What Hong Kong and Singapore can teach each other about divorce and separation

Divorce and separation are trying for adults, but they can be traumatising and even permanently damaging for children involved. Hong Kong and Singapore have systems in place to help protect families going through this. However, each takes a very different approach and there is much they could learn from each other to further strengthen families that are breaking apart.

Hong Kong has a well-developed social service to deal with the associated societal problems; Singapore, meanwhile, has incorporated child-focused organisations into its judicial system to provide comprehensive support and other services.

In Hong Kong, family courts are obliged to take the best interests of the children as the paramount consideration during a parental split. Traditionally, the judges have not met the children, and the court will often order a social welfare officer to see them. Where there are disagreements concerning the children, the court will invariably order a social investigating officer to prepare a report.

After almost eight weeks of interviewing the parents and children, the social worker will file a report at court with a recommendation on custody, care and control, access arrangements and any other issues the court might have requested, such as relocation. The social investigating officer will sometimes interview teachers and domestic helpers to get a better picture of the family, how they interact with each other, and their interactions with others.

It may also include seeking views from other professionals who may be assisting the family, and the review of court documents and other appropriate written information. Nonetheless, after conducting this investigation, Hong Kong family courts are presented with a recommendation that only scratches the surface of the deeper issues at stake. Where there are more complex problems, the court can order a child psychologist to interview and assess the child.