2015 - Supreme Court of Singapore · Singapore Judicial College │ Prospectus 2015 3 About the SJC Established under the auspices of the Supreme Court of Singapore, the Singapore

2015

Course Prospectus

2015

Singapore Judicial College │ Prospectus 2015

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Contents 1. About the Singapore Judicial College 3 2. SJC’s Board of Governors 4 3. SJC’s Judicial Education Strategy 5 4. SJC’s Signature Programmes 6 5. Gallery 7 6. Courses at a Glance 9 7. SJC Course Calendar 11 8. Course Details Highlights of Civil Procedure in 2014 14 A Discussion on Mental Capacity Act Cases 15 Judge-Led Approach in Resolving Family Disputes: Lessons from Civil Litigation in

the Rules of Court 16

Workability of Care and Control and Access Orders: Discussion on Precedent Orders

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Overview of Rehabilitation and Protection Group (RPG) of MSF 18 Enforcement of Matrimonial Maintenance Payment 19 A Practical Refresher on Contempt in the Face of the Court 20 Preliminary Evaluation Findings from an Evidence-Based Approach to the

Rehabilitation & Reintegration of High-Risk Drug Offenders 21 Registrars' Refresher on Civil Procedure 22 The Challenge of Principled Gap-Filling: A Study of Implied Terms in Comparative

Context 23 "Interest of Justice" in the Evidence Act 24 HDB Regulations for HDB Flats and Divorce Orders 25 Conflict Coaching and Management 26 Child Development – Psychopathology & Sexual Development 27 Strategies for Responding to Litigants With Difficult Behaviour 28 Work of the Syariah Court and Legal Principles of Syariah Law 29 Adjudicating Intellectual Property Disputes: Challenges and Pitfalls 30 Judicial Behaviour, the Dreaded and Desired: From the Lawyers' Lenses 31 Understanding Trauma and Trauma informed Care 32 Maintaining Judicial Impartiality 33 Overview of Alternative Dispute Resolution for Family Disputes 34 Challenges and Pitfalls in Adjudicating Matrimonial Disputes 35 New Trial Technology by Magnum 36 An Overview to Environmental Law for Judges 37 Injunctions; Proprietary and Mareva Injunctions 38


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Recent Developments in IP Law: Starbucks (HK) Ltd & Anor v British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC & Ors [2015] UKSC 31 39

Etiquette Between the Bench and the Bar 40 Sentencing Forum 41 Making Good Mediation Orders 42 Judicial Reforms: Reflections on Design and Delivery 43 Annual Induction Programme (Part B) for Newly Appointed Judicial Commissioners

and Judicial Officers 44

How to Handle Litigants with Mental Issues in the Family Justice Courts 45 Family and Parenting Assessment 46 Principles of Contract Law: Recent Developments in 2015 47 The Community Justice Centre 48 Technology Showcase: Atlas.ti Doing Legal Work 49 Nurturing Judicial Temperament 50 Spousal Violence and Child Abuse/Maltreatment 51 Recent Developments in the Family Justice System in Singapore 52 Family Law and Practice 2015 53


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About the SJC

Established under the auspices of the Supreme Court of Singapore, the Singapore Judicial College (“SJC”) is dedicated to the training and development of Judges and Judicial Officers. It was officially launched on 5 Jan 2015 by the Honourable the Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon. The College consists of a Local and an International wing and Empirical Judicial Research. Local Wing: The Local wing oversees the needs of the Singapore Judiciary, from induction to continuing education to research and developmental programmes. International Wing: The International wing builds on the excellent reputation of Singapore’s well-developed legal system to offer Singapore as a forum of judicial training that encompasses induction training, core competencies development (such as judging, judicial ethics, case management, use of technology and judicial administration), recent developments on areas of legal interest and useful interdisciplinary studies. Empirical Judicial Research: The College serves as an empirical judicial research laboratory with the aim of serving as a test bed for innovation in judicial studies and practices. The empirical research will allow new or existing practices in the courts to be tested and validated.

Vision To achieve excellence in judicial education and research

Mission To provide and inspire continuing judicial learning and research to enhance the competency and professionalism of judges


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SJC’s Board of Governors

Chairman

The Honourable Justice Andrew Phang Judge of Appeal of the Supreme Court of Singapore Deputy Chairman

The Honourable Justice Quentin Loh

Judge of the Supreme Court of Singapore

Members

The Honourable Justice John Dyson Heydon AC QC Retired Judge, High Court of Australia International Judge, Singapore International Commercial Court

The Honourable Judicial Commissioner See Kee Oon Presiding Judge, State Courts of Singapore

The Honourable Judicial Commissioner Valerie Thean Presiding Judge, Family Justice Courts of Singapore

Professor Joseph H H Weiler President, European University Institute

Professor Jeffrey Pinsler, SC Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore

Associate Professor Goh Yihan School of Law, Singapore Management University

The Honourable Judicial Commissioner Foo Chee Hock Dean, Singapore Judicial College

District Judge Tan Boon Heng Executive Director, Singapore Judicial College


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SJC’s Judicial Education Strategy

To provide more synergy in the SJC’s offerings, key areas of judicial education have been identified through understanding the nature of past judicial training programmes and consultation with Judges on their training needs.

The areas of focus are set to expand to enhance the judiciary’s ability to discharge judicial functions. Two new areas – “Judicial Leadership” and “Technology and Sciences” – will be introduced in 2016 to fulfil the requirements of evolving training needs.

• Perceptions of Justice

• Judgments in societal context

• Managing litigants sensitively

• Case Management • Court Technology • Procedures

• Judging

• Mediation

• Impartiality • Integrity • Propriety • Equality • Competence and Diligence

• Developments in substantive law

• Law in a multi-disciplinary context

• Court IT

• DNA Evidence • Handwriting Forensic • Forensic Science • Forensic Medicine • Bio-Sciences & The Law

• Judicial Administration

• Courts Reforms • Research &

Innovation Bench Skills

Social Awareness

Judicial Ethics

Technology

& Sciences

Judicial

Leadership

Legal

Development


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SJC’s Special Series

The Three Special Series

The Three Special Series comprises:

• The Supreme Court Bench Series: talks conducted by Judges and Judicial Commissioners of the Supreme Court;

• The Professorial Series: talks conducted by law academics, including faculty from other relevant disciplines; and

• The Practitioners’ Series: talks conducted by Judicial Officers and selected private practitioners on procedures and practice.

Judiciary Wide Induction Programme

A comprehensive Judiciary-Wide Induction Programme held at the Supreme Court has been formalised for all newly appointed Judicial Commissioners and Judicial Officers of the Singapore Judiciary to attend within the year of their appointment. Over and above the operational induction programmes organised by the respective courts, this intensive 4-day Induction Programme was facilitated by instructors including members of the Supreme Court Bench and high-level Singapore Government officials. In 2015, we were honoured to host judges from Brunei and Sri Lanka too.


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Gallery

Registrar’s Refresher on Civil Procedures

A Practical Refresher on Contempt in the Face of the Courts

"Interests of Justice" in the Evidence Act

Adjudicating Intellectual Property Disputes - Challenges and Pitfalls

Judicial Behaviour, the Dreaded and Desired: From the Lawyers' Lenses

Maintaining Judicial Impartiality

Challenges and Pitfalls in Adjudicating Matrimonial Disputes

An Overview to Environmental Law for Judges

Recent Developments in IP Law

Sentencing Forum Making Good Mediation Orders Judicial Reforms: Reflections on Design and Delivery


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Gallery

Annual Induction Programme (Part B) for Newly Appointed Judicial Commissioners and Judicial Officers

Principles of Contract Law: Recent Developments in 2015

Nurturing Judicial Temperament


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SJC Courses at a Glance - 2015

Bench Skills

Judge-Led Approach in Resolving Family Disputes: Lessons from Civil Litigation in the Rules of Court

10 Feb, Evening TCR, L9, State Cts

A Practical Refresher on Contempt in the Face of the Court 05 Mar, Evening Audi, L9, State Cts

Conflict Coaching and Management 16 Apr, Lunch-time TCR, L9, State Cts

Strategies for Responding to Litigants With Difficult Behaviour 22 Apr, Evening Synergy Conference Room, Sup Ct

Adjudicating Intellectual Property Disputes: Challenges and Pitfalls 12 May, Evening Viewing Gallery, L8, Sup Ct

Challenges and Pitfalls in Adjudicating Matrimonial Disputes 14 Jul, Evening Audi, B2, Sup Ct

New Trial Technology by Magnum 29 Jul, Evening Vision Conference Room, Sup Ct

Injunctions; Proprietary and Mareva Injunctions 19 Aug, Evening Audi, L9, State Cts

Making Good Mediation Orders 17 Sep, Evening Viewing Gallery, L8, Sup Ct

Judicial Reforms: Reflections on Design and Delivery 22 Sep, Evening Viewing Gallery, L8, Sup Ct


06-09 Oct, Full-day B1-3 Meeting Room, Sup Ct

Technology Showcase: Atlas.ti Doing Legal Work 27 Oct, Evening Training Room, SJC Business Centre, Sup Ct

Judicial Ethics

Judicial Behaviour, the Dreaded and Desired: From the Lawyers' Lenses 28 May, Lunch-time Viewing Gallery, L8, Sup Ct

Maintaining Judicial Impartiality 30 Jun, Evening Viewing Gallery, L8, Sup Ct


06 Oct, Full-day B1-3 Meeting Room, Sup Ct

Etiquette Between the Bench and the Bar 27 Aug, Lunch-time TCR, L9, State Cts


03 Nov, Evening Viewing Gallery, L8, Sup Ct

Legal Development

Highlights of Civil Procedure in 2014 22 Jan, Lunch-time Audi, L9, State Cts

A Discussion on Mental Capacity Act Cases 23 Jan, Lunch-time Audi, L9, State Cts

Workability of Care and Control and Access Orders: Discussion on Precedent Orders

13 Feb, Lunch-time Audi, L9, State Cts

Enforcement of Matrimonial Maintenance Payment 03 Mar, Lunch-time Audi, L9, State Cts

Registrars' Refresher on Civil Procedure 09-13 Mar, Full-day Audi, B2, Sup Ct

The Challenge of Principled Gap-Filling: A Study of Implied Terms in Comparative Context

24 Mar, Lunch-time Audi, L9, State Cts

"Interest of Justice" in the Evidence Act 26 Mar, Evening Viewing Gallery, L8, Sup Ct

HDB Regulations for HDB Flats and Divorce Orders 07 Apr, Lunch-time iHUB, L9, State Cts

Work of the Syariah Court and Legal Principles of Syariah Law 05 May, Lunch-time Audi, L9, State Cts

Overview of Alternative Dispute Resolution for Family Disputes 07 Jul, Lunch-time Audi, L9, State Cts


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An Overview to Environmental Law for Judges 18 Aug, Evening Viewing Gallery, L8, Sup Ct

Recent Developments in IP Law: Starbucks (HK) Ltd & Anor v British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC & Ors [2015] UKSC 31

20 Aug, Evening Viewing Gallery, L8, Sup Ct

Sentencing Forum 02 Sep, Evening Mediation Chamber 1 & 2, L2, Sup Ct



Principles of Contract Law: Recent Developments in 2015 20 Oct, Evening Viewing Gallery, L8, Sup Ct

Recent Developments in the Family Justice System in Singapore 1 Dec, Evening Synergy Conference Room, Sup Ct

Family Law and Practice 2015 17 Dec, Morning Conference Room, L5, Family Justice Courts at MND Building

Social Awareness

Overview of Rehabilitation and Protection Group of MSF 27 Feb, Half-day TCR, L9, State Cts

Preliminary Evaluation Findings from an Evidence-Based Approach to the Rehabilitation & Reintegation of High-Risk Drug Offenders

05 Mar, Lunch-time TCR, L9, State Cts

Child Development – Psychopathology & Sexual Development 17 Apr, Half-day TCR, L9, State Cts

Understanding Trauma and Trauma Informed Care 26 June, Half-day TCR, L9, State Cts

How to Handle Litigants with Mental Issues in the Family Justice Courts 06 Oct, Lunch-time Audi, L9, State Cts



Family and Parenting Assessment 16 Oct, Half-day TCR, L9, State Cts

The Community Justice Centre 26 Oct, Evening Synergy Conference Room, Sup Ct

Spousal Violence and Child Abuse/Maltreatment 20 Nov, Half-day TCR, L9, State Cts

Legend

TCR: The Conference Room

Audi, Sup Ct: Auditorium (Level B2)

Audi, State Cts: Auditorium (Level 9)


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Month Date Bench Skills Judicial Ethics Legal Development Social Awareness

Jan 22 Highlights of Civil Procedure in 2014

23 A Discussion on Mental Capacity Act Cases

Feb

10 Judge-Led Approach in Resolving Family Disputes: Lessons from Civil Litigation in the Rules of Court

13 Workability of Care and Control and Access Orders: Discussion on Precedent Orders

27 Overview of Rehabilitation and Protection Group of MSF

Mar

03 Enforcement of Matrimonial Maintenance Payment

05 A Practical Refresher on Contempt in the Face of the Court

Preliminary Evaluation Findings from an Evidence-Based Approach to the Rehabilitation & Reintegration of High-risk Drug Offenders

09

Registrars' Refresher on Civil Procedure

24 The Challenge of Principled Gap-Filling: A Study of Implied Terms in Comparative Context

26 "Interest of Justice" in the Evidence Act

Apr

07 HDB Regulations for HDB flats and Divorce Orders

16 Conflict Coaching and Management

17 Child Development – Psychopathology & Sexual Development


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22 Strategies for Responding to Litigants With Difficult Behaviour

May

05 Work of the Syariah Court and Legal Principles of Syariah Law

12 Adjudicating Intellectual Property Disputes: Challenges and Pitfalls

28 Judicial Behaviour, the Dreaded and Desired: From the Lawyers' Lenses

June

26 Understanding Trauma and Trauma informed Care

30 Maintaining Judicial Impartiality

July

07 Overview of Alternative Dispute Resolution for Family Disputes

14 Challenges and Pitfalls in Adjudicating Matrimonial Disputes

29 New Trial Technology by Magnum

August

18 An Overview to Environmental Law for Judges

19 Injunctions; Proprietary and Mareva Injunctions

20 Recent Developments in IP Law: Starbucks (HK) Ltd & Anor v British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC & Ors [2015]


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UKSC 31

Etiquette between the Bench and the Bar

Sept

02 Sentencing Forum

17 Making Good Mediation Orders

22 Judicial Reform - Some Reflections on Design and Delivery

Oct

06 Annual Induction Programme (Part B) for Newly Appointed Judicial Commissioners and Judicial Officers

06 How to Handle Litigants with Mental Issues in the Family Justice Courts

16 Family and Parenting Assessment

20 Principles of Contract Law: Recent Developments in 2015

26 The Community Justice Centre

27 Technology Showcase: Atlas.ti Doing Legal Work

Nov

03


20 Spousal Violence and Child Abuse/Maltreatment

Dec

01 Recent Developments in the Family Justice System in Singapore

17 Family Law and Practice 2015


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Highlights of Civil Procedure in 2014

Scheduled Dates Thursday, 22 Jan 2015, 12:30 PM- 02:00 PM (buffet lunch provided)

Venue Auditorium, Level 9, State Courts

Presenter: District Judge Tan Boon

Heng Executive Director, Singapore Judicial College

Registration Contact: Registration Contact: (i) Supreme Court & Family Justice Courts:Mr Ng Shun Geng [email protected]

(ii) For State Courts: Ms Katy Tay [email protected]

Synopsis: Organised by the State Courts, this lunch talk on the Highlights of Civil Procedure in 2014 is extended to all Judicial Officers and Justices’ Law Clerks of the Supreme Court.

Course Objectives: At the end of this session, participants would have benefitted from a quick survey on the key developments in 2014 on civil procedure ranging from selected Court of Appeal decisions to amendments of the Rules of Court. In addition, observations on discernible trends will be discussed.

Who is it for? JOs JLCs

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A Discussion on Mental Capacity Act Cases

Scheduled Dates Friday, 23 Jan 2015, 12:55 PM- 02:00 PM (Lunch will be served from 12.30pm onwards)


Presenters: District Judge Colin Tan

Family Justice Courts District Judge Shobha Nair

Family Justice Courts Registration Contact: Registration Contact: (i) Supreme Court & Family Justice Courts:Mr Ng Shun Geng [email protected]


Synopsis: Organised by the Family Justice Courts, this lunch talk is extended to all Judicial Officers and Justices Law Clerks of the Supreme Court, State Courts and the Family Justice Courts Course Objective(s): As part of our lunchtime series of talks, District Judge Colin Tan

will introduce the Mental Capacity Act and its history to our

participants and speak on the scope of this Act and the powers

which are normally sought. He will address why these powers are

generally sought and the key players in applications under this

relatively new piece of legislation.

While most applications seeking authority to be vested in a

person to act for another in the management of that other’s

personal welfare, property and affairs remain uncontested, there

have been a couple of cases in the recent past which have been

highly contentious and have attracted extensive media coverage.

This in turn has turned the spotlight on the Office of the Public

Guardian and in a smaller way, the Courts. District Judges Colin

Tan and Shobha Nair will highlight some of these cases as well

as other less contentious ones to help our participants

understand how these cases are managed in the Family Justice

Courts.



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Judge-Led Approach in Resolving Family Disputes: Lessons from Civil Litigation in the Rules of Court

Scheduled Dates Tuesday, 10 Feb 2015, 04:00 PM- 05:30 PM

Venue The Conference Room, Level 9, State Courts





Synopsis: Jointly organised with the Family Justice Courts, this Roundtable on Judge-Led Approach is a session dedicated to the Judicial Officers of the Family Justice Courts.

Course Objective(s): At the end of this session, participants would have benefitted from a quick survey on the decisions emanating from civil litigation that may impact on , the pari materia provisions and concepts on the Judge-Led Approach in the Family Justice Rules. Through a comparative discussion, the differences will also be fleshed out. In addition, observations on discernible trends will be highlighted



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Bench

Skills

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hhWorkability of Care and Control and Access gg sssssOrders: Discussion on Precedent Orders

Scheduled Dates Friday, 13 Feb 2015, 12:55 PM- 02:00 PM (Lunch will be served from 12.30pm onwards)


Presenters: District Judge Lim Choi

Ming Family Justice Courts

Ms Nur Izzah Amir

Counselling and Psychological Services, Family Justice Courts



Synopsis: Access orders are usually made whenever minor children are involved in family disputes. They may be made in Originating Summons applications, or when ancillary matters come up for hearing, and may be made by consent (after counselling and mediation) or ordered by the Court (after reading Affidavits and a hearing). Access orders will range from case to case and can be influenced by different factors, such as the age of the children, the types of access required by the access parent, the level of communication between the parents. This seminar will touch on the feasibility of care and control/access orders. We will discuss practical orders which assist the parents in spending time with the children, as well as orders which can prove problematic for the parents and their children. CAPs will also share on the difficulties they sometimes encounter with regard to counselling orders, access orders and requests for Custody and/or Evaluation Reports (CER/AER) in the course of their work. They will also share on the correlation between developmental milestones of certain age groups and age appropriateness of care /access arrangements.

Course Objective(s): Participants will be familiarised with various aspects of care and control/access orders. They will also be able to better appreciate the situations faced by affected parents, children and CAPs staff in relation to these orders.



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Overview of Rehabilitation and Protection Group sssssssdof MSF

Scheduled Dates Friday, 27 Feb 2015, 02:30 PM- 05:30 PM (Refreshments provided)


Presenter: Ms Jennifer Teoh

Deputy Director, Senior Principal Forensic Psychologist, Ministry of Social and Family Development



Synopsis: The session aims to provide an overview of the psychological services provided by CFPB of MSF for both child protection/welfare and criminal justice systems. The session will also include the nature and types of assessment and interventions provided by CFPB which has high relevance to judicial officers who hear cases that are related to child protection/welfare and juvenile offending issues.

Course Objective(s): After this session, participants will obtain an understanding of the services performed by the CFPB and increase their awareness of child protection/welfare and juvenile offending issues.



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Social Awareness

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Enforcement of Matrimonial Maintenance sssssssPayment

Scheduled Dates Tuesday, 03 Mar 2015, 12:55 PM- 02:00 PM (Lunch will be served from 12.30pm onwards)


Presenter: Ms Jennifer Lee

Senior Manager, Credit Bureau Singapore



Synopsis: Organised by the Family Justice Courts, this session is beneficial for judicial officers who issue maintenance (and enforcement) orders. The session will provide useful insights as to what take place after maintenance orders have been made and the support tools available to enforce the orders.

Course Objective(s): At the end of this session, participants will acquire a holistic perspective of the practical and emotional problems that parties face after the maintenance order has been made. In addition, participants will develop a greater awareness in ensuring that the maintenance orders they make are practical for enforcement.



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A Practical Refresher on Contempt in the Face of the Court

Scheduled Dates Thursday, 05 Mar 2015, 05:00 PM- 06:00 PM




Panellists: The Honourable Justice

Belinda Ang

The Honourable Judicial Commissioner See Kee Oon, Presiding Judge of the State Courts

The Honourable Judicial

Commissioner Foo Chee Hock



Synopsis: This session, organised by the Singapore Judicial College, introduces a simple ‘tool’ to assist Judges and Judicial Officers (JOs) when committal proceedings need to be initiated for contempt in the face of the court. In addition, there will be a panel discussion chaired by Justice Belinda Ang to respond to any queries on this subject.

Course Objective(s): At the end of this session, participants would have acquired a clear understanding on why, when and how committal proceedings are to be initiated for contempt in the face of the court. The introduction of the ‘simple tool’ will equip JOs who are less familiar with the procedure to initiate contempt proceedings in accordance with the law and procedure.

Who is it for? Judges JOs JLCs


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Preliminary Evaluation Findings from an Evidence-Based Approach to the Rehabilitation & Reintegration of High-Risk Drug Offenders

Scheduled Dates Thursday, 05 Mar 2015, 12:55 PM- 02:00 PM (Lunch will be served from 12.30pm onwards)


Presenter: Dr Gabriel Ong

Senior Psychologist, Senior Assistant Director, Singapore Prisons Service



Synopsis: This lunchtime talk is especially relevant for judicial officers who hear cases related to drug offences. It aims to present findings from (a) an evidence-based approach in rehabilitation and reintegration and (b) Singapore Prisons Service’s (SPS) evaluation of the Enhanced Supervision Scheme for Long-Term drug offenders.

Course Objective(s): At the end of the session, participants will gain unique insights into SPS’s work in rehabilitating and reintegrating drug offenders, and develop a deeper awareness of social and community trends.



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Social Awareness

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Registrars' Refresher on Civil Procedure

Scheduled Dates Monday-Wednesday, Friday, 09-11 & 13 Mar 2015, 09:00 AM- 05:00 PM (Refreshments provided)

Venue Auditorium, Level B2, Supreme Court

Presenters: The Honourable Judicial

Commissioner Foo Chee Hock

District Judge Tan Boon Heng

Senior Assistant Registrar Cornie Ng, Supreme Court

Senior Assistant Registrar Chris Tan, Supreme Court

SAR Wendy Yap, Supreme Court

District Judge Lorraine Ho, State Courts of Singapore

Assistant Registrar Teo Guan Kee, Supreme Court

Mr Yeong Zee Kin, Civil Division, Attorney-General’s Chambers

Registration Contact:

(i) Supreme Court & Family Justice Courts:Mr Ng Shun Geng [email protected]


Synopsis: This is a 4-day intensive course on Civil Procedure covering a wide spectrum of most commonly seen applications in Civil Procedure ranging from ex parte to inter partes applications and matters arising from pre-trial to post-judgment (except appeals) typically handled by registrars

Course Objective(s): At the end of this session, participants would have acquired an update on various aspects of law and procedure in civil litigation. In addition, participants would have familiarised themselves with the best practices to adopt and pitfalls to avoid when hearing such matters.



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The Challenge of Principled Gap-Filling: A Study of Implied Terms in Comparative Context

Scheduled Dates Tuesday, 24 Mar 2015, 12:55 PM- 02:00 PM (Lunch will be served from 12.30pm onwards)


Presenter: The Honourable Justice

Andrew Phang, Judge of Appeal Supreme Court



Synopsis: There has been a veritable wealth of literature on implied terms – ranging from doctoral theses to book chapters, articles and (more recently) a book. Perhaps the simplest explanation for such interest is that it is an extremely important topic with at least two important functions – one substantive, the other theoretical. This talk examines the topic of implied terms from both perspectives. The focus, however, is on the former (viz, the substantive function), and centres on the function of gap-filling. In addition to exploring the relevant historical aspects (especially from a personal perspective), the talk will also examine the substantive function of implied terms in a comparative common law context. Although English law necessarily constitutes the starting-point in many instances, this talk will also point to the fact that not all English developments have always been embraced as a matter of course. In Singapore, for example, the leading Privy Council decision of Attorney-General of Belize v Belize Telecom Ltd (which, whilst not, strictly speaking, an English decision appears nevertheless to represent the current English position in relation to terms implied “in fact”) has not been followed. If time permits, the talk will also examine briefly a second (and inherently theoretical) function which is indirect in nature – whether (despite the present legal position) a quite different form of the implied term could nevertheless be utilised as a rationale to justify a distinct and separate legal doctrine, viz, the doctrine of frustration.

Course Objective(s): At the end of this session, participants will acquire a better appreciation of the use of implied terms to gap-fill. In addition, participants would also have been introduced to the substantive function of implied terms in a comparative common law context.

Who is it for? Judges

JOs JLCs


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"Interest of Justice" in the Evidence Act

Scheduled Dates Thursday, 26 Mar 2015, 05:00 PM- 06:00 PM (Refreshments provided)

Venue Viewing Gallery, Level 8, Supreme Court

Presenter: Professor Ho Hock Lai

Faculty of Law, National Unversity of Singapore

Contact: Registration Contact: (i) Supreme Court & Family Justice Courts:Mr Ng Shun Geng [email protected]


Synopsis: Organised by the Singapore Judicial College, this is an inaugural talk under its “Professorial Series”. Professor Ho’s presentation will focus on the meaning of “interests of justice” under sections 32(3) and 47(4) of the Evidence Act vide an amendment wef 1 August 2012. Don’t miss this special lecture especially since the Court of Appeal has just released its judgment in Gimpex Ltd v Unity Holdings Business Limited & 2 Ors [2015] SGCA 8 dated 9 February 2015 which touches on, among others, the admissibility of hearsay evidence including the application of “interests of justice” in the Evidence Act.

Course Objective(s): At the end of this session, participants would have acquired a deeper appreciation on how the “interests of justice” could possibly be interpreted under the Evidence Act (“the Act”) since there is no statutory guidance in the Act. At the broader level, participants will be able to observe that the purported ‘inclusionary approach’ of the Act now has features of an ‘exclusionary approach’ for eg exclusion of relevant evidence for reasons of “interests of justice”. Together with the exclusion of relevant evidence based on the court’s residual discretion to exclude, the talk will set participants thinking as to whether there is a fundamental shift of the approach to admissibility of evidence under the Act.


JOs JLCs


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HDB Regulations for HDB Flats and Divorce sssssss Orders

Scheduled Dates Tuesday, 07 Apr 2015, 12:55 PM- 02:00 PM (Lunch will be served from 12.30pm onwards)

Venue iHUB, Level 9, State Courts

Presenter: Ms Sharon Chua Siew

Hong Senior Estate Manager, Housing and Development Board



Synopsis: This session aims to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of HDB policies relating to divorce and and helpful information pertaining to the handling of common problems/issues encountered.

Course Objective(s): At the end of the session, participants will have a better understanding of the HDB policies relating to divorce and how the Order of the Family Court made in relation to HDB flats can correlate with HDB policies.



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ssssssssConflict Coaching and Management

Scheduled Dates Wednesday, 16 Apr 2015, 12:55 PM- 02:00 PM (Lunch will be served from 12.30pm onwards)


Presenters: District Judge David Lim

State Courts of Singapore District Judge Dorcas Quek

State Courts of Singapore Registration Contact: Registration Contact: (i) Supreme Court & Family Justice Courts:Mr Ng Shun Geng [email protected]


Synopsis: Conflict coaching refers to the conflict-resolution modality whereby a trained conflict-coach works one-on-one with a coachee who’s involved in a conflict with another person to support the coachee in devising strategies to cope with, manage and eventually resolve the conflict. In this talk, District Judges Dorcas Quek and David Lim, having recently undergone training as conflict coaches with Conflict Coaching International under Professor Nadja Alexander, will share on the processes involved in conflict coaching and its uses in mediation as well as in managing and resolving conflict between persons in the workplace or at home.

Course Objective(s): At the end of this session, participants will be equipped with strategies and tools to cope with, manage and eventually resolve conflicts both in the workplace and at home. Ultimately, participants can look forward to acquiring useful skills from the sharing to help them become more effective mediators



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Child Development – Psychopathology & Sexual ssssssss Development

Scheduled Dates Friday, 17 Apr 2015, 02:30 PM- 05:30 PM (Refreshments provided)


Presenters: Dr Janice Tan

Assistant Director, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Ministry of Social and Family Development

Dr Joy Low

Senior Clinical and Neuropsychology Psychologist, Ministry of Social and Family Development



Synopsis: This session will provide a broad overview of sexual abuse / development and common mental health diagnoses (e.g. ADHD, autism, anxiety) relevant to children and young persons. It is especially relevant to JOs whose work relate to children with mental health problems or childhood sexual abuse victims.

Course Objective(s): Participants will gain a deeper understanding as to why and how children face mental health problems and sexual abuse. They will also be familiarised with the variety of intervention methods and range of services available to support these children.



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Strategies for Responding to Litigants With sssssssss Difficult Behaviour

Scheduled Dates Wednesday, 22 Apr 2015, 05:00 PM- 06:00 PM

Venue Synergy Conference Room, Level 2, Supreme Court

Presenter: Ms Sophia Ang

Director of Counselling and Psychological Services, Family Justice CourtsR Contact:

Registration Contact: (i) Supreme Court & Family Justice Courts:Mr Ng Shun Geng [email protected]


Synopsis: The challenges of dealing with litigants are sometimes exacerbated by the fact that they are oftentimes stressed by court proceedings and may even be labouring under certain emotional difficulties. Judges and court staff may find it a challenge at times when faced with these litigants, fearful of a potential loss of control and sometimes even of risk of physical harm. This session examines the behaviour of such litigants and suggests approaches to assist with addressing such problems and minimise disruption of court proceedings.

Course Objective(s): At the end of the session, participants will have a better understanding of litigants with emotional problems such as their psychological burdens. In addition, participants will also be equipped with the responses best suited to handle such litigants in order to maintain control of court proceedings.



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Work of the Syariah Court and Legal Principles ssssssssof Syariah Law

Scheduled Dates Tuesday, 05 May 2015, 12:55 PM- 02:00 PM (Lunch will be served from 12.30pm onwards)


Presenter: Ms Rahayu Bte Mahzam

Deputy Registrar, Syariah Court



Synopsis: This talk aims to provide participants with insights into the Syariah Court’s legal principles and its unique orders. JOs whose work involves the enforcement / mediation of Syariah Court orders will find this talk highly relevant.

Course Objective(s): At the end of the talk, participants will be acquainted with the Syariah Court’s legal principles and orders unique to Syariah law. Differences between the legal principles applied in the Syariah Court and the Family Court will also be made apparent.



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Legal

Development

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30

Adjudicating Intellectual Property Disputes: ssssssssChallenges and Pitfalls

Scheduled Dates Tuesday, 12 May 2015, 05:00 PM- 06:00 PM (Refreshments provided)



George Wei Supreme Court



Synopsis: Organised by the Singapore Judicial College, this talk is part of the Supreme Court Bench Series where members of the Supreme Court Bench share their invaluable insights on critical areas of the law as well as the conduct of hearings. In this session, the Hon Justice George Wei will speak on “Adjudicating Intellectual Property Disputes: Challenges and Pitfalls”. Having taught, researched and written on Intellectual Property (IP) laws for decades and in recent years, presided as trial judge over several IP disputes including Invenpro (M) Sdn Bhd v JCS Automation Pte Ltd & Anr [2014] 2 SLR 1045; Han’s (F & B) Pte Ltd v Gusttimo World Pte Ltd [2015] SGHC 39; Golden Season Pte Ltd & Anor v Kairos Singapore Holdings Pte Ltd & Anor [2015] SGHC 38, Justice Wei will have much to share on this fascinating topic.

Course Objective(s): At the end of this session, participants would have acquired a greater awareness of the challenges and pitfalls when called upon to adjudicate an IP dispute whether in open court or in chambers. In particular, participants would be acclimatised as to how they can best prepare themselves for the hearing and also identify the pertinent disputed/undisputed facts and the salient applicable laws.


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Skills

Course Prospectus

31

Judicial Behaviour, the Dreaded and Desired: ssssssssFrom the Lawyers' Lenses

Scheduled Dates Thursday, 28 May 2015, 12:55 PM- 02:00 PM (Lunch will be served from 12.30pm onwards)


Panellists: Mr Edwin Lee

Partner, Eldan Law LLP

Mr Julian Tay Senior Partner, Lee & Lee

Mr Willy Tay Partner, Ari, Goh & Partners



Synopsis: Organised by the Singapore Judicial College, this panel interaction under the “Practitioners’ Series” is intended to be judicial education through light-hearted learning. Like most professionals, judges are providing a service albeit exercising judicial authority in accordance with law, procedure and practice in the courtroom and hearing chambers. Due to the serious and sober nature of the work, judges rarely receive feedback from lawyers or litigants as to how they are perceived when presiding over a case. In this panel discussion, we bring together three senior and experienced practitioners who frequent in the Supreme Court, State Courts and Family Justice Courts. They will each share their top 3 dreaded and desired judicial behaviour (complete with anonymity) encountered in their years as a litigator.

Course Objective(s): At the end of this session, participants will certainly have heard for themselves a range of dreaded and desired judicial habits from the practitioners’ perspective. Through this light-hearted interaction, judges can reflect on the feedback and decide how best to conduct themselves on the Bench as we aspire to administer justice without fear, favour or affection.


JOs JLCs


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Judicial Ethics

Course Prospectus

32

Understanding Trauma and Trauma Informed ssssssss sCare

Scheduled Dates Friday, 26 Jun 2015, 02:30 PM- 05:30 PM (Refreshments provided)


Presenter: Ms Pamela Ong

Assistant Director, Principal Clinical Psychologist, Ministry of Social and Family Development



Synopsis: At the end of the session, participants will have an understanding of what trauma is and how trauma stemming from chronic abuse or multiple changes in placements can affect a child and is manifested, and its impact on attachment (relationship-seeking) behavior.

Course Objective(s): Participants will gain a deeper appreciation of the factors affecting Trauma. In addition, they will be familiar with how trauma can be assessed and treated.



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Social Awareness

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Maintaing Judicial Impartiality

Scheduled Dates Tuesday, 30 Jun 2015, 05:00 PM- 06:00 PM (Refreshments provided)


Presenter: Professor Jeffrey Pinsler

Faculty of Law, National Unversity of Singapore



Synopsis: Brought to you by the Singapore Judicial College, this a talk under its “Professorial Series”. Professor Pinsler’s presentation will cover the following:

the legislative framework and rationale; the test for Apparent Bias; the mind of the fair-minded, reasonable observer; the approach of the Court so as to avoid situations of

apparent bias; and some thoughts going ahead

To bring maximum benefit to the participants, Professor Pinsler will also include seven scenarios (examples of different settings concerning Judicial Independence) for discussion.

Course Objective(s): At the end of this session, participants would have developed a greater awareness of the need to maintaining judicial impartiality and equipped with the means to manage and/or avoid situations of apparent bias.


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Judicial Ethics

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Overview of Alternative Dispute Resolution for Family Disputes

Scheduled Dates Tuesday, 07 Jul 2015, 12:55 PM- 02:00 PM (Lunch will be served from 12.30pm onwards)


Presenter: District Judge Kevin Ng

Family Justice Courts Registration Contact: Registration Contact: (i) Supreme Court & Family Justice Courts:Mr Ng Shun Geng [email protected]


Synopsis: Highlighting the shift away from litigation and court orders, this presentation touches on the developments in alternative dispute resolution across Family Justice Courts, Private Legal Sector and MSF / Community Sector. It is especially useful for those working on family disputes.

Course Objective(s): Participants will be updated on the latest developments in alternative dispute resolution for family disputes. They will also be able to appreciate the roles played by different stakeholders in the family justice eco-system.



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Development

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Challenges and Pitfalls in Adjudicating ssssssssMatrimonial Disputes

Scheduled Dates Tuesday, 14 Jul 2015, 05:00 PM- 06:00 PM (Refreshments provided)

Venue Auditorium, Level B2, Supreme Court

Presenter: The Honourable Judicial

Commissioner Debbie Ong Supreme Court



Synopsis: Brought to you by the Singapore Judicial College, this a talk under its “Supreme Court Bench Series”. Matrimonial disputes constitute some of the most acrimonious and bitterly fought court battles. Adjudication of matrimonial disputes is both mentally challenging and emotionally draining. This session discusses some of the pitfalls to watch for in family proceedings. Issues in challenging aspects are raised in the context of the unique nature of family practice and adjudication.

Course Objective(s): At the end of this session, participants would be even more sensitised to the challenges and pitfalls in the adjudication of a matrimonial dispute. Participants would have been made to think further on selected issues which will assist them in managing family proceedings.


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Bench

Skills

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36

New Trial Technology by Magnum

Scheduled Dates Wednesday, 29 Jul 2015, 05:00 PM- 06:00 PM

Venue Vision Conference Room, Level 2M, Supreme Court

Presenters: Ms Serena Lim

Director, Opus 2 International Singapore

Mr Bryan Ghows

Via Law Corporation Registration Contact: Registration Contact: (i) Supreme Court & Family Justice Courts:Mr Ng Shun Geng [email protected]


Synopsis: The Magnum electronic trial system is a unique, private cloud-based service which caters for true paper-less electronic litigation. The system significantly reduces the use of paper and streamlines the case preparation and trial management, which in turn translates into time and costs savings, especially for document intensive trials. It allows for private access to a common set of trial documents from anywhere in the world. The system has been used in some of the most significant cases in the UK – Berezovsky v Abramovich, Bernard Madoff v Raven & Ors. The system was used for the first time in our Supreme Court in the case of Global Yellow Pages Ltd v Promedia Directories Pte Ltd (S 912/2009). In this presentation, Ms Serena Lim, Director of Opus 2 International Singapore and her team will be sharing with us more about the Magnum system, while Mr Bryan Ghows and his team from Via Law Corporation, counsel for the plaintiffs in the Global Yellow Pages Ltd case will share with us their user experience in the case.

Course Objective(s): The session will offer participants a glimpse into the future of litigation by way of introduction to the capabilities of this latest electronic trial system and what technology can bring to the court room. Participants will also be able to understand first hand about the user’s experience from the perspective of lawyers who have used the system.



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An Overview to Environmental Law for Judges

Scheduled Dates Tuesday, 18 Aug 2015, 05:00 PM- 06:00 PM (Refreshments provided)


Presenter: Professor Lye Lin Heng

Director, APCEL, National University of Singapore



Synopsis: Organised by the Singapore Judicial College, this is a talk under its “Professorial Series”. Professor Lye’s presentation will provide an overview to Environmental Law for Judges. It will first give a broad overview to environmental law in the context of governance and management, and then focus on Singapore’s pollution laws and nature conservation laws. It will end with a critical evaluation of the inadequacies.

Course Objective(s): At the end of this session, participants would have acquired an introductory understanding as to what Environmental Law entails. As few Judges and Judicial Officers know enough about Environmental Law, this talk is an excellent opportunity to develop an awareness on the laws that seek to protect the environment as well as the intricate legal issues that arise.


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Development

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38

Injunctions; Proprietary and Mareva Injunctions

Scheduled Dates Wednesday, 19 Aug 2015, 04:00 PM- 06:00 PM



Commissioner Foo Chee Hock Dean, Singapore Judicial College



Synopsis: This is a teaching/learning session organised by the Family Justice Courts under the auspices of the Singapore Judicial College. Applications for injunctions are not limited to commercial cases. Judicial Officers in the Family Justice Courts should be au fait with the principles and requirements for injunctions. This session will centre on the law and requirements for injunctions generally, proprietary injunctions and Mareva injunctions. The section on proprietary injunctions covers interesting ground: what are they and can our courts grant them? The section on Mareva injunctions will survey selected local cases that have propounded the legal principles governing this area.

Course Objective(s): At the end of the session, participants should be more confident in hearing applications for these injunctions and acquire greater familiarity with the applicable principles. .



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39

Recent Developments in IP Law: Starbucks (HK) Ltd & Anor v

fffffffffffffffBritish Sky Broadcasting Group PLC & Ors [2015] UKSC 31

Scheduled Dates Thursday, 20 Aug 2015, 05:00 PM- 06:00 PM (Refreshments provided)



Simon Thorley QC International Judge, Singapore International Commercial Court

Moderator: The Honourable Justice

George Wei Supreme Court



Synopsis: Organised by the Singapore Judicial College, this is a talk under its “Supreme Court Bench Series”. Simon Thorley IJ’s presentation will feature the recent and important judgments delivered in May 2015 by the UK Supreme Court ie Starbucks (HK) Ltd & Anor v British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC & Ors [2015] UKSC 31 and by the UK Court of Appeal ie Warner Lambert Company Ltd v Actavis Group PTC EHF & Ors [2015] EWCA Civ 556.

Course Objective(s): At the end of this session, participants would have gained a better appreciation of the reasoning of the judgments above and also their significance to the development of IP Laws.



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Development

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Etiquette Between the Bench and the Bar

Scheduled Dates Thursday, 27 Aug 2015, 12:55 PM- 02:00 PM (Lunch will be served from 12.30pm onwards)


Presenter: Mr Thio Shen Yi S.C

President of The Law Society Registration Contact: Registration Contact: (i) Supreme Court & Family Justice Courts:Mr Ng Shun Geng [email protected]


Synopsis: Organised by the State Courts under the auspices of the Singapore Judicial College, this session examines the perceptions and expectations of our Judges and Judicial Officers, from the lawyers’ perspective. In particular, Mr Thio will share suggestions from the Law Society’s members on how the Bench and Bar can improve the standard in advocacy and courtesy.

Course Objective(s): At the end of the session, participants will gain a better appreciation of the reciprocity and protocol between the Bench and the Bar.



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Judicial Ethics

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Sentencing Forum

Scheduled Dates Wednesday, 02 Sep 2015, 05:00 PM- 06:00 PM (Refreshments provided)


Panellists: The Honourable the Chief

Justice Sundaresh Menon

The Honourable Justice

Chao Hick Tin, Judge of

Appeal

The Honourable Judicial

Commissioner See Kee

Oon, Presiding Judge of

the State Courts

District Judge Siva

Shanmugam



Synopsis: Organised by the Singapore Judicial College, this is the first of the panel series led by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon. Key sentencing principles and considerations in a range of challenging scenarios will be discussed, focusing on the following cases:

Vasentha d/o Joseph v PP [2015] SGHC 197 – calibrating the sentence according to the culpability of the offender

Mohamed Shouffee bin Adam v PP [2014] SGHC 34 – consecutive and concurrent sentences

Lim Ghim Peow v PP [2014] 4 SLR 1287 – sentencing principles for mentally disordered offenders

PP v Chong Hou En [2015] 3 SLR 222 – whether principles of rehabilitation overriding principles of deterrence;

PP v Ng Kim Hong [2014] 2 SLR 245 - Whether respondent’s recidivism rate and remorse were “special reasons” not to impose corrective training; and

PP v Hue An Li [2014] 4 SLR 661 – sentencing considerations under s 304A of the Penal Code

Course Objective(s): At the end of this session, participants would have had the benefit of hearing the insights from the panellists as well as acquired a deeper appreciation of the legal reasoning and policy considerations (where applicable) when handling sentencing in similar situations as the above.


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Making Good Mediation Orders

Scheduled Dates Thursday, 17 Sep 2015, 05:00 PM- 06:00 PM (Refreshments provided)


Presenter: Mr Michel Kallipetis QC Moderator: The Honourable Judicial

Commissioner See Kee Oon, Presiding Judge of the State Courts



About the Speaker: Mr Michel Kallipetis QC is the former Head of Littleton Chambers, and has 40 years’ experience as a practising barrister in the field of general commercial, professional negligence and employment work. He is recognised in The Legal Directories as an expert in his field in Mediation, Commercial Litigation and Professional Negligence. He is an Accredited Mediator with CEDR and ADR Chambers, was appointed to the Hong Kong HKIAC Accredited Mediator Panel and as one of the first CIArb Mediation Fellows in 2008. Mr Kallipetis was a Deputy High Court Judge in the Queen’s Bench Division and Chancery Division, and the Technology and Construction Court. He is on the SMC Panel of International Mediators, and was also appointed to the SIMC Panel of Mediators in 2014. He is a member of The Sports Resolution Panel, a PIM Senior Mediator and a Chartered Arbitrator.

Synopsis: Organised by the Singapore Judicial College, this is a talk under its “Practitioners’ Series”. The focus of the talk is on the role of the judge in making good mediation orders and they include: (i) giving effective directions to complement a stay of court proceedings pending mediation; (ii) how judges can identify suitable cases for mediation; (iii) what judges can do to encourage parties to mediate especially if one party is keen to attempt mediation and the other is not; and (iv) whether there is an appropriate and/or best time to propose mediation.

Course Objective(s): At the end of this session, participants would have gained a better appreciation of the critical role that a judge plays in making good mediation orders and referring suitable cases for mediation, in particular, the considerations to take into account and apply in making such an assessment.



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Bench Skills

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Judicial Reforms: Reflections on Design and sssssssssDelivery

Scheduled Dates Tuesday, 22 Sep 2015, 05:00 PM- 06:00 PM (Refreshments provided)






Synopsis: Organised by the Singapore Judicial College, this talk is part of the Supreme Court Bench Series. In this session, Judicial Commissioner Foo Chee Hock will share his reflections on the conceptualisation, planning and implementation of judicial reforms. Drawing on his experience, in particular as Registrar (Supreme Court), he will be speaking on the milestones, the relevance of management concepts and lessons learnt in the reform process; and making reference to initiatives like eLitigation and the modified docket system that have transformed the Judiciary.

Course Objective(s): At the end of this session, participants would have gained a greater awareness of the journey of excellence that the Supreme Court has undertaken, including invaluable insights on the methodology and process of leading judicial reform initiatives.



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Scheduled Dates 06-09 Oct 2015, 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM

Venue B1-3 Meeting Room, Level B1, Supreme Court

Presenters/Panellists/facilitators:

The Hon the Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon

The Hon Justice Andrew Phang, Judge of Appeal

The Hon Justice Chao Hick Tin, Judge of Appeal

The Hon Justice Judith Prakash The Hon Justice Choo Han Teck The Hon Justice Belinda Ang The Hon Justice Woo Bih Li The Hon Justice Tay Yong Kwang The Hon Justice Lee Seiu Kin The Hon Justice Chan Seng Onn The Hon Justice Quentin Loh The Hon Justice Steven Chong The Hon Justice Vinodh Coomaraswamy The Hon Judicial Commissioner See Kee

Oon, Presiding Judge, State Courts Mr Peter Ho, Senior Fellow, Civil Service

College, former Head of the Civil Service Mr Alvin Tan, Country Manager , Palo Alto

Networks Mr Sean Duca, Chief Security Officer, Palo

Alto Networks District Judge Jen Koh, Deputy Registrar,

Family Justice Courts District Judge Shawn Ho, State Courts District Judge Tan Boon Heng, Executive

Director, Singapore Judicial College District Judge Eugene Teo, State Courts District Judge Carolyn Woo, State Courts District Judge Kenneth Choo, State Courts Ms Sophia Ang, Director, Counselling &

Psychological Services, FJC

Registration Contact:

(i) Supreme Court & Family Justice Courts:Mr Ng Shun Geng [email protected]


Synopsis: The Part B Judiciary Wide Induction Programme (4 days) is specially tailored for all newly appointed Judges and JOs within the first year of appointment. This programme, the first of its kind in Singapore, features instructors including CJ Menon, Judges of Appeals and senior Justices of the Supreme Court. Topics to be covered include transition to the bench, finding a judicious work-life harmony, management of judicial stress, judicial ethics, conduct in and out of court, managing querulous Litigants-In-Person, bench skills, developments in procedure, cyber security, contact with the media, judgment writing and maintaining judicial authority in the courtroom.

Course Objective(s): After this programme, participants will be better prepared to discharge their judicial functions through a series of discussions on case studies, video learning, reflections and lectures. Besides gaining relevant knowledge, participants will also be equipped with useful problem solving skills.

Who is it for? newly appointed Judges and JOs within the first year of appointment


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How to Handle Litigants with Mental Issues in the Family Justice Courts

Scheduled Dates Tuesday, 06 Oct 2015, 12:55 PM- 02:30 PM (lunch/registration begins at 12:30 pm)


Presenter: Chief of Department Dr

Ong Say How Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health



Synopsis: This session aims to help JOs to better handle situations where self-represented litigants may be suffering from mental illnesses. Besides touching on the dynamics of mental illnesses in the context of self-represented litigants, the speaker will also introduce approaches to address litigants’ needs and to minimize disruption of court processes.

Course Objective(s): At the end of this session, JOs will acquire a deeper understanding of how mental illnesses can affect the behaviour of self-represented litigants. In addition, participants would also gain a better understanding on how to maintain effective control of the proceedings and ensure court processes are smoothly carried out given such circumstances.



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Family and Parenting Assessment

Scheduled Dates Friday, 16 Oct 2015, 2:30 PM- 5:30 PM (Refreshments provided)


Presenters: Director & Senior Principal

Forensic Psychologist Ms Jennifer Teoh Clinical and Forensic Psychology Branch (CFPB), MSF

Manager & Senior Clinical Psychologist Dr Eric Hoo CFPB, MSF

Assistant Manager & Senior Clinical Psychologist Dr Elizabeth Lau CFPB, MSF



Synopsis: This session will provide an overview of the domains of parenting capacity that are important to consider in decision-making across various settings. Drawing from extensive research on the core needs of children, participants will gain knowledge into pertinent parenting traits that promote all-rounded development of a young person. Participants will also gain awareness into the underlying principles that guide such assessments, and develop a good understanding of its utility, as well as limitations. This session would be beneficial to JOs hearing cases from child welfare, juvenile justice, as well as child custody disputes.

Course Objective(s): Participants will gain a deeper understanding of parenting capacity. They will also be familiarised with the principles underlying family and parenting assessments.



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Principles of Contract Law: Recent ssssssssDevelopments in 2015

Scheduled Dates Tuesday, 20 Oct 2015, 05:00 PM- 06:00 PM (Refreshments provided)


Presenter: Associate Professor Goh

Yihan School of Law, Singapore Management University



Synopsis: Organised by the Singapore Judicial College, this is a talk under its “Professorial Series”. Assoc Prof Goh’s presentation will cover the significant contract cases decided by the Singapore courts in 2015. A range of topics will be discussed and they include formation, interpretation, implication, breach and remedies. Where relevant, significant recent overseas decisions will also be highlighted.

Course Objective(s): At the end of this session, participants would have acquired a deeper understanding of recent developments in Singapore contract case-law and relevant overseas developments as well.


JOs JLCs


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Development

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The Community Justice Centre

Scheduled Dates Monday, 26 Oct 2015, 05:00 PM- 06:00 PM


Presenter: Executive Director Leonard

Lee Community Justice Centre



Synopsis: The Community Justice Centre (CJC) was established in December 2012 with the objective of assisting litigants in person (LIPs) to find holistic solutions to their legal problems. The CJC is committed to ensuring LIPs have access to justice through community partnership. As an integrated one-stop hub, the CJC provides a wide range of support services for the LIPs and their family members which goes beyond the provision of pro bono legal assistance. It provides free practical and emotional support to LIPs in need as well as free legal advice at the legal clinics. Through the support of the CJC, the LIPs would be able to better present their case, follow proceedings and understand judicial rulings or pronouncements in their respective cases. Many LIPs have to deal with the burden of underlying emotional distress, financial difficulties and other social issues in addition to their legal problem. In collaboration with the private sector, religious groups and other social services agencies, the CJC also addresses the underlying social problems and concerns for the litigants and their family members.

Course Objective(s): After this session, participants will better understand the workings of the CJC and develop an appreciation of the role it plays in serving the needs of the community.



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ssssssssTechnology Showcase: Atlas.ti Doing Legal Work

Scheduled Dates Tuesday, 27 Oct 2015, 05:00 PM- 06:00 PM (Refreshments provided)

Venue Training Room, SJC Business Centre, Level 1, Supreme Court





Synopsis: Have you ever wished for a tool to assist you to wade through your primary research materials like case authorities, notes of proceedings and articles, select relevant quotations, tag the issues that you identify and then sort, collate and “output” the tagged issues which are linked to your selected quotations and the primary documents in a crisp report? You want to accomplish these tasks on the fly while working on the individual primary documents and exploring conceptual linkages across the documents. There are software available that can do these and a million other things that you may not need or wish to pay for. You just need something that you can learn in an hour to do these basic tasks. In this session, JC Foo Chee Hock will be applying the functions of Atlas.ti, a software for “qualitative data analysis” and often used in social science studies, to a typical legal research scenario. Organised by the Singapore Judicial College, this is a ‘show and tell’ under its “Supreme Court Bench Series”. Note: This hands-on sharing session is ideal for small groups of up to 10 persons, who will have the chance to try out the software. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Course Objective(s): At the end of this session, participants will: be able to use Atlas.ti in legal research projects; develop an awareness of using software (and workarounds in the

software) to assist in legal work; and (hopefully) find inspiration to explore other software for this purpose.



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Scheduled Dates Tuesday, 03 Nov 2015, 05:00 PM- 06:00 PM (Refreshments provided)


Panellists: The Hon the Chief Justice

Sundaresh Menon

The Hon Justice Andrew

Phang, Judge of Appeal

The Hon Justice Judith

Prakash

Principal District Judge

Tan Puay Boon, State

Courts



Synopsis: Organised by the Singapore Judicial College, this is the second of the panel series chaired by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon (CJ). In this judicial learning through a panel discussion, the focus is on “Nurturing Judicial Temperament”. As the title suggests, judicial temperament can be nurtured. It is not entirely a matter of personality. What is required is aptly put by Socrates ie, “Four things belong to a judge: to hear courteously; to answer wisely; to consider soberly; and to decide impartially.” [Taken from The Quotable Lawyer; David S Shrager and Elizabeth Frost-Knappman (New York: Facts on File; 1986)]. In this discussion, we will hear from the 3 panellists on how they have been able to maintain control of proceedings under various conditions and steer their cases to a just conclusion while they were on the Bench. The participants in this forum can also contribute examples of challenging moments at hearings (hypothetical or otherwise) to seek the views of the panellists as to how they should best respond to the situation.

Course Objective(s): At the end of this session, participants would have had the benefit of hearing the insights from the panellists on what it means to have judicial temperament and how to work towards it.


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Ethics

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Spousal Violence and Child Abuse / Maltreatment

Scheduled Dates Friday, 20 Nov 2015, 2:30 PM- 5:30 PM


Presenters: Ms Tan Li Jen

Senior Assistant Director, Senior Principal Clinical Psychologist, Clinical and Forensic Psychology Branch (CFPB), MSF

Dr Melvinder Singh

Senior Assistant Director, Senior Clinical Psychologist, CFPB, MSF



Synopsis: This session will provide an overview of the risk factors that psychologists consider when assessing an individual’s risk of spousal violence and discuss how these risk factors translate into a risk management and intervention plan that aims to reduce that individual’s risk of spousal violence. This session will also help participants understand the impact of abuse on children’s cognitive, socio-emotional and behavioural development so that the Courts can become more effective in addressing their unique needs. Drawing from clinical and research findings, interventions and strategies in the local context that can help to reduce maltreatment and mitigate its effects will also be presented. This session would be beneficial to JOs hearing cases involving child welfare.

Course Objective(s): Participants will gain a better understanding of the risk factors in spousal violence and how these factors can be managed. They will also learn about the impact of abuse on children’s development and the mitigation strategies available.



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Recent Developments in the Family Justice System in Singapore

Scheduled Dates Tuesday, 1 Dec 2015, 5:00 PM- 6:00 PM


Panellists: The Hon Judicial

Commissioner Valerie Thean Presiding Judge of the Family Justice Courts (FJC)

Senior District Judge Chia

Wee Kiat Registrar of the FJC

Ms Sophia Ang Director of Counselling and Psychological Services, FJC



Synopsis: The Family Justice System in Singapore underwent significant changes last year with the passing of the Family Justice Act on 4th August 2014. Notably, one major development was the establishment of the Family Justice Courts (FJC) which consist of the Family Division of the High Court, the Family Courts and the Youth Courts. The Family Justice Courts were established on 1 October 2014, marking a new chapter in the Family Justice System in Singapore. To give a better understanding of these recent developments, the Honourable Judicial Commissioner Valerie Thean (the first presiding judge of the FJC) and Senior District Judge Chia Wee Kiat (the first Registrar of the FJC) will provide an overview of this specialised body of courts and their approach to dispute resolution and case management today against the backdrop of its history. Ms Sophia Ang, Director of the FJC’s counselling and psychological services unit will share her thoughts on the unique role social sciences play in family matters and how the Courts have embraced its relevance in proceedings, especially in issues involving children. The challenges posed by family disputes and the steps the Courts have taken to meet these challenges by way of its judge-led approach to cases and its resolve to cut the litigation cycle in high conflict cases through alternative dispute mechanisms will be addressed by the panel of speakers.

Course Objective(s): After this session, participants will better understand the workings of the Family Justice Courts and develop an appreciation of the role played by the courts in serving the needs of the community.



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Family Law and Practice 2015

Scheduled Dates Thursday, 17 Dec 2015, 9:00 AM- 12:30 PM

Venue Conference Room, Level 5, Family Justice Courts at MND Building

Facilitators: District Judge Goh Zhuo

Neng Family Justice Courts

Magistrate Goh Kiat Yi Family Justice Courts



Synopsis: The Family Law and Practice 2015 is an internal seminar organised by the Family Justice Courts. The seminar will cover developments in Family Law in 2015 and consider the practice of the Court of Appeal and High Court in adjudicating family cases in 2015. It will also include an informal sharing session between the High Court Family Division Judges and Judicial Officers of the Family Justice Courts. The exchange of knowledge and insights during the seminar would provide helpful guidance to Judicial Officers actively involved in family cases.

Time Activity

0830 – 0900

Welcome Breakfast

0900 – 1230

Session 1: “Developments in Family Law in 2015” Notable family law decisions by the Court of Appeal and High Court in 2015

Session 2: “Practice elements of Family Law in 2015” A discussion on the practice of the Court of Appeal and Family Division of the High Court in family cases in 2015.

Tea Break

Session 3: “An exchange of ideas, practices and feedback” An informal sharing session between the Judges of the Family Division of the High Court and Judicial Officers of the Family Court

1230 End of Programme

Course Objective(s): Participants will obtain valuable insights from the perspectives shared by fellow JOs during the session. They will also be able to share their views on the latest developments in Family Law as well as the practice of the Court of Appeal and High Court in adjudicating family cases.

Who is it for? JudgesJOs JLCs


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Documents

2015 - Supreme Court of Singapore · Singapore Judicial College │ Prospectus 2015 3 About the SJC Established under the auspices of the Supreme Court of Singapore, the Singapore