FAMILY LAW PROGRAMMES
Strengthening Practice, Supporting Families
Developed By
Bringing together the different players in the ecosystem, SAL Family Law Programmes provide practitioners the industry expertise, the courts' perspective and the social science perspective to enable practitioners to gain practical skills as a family lawyer.
Upcoming runs
SMC Family Mediation Certification Programme
Family Law Masterclass for the Advanced Practitioner
27 - 28 November 2025
Family Therapeutic Justice Certification Programme
1, 2 and 8 July 2026
This 2-day course comprises 3 modules of in-person learning to arm the family lawyer with competencies to support their clients and stakeholders to achieve therapeutic justice. The course is developed by the Singapore Academy of Law in conjunction with the Singapore University of Social Sciences, and is supported by a working group comprising Judicial Officers of the Family Justice Courts and senior family lawyers.
This programme was conceived to give members of the family bar an understanding of what it means to practise in a TJ oriented landscape and the important role of the family lawyer in this connection.
Learners can look forward to:
- Understanding therapeutic justice in the context of family justice and family lawyering from a social science perspective.
- Examining the benefits, aims and distinguishing features of therapeutic justice.
- Examining how therapeutic justice is operational within the family justice system in terms of the policies and court procedures (ie hardware) and the roles of the legal actors (ie software).
- Examining and applying the interpersonal skills required for employing and sustaining a collaborative, therapeutic justice approach to family practice.
This 4-day course + 1 day assessment comprises 2 modules of in-person learning to enhance a mediator’s skills in managing family disputes. Participants will acquire practical knowledge on handling family mediation cases, which includes how to manage issues such as custody of children, matrimonial asset division, the psychology of family dynamics and family violence.
Learners can look forward to:
- Gain practical skills for resolving challenging family disputes.
- Learn directly from leading experts in family mediation.
- Enhance your professional profile with SMC certification.
Family Therapeutic Justice Certification Programme
Therapeutic Justice - Social Science Perspective
Overview
This module delves into the social science perspective and highlights the importance of Therapeutic Justice (TJ) in minimizing the negative impacts of divorce. It emphasises the role of the lawyer in connecting social science perspectives to divorce and family disputes. Participants learn to tap into their soft skills, holistically assess the family's situation, and consider the viability of therapeutic interventions and alternative dispute resolution methods. The module also highlights the long-term impact of the divorce lawyer's work in supporting clients and their families, aiming for fair and consensual divorce settlements, promoting co-parenting, and addressing access difficulties.
Therapeutic Justice - The Therapeutic Agent
Overview
This module focuses on Therapeutic Justice (TJ) as a mindset and system that aims to achieve therapeutic outcomes through rules, procedures, and the behavior of legal actors. Participants learn to appreciate the benefits of TJ practice, including improved well-being, healing, empowerment, and overall enhancement of families' lives. The module highlights the three aims of TJ: (1) holistic and interdisciplinary, to addressing both legal and non-legal needs, (2) restorative and supportive, to repair and support family life, and (3) forward-looking, to help families stabilise and adjust. It highlights the distinguishing features of a TJ-oriented system, including respect for the law and due process, parties' participation, non-adversarial problem-solving, and multi-disciplinary both upstream and downstream.
Therapeutic Justice in and out of the Courtroom
Overview
This module provides a comprehensive understanding of Therapeutic Justice (TJ) in the family justice system. Participants recap current procedures and policies in the Family Justice Court (FJC) and explore various options available to clients, such as multi-disciplinary teams, judge-led approach, expert panels, and social services. They learn how TJ hardware and software work together to achieve a TJ system and interpret substantive and procedural law in line with TJ-oriented outcomes. The module emphasizes the evolving nature of the TJ ecosystem and the importance of collaboration among stakeholders. Participants gain insights into the role of family lawyers in promoting the philosophy of caring for the family and supporting clients through the Mandatory CoParenting Programme and counseling sessions. They also learn how to assist the court constructively as a TJ-minded counsel and differentiate between TJ and non-TJ approaches in courtroom advocacy. By the end of the module, participants understand the direction of the family justice system towards a TJ-oriented approach and the benefits it offers.
The TJ Practitioner
Overview
This module focuses on developing and applying interpersonal skills necessary for a collaborative, Therapeutic Justice (TJ) approach in family practice. Participants learn to enhance their mental health literacy to identify red flags in clients' mental health and provide appropriate referrals. They gain an understanding of effective interpersonal skills, such as active listening, motivational interviewing, trust-building, and empathy, for managing clients. The module also covers managing high-conflict personalities and de-escalating situational crises in family law cases, the role of mediation in family disputes, the challenges of TJ-oriented family practice and how to overcome them at various stages of a family dispute. Knowledge and skills acquired in previous modules will be synthesised to ensure that the participants can apply them effectively in their practice moving forward.
SMC Family Mediation Certification Programme
The Family Mediation Certification Programme (FMCP) is a four-day intensive programme that is designed to enhance a mediator’s skills in managing family disputes. A joint effort between Singapore Mediation Centre (SMC) and the Family Justice Courts, the FMCP is open to all SMC Accredited Mediators. Participants will acquire practical knowledge on handling family mediation cases, which includes how to manage issues such as custody of children, matrimonial asset division, the psychology of family dynamics and family violence. Module 1 covers Family Law and is suitable for non-legal professionals and lawyers who do not practice family law while Module 2 will focus on Family Mediation.
Family Therapeutic Justice Certification Programme Past Participants
| Adrienne Grace Milton | Tito Isaac & Co LLP |
| Alvin Wong Hongxi | WLAW LLC |
| Ameera Binte Mohamed Nagib Bajrai | FND Legal |
| Amolat Singh | Amolat & Partners |
| Andrew Wong Wei Kiat | I.R.B LAW LLP |
| Ang Yu Wen Amelia | Lee & Lee |
| Anuradha d/o K C Sharma | Winchester Law LLC |
| Audrey Ho Swee Lin (Audrey He Ruiling) | Atkins Law Corporation |
| Aye Cheng Shone | A C Shone & Co |
| Bhargavan Sujatha | Gavan Law Practice LLC |
| Chacko Grace | Grace Chacko Law Practice |
| Chai Li Li Dorothy | DCMO Law Practice LLC |
| Chan Yew Loong Justin | Justin Chan Chambers LLP |
| Charlene Nah | PKWA Law Practice LLC |
| Cheong Wai Yin | City Law LLC |
| Cheong Zhihui Ivan | Withers KhattarWong LLP |
| Cheryl Athena Tan | CHP Law LLC |
| Chidambaram Selvaraj @ Sellachamy | APEX Law LLC |
| Chong Xin Yi | Gloria James-Civetta & Co |
| Chong Yue-En | Bethel Chambers LLC |
| Choo Heng Han, Derek | PKWA Law Practice LLC |
| Choo Yik-Hean, Bryan | Quahe Woo & Palmer LLC |
| Chua Sin Yen, Jacqueline (Cai Xin Yan) | Jacque Law LLC |
| Chugani Ashok Kan | Mirchandani & Partners |
| Denny Lin Dianyan | Integro Law Chambers LLC |
| Dharmambal Shanti Jayaram | Dharma Law LLC |
| Dilys H Chua | CHP Law LLC |
| Dodwell Alfred | Dodwell & Co LLC |
| Fu Simin Charmaine | C.Fu LLC |
| Geraldine Kuah Wen Ling (Ke Wenling) | Attorney-General's Chambers |
| Gloria James-Civetta | Gloria James-Civetta & Co |
| Goh Jun Ting, Bernice | Salem Ibrahim LLC |
| Goh Siu Lin | Kee Sern, Siu & Huey |
| Goh Ting Xuan Beverly | Drew & Napier LLC |
| Gulab Sobhraj @ Gulab Sobhraj Ramchandani | Crossbows LLP |
| Gurmeet Kaur D/o Amar Singh | Harjeet Singh & Co |
| Hannah Cheang Hui-Fen | Focus Law Asia LLC |
| Hany Soh Hui Bin | MSC Law Corporation |
| Ho Chee Jia (He Qijia) | Integrity Law LLC |
| Ho Shiao Hong | Quahe Woo & Palmer LLC |
| Ho Swee Lin Audrey | Atkins Law Corporation |
| Hu Huimin | CNPLaw LLP |
| Iman Marini Binte Salem Ibrahim | Salem Ibrahim LLC |
| Isabel Ho Ci Xian (Isabel He Cixian) | Damodara Ong LLC |
| Jaryl Lim Zhi Wei | Aurora Law LLC |
| Jayagobi S/o Jayaram | Grays LLC |
| Jeyanthy D/o Adaikalasamy | Helius Law LLC |
| John Vincent | John Law Chambers LLC |
| Josephine Tay Siok Leng | Josephine Tay & Co |
| Judy Ang Pei Xia | JS Law Chambers LLP |
| Kamalarajan Malaiyandi Chettiar | Rajan Chettiar LLC |
| Kawal Pal Singh s/o Amarjit Singh | Tito Isaac & Co LLP |
| Kee Lay Lian | Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP |
| Kelyn Lee | Family Justice Courts |
| Kong Hui Xin, Annette | Salem Ibrahim LLC |
| Koon Seng, Nathaniel | Quahe Woo & Palmer LLC |
| Krishna Ramakrishna Sharma | Fleet Street Law LLC |
| Lee Chay Pin | Chambers Law LLP |
| Lee Geck Hoon Ellen | DCMO Law Practice LLC |
| Lee Shen Han (Li Shangheng) | Bonsai Law Corporation |
| Lew Chen Chen | Chambers Law LLP |
| Liaw Jin Poh | Tan Lee & Choo |
| Lim Fung Peen | Yuen Law LLC |
| Lim Lay See | LS Lim Law Practice |
| Lim Pei Ling June | Eden Law Corporation |
| Lim Pheck Hoon Joan | Legal Options LLC |
| Lim Shu Fen | JS Law Chambers LLP |
| Low Jin Liang | PKWA Law Practice LLC |
| Low Seow Ling (Liu Xiaolin) | Emre Legal LLC |
| Low Wan Kwong Michael | Crossbows LLP |
| Madeleine Poh | Yeo & Associates LLC |
| Mathea Lim | PKWA Law Practice LLC |
| Michelle Elizabeth Woodworth | Quahe Woo & Palmer LLC |
| Mirchandani Poonam (Poonam Lachman Mirchandani) | Mirchandani & Partners |
| Moraly Joseph Veronica | Veronica Joseph LLC |
| Muhammad Sholihin Bin Mohd Amin | Family Justice Courts |
| Mundo Alyssa Galvan | Teoh & Co LLC |
| Navin Kangatharan | Rajan Chettiar LLC |
| Ng Lee Chye John | Michael Khoo & Partners |
| Ng Pui Khim | Gateway Law Corporation |
| Nicole Huang Wan Tian | Seah Ong & Partners LLP |
| Ong Jan Lee, Sandra (Wang Qianli) | Gloria James-Civetta & Co |
| Ong Jing Yi Felicia | Beacon Law Corporation |
| Ong Linda | Engelin Teh Practice LLC |
| Phua Soong Audrey | Bethel Chambers LLC |
| Pradeep Gurbani | DCMO Law Practice LLC |
| Rajashree Suppiah | Messrs Rajashree |
| Remya Aravamuthan | High Street Chambers LLC |
| S Puspha | Attorney-General's Chambers |
| Sam Hui Min Lisa (lisa Cen Huimin) | Lisa Sam & Company |
| Sathiyaraja S /O Rajagopal | Justin Chan Chambers LLP |
| Seah Seow Kang Steven | Seah Ong & Partners LLP |
| Sharanjit Kaur D/o Sarjit Singh | Advox Law LLC |
| Shawn Teo Kai Jie | Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP |
| Shereen Goklani | Godwin Campos LLC |
| Si Hoe Tat Chorng | Acacia Legal LLC |
| Sophia Eliza Rossman | Allen & Gledhill LLP |
| Sudhershen Hariram | Tan Rajah & Cheah |
| Sumaiyah Abdul Kader | I.R.B. Law LLP |
| Tan Hui Qing | Harry Elias Partnership LLP |
| Tan Siew Kim | Sterling Law Corporation |
| Tan Xin Er, Sylvie (Chen Xin'er) | Engelin Teh Practice LLC |
| Tan Xuan Qi Dorothy | PKWA Law Practice LLC |
| Tay Ting Lan Susan | OTP Law Corporation |
| Teh Guek Ngor Engelin | Engelin Teh Practice LLC |
| Thio Ling Lie Nancy | Omnia Law Chambers LLC |
| U Sethuraj Naidu | Godwin Campos LLC |
| Veerasamy Kanyakumari | Tan Kok Quan Partnership LLP |
| Viviene Kaur Sandhu | Clifford Law LLP |
| Wang Liansheng | Bih Li & Lee LLP |
| Wong Kah Wye, Anne | Wong & Eng LLC |
| Wong Kai Yun | Chia Wong Chambers LLC |
| Wong Li-Yen Dew | Dew Chambers |
| Wong Yan Ying | Chambers Law LLP |
| Yap Gim Chuan | Soh Wong & Yap |
| Yap Teong Liang | T L Yap Law Chambers LLC |
| Yap Tong, Hitomi | Quahe Woo & Palmer LLC |
| Yeo Khee Chye Raymond | Raymond Yeo |
| Yeow Tin Tin Margaret | Hoh Law Corporation |
| Yvette Tay Yu Wei | Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP |
SGD 2,000 (excluding GST)
SAL Members are eligible for member's pricing.
The course is eligible for:
- SkillsFuture Singapore Funding (SSG Funding)
- SkillsFuture Credit (SFC)
- SAL Credit Dollars (C$).
SGD 3,054.53 (excluding GST)
This course is eligible for:
- SkillsFuture Credit (SFC).