Meaning of Expedited Order in Singapore

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As a family lawyer in Singapore, I always advise my clients to make an application for a personal protection order if they encounter family violence at home. What is the meaning of expedited order in Singapore?

Meaning of Expedited Order

My clients are often anxious when they find out that it takes a few months (for a trial to take place) before a personal protection order can be granted by the Court.

What happens in the meantime? The Family Justice Courts have the power to grant an expedited order. What is the meaning of expedited order? An expedited order is a temporary personal protection order if there is imminent danger. It is not permanent and it lasts for only 28 days from the date it is served to the respondent. However, the Family Justice Courts have the power to extend the expedited order.

An expedited order may be able to put off aggressors from committing further family violence when the danger is real and imminent.

I recently read about a case involving a husband who chopped off his wife’s fingers after blindfolding her and taping her mouth, telling her that he was about to give her a surprise. The husband was allegedly jealous because his wife was pursuing a university education while he only received secondary education.

See: “‘I’ve got a surprise for you’: Husband blindfolds his wife… and then chops off all her fingers to stop her studying for a degree”, Daily Mail, 17 December 2011

Case as such are extreme.

It takes time for a personal protection order to be granted by the Court as the Court needs to be convinced that family violence has been committed or is likely to be committed and that you need a personal protection order for your protection.

However, an expedited order can be granted immediately if there is imminent danger.

Make an application for personal protection order if your safety is threatened.