JUDICIARY TIMES - P2 - State Courts
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SEP • ISSUE 2/2021
JUDICIARY
TIMES
P2 P3 P4
New Protection from Mass Call 2021 — The Legal Eighth World Congress on
Harassment Court Established Profession Amidst the Family Law & Children's Rights
Pandemic: Change and
Continuity
CONTENTS HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
New Protection from 02 New Protection from Harassment Court Established
Harassment Court Established
On 1 June, a new specialised court known as the Protection The PHC will offer victims of harassment a one-stop solution for effective and holistic recourse through a new
Mass Call 2021 — The Legal Profession 03 from Harassment Court (PHC) was established. The PHC simplified process with simple forms and expedited timelines for certain types of applications, including applications
Amidst the Pandemic: Change is dedicated to dealing with harassment matters. It will for Protection Orders and orders relating to falsehoods.
and Continuity hear all criminal and civil matters under the Protection
Eighth World Congress on Family Law & 04 from Harassment Act (POHA). Under the simplified track, a claimant can file a claim online and at lower cost through the State Courts' Community
Children's Rights Justice and Tribunals System (CJTS) that is accessible 24/7.
ABOUT THE PROTECTION
EVENTS AND INITIATIVES FROM HARASSMENT COURT OVERVIEW OF THE SIMPLIFIED TRACK
FILING OF HARASSMENT CLAIMS
Sixth Joint Judicial Conference 05 on Community Justice and Tribunals System (CJTS)
Bilateral Meeting between Singapore 06
and Brunei Judiciaries POWERS
CJTS LOGIN TO CJTS
www.statecourts.gov.sg/CJTS/
Justice Aedit Abdullah Delivers Speech at 06 All the criminal and civil jurisdiction of a District Court.
the International Symposium on the Rule of
Law in Financial Regulation COMPLETE PRE-FILING
ASSESSMENT
Joint Seminar with Hainan High 07
People’s Court and Singapore Cooperation
Programme
PO EPO
FILE CLAIM ONLINE
TYPES OF CASES TYPES OF CASES E-NEGOTIATION
FSO MTO
Apply for PO/Damages/FSO
CASE MANAGEMENT
"Hackathon for a Better World" 2021 08 TO BE HEARD THAT MAY NOT (optional) CONFERENCE
BE HEARD UNSUCCESSFUL
Generally, all
CAPSule Webinar Series for Family 09
harassment claims. Harassment claims that SUCCESSFUL
Justice Courts are related to other civil
Proceedings in other
Outcome Study: CAPS Counselling Improves 10 Courts might be or family proceedings
transferred to the which the PHC thinks
Family Relationships & Children’s Well-Being OR
PHC, if there are would be more justly,
Making a Positive Impact on the Community 11 related matters expeditiously and WITHDRAW APPLY TO PHC FOR COURT ORDER HEARING
which should be economically disposed of CLAIM CONSENT ORDER
Measures in Place to Improve the 12 dealt with together. in another court.
Courthouse Environment
Claims that can be made under the simplified track must involve only one claimant and no more than five
PO EPO
TRANSFORMATION AND 13 TYPES OF REMEDIES respondents, be brought within two years from the date that the course of action is accrued, and not include a
INNOVATION IN THE JUDICIARY FSO MTO
claim for damages exceeding $20,000.
For Harassment:
• Protection Order (PO) • Mandatory Treatment Parties can file a civil claim if the claim is not eligible to be made under the simplified track. They can also file
• Expedited Protection Order (If a PO is granted) a Magistrate’s Complaint or commence private prosecution either through a lawyer or by filing an online form
WHAT'S NEW? 14 Order • Damages
which can be accessed from the Singapore Courts website.
For False Statements:
False Statement Orders Interim False Statement
BEHIND THE SCENES 17 - Stop Publication Order Order(s): What is a specialised court? What is POHA?
- Correction Order (only if the corresponding false
statement order is also applied for) A specialised court is a court that is designated POHA came into force on 15 November 2014.
- Disabling Order - Interim Stop Publication to manage certain categories of cases. Many of It serves to protect and give effective redress to
- Target Correction Order Order these courts are District Courts and Magistrates’ persons who have been harassed by communications
- General Correction Order - Interim Notification Order
Courts, with examples being the Community or actions or have been the subject of falsehoods.
- Interim Disabling Order
Criminal Court, Traffic Court and Night Courts. Generally, the victims may apply for civil remedies
- Target Interim Notification
Order against harassers or publishers of falsehoods;
harassers are also liable to face criminal sanctions.
1 JUDICIARY TIMES • SEP 2021 2
HIGHLIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS
Eighth World Congress on Family Law
& Children's Rights
The Eighth World Congress on Family Law and In his keynote speech, Chief Justice Sundaresh
Children’s Rights was hosted virtually by Singapore Menon set out his vision for therapeutic justice as
from 12 to 16 July with over 177 participants from a means of resolving familial disputes in a holistic,
18 countries who were welcomed by President restorative and forward-looking way. As the welfare of
Halimah Yacob. a child is of paramount importance, the Chief Justice
stressed the need for a system that can sensitively
The World Congress was set up with the vision of manage and ameliorate a distressing personal and
enhancing, promoting, and protecting the rights of familial situation for the child.
children and young people. Since its inauguration in
Sydney, Australia, in 1993, the Congress has served as Presiding Judge of the Family Justice Courts,
a platform for public advocacy and a powerful catalyst Justice Debbie Ong spoke on how it is critical for
for change on a wide range of matters, including parents to fully discharge their parental responsibility
international child abduction, the legal regulation as it is intimately entwined with the welfare of
of surrogacy, and family violence and child abuse. the child. Justice Ong also provided a snapshot
of the milestones in the Family Justice Courts’
Mass Call 2021 — The Legal Profession Amidst Themed “Through the eyes of a Child”, the five-day journey as well as highlighted the adoption of a
conference featured 21 plenary sessions that urged multi-disciplinary approach and a non-adversarial
the Pandemic: Change and Continuity the speakers and participants alike to reflect on how system that delivers therapeutic justice for families
the international community could work towards undergoing divorce.
The Admission of Advocates and The Chief Justice also highlighted The Chief Justice touched on the greater co-operation on the movement of children,
Solicitors — Mass Call 2021 held on the thought-provoking report by the commitment to the core values consider the best practices in addressing family-justice The eighth World Congress on Family Law and
23 and 24 August, saw 457 newly Law Society of England and Wales, and ethics of the profession and matters, engender conversations about international Children’s Rights was jointly presented by the
minted Advocates and Solicitors which offered snapshots of how the encouraged advocates to actively treaties and possible reform, and revisit pressing World Congress on Family Law and Children’s
called to the Bar over three legal landscape might change over seek opportunities in pro bono issues such as cyber security and human trafficking. Rights and LAWASIA.
sessions via video conference. In the next 30 years. It predicted that work to help out those who have
view of the pandemic, this was artificial intelligence would become been shut out from having access
the second year the Mass Call more capable of carrying out the to justice.
was conducted using remote lower-order tasks performed by
communication technology. junior lawyers today and forecasted Similarly, Mr Gregory Vijayendran,
a growing need for lawyers with S.C., the President of the Law
The first session was presided over a multidisciplinary background Society of Singapore, shared the
by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, and outlook, who could effectively ABCs of legal practice — Adopt,
and the subsequent sessions by interface between the legal and non- Build and Create, and urged the
Justices of the Court of Appeal, legal spheres. Instead of viewing new lawyers to undertake pro bono
Justice Judith Prakash and Justice technology as a competitor, the cases, making a difference to the
Tay Yong Kwang. Chief Justice urged lawyers to see world of the indigent assisted.
technology as a partner in service
In the Chief Justice’s speech titled of the ends of justice.
“The Legal Profession Amidst the
Pandemic: Change and Continuity”,
he said that the pandemic had Scan the QR code
brought the use of technological to watch a video Scan the QR Code
highlighting key for Chief Justice's
tools into the mainstream of many messages from Chief full speech
legal tasks and processes, where Justice's speech https://go.gov.sg/
much of this has involved the https://go.gov.sg/ mc21
migration of traditional processes mc21vid
to a digital format.
3 JUDICIARY TIMES • SEP 2021 4
EVENTS & INITIATIVES EVENTS & INITIATIVES
Sixth Joint Judicial Conference Bilateral Meeting between Singapore and
Brunei Judiciaries
The bilateral meeting between the Chief Justice the sixth Joint Judicial Conference. Both Chief
of Singapore, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, and Justices had a fruitful discussion towards deepening
the Chief Justice of Brunei Darussalam, Dato Seri bilateral judicial cooperation.
Paduka Steven Chong, was held in tandem with
(From left) Chief Justice Dato Seri Paduka Steven Chong of Brunei, Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun binti Tuan Mat of Malaysia,
Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon of Singapore
The sixth Joint Judicial Conference (JJC), hosted by cases: The reasons and sentencing considerations”
the Supreme Court of Brunei Darussalam, was held (second session), and “The rise of the machines:
on 22 July via video conference. JJC has served as Judges vs Artificial Intelligence” (third session). Justice
a valuable platform for the Brunei, Malaysia, and Debbie Ong led the first session as the moderator
Singapore Judiciaries to come together to affirm while Justice Valerie Thean and Justice Aedit Abdullah
and deepen relationships and to share views and represented the Supreme Court of Singapore as Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon of Singapore (left) and Chief Justice Dato Seri Paduka Steven Chong of Brunei (right) in
discussion during the bilateral meeting between Singapore and Brunei
insights on the law and the administration of justice. speakers for the second and third session respectively.
Following the welcome address by the respective The three Judiciaries will come together again in
Chief Justices, the panel discussions centred on the 2023 at the seventh Joint Judicial Conference that
three broad themes “Child protection in cross border is to be hosted by the Federal Court of Malaysia.
issues” (first session), “The rise of human trafficking Justice Aedit Abdullah Delivers Speech at the
International Symposium on the Rule of Law in
Financial Regulation
On 15 July, Justice Aedit Abdullah delivered a speech
via video recording at the International Symposium
on the Rule of Law in Financial Regulation organised
by the Shanghai High People's Court. The symposium
was a special event held in conjunction with the
annual Lujiazui Forum, a high-level global platform
for government officials, world financial leaders and
outstanding scholars to discuss developments relating
to international financial cooperation and financial
reforms. The theme of the symposium was “Law-
based Response to and International Cooperation
for Financial Institutional Openness”. Justice Aedit
Abdullah spoke on the importance of direct court-
to-court communication in complex financial cases
and advocated the development of bilateral or
Justice Aedit Abdullah at the International Symposium on multilateral court-to-court communication protocols
the Rule of Law in Financial Regulation across different jurisdictions.
5 JUDICIARY TIMES • SEP 2021 6
EVENTS & INITIATIVES EVENTS & INITIATIVES
Joint Seminar with Hainan High People’s Court and "Hackathon for a Better World" 2021
Singapore Cooperation Programme
HOW WHEN WHY
International Investment Treaty Learn-as-you-hack Jul to Oct 2021 To tackle growing trend
Commitments” programme in of online harms
August, which was conducted
under the Ministry of Foreign
Following the success of the inaugural "Hackathon for Chief Transformation and Innovation Officer for the
Affairs’ Singapore Cooperation
a Better World" by DBS and the Judiciary last year, Singapore Judiciary, Mr Tan Ken Hwee, said, “We had
Programme (SCP). Featuring DBS, the Judiciary and the Ministry of Communications a very fruitful hackathon last year, yielding practical
faculty members from the SJC, and Information (MCI) have come together to organise solutions to enhance access to justice. Some of the
Attorney-General’s Chambers of a community hackathon which began on 21 July. solutions are actually being adapted for real-world
Singapore, Ministry of Trade and deployment! We are pleased to jointly organise this
Industry Academy, and Singapore The theme this year is “Designing a Safer, Kinder & year’s hackathon with DBS and MCI, with a focus on
Management University Law Responsible Internet for All”. With more people turning protecting vulnerable persons from online harms.
Academy, the participants were to the virtual world amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, This is a significant challenge, as children and other
Joint Seminar with Hainan High People’s Court introduced to the international the issue of online harms, particularly against women vulnerable persons are “digital natives” and can be
investment treaty regime and and girls, has become increasingly prevalent. The expected to use online interaction much more
As the Singapore Judicial College Chief Judge Ma Xuetao, Deputy investor-state dispute settlement hackathon aims to address these growing challenges than previous generations. We hope to encourage
(SJC) remains steadfast in fulfilling Divisional Registrar Justin Yeo before they engaged the faculty and generate innovative solutions for safer and kinder innovative minds to explore solutions to tackle these
its primary function to support and Deputy Chief Judge Wang on prevention of disputes through online spaces in today’s digital age. challenges and play a part in ensuring a safer and
the Singapore Bench with quality Hao on introductions to the SICC negotiations and effective more secure cyber space for everyone.”
judicial education by pivoting Forty teams with diverse compositions, such as
and the foreign-related Civil and compliance, as well as dealing
practising lawyers, law students, public officers, The participants will pitch their ideas before a panel of
to online training and adopting Commercial Courts of Hainan, how with investor-state challenges.
and DBS employees, are challenged to “hack” one judges on 7 October. The winners will be announced
innovative pedagogical methods the courts operate and the cases Earlier in July, the SJC also
of three problem statements that were developed by on 28 October.
to hone essential judgecraft and that are heard by them. conducted this year’s iteration the organisers. Like last year, the hackathon adopts
benchskills, it also kept pace with of a staple SCP course on court a unique “learn-as-you-hack” format where the
its international outreach despite In a new “first”, 30 participants technology, which saw a diverse participants work on their problem statements over
the continued challenges posed f ro m 2 2 j u r i s d i c t i o n s a l s o participation of 30 representatives two months through an iterative process.
by the present climate. participated in SJC’s “Managing from 16 jurisdictions.
On 23 July, 66 judges and court
administrators from the Singapore
Judiciary, and 120 judges and
trainees from the Hainan High
People’s Court (HHPC) attended
an online seminar on international
commercial law. President of
the Singapore International
Commercial Court (SICC) Justice
Quentin Loh, President of HHPC
Justice Chen Fengchao, Dean of
SJC, Mr Foo Chee Hock, S.C. and
Executive Vice President of HHPC
Chen Wenping were among those
in attendance. Jointly organised by
the SJC and HHPC, the seminar
featured presentations by Senior
Director Mr Laurence Wong and Managing International Investment Treaty Commitments
7 JUDICIARY TIMES • SEP 2021 8
EVENTS & INITIATIVES EVENTS & INITIATIVES
CAPSule Webinar Series for Family Justice Courts Outcome Study: CAPS Counselling Improves Family
As the social science arm of the Family Justice Courts The first series, titled “Using the Music of Emotions Relationships & Children’s Well-being
(FJC), the Counselling and Psychological Services to Help Families Dance Together”, was presented
(CAPS) is staffed with Court Family Specialists (CFSs) by Mr Yeo Eng Kwan, Deputy Director of CAPS. The Adversarial trial processes within the Family Justice Compared to when they first started CAPS counselling
who are trained in specialised fields such as social talk centred on Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Courts (FJC) can sometimes exacerbate the animosity and three months after CF and CI counselling, the
work, counselling, and psychology. Within that, the a form of therapy, which whilst largely used in couple between divorcing parents, weaken parent-child parents reported that their acrimony towards each
CFSs have years of work experience in many settings, and family work, can be equally applicable to co- relationships and harm children’s well-being. To other reduced significantly and they felt more attached
for instance, mental health hospitals, schools, Divorce parenting and parent-child relationships for families ameliorate this, the FJC has adopted a therapeutic to their children. The children reported increased
Support Specialist Agencies, Family Service Centres, undergoing court proceedings. During the 90-minute justice approach and alternative dispute resolution attachment to their fathers. The parents further
and Child Protective Services. Some of the CFSs have session, Mr Yeo brought the attendees through the processes for family disputes by providing counselling reported that their children’s well-being improved
lectured or developed modules for various training basic principles of EFT, acquainted them with the five and mediation at the Family Dispute Resolution significantly (exhibiting fewer conduct problems,
institutions’ and universities’ specialist programmes. "tango" moves of EFT, and before rounding up with Division (FDR) for divorcing parents with at least one hyperactive behaviours, peer problems and overall
a discussion on applying the concepts to the work at minor child. problems, while displaying more prosocial behaviours).
This richness and depth in the team present a good FJC. The talk saw a total of 34 attendees, consisting CF and CI counselling appeared to affect these
opportunity for co-learning within CAPS where of CFSs, Judicial Officers and Court Administrators. At the FDR, Court Family Specialists (CFSs) from the outcomes equally.
diversity of expertise, skills, and knowledge can Feedback from participants indicated that they found Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS) adopts
be shared and deepened among CFSs, as well as the webinar useful and aspects of EFT could be child-focused (CF) counselling to help parents resolve Although this was an exploratory study, the results are
for Judicial Officers and Court Administrators. The integrated into their current work. underlying conflicts, communicate effectively with encouraging: the study shows that various significant
CAPSule webinar series was subsequently conceived each other about their children, and build consensus positive impacts on families occurred after CI and
to meet this need and to bring about accessibility in on the interim and future care arrangements of their CF counselling. It is heartening that the changes in
the virtual practice environment. children. In some cases, where parents are attuned to acrimony, attachment and well-being occurred quickly
their children, the specialist may use child-inclusive within a few months of counselling, even as most of
(CI) counselling and meet with each child privately. the families may still have ongoing legal proceedings.
The specialist then shares the children’s needs and This study suggests that CAPS counselling can help
experiences, to therapeutically help the parents move support the FDR process in protecting, empowering,
towards a child-centric resolution of their disputes. and restoring families.
In 2018, CAPS, in partnership with researchers from
Nanyang Technological University-National Institute
of Education, started a two-year study to understand
the effectiveness of the two counselling approaches.
A total of 432 parents and 221 children participated in
this study, out of which 318 parents and 149 children
agreed to a follow up after three months. Given the
sizable number of participants, the study was able
to statistically analyse the questionnaire responses
of the participants before and after the two CAPS
therapeutic interventions.
Attendees of the CAPSule webinar series
9 JUDICIARY TIMES • SEP 2021 10
EVENTS & INITIATIVES EVENTS & INITIATIVES
Making a Positive Impact on the Community
Measures in Place to Improve the Courthouse
Environment
To ensure the safety of court users and staff, the Singapore Courts have implemented various
precautionary measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The following are some of the
measures that are currently in place to improve the courthouse environment.
Air Purging
Air purging is conducted
daily to reduce the
concentration of 1
contaminants in the
courthouse.
Air Purification
In June, State Courts staff participated in a series Air purifiers are
of virtual befriending sessions with senior citizens deployed at areas with
from Lions Befrienders, Sree Narayana Mission and 2 high human traffic.
Yong En Care Centre. These sessions provided the
opportunity to chat and interact with senior citizens
over fun and engaging activities such as quizzes,
colouring and craft workshops, which also enabled
the elderly participants to express their creativity Enhanced
and fine-tune their motor skills. Cleaning Regime
From 16 to 23 July, the State Courts participated Increased frequency of
in the "Read for Books Charity Drive" organised cleaning and sanitising of 3
by the National Library Board to raise awareness common areas and high
of reading and sharing the gift of reading with touch points such as lift
the less privileged. buttons, card readers
and door handles.
More Protection
State Courts’ staff logged their reading hours and
uploaded pictures of themselves reading onto an The State Courts have been actively participating Acrylic shields are
online form to clock their participation. Some also in the "Read for Books Charity Drive" for the past installed at various
three years. This year, they raised 59 books, the
joined an online reading session to read together
highest number of books contributed to the charity
4 locations in the
as a group to achieve the State Courts’ goal of courthouse. Hand
donating 50 books to the two beneficiaries. drive so far. sanitisers and
disinfectants are also
readily available for
members of the public
and staff to use.
11 JUDICIARY TIMES • SEP 2021 12
TRANSFORMATION AND INNOVATION IN THE JUDICIARY WHAT'S NEW
Motor Accident Claims Online Innovating Amidst the Pandemic —
Members of the public involved in motor accidents can now go online to get a quick assessment, free of Creating CAPS E-Learning Modules
charge, of who is liable and how much compensation is payable for any personal injuries suffered. This can
be done using the Motor Accident Claims Online (MACO) website. The COVID-19 pandemic brought seismic disruptions to the way the world works. The Family Justice Courts
(FJC) were quick to adapt to new work routines and arrangements such as from face-to-face to remote/online
interactions. At the same time, the Supreme Court’s Human Resource (HR) department and the Counselling
MACO comprises two modules: and Psychological Services (CAPS) leveraged on the growing use and familiarity with online interactions, to
• Liability simulator — assess who might be “at • Quantum simulator — assess what compensation introduce more remote/online training for FJC staff through the Civil Service’s LEARN platform.
fault” for the accident, and the percentage of might be awarded for injuries resulting from
liability that the party bears. the accident. Guided by HR, CAPS developed two e-learning modules on LEARN. These modules could be used to
orientate new CAPS specialists, and regularly refresh the key principles and processes that are helpful and
essential for FJC staff and CAPS.
These modules have improved the consistency in content, given flexibility for self-paced learning, and freed
up resources for trainers and venues, allowing CAPS and the FJC to be better equipped to support families.
FIRST MODULE SECOND MODULE
MACO features a step-by-step questionnaire that:
1 Guides the user in providing the relevant facts surrounding the accident.
2 Simulates the accident scenario based on the user’s input.
3 Provides a non-binding indication of the apportionment of liability between the parties involved
The first e-learning module, “Foundational The second module is titled “Practice
in the accident and an indicative range-estimate of damages for personal injuries claimable.
Principles for Counselling and Psychological Fundamentals of Counselling and
Services (CAPS) officers" aims to provide a Psychological Services (CAPS)”. It serves to
MACO can facilitate settlement of simple motor accident cases by providing reliable indications of the better understanding of the philosophy and explain and distinguish the different roles of
possible outcome of a potential claim, enabling the parties to engage in informed negotiations. The guiding principles of CAPS, functions of CAPS CAPS. The different frameworks and practice
indications can help the parties decide if they want to accept offers by insurers, or if it is worthwhile to and the ethical responsibilities required for strategies used by CAPS officers are also
pursue their claims in court. This can potentially save the parties time and legal costs. work. The module also briefly highlights the explored, highlighting various key practices
different services provided by CAPS within for CAPS Specialists to take note of when
MACO is an initiative by the Singapore Academy of Law in collaboration with the Singapore Courts, as part the unique role it plays in FJC. working with court users.
of the "Courts of the Future IT Roadmap".
Access MACO at:
https://go.gov.sg/maco
13 JUDICIARY TIMES • SEP 2021 14
WHAT'S NEW WHAT'S NEW
Supreme Court is now on LinkedIn
Follow the Supreme Court on LinkedIn for the latest announcements,
informative content such as the #DoYouKnow series, and articles
on the legal industry.
The Singapore Courts Annual Report 2020 encapsulates the Scan to view the Singapore Courts Annual #DoYouKnow series
Scan the QR Codes to visit and follow Supreme Court’s LinkedIn and Twitter
work and achievements of the Supreme Court, the State Report 2020 or download a copy at:
A weekly series of posts by the
Courts and the Family Justice Courts in the past year. Supreme Court on LinkedIn
https://go.gov.sg/ and Twitter from June to
Technology continues to play a crucial role in the transformation https://go.gov.sg/
linkedinsupct twittersupct August. It included fun facts,
of the Singapore Courts, enabling us to deliver effective solutions about the former and present
for the continuous access to justice and its timely dispensation Supreme Court buildings,
despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. In the new other historical milestones and
normal, the Singapore Judiciary remains ready for the future. information on court etiquette
https://go.gov.sg/scar20
and court technology.
SMU Yong Pung How School of Law x
Supreme Court: Articles relating to the
Rule of Law
This is an ongoing collaboration between the Supreme Court and the
Singapore Management University (SMU) Yong Pung How School of Law.
These articles, penned by students on issues concerning the rule of law, aim
to create greater awareness of the Judiciary and legal processes. They can
be accessed via Supreme Court’s LinkedIn and on SMU’s Lexicon website.
For children who have to come to court, the experience may be intimidating Scan the QR code to
and overwhelming. To help young court users better understand the view the video online
possible court events they may encounter or hear about in a Family Court
proceeding, the Family Justice Courts (FJC) have produced a children’s
video entitled "Emily's Day in the Family Justice Courts". In the animated
video, little Emily visits the FJC with her parents who are filing for divorce.
Emily is guided by Renee, a Court Family Specialist, who shows her around
and assures Emily that she can safely share her feelings, needs and wishes
in court to alleviate her stress and fear. This is a free resource that family
https://go.gov.sg/cvidfjc
lawyers and parents may wish to tap on to prepare children who need to
attend court at the FJC.
15 JUDICIARY TIMES • SEP 2021 16
BEHIND THE SCENES
part of such projects that promote in the Family Justice Courts”. What are the critical qualities
Behind the Scenes with Communications and the work of the Courts. Another We had produced the video that an officer in Comms or PR
project that comes to mind is the with young court users in mind, should have?
Public Relations Officers State Courts’ "A Day in Court" because the experience of coming
seminar, which is an outreach to court might be intimidating and Shirleen: The ability to work under
event targeted at secondary overwhelming for some. pressure and on multiple projects at
The Singapore Courts’ communications and public relations efforts are undertaken by the officers in school students to introduce any one time, meet deadlines, have
the Supreme Court and Family Justice Courts' (FJC) Office of Public Affairs (OPA) and the State Courts’ aspects of the criminal justice What are some of the challenges strong brand awareness and good
Communications and Service Excellence Directorate (CSE). To find out more about the work they do, system and the role of the State that you face? attention to details and accuracy
we interviewed Christie Goh and Shirleen Lu from OPA, as well as Bryan Jacob from CSE. Courts. I was in charge of planning are some of the critical qualities.
and organising the seminar in Christie: The key challenge
Christie joined the FJC in 2017; Bryan joined the State Courts in 2017; and Shirleen joined the Supreme 2018. I am proud of this project is managing expectations while Christie: I think a comms
Court in 2020. because I had the opportunity juggl ing mul t iple projects officer should have excellent
to enhance the programme and and timelines. communication skills, both
collaborate with colleagues from orally and in writing. Abilities to
other departments to make it a Bryan: Managing varied tasks prioritise, plan effectively and think
memorable and meaningful event under tight timelines is the norm on one’s feet are also important.
for the participants. We received in my department. At times, The officer should have excellent
pretty good feedback that year. they may seem to demand interpersonal skills and creativity
equal immediate attention. So would be a plus!
Shirleen: I’m most proud of it is important to prioritise (a
completing the Supreme Court's “to-do list” helps) and practise Bryan: It helps to be able to
section in the Singapore Courts time management to get things accommodate to different working
Annual Report 2020 together with done. Multitasking and being the styles as we work closely with
my colleague. Having joined the middleman between State Courts people of different backgrounds.
Christie Goh Bryan Jacob Shirleen Lu Judiciary about six months then, and the external stakeholders Attention to detail is also essential
Senior Assistant Director Senior Executive Assistant Director putting together an annual report can require great effort and tact, as we receive frequent requests
Office of Public Affairs, Communications & Service Office of Public Affairs, as such was a tad challenging for especially when I endeavour to to vet documents or evaluate
Family Justice Courts Excellence Directorate, Supreme Court me. However, when it was finally deliver my best and ensure that creative works that are part of
State Courts completed, I realised that my the interests or concerns of all our PR materials.
knowledge of the Courts and their parties are adequately addressed.
What are your responsibilities? looking organisations. I also monitor media reports on matters processes deepened further, and What keeps you going?
Christie: I work with a team of handle all media relations and related to the State Courts. I also I felt a sense of achievement too. Shirleen: I joined Supreme Court
OPA officers to drive Supreme queries, including developing manage the production of the shortly after Singapore exited Bryan: Working in a team of
Court and FJC's outreach to and executing publicity strategies, Singapore Courts Annual Report C h r i s t i e : To provide self- the Circuit Breaker. Given this, driven individuals to meet our
key stakeholders and members media activities and public and Judiciary Times together with represented litigants with equal I started working remotely. This common goals!
of the public with a view of relations materials, to build and my colleagues from the Supreme access to justice, I started working brought challenges of dealing
strengthening public trust and maintain a positive public image Court and FJC. with the respective subject matter with digital communications and Christie: On the days the world
confidence in the Judiciary. of both courts. experts to revamp FJC’s informative collaborations, and also adjusting goes pear-shaped, my colleagues
What project(s) are you most collaterals on court processes/ to the learning curve of the legal are my rocks and they keep me
Shirleen: I’m part of the Public Bryan: I support the CSE’s proud of and why? services in 2018. The collaterals jargon and culture in the public going. Positive feedback on the
Communications cluster in Communications section, which were produced using simple sector. Additionally, permeating work we do also motivates me to
t h e O PA d i re c t o r a t e . M y undertakes communication Bryan: As a member of the language and complemented every work organisation is the continuously strive for the best.
key responsibilities include activities to uphold the positive editorial team for the Judiciary by infographics. To date, we challenge of managing people
conceptualising and creating public perception towards the Times and the Singapore Courts have produced three leaflets, and adjusting their expectations Shirleen: I have a great, supportive
communications content as well State Courts. My scope of work Annual Report, I contribute ideas six brochures and six videos that without lowering the bar. It is a team here! I absolutely enjoy
as planning and implementing includes media relations where and articles, coordinate and review have been well-received by both complex yet integral aspect of coming to work and interacting
communications campaigns to I develop media pitches to the content, as well as work litigants and practitioners within every role as it evolves in new ways with my teammates and colleagues.
members of the public to position generate awareness of the State with the internal and external the Family Justice community. I and directions, often encompassing Learning new things, acquiring
the Supreme Court and FJC as Courts’ work and programmes, stakeholders who are involved in am particularly happy with the a wide range of skills that need to knowledge and competencies also
forward-looking and outward- attend to media queries, and the production. It is fulfilling to be a children’s video — “Emily’s Day be learned and honed. adds excitement to my life!
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