Singapore legislation
Section 12
Section 12
Appointment of and applications by Commissioner for the Maintenance of Parents
(1)
The Minister may appoint —
a Commissioner for the Maintenance of Parents; and
any number of Deputy Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners for the Maintenance of Parents that the Minister may consider necessary,on the terms and conditions determined by the Minister.
(2)
The Commissioner may make an application under this Act on behalf of an applicant of or above 60 years of age (whether or not the applicant is able to do so) or represent the applicant in any proceedings or appeal under this Act.
(3)
The Commissioner may consult, or direct a Deputy Commissioner or an Assistant Commissioner or any other person the Commissioner thinks fit to consult, with the parents and children concerned in order to assist them to reach agreement by conciliation.
(4)
Even though a person is below the minimum age specified in subsection (2), the Commissioner may make an application on the person’s behalf or represent the person if the Commissioner is satisfied that the person is suffering from infirmity of mind or body which prevents the person from maintaining or makes it difficult for the person to maintain himself or herself or if there is any other special reason.
(5)
Where a claim of a parent has been referred to the Commissioner under section 3(3), the Commissioner must review the claim and may do all or any of the following:
refer the parent to any relevant Government or other agency for assistance;
refer the differences between the parent and his or her children for conciliation;
take any other measure that the Commissioner thinks fit.
(6)
If a claim has not been settled after referral to the relevant Government or other agency or for conciliation or any other measure taken under subsection (5), an application may be made to the Tribunal under section 3.
(7)
The Commissioner may, by written notice, require any person to appear at any reasonable time and at any convenient place for the purposes of conciliation under subsection (5)(b), and any failure by the person to appear as required may be taken into consideration by the Tribunal when hearing and determining the relevant application for maintenance, in the manner that seems proper to the Tribunal.
(8)
The Commissioner may generally do all things incidental to or consequential upon the discharge of his or her functions or the exercise of his or her powers under this Act.