Filing of Divorce Applications

1. Between 2 July 2020 and 2 September 2020 (both dates inclusive), the Court Registry will accept filing of new divorce applications which satisfy the following conditions only:

(a) The applicant/intended Plaintiff has completed the Marriage Counselling Programme (“MCP”) and a letter has been issued by the MCP Agency for the Filing of Originating Summons for Divorce;

(b) The last counselling date in the letter is (i) between 7 October 2019 and 1 December 2019; (ii) between 2 December 2019 and 1 January 2020; or (iii) between 2 January 2020 and 6 April 2020; and

(c) The last date for filing the Originating Summons for Divorce is (i) between 7 April 2020 and 1 June 2020; (ii) between 2 June 2020 and 1 July 2020; or (iii) between 2 July 2020 to 6 October 2020.

2. For cases with a filing deadline that falls (i) between 7 April 2020 and 1 June 2020 (both dates inclusive), being the Circuit Breaker period; or (ii) between 2 June 2020 and 27 July 2020 (both dates inclusive), being the equivalent period immediately after the Circuit Breaker, which has already passed as at the date of filing the divorce application, the applicant/intended Plaintiff may, at the same time as filing the Originating Summons for Divorce, file the Originating Summons for Divorce pursuant to section 46(A) of the Administration of Muslim Law Act in Form 6A and a supporting affidavit. For the avoidance of doubt, this paragraph applies only to divorce applications made before 31 July 2020.

3. A sample template of Form 6A and the supporting affidavit for the purpose of paragraph 2 of this Circular may be obtained at our website at www.syariahcourt.gov.sg.

Court’s Commissioner for Oaths

4. The Court’s Commissioner for Oaths may take an affirmation only from a party who acts in person in respect of the following documents prepared using the applicable standard forms and exhibiting the required standard documents: (a) A Case Statement or Amended Case Statement; (b) A Memorandum of Appearance or Amended Memorandum of Defence; (c) An affidavit in support of Originating Summons for leave under section 46A of the Administration of Muslim Law Act, provided the divorce application falls within paragraph 2 of this Circular.

5. The above applies until 31 July 2020, or such later date as the Registrar may direct.

Court’s Process Server

6. The services of the Court’s Process Server will be prioritised for cases with upcoming scheduled hearing dates.

7. The services of the Court’s Process Server will not be available for any application (filed by Litigants-in-person), except for the service process of Originating Summons for Divorce, until 31 July 2020, or such later date as the Registrar may direct.

General

8. Court users and members of the public who wish to seek clarification on this matter may call 63548371 or email MCCY_Syariah@mccy.gov.sg.

For general information on court processes and procedures, they may visit our website at www.syariahcourt.gov.sg.

Dated this 25th day of June 2020

Syariah Court will continue its safe management measures that have been implemented for Court users since re-opening on 2 June 2020.

Other updates on Registry services

(a) Filing of divorce applications

(i) Between 2 July 2020 and 2 September 2020 (both dates inclusive), filing of new divorce applications will be limited to cases that meet the following conditions:

(a) The filing deadline has expired between 7 April 2020 and 1 July 2020, provided it is accompanied with the application for permission under regulation 8E of the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Rules; or

(b) The filing deadline falls between 2 July 2020 and 27 July, provided (i) it is made before 31 July 2020 and; (ii) if the application is made on a date after the filing deadline has expired, it must be accompanied with the application for permission under regulation 8E of the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Rules; or

(c) The filing deadline falls between 28 July 2020 and 6 October 2020.

(b) Court’s Commissioner for Oaths:

Affirmation of Court documents by the Court’s Commissioner for Oaths will continue to be limited to certain categories of documents and affidavits filed by litigants-in-persons. Applicable until 31 July 2020 or such later date as the Registrar may direct.

(c) Court’s Process Server:

Services of the Court’s Process Server will continue to be prioritised for cases with upcoming scheduled hearing dates, and is limited to the service of divorce documents filed by litigants-in-persons. Applicable until 31 July 2020 or such later date as the Registrar may direct.

Please refer to Registrar’s Circular No. 18 of 2020 for more details.

Court users and members of the public who wish to seek clarification on the above matters may call our hotline at 63548371 or email us at MCCY_Syariah@mccy.gov.sg .

We urge you to continue to observe all precautionary safety measures during your time at the Court. Thank you.

Dated this 25th day of June 2020

With Phase 2 re-opening from 19 June 2020, Syariah Court will continue its safe management measures that have been implemented for Court users since re-opening on 2 June 2020.

For the avoidance of doubt, Registrar’s Circular No. 17 of 2020 will continue to apply until the date(s) specified in it or until further notice, whichever is earlier.

For our collective well-being and safety, please observe all safety measures during your time at the Court.

For any clarification on the above, please call 6354 8371 or email us at MCCY_Syariah@mccy.gov.sg.

Thank you.

Dated this 19th day of June 2020