Adoption of Children Act 2022 · Updated to 15 Oct 2024 · Part 3 · Adoption Proceedings
35. Power to order mediation, counselling, etc.
Official textFrom Singapore Statutes Online, unchanged
At any time during any adoption proceedings, the court may, on the application of the Guardian‑in‑Adoption or on its own motion, make an order requiring the joint applicants (or either of them) or sole applicant (as the case may be), any relevant person of the child before the court, or the child, to undergo mediation, counselling, psychotherapy or other assessment, programme or treatment or to partake in any activity that the court thinks is beneficial for achieving any of the following:
adoption proceedings
“adoption proceedings” means the proceedings in court arising from an adoption application, including any appeal against any decision made by the court on the adoption application;
in the case of a contested adoption application — an amicable resolution of any issue arising from the application;
in any case —
enhancing, promoting or protecting the physical, mental, social or psychological wellbeing or safety of the child before the court; or
resolving any relationship problem —
between the joint applicants (or either of them) or sole applicant (as the case may be) and the child;
between the joint applicants (or either of them) or sole applicant (as the case may be) and any relevant person of the child; or
between the child and any relevant person of the child.
In making an order under subsection (1), the court may require the joint applicants or sole applicant (as the case may be) or the relevant person to enter into a bond to comply with the order.
court
“court” means the Family Division of the High Court, a Family Court, or any court hearing an appeal against an order or a decision of the Family Division of the High Court or a Family Court, except in sections 48, 51, 66, 69, 70, 72 and 73 where “court” means a court of competent jurisdiction;
Despite the provisions of the Administration of Justice (Protection) Act 2016, failure to comply with any order given under subsection (1) is not a contempt of court.
If any order under subsection (1) is not complied with, the court may —
stay the adoption proceedings until the order has been complied with;
order any person responsible for the non‑compliance to pay the costs of the adoption proceedings; or
make any other order as the court thinks fit.
Terms defined in s 2
adoption application
Defined · s 2“adoption application” means an application made under this Act for an adoption order;
adoption proceedings
Defined · s 2“adoption proceedings” means the proceedings in court arising from an adoption application, including any appeal against any decision made by the court on the adoption application;
applicant
Defined · s 2“applicant” means an individual who makes an adoption application, whether solely or jointly, and for the purposes of Part 2, includes an individual who intends to make an adoption application; and
applicants
Defined · s 2“applicants” means both applicants in the case of a joint adoption application mentioned in section 4;
child
Defined · s 2“child”, if age rather than descendancy is relevant, means an individual below 21 years of age;
child before the court
Defined · s 2“child before the court” means the child in respect of whom an adoption application is made;
court
Defined · s 2“court” means the Family Division of the High Court, a Family Court, or any court hearing an appeal against an order or a decision of the Family Division of the High Court or a Family Court, except in sections 48, 51, 66, 69, 70, 72 and 73 where “court” means a court of competent jurisdiction;
Guardian-in-Adoption
Defined · s 2“Guardian-in-Adoption” means the Guardian‑in‑Adoption appointed under section 8;
relevant person
Defined · s 2“relevant person”, in relation to a child, or a protected person mentioned in Part 5, means any person who —(a)is a parent or guardian of the child or protected person;(b)has actual custody of the child or protected person; or(c)is liable to contribute to the support of the child or protected person;
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Part 4
Post-Adoption Matters
Part 5
Confidentiality of Children Involved in Adoption Proceedings
Part 6
Regulation of Adoption Practices and Processes
Part 7
Enforcement
Part 8
General Provisions
Part 9