Singapore legislation
Section 4
Section 4
Principles
(1)
In performing any duty or exercising any power under this Act in relation to a vulnerable adult, the Director‑General and every protector, approved welfare officer and enforcement officer must have regard to the following principles:
the duty is being performed or the power is being exercised for the purpose of protecting the vulnerable adult from abuse, neglect and self‑neglect;
a vulnerable adult, where not lacking mental capacity, is generally best placed to decide how he or she wishes to live and whether or not to accept any assistance;
if a vulnerable adult lacks mental capacity, the vulnerable adult’s views (whether past or present), wishes, feelings, values and beliefs, where reasonably ascertainable, must be considered;
regard must be had to whether the purpose for which the duty is being performed or the power is being exercised can be achieved in a way that is less restrictive of the vulnerable adult’s rights and freedom of action;
in all matters relating to the administration or application of this Act, the welfare and best interests of the vulnerable adult must be the first and paramount consideration.
(2)
Every relevant support person must have regard to the principles mentioned in subsection (1) when assisting the Director‑General or a protector in the performance or exercise of the Director‑General’s or protector’s duties or powers under this Act or in any other dealing with a vulnerable adult for the purposes of this Act.
(3)
In deciding whether to make an order under this Act in relation to —
a vulnerable adult; or
an individual whom the Director‑General or protector has reason to believe is a vulnerable adult and who has experienced, or is experiencing or at risk of, abuse, neglect or self‑neglect,the court must have regard to the principles mentioned in subsection (1), but the court may also have regard to such other matters as the court thinks fit.