Rajah & Tann Singapore recently contributed to the Singapore chapter of the Global Practice Guide: Child Relocation 2026 published by Chambers and Partners.
In the Trends and Developments section of the chapter, Family Law specialists Partners Kee Lay Lian, Yoon Min Joo and Shawn Teo, and Associate Joshua Daniel Foo from the Private Client Disputes Practice, provide a practitioners’ guide to filing and resisting international child relocation applications in Singapore. In previous editions, which they also co-authored, the authors examined the evolving legal principles governing child relocation in Singapore, recent judicial developments, and the growing influence of the Family Justice Courts Therapeutic Justice Model (“TJ Model“). Building on these foundations, the current chapter shifts from principle to practice by distilling key practical takeaways, good practices, and “dos and don’ts” for lawyers advising parties in relocation proceedings.
The authors highlight that Singapore courts continue to adopt a holistic, child-centric and multifactorial approach when determining relocation applications, with the child’s welfare remaining the overriding consideration. The chapter examines how courts assess factors such as the reasons for relocation, its impact on the child, the feasibility of relocation plans, post-relocation access arrangements, and each parent’s ability to support the child’s relationship with the other parent. It also offers practical guidance for practitioners acting both for and against relocation, including preparing detailed and realistic relocation plans, devising workable post-relocation access arrangements, demonstrating a willingness to co-parent, and corroborating key assertions with independent evidence. Particular attention is given to the courts’ treatment of speculative relocation proposals and the importance of preserving meaningful parent-child relationships.
These developments and practical considerations reflect the continued influence of the TJ Model within Singapore’s family justice system. Consistent with the objectives of the TJ Model, the chapter underscores the role of practitioners in reducing acrimony, encouraging constructive problem-solving, adopting a cooperative and non-adversarial approach, and advancing proposals that serve the child’s long-term interests.
The chapter provides practical insights and helpful guidance for family law practitioners navigating the complexities of international child relocation disputes. The full Singapore Trends and Developments chapter can be accessed here.
Find out more about our Private Client Disputes Practice here.
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