WAA v VZZ: Child Custody and Access Dispute in Divorce Proceedings

In a family law case between WAA (Appellant/Defendant) and VZZ (Respondent/Plaintiff), the High Court of Singapore, Family Division, heard an appeal regarding child custody and access following a divorce. The court, presided over by Choo Han Teck J, addressed allegations of abuse and denial of access. The court allowed the Father's application to adduce further evidence in part, and dismissed the Father's applications for subpoenas, judicial interviews, psychological evaluations, and make-up access.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

Family Justice Courts of the republic of singapore

1.2 Outcome

Father's application in SUM 62 allowed in part, SUM 131 and SUM 437 dismissed.

1.3 Case Type

Family

1.4 Judgment Type

Judgment

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Appeal regarding child custody and access. The court addressed allegations of abuse and wrongful denial of access, ultimately dismissing applications for further evidence and make-up access.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
WAAAppellant, DefendantIndividualApplication in SUM 62 allowed in partPartial
VZZRespondent, PlaintiffIndividualSuccessful defense against applicationsWon

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Choo Han TeckJudge of the High CourtYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Seenivasan LalitaVirginia Quek Lalita & Partners
Lim Ying YingVirginia Quek Lalita & Partners
Rachel Hui Min De SilvaTan Rajah & Cheah
Chow Hai ManTan Rajah & Cheah

4. Facts

  1. Parties were married on 5 February 2012 and have two children.
  2. Interim Judgment of divorce was granted on 11 January 2021.
  3. The District Judge gave the parties joint custody, with care and control to the Mother and access to the Father.
  4. The Father alleged the Mother denied him all forms of access since 24 January 2022.
  5. The Mother alleged the Father was violent and abusive to the children.
  6. The Father sought orders for the court to interview the children and for evaluation reports.
  7. The Father sought make-up access due to denied access and interference with access time.

5. Formal Citations

  1. WAA v VZZ and another matter, , [2022] SGHCF 19

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Parties were married
Daughter born
Son born
Interim Judgment granted
District Judge gave parties joint custody of children
Father allegedly denied all forms of access
Counsellor’s report dated from Promises Healthcare Pte Ltd
Hearing date
Judge interviewed the children
Hearing date
Orders made for current access arrangements to continue
Hearing date
Judgment reserved

7. Legal Issues

  1. Child Access
    • Outcome: The court warned the Mother that continued denial of access could result in a reversal of the AM Orders.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Wrongful denial of access
      • Disobeying court orders
  2. Admissibility of Evidence
    • Outcome: The court allowed the Father’s application to adduce further evidence on items (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), and (h) but dismissed the Father’s application to adduce further evidence on items (a), (b), (i) and (j).
    • Category: Procedural
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Adducing further evidence on appeal
      • Subpoenas to witnesses
      • Judicial interview of witnesses
      • Psychological evaluation

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Custody of children
  2. Access to children
  3. Make-up access
  4. Orders for evaluation reports
  5. Subpoenas to witnesses
  6. Judicial interview of witnesses
  7. Psychological evaluation

9. Cause of Actions

  • Divorce
  • Child Custody
  • Child Access

10. Practice Areas

  • Family Law
  • Divorce
  • Child Custody
  • Child Access

11. Industries

  • No industries specified

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
No cited cases

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
No applicable statutes

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Custody
  • Access
  • Make-up access
  • Alleged abuse
  • Denial of access
  • Interim Judgment
  • AM Orders

15.2 Keywords

  • family law
  • divorce
  • child custody
  • child access
  • Singapore
  • High Court
  • appeal

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Family Law95
Access to Children90
Child Custody90
Children's Welfare70
Divorce60
Matrimonial Proceedings50
Child Maintenance30

16. Subjects

  • Family Law
  • Divorce
  • Child Custody
  • Child Access