund Monica v Potter Derek John [2011] 2 SLR 294
Chan Yuen Boey v Sia Hee Soon [2012] SGHC 92
Anusuya d/o Sangaranaidoo Parthasarathy v Moderge Gamini Fernando [2012] SGHC
132 - gifts
Wan Lai Cheng v Quek Seow Kee [2012] 4 SLR 403 - gifts
Tan Hwee Lee v Tan Cheng Guan [2012] 4 SLR 785 - gifts
AAL v AAK [2012] SGHC 146
ASM v ASN [2012] SGHC 23
AWX v AWY [2012] SGHC 4
Yong Shao Keat v Foo Jock Khim [2012] SGHC 107
Chan Yuen Boey v Sin Hee Soon [2012] 3 SLR 402
AXC v AXD [2012] SGHC 15
Woon Wee Lee v Koh Ai Hua [2012] SGHC 128
Chai Fei Choo v Leong Tak Wu [2012] SGHC 183
AXW v AXX [2012] 3 SLR 900
AQS v AQR [2012] SGCA 3
ATT v ATS [2012] 2SLR 859
AYM v AYL [2013] 1 SLR 924
AYQ v AYR [2013] 1 SLR 476

2.6

Marital Agreements
Lian Hwee Choo Phebe v Tan Seng Ong [2012] SGHC 255
Cheung Kam Yi Betty v Liu Tsun Kie [ 2012] SGHC 213

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Wong Kien Keong v Khoo Hoon Eng [2012] SGHC 127

2.7

Maintenance of Ex-Wives

Quek Lee Tiam (mw) v Ho Kim Swee (alias Ho Kian Guan), SHC, unreported, [1995] SGHC 23
NI v NJ [2007] 1 SLR(R) 75
Tan Sue-Ann Melissa v Lim Siang Bok Dennis [2004] 3 SLR(R) 376
Chan Yuen Boey v Sia Hee Soon [2012] SGHC 92
Foo Ah Yan v Chiam Heng Chow [2012] SGCA 15
Wan Lai Cheng v Quek Seow Kee [2012] 4 SLR 403
Cheung Kam Yi Betty v Liu Tsun Kie [ 2012] SGHC 213
Guo Ninqun Anthony v Chan Wing Sun [2014] SGHC 56
ADB v ADC [2014] SGHC 76
Tan Yen Chuan (m.w.) v Lim Theam Siew [2014] SGHC 110

3.

Articles and Updates:

3.1

Family Practice

Debbie Ong, Family Lawyering, (Singapore Law Gazette, July 2008)

Lim Hui Min, The Litigant in Person Duties of a Family Lawyer in Divorce Cases (Singapore Law
Gazette, Feb 2010)
Colin Tan, The Benchmark Trials and Tribulations (Singapore Law Gazette, November 2011)
Michelle Woodworth & Jasmine Foong, Lawyers and Mediators: Collaborative Law The New
Alternative to Litigation? (Singapore Law Gazette, January 2013)
Rajan Chettiar, Alter Ego - The Collaborative Family Lawyer (Singapore Law Gazette, September
2013)
Michelle Woodworth, Tea with the Law Gazette A Family Perspective (Singapore Law Gazette,
December 2013 )
3.2

Divorce

Jen Koh, Separation Anxiety: Living Separate and Apart, Living Together Yet Living Apart When is a
Separation a Separation for Purposes of Divorce?, (Singapore Law Gazette, April 2012)
3.3

Children

Debbie Ong, A Grandparents Right to Guardianship, Custody and Access? (Singapore Law Gazette,
June 2005)
Lim Hui Min Custody, (Singapore Law Gazette, April 2006)
Debbie Ong, Cross-border Parental Child Abduction in Singapore (Singapore Law Gazette, Aug
2007)
Parvathy Pathy, Custody and Access Evaluation - The Child Psychiatrist's Role (Singapore Law
Gazette, July 2009)
Debbie Ong, Parental Relocation Across Borders: Is Relocation in the Child's Welfare? (Singapore
Law Gazette, July 2009)
Yap Teong Liang, Childs Voice in Court Proceedings: An Effective Voice or a Silent Voice?
(Singapore Law Gazette, Jan 2010)

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Kevin Ng, The Benchmark Mandatory Counselling and Mediation: The Child Focused Resolution
Centre (CFRC) (Singapore Law Gazette, December 2011)
3.4

Matrimonial Assets

Lim Hui Min, Matrimonial Asset Division Achieving a Just and Equitable Result A review of High
Court and Court of Appeal cases 2005-2010 (found under Articles on the Legal Aid Bureau website:
http://app2.lab.gov.sg/)
Lim Hui Min, Splitting the HDB Flat, CPF and Lifelong Income Scheme Monies on Divorce (Singapore
Law Gazette, June 2010)
Naina D Parwani, Lynne Loh, Division of CPF-Related Assets in Matrimonial Proceedings (Singapore
Law Gazette, Dec 2007)
Lim Hui Min, Matrimonial Assets and the 3rd Party To Start a New Fight, To Join in the Fray, To
Speak from the Sidelines, or To Live in Blissful Ignorance [2003] 15 S Ac LJ 219.
Debbie Ong, When a Spouse Gives the Other a Gift: How the Law Treats Inter-spousal Gifts When
Dividing Matrimonial Assets (Singapore Law Gazette, April 2012)
3.5

General Updates

Singapore Academy of Law Journal Annual Review of Singapore Cases 2013

3.6

Family Procedure

For the rationale of certain rules in the MPR, see Inside the Bar Lim Hui Min, Guide to the
Amendments to the Womens Charter (Matrimonial Proceedings) rules 2003 Womens Charter
(Matrimonial Proceedings) (Amendment) Rules 2005 and Practice Direction No 2 of 2005
(Singapore Law Gazette May 2005)
Jen Koh, The Benchmark Affidavit A Testing (Attesting) Document (Singapore Law Gazette,
February 2010)
Angelina Hing, The Benchmark Dos and Donts for Mediation (Singapore Law Gazette, May 2010)
Lim Hui Min, Tips on Drafting Applications for Substituted and Dispensed Service in Divorce
Matters (Singapore Law Gazette, August 2010)
Nicole Loh, The Benchmark - The Status of the Status Conference for Matrimonial Proceedings.
(Singapore Law Gazette, December 2010)
Jen Koh, The Benchmark Citations, Contentions and Conclusions: Your Final Say in Ancillary
Matters Hearing (Singapore Law Gazette, March 2011)
Colin Tan, The Benchmark - `Trials and Tribulations (Singapore Law Gazette, November 2011)
Jen Koh, Checklist for a Trouble Free Uncontested Divorce Hearing (in Chambers) (Singapore Law
Gazette, March 2013)
Regina Ow-Chang Yee Lin, `The Womens Charter (Matrimonial Proceedings) Amendment Rules 2013
(Singapore Law Gazette, December 2013)

4.

Statutes in Family Law:

(available online at http://statutes.agc.gov.sg)

Womens Charter (Cap 353, 2009 Rev Ed)
Administration of Muslim Law Act (Cap 3, 2009 Rev Ed)
Adoption of Children Act (Cap 4, 2012 Rev Ed)

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Central Provident Fund Act (Cap 36, 2001 Rev Ed)

Children and Young Persons Act (Cap 38, 2001 Rev Ed)
Criminal Procedure Code 2010
Guardianship of Infants Act (Cap 122, 1985 Rev Ed)
International Child Abduction Act (Cap 143C, 2011 Rev Ed)
Legitimacy Act (Cap 162, 1985 Rev Ed)
Maintenance Orders (Facilities for Enforcement) Act (Cap 168, 1985 Rev Ed)
Maintenance Orders (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act (Cap 169, 1985 Rev Ed)
Mental Capacity Act (Cap 177A, 2012 Rev Ed)
State Courts Act (Cap 321, 2007 Rev Ed)
Supreme Court of Judicature Act (Cap 322, 2007 Rev Ed)
Family Justice Act (to be enacted)
5.

Transfer Orders, Rules of Court and Practice Directions

5.1

Transfer orders

Supreme Court Of Judicature (Transfer Of Matrimonial, Divorce And Guardianship Of Infants

Proceedings To District Court) Order 2007 [refer to Transfer Orders 1996, 2003, 2005 for history of
transfer orders]
The Supreme Court of Judicature (Transfer of Proceedings Pursuant to Section 17A(2)) Order 2004 (S
673/2007)
5.2

Rules of Court

Order 84 Proceedings Relating to Infants

Order 84a - Proceedings For Disposition Or Division Of Property On Divorce Pursuant To Section 17a
(2)( C) Of The Supreme Court Of Judicature Act
Order 99 Mental Capacity Act 2008
Order 102 International Child Abduction Act 2010
5.3

Subsidiary Legislation

Womens Charter (Matrimonial Proceedings) Rules

Womens Charter (Garnishee Proceedings) Rules
Supreme Court (Maintenance Enforcement) Rules
5.4

Practice Directions

5.4.1 Supreme Court Practice Directions

Part XVIII Matrimonial Proceedings and Matters Relating to the Guardianship of Infants
5.4.2 State Courts Practice Directions:
Part II Originating Processes and Documents (Paragraph 10 Personal service of processes and
documents; paragraph 11 Substituted service)
Part X Proceedings in the Family Court: Divorce, Matrimonial causes, Guardianship of Infants,
Adoption and Proceedings pursuant to Section 17A(2) of the Supreme Court of Judicature Act
Part XA Transfer of Mental Capacity Proceedings to District Court
Part XB Transfer of Proceedings Under the International Child Abduction Act 2010 to District Court.

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Family Law Practice

6.
Precedents of documents required in the various applications and divorce proceedings
(available on SILE website).
7.

Family law textbooks for reference:

Leong Wai Kum Elements of Family Law in Singapore (2007, Singapore: LexisNexis)
Halsburys Laws of Singapore 2006 Reissue Volume 11 Family Law by Leong Wai Kum (2006,
Singapore: LexisNexis)
8.

Websites

https://app.statecourts.gov.sg/family/index.aspx
www.marriagecentral.com.sg
www.msf.gov.sg
www.hdb.gov.sg
www.cpf.gov.sg
http://www.thkms.org.sg/counselling.html#6

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