Number of and Assistance for Non-native English Speakers Filing Court Applications via Integrated Family Application Management System
Ministry of LawSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the percentage of non-native English speakers using the Integrated Family Application Management System (iFAMS) and the support provided to these applicants. Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked for statistics from the last three years and whether the Ministry would simplify the process or offer more assistance. Minister for Law K Shanmugam explained that iFAMS allows self-represented persons to file for maintenance, protection orders, and simplified deputyship without a lawyer. He noted that help is available at the Family Justice Courts Registry, ServiceSG Centres, and community service centres for those who are not fluent in English. Minister for Law K Shanmugam added that the Judiciary regularly reviews its support measures and welcomes feedback to address specific difficulties faced by court users.
Transcript
14 Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Law (a) for the past three years, what is the percentage of applicants who have filed Court applications via the Integrated Family Application Management System and are non-native English speakers; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider simplifying the application process or render assistance to such applicants whose English is not their first language.
Mr K Shanmugam: The Integrated Family Application Management System (iFAMS) is an online case application and management system that was designed to meet the needs of self-represented persons (SRPs) involved in proceedings in the Family Justice Courts (FJC). iFAMS simplifies the application process so that SRPs can prepare and file Court applications for maintenance, protection orders and simplified deputyship without having to engage a lawyer.
The percentage of non-native English speakers amongst applicants who have filed Court applications via iFAMS from 2020 to 2022 is set out in Table 1 below.
The data for 2023 is not yet available.
SRPs whose first language is not English can seek help with filing iFAMS applications at several locations, including the FJC Registry, the ServiceSG Centres at Our Tampines Hub and One Punggol, any Protection Specialist Centre and the HELP Family Service Centre.
The Judiciary regularly reviews and seeks to improve the assistance available to SRPs who face difficulties filing applications via iFAMS and welcomes feedback on specific difficulties that court users face.