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Media Release: Singapore and Hong Kong Judiciaries sign first Memorandum of Understanding to promote the efficient administration of family justice
Singapore and Hong Kong Judiciaries sign first Memorandum of Understanding to promote the efficient administration of family justice
The two judiciaries will explore bilateral initiatives to facilitate access to justice.
1 On 15 March 2024, the Family Justice Courts of Singapore (FJC) and the Hong Kong Courts(1) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance bilateral judicial cooperation in the administration of family justice.
2 This is the first MOU signed between the judiciaries of Singapore and Hong Kong concerning the administration of family justice. It will further the exchange of knowledge and experiences and pave the way for in-depth discussions on matters of common interests. These include the management of cases in the family courts, use of technology in the administration of family justice, training of judges and officers in the family courts, the development of family law and procedures, and the role of mediation in facilitating settlements in family cases.
3 The MOU also sets the stage for the two judiciaries to explore specific bilateral initiatives to facilitate judicial learning, as well as access to justice by reducing the time taken and costs for the resolution of matters involving families in Singapore and Hong Kong.
4 On the signing of the MOU, the Presiding Judge of the FJC, Justice Teh Hwee Hwee said:
“The MOU will facilitate further exchange and cooperation between the Judiciary of Singapore and the Judiciary of Hong Kong, and strengthen bilateral ties in the furtherance of access to justice for the families in Singapore and Hong Kong. It is an important milestone in our collaboration with foreign courts in the administration of family justice.”
5 The signing of the MOU was witnessed by The Honourable the Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon of Singapore and The Honourable Chief Justice Andrew Cheung of the Court of Final Appeal of the Hong Kong SAR.
Family Justice Courts
Established in 2014, the Family Justice Courts (FJC) are a restructure of our Court system to better serve litigants by bringing together all family related work under a specialised body of courts. The FJC comprises the Family Division of the High Court, the Family Courts and the Youth Courts and is administered by the Presiding Judge of the FJC. It hears cases relating to divorce, maintenance, family violence, adoption and guardianship, youth, probate, mental capacity and vulnerable adults. As family disputes differ from legal disputes, the FJC applies the principles of Therapeutic Justice, which is an approach rooted in problem-solving for the family rather than fault-finding between parties. Guided by our mission to make justice accessible to families and youths through effective counselling, mediation and adjudication, we are committed to deliver justice that protects, empowers and restores.
For more information, please visit www.judiciary.gov.sg.
Issued by: SG Courts
(1) The Court of First Instance (High Court), and The District Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.
Topics:
Collaborations and MOUs
2024/03/15
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