Justice Teh Hwee Hwee: Opening Remarks for the Inaugural HCCH Judicial Roundtable and 3rd ASEAN Family Judges Forum

Opening Remarks

Thursday, 22 May 2025

Justice Teh Hwee Hwee

Presiding Judge of the Family Justice Courts

Distinguished Delegates of the 3rd ASEAN Family Judges Forum, members of the International Hague Network of Judges, Secretary General of the Hague Conference on Private International Law, Dr Christophe Bernasconi and members of the Permanent Bureau, esteemed guests, ladies and gentlemen

1       We gather here today from different shores, each bringing unique perspectives and experiences, yet united in our unwavering pursuit of justice for children caught in the turbulent waters of cross-border disputes. 

2       The ancient Silk Road, a vast network that bridged East and West, facilitated the exchange of ideas, philosophies, and human stories, and the weaving together of a tapestry of shared knowledge that enriched civilisations for centuries. Today, we embark on our own “Silk Road” of judicial exchange. We are convening at contemporary crossroads to share our approaches to justice, exchange best practices, and forge deeper understanding across legal traditions. In this hall, we have an opportunity to contribute to, and shape the future of, international judicial cooperation.

3       I extend a very warm welcome to our distinguished friends and colleagues from across ASEAN—Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Many of us from ASEAN had the pleasure of meeting at the 11th Meeting of the Council of ASEAN Chief Justices in the beautiful city of Cebu, Philippines, in November last year. I am delighted to have the opportunity to reciprocate the extraordinary hospitality that was extended to the delegates on that occasion by the Supreme Court of the Philippines and by my fellow co-chairperson of the Council of ASEAN Chief Justices Working Group on Cross-border Disputes Involving Children, the Honourable Justice Amy Lazaro-Javier. The Supreme Court of the Philippines set an exemplary standard of hospitality —a warmth that inspired us as we planned this meeting in Singapore. 

4       I also extend a very warm welcome once again to our friends and colleagues from the International Hague Network of Judges (“IHNJ”). Over the past two days, the vigour and insight you have brought to our discussions on safeguarding children’s interests across borders has been truly inspiring and exemplifies the very spirit of international judicial cooperation. I am delighted that you are here today to continue the dialogue, this time together with the members of the ASEAN Judiciaries. 

5       The Hague Conference on Private International Law (“HCCH”) has been facilitating such judicial cooperation over the years through its tireless efforts in unifying the rules of private international law, and in administering international conventions that guide cross-border relations. Its significant contributions in the area of family justice include the HCCH 1980 Child Abduction Convention and the HCCH 1996 Child Protection Convention.

6       Singapore acceded to the Child Abduction Convention on 28 December 2010, and implements that Convention through our International Child Abduction Act 2010. When moving the corresponding Bill, the Minister in charge made the following observations. First, Singapore’s increasingly international character—with more Singaporeans living overseas, more foreigners residing in Singapore, and rising numbers of transnational marriages—meant a likely increase in cross-border custody disputes. Second, accession would benefit children in Singapore by securing cooperation from other Contracting States for their return.

7       As a signatory to the Child Abduction Convention, as well as an ASEAN member state, Singapore is honoured to host this Inaugural HCCH Judicial Roundtable together with the 3rd ASEAN Family Judges Forum. The combined events reflect a longstanding commitment to judicial cooperation. This is in fact the second major collaboration between the HCCH and the ASEAN Judiciaries. In 2021, the Malaysian Judiciary collaborated with the Council of ASEAN Chief Justices to co-host, with the HCCH, a Masterclass on the HCCH Convention of 18 March 1970 on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil or Commercial Matters, and the HCCH Convention of 2 July 2019 on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil or Commercial Matters. That masterclass was conducted virtually and was a resounding success. 

8       Today, we will focus on deepening our understanding of the Child Abduction and Child Protection Conventions, while exploring the rich diversity of family law traditions across jurisdictions, including those in ASEAN states. This meeting has evolved from careful groundwork laid since 2016, when the Council of ASEAN Chief Justices Working Group on Cross-border Disputes Involving Children established the ASEAN Family Judges Forum as a vital platform for training and learning. Recognising that both IHNJ Members and ASEAN Delegates share common goals in protecting children involved in cross-border family disputes and fostering direct judicial communications in the resolution of such disputes, the Working Group agreed, in 2019, to explore holding the 3rd ASEAN Family Judges Forum concurrently with the HCCH Judicial Roundtable. While the COVID-19 pandemic delayed those plans, today’s gathering represents the realisation of that vision—bringing together our collective expertise to address the frameworks and issues that shape our approach to international child protection.

9       As we embark on today’s programme, the unity of our goals will become increasingly clear. It is through gatherings like this that we identify synergies and plant the seeds for future co-operation in areas that may bear fruit for the common good.   

10       I wish everyone here a productive and engaging day of discussions.