Updates on Measures Relating to COVID-19

1. With the implementation of the elevated safe distancing measures, the Syariah Court is closed from 7 April 2020 to 4 May 2020 (both dates inclusive) (called the “Relevant Period”).

Divorce Proceedings

2. All matters in the Syariah Court (including appeals, trials, applications (interlocutory or otherwise) pre-trial conferences and mediation) scheduled for hearing will be adjourned to such date as may be notified to the parties unless the matter is assessed to be essential and urgent.

3. In general, a matter that is essential and urgent is one which is time sensitive or involves the safety or other urgent needs of a person. Parties who wish to request for a matter to be heard on an urgent basis should write in to the Court* and provide reasons to satisfy the Court of its urgency, which will be duly considered by the Court. If the matter is to be heard, it will, as far as possible, be conducted by video-conferencing. Otherwise, it will be held in Court and parties are to comply with all safe distancing and other applicable measures. No person may make an audio or visual recording of the proceedings conducted by video-conferencing, except in accordance with section 54A of the Administration of Muslim Law Act (Cap. 3, Rev Ed. 2009). 

4. In relation to timelines, where the filing deadline for any pleading or affidavit falls during the Relevant Period, such deadline is automatically extended to three (3) weeks after the Relevant Period, or such later date as the Court may direct.

5. However, this does not apply to the deadline for the filing of originating summons for divorce upon completion of the Marriage Counselling Programme (“MCP”). Attention is drawn to section 46A(4) of the Administration of Muslim Law Act and rule 8E of the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Rules. The Court will give due consideration to every application to be allowed to file an application for divorce notwithstanding that a party has not attended the MCP within the prescribed time if the reasons given arise from or relate to the Relevant Period.

6. In relation to the MCP, all registration forms received to-date will be processed after the Relevant Period. All appointments to attend the MCP at any MCP agency will be postponed to a date after the Relevant Period. Affected parties will be contacted by the relevant MCP agencies, and may refer their queries directly to them.

7. All Divorce Support Specialist Agencies (“DSSAs”) will also be closed during the Relevant Period. All appointments for any services at the DSSAs will be postponed to a date after the Relevant Period. Affected parties will be contacted by the relevant DSSAs, and may refer their queries directly to them

8. All documents that is due for collection from the Court Registry, but which is not collected before the Relevant Period, may be collected after the Relevant Period.

Inheritance Certificates

9. All applications for issuance and extract of inheritance certificates received to-date will be processed after the Relevant Period. Any inheritance certificate that has been processed, but which is not yet approved for collection before the Relevant Period, may be collected if approved after the Relevant Period.

General

10. Court users and members of the public who wish to seek clarification on the above may call 63548371 or may email MCCY_Syariah@mccy.gov.sg. * Please refer to Registrar’s Circular No. 10 of 2020 for the manner and form of the written request.

Dated this 6th day of April 2020