PERSONAL PROTECTION ORDERS (PPO)

For victims of domestic violence in Singapore, it is imperative that they know their rights and seek legal help immediately in order to protect themselves and their loved ones.

A Personal Protection Order helps people experiencing family violence. This is an order given by the court, if the court is satisfied that such an order is required to prevent further harm from coming to the victim/s.

If the perpetrator breaches the order and harms the victim again, a police report must be made. The perpetrator may then be arrested and charged for the offence.

Court Application for a Personal Protection Order

An application for a Protection Order may be lodged at the family court to prevent continued harassment by the aggressor. These orders are granted as laid down in Section 65 of the Women’s Charter:

The court may, upon satisfaction on a balance of probabilities that family violence has been committed or is likely to be committed against a family member and that it is necessary for the protection of the family member, make a protection order restraining the person against whom the order is made from using family violence against the family member.

Gloria James-Civetta & Co Lawyers regularly represent clients both as applicants and respondents in relation to Personal Protection Orders. Our clients can count on our vast experience in this area of the law.

There are 3 types of orders that one can apply for under this section:

• Protection Order: a general order that prevents the respondent from using violence against the victim. This must be applied for first before the following two orders
• Expedited Order (EO): a temporary order that lasts for 28 days from the date it was served to the respondent. This is generally granted depending on the urgency of the victim’s situation
• Domestic Exclusion Order (DEO): an order that excludes or restricts the respondent from entering the victim’s residence or parts of the residence

The length of the application process typically depends on the complexity of the facts of the case.

In order to quicken the court process, an applicant should try to gather sufficiently convincing evidence such as a police report or medical reports of any injuries sustained during the violence.

While the granting of a PPO does not prove immediate grounds of divorce but the judge will take this factor into account in granting a divorce in Singapore.

Contact GJC Law Personal Protection Orders Lawyers Singapore