CLOSING THE GAPS
Domestic violence, divorce and custody battles are difficult enough on their own, but for some, the situation can be made even more stressful by a lack of access to legal representation.
Before December 2020, when the Family Justice Support Scheme started its pilot phase, a foreign spouse like Mdm Lai would not have had access to legal assistance.
As a long-term visit pass-holder, she does not qualify for pro bono help from the Legal Aid Bureau, which is for Singaporeans and permanent residents who qualify under a means test.
The support scheme was set up to close that gap for foreign spouses with Singaporean children.
These applicants must not earn a monthly per capita household income above S$950 (US$708) or live in a residence with an annual value above S$13,000. Their savings and investments should also not exceed S$10,000.
The scheme also offers lower legal fees for Singaporeans and permanent residents who fall into a “sandwich” class with a higher income cut-off – a monthly per capita household income of up to S$1,400, residence with an annual value up to S$21,000, and savings and investments up to S$12,000.
Run by Pro Bono SG, the charitable arm of the Law Society, the Family Justice Support Scheme was officially launched last October. Since the pilot phase, there have been about 130 applications and enquiries from foreign spouses, and 400 from Singaporeans and permanent residents.
About half of these foreign spouses and a quarter of these locals in the “sandwich” class eventually received help under the scheme, said Pro Bono SG.
The majority are women, with females making up 94 per cent of foreign spouses and 60 per cent of locals who successfully apply.