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At your personal protection order application court mention
What is a court mention
A mention is a court session where the court gives the parties in the PPO application directions on the next steps to be taken on the application.
On the day of the court mentions, parties should:
- Arrive early and find their way to the venue.
- Refer to the building directory for more information.
- Confirm their case is heard in the venue they are about to enter. Inform the court officer before entering, if applicable.
- Dress neatly and decently when attending court.
- Refer to the visitors' guide for the dress code.
- Speak and conduct themselves in a courteous manner.
Note
Some court sessions may be conducted virtually. The court will inform you if you do not need to attend court in person.
Find out more about virtual court sessions.
Attendance is compulsory
Parties must attend the court mentions scheduled for the PPO application.
If you are the party who filed the application (the applicant) and are absent from the court mentions, the court may strike out your application. If you still wish to proceed with the application, you will need to apply for the application to be reinstated via the Integrated Family Application Management System (iFAMS). The court will decide if you have valid reasons for your absence before reinstating your application.
If you are the party against whom the application is filed (the respondent) and are absent from the court mentions, the court may still proceed with the mentions in your absence and schedule a hearing.
Alternatively, the court may issue a warrant of arrest against you in which case the court mentions will be adjourned (postponed) pending your arrest.
If you are unable to attend the court mentions on the stated date, you can make an application to change it via iFAMS accompanied by supporting documents. This must be done at least 5 working days in advance.
Alternatively, you may contact the Family Justice Courts (FJC) Registry at fjc_maintpos@judiciary.gov.sg or 6435 5471.
If the court grants your request, a new date for the court mentions will be arranged. Otherwise, you are required to attend the court mentions as scheduled.
Tip
If you are the applicant, you can find the date and time of the court mentions in the mention slip issued after meeting the duty judge when filing the application.
If you are the respondent, you can find the date and time of the court mentions in the summons served on you.
If you are the applicant and are afraid to see the respondent in court, you may wish to have your family member or friend accompany you to the court.
What to expect
At the court mention, the court officer or court interpreter will make known the contents of the application (also known as a complaint). The respondent will then be given the opportunity to give their response to the complaint.
Refer to the following to find out what happens after the respondent responds.
If the respondent admits partially or fully to the allegations and consents to the application and the court is satisfied that issuing a PPO is necessary for the applicant's protection and safety, a PPO will be issued in favour of the applicant.
Depending on the nature of the case, the court may also make a counselling order (CGO) for one or both parties to attend counselling if a PPO is issued. The court may also order the parties' children to attend counselling if the application is for a PPO for the children.
If the respondent does not consent to the application after the contents of the complaint are made known, the court may refer both parties to attend a counselling session with the court family specialist (CFS) on the same day to determine if there can be a resolution.
If there are no slots available on the same day, the counselling session will take place on another date.
If the court does not refer the parties for counselling or if there is no resolution after the counselling session with the CFS, the case will proceed to a further court mentions date where directions will be given to the parties to prepare for a hearing.
If the applicant decides to withdraw their application
If you are the applicant and no longer wish to pursue the case, you may consider withdrawing your application by informing the court at the court mentions. Once the court gives you leave (permission) to withdraw your case, your case will end.
However, if you wish to apply for another PPO in the future, you cannot rely on the same incidents or facts which you have used to support the earlier PPO application which has been withdrawn.
Need help?
The information here is for general guidance as the courts do not provide legal advice. If you need further help, you may want to get independent legal advice.
Find out moreResources
Legislation associated with this topic includes:
Go to Step-by-step guide
Step-by-step guide
2021/07/23
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