ADL v ADM: Child Access Rights Dispute Between Divorcing Parents

In ADL v ADM, the High Court of Singapore heard an appeal regarding access rights to a 21-month-old child in a divorce case. The husband, ADM, sought increased access to his daughter. Choo Han Teck J partially allowed the appeal, granting the husband additional access time on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, emphasizing the child's best interests and the importance of both parents' involvement in her life.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Appeal Allowed in Part

1.3 Case Type

Family

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Divorce case concerning child access rights. The High Court granted the father increased access to their 21-month-old daughter, emphasizing the child's best interests.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
ADLRespondentIndividualAppeal Partially AllowedPartial
ADMAppellantIndividualAppeal Allowed in PartPartial

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Choo Han TeckJYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Simon Tan Hiang TeckAttorneys Inc. LLC
Foo Siew FongHarry Elias Partnership LLP

4. Facts

  1. The parties married on 8 August 2009 and have a daughter born on 10 August 2012.
  2. The wife is a lawyer, and the husband is a lecturer at a local university.
  3. The wife left the matrimonial home with the child on 12 July 2013.
  4. The husband filed for divorce on 26 August 2013.
  5. The husband sought greater access to the child, including weekdays and Sundays.
  6. The wife had care and control of the child, with the child primarily cared for by her parents.
  7. The child is 21 months old at the time of the hearing.

5. Formal Citations

  1. ADL v ADM, Originating Summons (Family) No 365 of 2013 (Registrar's Appeal from the State Courts No 20 of 2014), [2014] SGHC 95

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Parties married in Singapore
Child born
Wife left the matrimonial home with the child
Husband filed for divorce
Hearing date
Judgment reserved

7. Legal Issues

  1. Child Access Rights
    • Outcome: The court granted the husband increased access to the child, extending access time to include Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
    • Category: Substantive

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Increased access to child

9. Cause of Actions

  • No cause of actions

10. Practice Areas

  • Family Litigation

11. Industries

  • Legal Services
  • Education

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

  • Care and control
  • Access rights
  • Best interests of the child
  • Liberal access
  • Quality time

15.2 Keywords

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

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Family Law95
Access to Children90
Child Custody85
Children's Welfare80

16. Subjects

  • Family Law
  • Divorce
  • Child Access