How to file a personal protection order application

You may visit the FPC at the FJC to apply in person during the operating hours.

The FPC is located at Level 1 of the FJC at Havelock Square.

You may visit the following PSCs to apply in person.

• Pave Integrated Services For Individual And Family Protection Specialist Centre (ISIFPSC).
• TRANS SAFE Centre.
• Care Corner Project StART.

You are encouraged to submit your draft application and documents online via iFAMS before heading down to the FPC or an PSC/PAVE ISIFPSC. Doing so will mean less time spent processing your application at the FPC or PSC/PAVE ISIFPSC.

Refer to the following steps for the iFAMS application process:

1. Log in to iFAMS and select Application for a personal protection order.
2. Proceed to fill in the online form.
3. Save your work and choose whether you wish to have your application and documents checked at the FPC or any PSC/PAVE ISIFPSC.
   • You will have to bring the documents you are relying on so they can be checked or filed together with your application at the FPC or PSC/PAVE ISIFPSC, if required.

For detailed instructions, refer to the iFAMS user guide.

After submitting your information online, you may then visit the FPC at the FJC or approach any of the PSC/PAVE ISIFPSC to complete your application.

Alternatively, you may visit the FPC at the FJC or any PSC/PAVE ISIFPSC to file your application in-person.

Once you arrive at the FPC to make or complete your application, a court family specialist (CFS) will be assigned to attend to you for a one-to-one session. The session may take around 30 to 45 minutes (excluding waiting time).

If you are filing your application at an PSC/PAVE ISIFPSC, a social worker will guide you through the session instead.

During the session, the CFS or social worker will:

• Provide you with the necessary information on the PPO application.
• Cover issues with regard to your safety.
• Assess the needs of your family and your needs.
  • The CFS or social worker may make necessary referrals to the appropriate community and support agencies when required.

How the session is conducted

In most circumstances, the session will involve the CFS or social worker speaking to you. If required, a support person such as a family member may be involved in your session with the CFS.

During the session, it will be helpful for you to:

• Share openly with the CFS or social worker your concerns and reasons for your PPO application.
  • However, should the CFS or social worker assess that there is an immediate risk of harm to you or your other family members, or if there are allegations of serious child abuse, they are obligated to inform the relevant agencies to ensure the safety of your family members or yourself.
• Take up the necessary referrals that the CFS or social worker may assist in.
  

The session with the CFS or social worker will be conducted in a private room and the details of the session will not be disclosed to your other family members of the case. Only details provided in your application form and the outcome of the session will be made known to the respondent. If necessary, the CFS or social worker will seek your consent before sharing any information which may be helpful for the respondent to know.

If you are afraid to see the respondent in court, you may discuss with the CFS for alternative arrangements to be made, such as attending the court mention at a video-link agency.

This option is not available if your case proceeds to a hearing.

After attending the session with the CFS or social worker, you may be required to appear before a duty judge where you will confirm the truth of the contents of your application. Attendance before a judge can be in-person or by video conference.

The judge may ask questions to clarify the information in your application. You will then have to swear or affirm that the contents of your application and your answers to the judge are true and correct.

It is a serious offence to include statements that you know to be untrue or incorrect in a sworn or affirmed application.

If your application commenced on or after 15 October 2024, and your application is in order, the judge will approve of the application without seeing you. 

If your application is accepted

If your application is in order, the application will be referred to the duty judge who will decide whether to issue a summons to the respondent or to dismiss your application. This summons is a court document directing the respondent to attend a court session known as a court mention at a scheduled time and date.

Depending on the nature of your case, the judge may also issue an expedited order (EO) in addition to a summons if they find that there is imminent danger of family violence.

You will then have to pay a sum of $1 for the issuance of the summons.

The court will serve the summons and EO, if any, on the respondent at the address provided in your application.

The duty judge may not be:

• The same judge hearing the PPO application.
• The same judge giving directions at the court mention.

You will also be issued a mention slip containing the date and time for you to attend the court mention. At the court mention, the respondent will state if they consent to your application.

Refer to:

• Personal Protection Order Under the Women's Charter: The Essentials:
  • English (PDF, 588 KB).
  • Chinese (PDF, 2205 KB).
  • Malay (PDF, 448 KB).
  • Tamil (PDF, 1776 KB).

• Specimen Government Medical Certificate (DOCX, 18 KB) for absence from court attendance.

• Part 7 of the Women’s Charter.
• For filings commenced on or after 15 October 2024, refer to: 
  • Part 3, Divisions 1 and 2 of the Family Justice (General) Rules 2024.
• For filings commenced before 15 October 2024, refer to:  
  • Part 5, Division 3 of the Family Justice Rules 2014.