2 in 3 divorces uncontested in 2023 after simplified track's 2015 launch

Mediation, counselling effective in taking the sting out of divorce proceedings: CJ

- Theresa Tan

Only a minority of divorcing couples fight their case in a contested hearing in court, which shows that mediation and counselling have been effective in taking the sting out of divorce proceedings, said Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon.

In 2023, two in three divorce cases, or 66 per cent, were filed on the simplified track for divorce proceedings, where both husband and wife agree on all issues related to the divorce and ancillary matters, such as child custody and maintenance. This is up from 24 per cent in 2015, when the simplified track was launched, said the Chief Justice at the Asian Family Conference at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre on Nov 7.

The event was organised by the Ministry of Social and Family Development and Singapore University of Social Sciences.

He said that compared with the non-simplified track, the simplified track is designed to be a much quicker and less costly process where the couple do not need to attend court hearings, adding that it has been a "resounding success".

For cases "that do not proceed on the simplified track, only about 8 per cent of the total number of divorce applications proceed to a contested hearing", he said.

Chief Justice Menon described the introduction of the simplified track as the most notable change when it comes to procedural reforms, where processes are designed to encourage and maximise the chances for those involved to resolve their issues amicably.