Singapore legislation
Regulation 22N
Regulation 22N
Provision of information to MEO (P. 3, r. 22N)
Subregulation 1
In this Rule —
Definition
“electronic address” includes a mobile telephone number and an account name;
Definition
“information order” means an order under section 86(2), (3) or (4)(c) of the Women’s Charter 1961 that a party, bank or third party (as the case may be) must provide information to an MEO;
Definition
“information permission” means permission granted by the Court to an MEO to direct a third party to provide information to the MEO;
Definition
“information source” —
in relation to an information order — means the party, bank or third party who is ordered to provide information to an MEO in the order or who will be ordered to provide information to an MEO if the order is made; and
in relation to an information permission — means the third party from whom the MEO is permitted by the information permission to direct the provision of information;
Definition
“information subject”, in relation to the information sought by an MEO from an information source, means the party to the proceedings to whom the information relates;
Definition
“messaging system” means an information system that enables the transmission, through the Internet or a mobile telephone network, of messages (in whatever form);
Definition
“System for Tracking, Reporting and Enforcement of Arrears for Maintenance” or “STREAM” has the meaning given by regulation 2(1) of the Women’s Charter (Enforcement of Maintenance Orders under Division 3 of Part 9) Regulations 2024 (G.N. No. S 995/2024).
Subregulation 2
Where this Rule requires an MEO to serve any document on any person, the MEO may, subject to paragraph (3), serve the document on the person —
by transmitting an electronic record of the document to the person’s STREAM account (if the person is not legally represented) or the business STREAM account used by the person’s solicitor (if the person is legally represented); or
by transmitting a copy of the document to the person’s electronic address in any other messaging system.
Subregulation 3
An MEO must not serve a document on a person —
by transmitting an electronic record of the document to the person’s STREAM account, unless —
the person gives prior written consent to be served documents in that manner; and
an MEO has made reasonable efforts to notify the person how the person may retrieve electronic records of documents from the person’s STREAM account; and
by transmitting a copy of the document to the person’s electronic address in any messaging system, unless —
the person gives prior written consent to be served documents in that manner; (ii)the person specifies the messaging system in the written consent; and
the person provides the person’s electronic address for the purpose of the service of documents in that manner.
Subregulation 4
An MEO may request an information order or information permission by filing a request in Form 29-A or submitting a request using STREAM, and may do so without notice to the information source.
Subregulation 5
An MEO who obtains an information order or information permission must, within 14 days from the date on which the order or permission (as the case may be) is made or given, serve the order or permission, as the case may be —
on the parties to the proceedings; and (b)unless otherwise agreed with the information source — on the information source.
Subregulation 6
An MEO may appeal against the Court’s decision to refuse the MEO’s request for an information order or information permission, and may do so without notice to the parties to the proceedings and the information source.
Subregulation 7
An MEO who obtains an information order or information permission on an appeal under paragraph (6) must, within 14 days from the date on which the order or permission (as the case may be) is made or given, serve the order or permission, as the case may be —
on the parties to the proceedings; and
unless otherwise agreed with the information source — on the information source.
Subregulation 8
An information source or information subject may apply to set aside an information order or information permission within 14 days from the date on which the information order or information permission (as the case may be) is served on the information source or information subject, as the case may be.
Subregulation 9
A person who applies to set aside an information order or information permission must serve copies of the application, the supporting affidavit and any decision made by the Court on the application —
on the parties to the proceedings and the MEO who obtained the information order or information permission, as the case may be; and
unless the person is the information source — on the information source.
Subregulation 10
An information source or information subject may appeal against the Court’s decision on an application to set aside an information order or information permission, as the case may be.
Subregulation 11
A person who appeals against the Court’s decision on an application to set aside an information order or information permission must serve copies of the Notice of Appeal and any decision made by the Court on the appeal —
on the parties to the proceedings and the MEO who obtained the information order or information permission, as the case may be; and
unless the person is the information source — on the information source.
Subregulation 12
Neither an application to set aside an information order or information permission, nor an appeal against the Court’s decision on that application, operates as a stay of the information order or information permission, as the case may be.
Subregulation 13
Unless the Court otherwise directs, the request under paragraph (4) and the application under paragraph (8) may be —
heard and determined by the Registrar in Chambers;
decided without hearing oral arguments; and
subject to the Court’s duty to ensure that the proceedings are conducted fairly to all parties — heard in an asynchronous manner.
Subregulation 14
Unless the Court otherwise directs, the appeals under paragraphs (6) and (10) may be —
heard and determined by a Judge in Chambers; and
decided without hearing oral arguments.