The Family Justice Courts (FJC) is a grouping of courts in the judicial system of Singapore that comprises the Youth Courts, Family Courts and High Court (Family Division).[2] The Youth Courts hear cases related to children and young persons, the Family Courts hear all family proceedings except cases that fall under the Youth Courts, and the Family Division of the High Court primarily hears appeals against the decisions of the Family Courts and the Youth Courts.
History
In 2013, the Committee for Family Justice was formed to review how Singapore's family justice system may be reformed to address the needs of youth and families in distress. It recommended setting up the Family Justice Court.[3]
The Family Justice Courts of Singapore are established pursuant to the Family Justice Act which was passed by the Singapore Parliament on 4 August 2014.[4]
Legislation
The FJC deals with cases involving the following legislations:[5]
Status of Children (Assisted Reproduction Technology) Act 2013
Supreme Court of Judicature Act 1969
Voluntary Sterilization Act 1974
Wills Act 1838
Women's Charter 1961
It handled a total of 26,560 cases cases in 2021.
iFAMS and other Case Management Systems
Integrated Family Application Management System (iFAMS) is an end-to-end paperless system that predominantly deals with family-related cases brought before FJC.[7] Other cases are dealt with in the e-Litigation system that handles most non-criminal cases filed in Singapore court.[8]
A simplified application process for certain types of uncontested divorces has been launched. This eService is designed to allow lay-persons to file for such divorces directly, without needing to engage a lawyer.[9]
Another simplified eService has also been launched, to deal with simpler Probate applications. These are applications that can be taken out when a person has died, leaving behind a will that has named an Executor to carry out the wishes of the deceased person.[10]
