Media Release: FJC and DBS/POSB collaborate to provide families access to emergency funding

The Family Justice Courts (“FJC”) is collaborating with DBS/POSB to provide support to families, especially low-income families, by introducing an initiative that expedites access to emergency funds for immediate subsistence needs. The initiative will be piloted in six POSB branches starting 7 February 2020.

Through this initiative, when a person (‘P’) is incapacitated under the Mental Capacity Act (“MCA”), the family members can access his/her bank account(s) with DBS/POSB on an urgent basis. This will be especially useful in cases where P is incapacitated due to a sudden incident, e.g. an accident, and the family needs money urgently for daily subsistence. Such families under distress will no longer have to visit the courts to file such an application and may conveniently approach six ¹ selected POSB branches for assistance with filing. Further, once the court grants the application, the bank can be directly notified of the court order, which will be followed by an expedited verification process before the funds are disbursed. To assist parties in need of emergency funding, the Court will prioritise such applications and process them on an expedited basis. The applicant should typically receive a response within three working days of the submission, if the application is in order.

The collaboration between FJC and DBS/POSB covers applications for one-time authorisation to withdraw up to $5,000 from P’s bank account(s) with DBS/POSB. Once P has consulted with a registered doctor in Singapore, and a medical report has been submitted online to FJC by the doctor, the applicant can visit any of the six selected POSB branches located at major housing estates to file the application. 

¹ The selected six POSB branches are located at: Toa Payoh Central | Yishun West | Bedok Central | Hougang Central | Tanjong Pagar | Jurong Point

“With this collaboration, it becomes more convenient for distressed families to obtain emergency funds by approaching a neighbourhood bank rather than going to court,” said Mr Kenneth Yap, Registrar, Family Justice Courts. 

Said Mr Shee Tse Koon, DBS Singapore Country Head, “We are pleased to be implementing this initiative and are honoured to work with FJC to provide greater support to low-income families. As a purpose-driven organisation, we want to do our part to help families facing challenging circumstances obtain emergency funds as quickly as possible. It is our hope that our participation in this initiative will help ease and facilitate this process for families undergoing a challenging transition.”

About the 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 is comprised of the Family Division of the High Court, the Family Courts and the Youth Courts and is administered by the Presiding Judge of the FJC. The cases dealt with by the FJC include those relating to divorce and ancillary matters, family violence, maintenance, adoption and guardianship, youth court, mental capacity and probate and succession. Its mission is to make justice accessible to families and youth through effective counselling, mediation and adjudication.

About POSB

A part of the DBS Group, POSB is the largest and oldest local bank in Singapore with over four million customers. Having served generations of Singaporeans for over 140 years, it is known as the "People's Bank", and prides itself on being "neighbours first, bankers second".

With a good understanding of Singaporeans through the years, POSB offers products and services that are relevant to the savings, borrowing, investment and insurance needs of all Singaporeans. With over 50 branches conveniently located islandwide, and over 1,000 ATMs and Cash Acceptance Machines across the island, POSB's distribution network is the largest in Singapore.

POSB acknowledges the passion, commitment and can-do spirit in each of its staff. For more information, please visit www.posb.com.sg.

For Media Enquires

Family Justice Courts
Ms Christie Goh
Senior Assistant Director, Office of Public Affairs
Tel: 6325-7043
Email: christie_goh@fjcourts.gov.sg

DBS/POSB
Ms Tay Sze Lynn
Senior Vice President, Group Strategic Marketing and Communications
Tel: 6682-8738
Email: szelynn@dbs.com

ANNEX A



ANNEX B

Profiles for Media Interviews

Name	Profile
Mr Gregory Vijayendran, SC Partner, Rajah & Tann	Board Chair, Law Society Pro Bono Services and President, Law Society of Singapore.
Mr Raymond Yeo Sole Proprietor, Raymond Yeo	Veteran family lawyer and former Co-chair of the Family Law Practice Committee.

POSB branch staff providing assistance to a customer 


High-resolution version available upon request from DBS/POSB (Photo to be attributed to POSB)