Reply to Originating Application for Dissolution of Marriage

This user guide demonstrates the filing process for a “Reply to an Originating Application for Divorce”. The same filing process is also applicable for the following documents:

• Reply to Originating Application for Nullity; and

• Reply to Originating Application for Judicial Separation.

Fig A. Indicate if the Respondent is filing a cross-application.

If the filing party is:

1. not the Respondent, proceed to Figs 1 – 2c and skip ahead to Figs 11 – 18,

2. the Respondent and he/she is filing a cross-application (select “Yes” for the question in Fig A), proceed to Figs 1 – 2c and skip ahead to Figs 11 – 18,

3. the Respondent but he/she is not filing a cross-application (select “No” for the question in Fig A), proceed to Figs 1 – 18.

Case Information

Proceed following the normal filing process:

• Select “File a Document” from the Quick Access banner.

• Key in the relevant case number (this will be the case number of the Originating Application for Divorce that you are seeking to reply to) and click “Retrieve”.

• Select “Filing a new document into this case”.

Fig 1. Select “Others” as the Category and “Reply to Originating Application for Divorce” as the Document Title.

Fig 2. Review the list of parties involved in the case, and ensure that the correct party is selected as the filing party.

If you would like to add a party, proceed to Figs 2a – 2b. If not, proceed to Fig 2c.

Fig 2a. Click on the “Add Party Manually” button.

Fig 2b. Enter all the mandatory information. Click “Save” when you are done.

Fig 2c. Click “Check” to confirm the Filing Party’s details. Once confirmed, click “Start Application”.

Parties

Fig 3. For each party involved in the Originating Application, indicate whether the Filing Party agrees with the party’s details in the Originating Application.

• If “Agree” is selected, proceed to Fig 4.

• If “Disagree” is selected, proceed to Fig 3a.

Fig 3a. For each information that is to be corrected, select the detail and click “Add”. Enter the details that the Filing Party believes to be correct.

Marriage

Fig 4. Indicate whether the Filing Party agrees with the Marriage details in the Originating Application.

• If “Agree” is selected, proceed to Fig 5.

• If “Disagree” is selected, proceed to Fig 4a.

Fig 4a. Select the details that the Filing Party wishes to correct.

• If “The Respondent wishes to correct the following marriage details” option is selected, proceed to Fig 4b.

• If any of the other options are selected, provide further details in the given textbox to explain the corrections or statements made.

Fig 4b. For each detail that is to be corrected, select the detail. Click “Add” and enter the details that the Filing Party believes to be correct.

Jurisdiction

Fig 5. Indicate whether the Filing Party agrees with the Jurisdiction details in the Originating Application.

• If “Agree” is selected, proceed to Fig 6.

• If “Disagree” is selected, proceed to Fig 5a.

Fig 5a. Indicate the reason why the Filing Party disagrees with the details provided in the Originating Application.

• If “The Court has no jurisdiction to grant this application” option is selected, you cannot proceed with this Application. You must file a Summons to Challenge Jurisdiction instead.

• If “This Court has the jurisdiction to grant this application but I wish to correct the following information” option is selected, proceed to Fig 5b.

Fig 5b. Select the appropriate details that the Filing Party wishes to correct.

• If either party’s citizenship is selected, proceed to Fig 5c.

• If either party’s habitual residence is selected, proceed to Fig 5d.

Fig 5c. Select the appropriate correction to be made to the citizenship of the selected party.

Fig 5d. Select the appropriate correction to be made to the habitual residence of the selected party.

Fig 5d-1. Regardless of the option chosen, you will be required to provide details of the correct habitual residence. Click on “Add Address” to add the details of the habitual residence.

Fig 5d-2. Provide the details of the habitual residence.

Children

Fig 6. Indicate whether the Filing Party agrees with the Child(ren) details in the Originating Application.

• If “Agree” is selected, proceed to Fig 7.

• If “Disagree” is selected, proceed to Fig 6a.

Fig 6a. Select the details that the Filing Party wishes to correct.

• If “The number of living child(ren) of the marriage” option is selected, specify the number of child(ren) in the textbox provided.

• If “Whether parties have at least 1 child of the marriage below 21 years old” option is selected, proceed to Fig 6b.

• If “Add a minor child or minor children not listed in the Originating Application” option is selected, proceed to Fig 6c.

• If “Details of a child / children listed in the Originating Application” option is selected, proceed to Fig 6d.

• If “The following child(ren) listed by the Applicant is not considered by the Respondent as a child of the marriage” option is selected, proceed to Fig 6e.

Fig 6b. Select the statement that represents the correction to be made.

• If the “Parties have at least 1 child below 21 years old” option is selected, proceed to Fig 6c.

Fig 6c. You will be required to provide the details of the child. Click on “Add Child Details”.

Fig 6c-1. Provide the details of the child.

Fig 6d. Select the name of the child whose details are to be corrected, then click “Add Child”.

Fig 6d-1. For each detail that is to be corrected, select the detail and click “Add”. Enter the details that the Filing Party believes to be correct.

Fig 6e. Provide brief reasons why the child(ren) is/are not considered as a child of the marriage.

Fig 7. Indicate whether the Filing Party agrees with the Parenting Programme details in the Originating Application.

• If “Agree” or “Not Applicable” are selected, proceed to Fig 8.

• If “Disagree” is selected, proceed to Fig 7a.

Fig 7a. Select the detail(s) that the Filing Party wishes to correct.

Proceedings

Fig 8. State whether the Filing Party agrees with the other Court proceedings details in the Originating Application.

• If “Agree” is selected, proceed to Fig 9.

• If “Disagree” is selected, proceed to Fig 8a.

Fig 8a. Select the detail(s) that the Filing Party wishes to correct.

• If “Details of local proceedings” is selected, proceed to Fig 8a-1.

Fig 8a-1. Provide details of the local proceedings. Click on “Add Proceedings”.

Fig 8a-2. Provide the details of the local proceedings. Once done, click “Proceed” to add the details to the table (refer to Fig 8a-1).

Bankruptcy Status and Asset Pool

Fig 9. State whether the Filing Party agrees with the Bankruptcy details in the Originating Application.

• If “Agree” or “Not Applicable” are selected, proceed to Fig 10.

• If “Disagree” is selected, proceed to Fig 9a.

Fig 9a. Select the details that the Filing Party wishes to correct.

Fig 9a-1. Indicate if the Filing Party is an undischarged bankrupt. If he/she is not an undischarged bankrupt, indicate if there are pending bankruptcy proceedings against him/her.

Fig 10. Indicate whether the Filing Party agrees with the Asset Pool details in the Originating Application.

• If “Agree” or “Not Applicable” are selected, proceed to Fig 11.

• If “Disagree” is selected, proceed to Fig 10a.

Fig 10a. Select the details that the Filing Party wishes to correct.

• If “The total gross value of matrimonial assets” is selected, proceed to Fig 10b.

• If “Details of the immovable assets” is selected, proceed to Fig 10c.

Fig 10b. State the total gross value of matrimonial assets that the Filing Party believes to be correct.

Fig 10c. Select the statement(s) that represent the changes the Filing Party wishes to make.

• If “Add a property not stated in the Originating Application” is selected, proceed to Fig 10d.

• If “Details of a property already listed in the Originating Application” is selected, proceed to Fig 10e.

Fig 10d. Provide details of the immovable assets. Click on “Add Immovable Asset”.

Fig 10d-1. Provide the details of the immovable asset. Once done, click “Proceed” to add the details to the table (refer to Fig 10d).

Fig 10e. Select the property that is already listed in the Originating Application. Choose the detail(s) pertaining to the property that is/are to be corrected. Click on “Add Details”.

Reply to Facts/Reasons and Reliefs Claimed

Fig 11. State if the Respondent agrees to the application for divorce, and/or the facts or reasons for the dissolution. If the filing party is not the Respondent, state if the filing party agrees to the facts or reasons for the dissolution.

• If the Respondent agrees with both the application and facts / reasons for the dissolution (i.e. if “Yes” is selected for both questions), or if the filing party agrees with the reasons for the dissolution, proceed to Fig 12.

• If “No” is selected for either of the questions, proceed to Fig 11a.

Fig 11a. The Respondent needs to refer to each statement in the Originating Application by its paragraph number. State the paragraph(s) which the Respondent agrees and disagrees with. For the statement(s) that the Respondent disagrees with, provide the reasons in the free-text box. If the filing party is not the Respondent, he/she is to respond only to the statements in paragraph 7 of the Originating Application which are relevant to him/her.

Thereafter, proceed to Fig 12.

Fig 12. Select the appropriate statement(s).

Supporting Documents

Fig 13. Click “Add Document” to add supporting documents for the Reply.

Fig 13a. Enter the number of “Other document” that you wish to add, and click “Add”.

(2) Forms

Fig 15. You will be presented with an eForm.

Fig 16. To initiate the signing process, click the “Confirm” button located at the bottom of the eForm.

Fig 16a. The row of the eForm will be updated with new buttons.

• Click the “Finalise Document” button to start the signing process. The “Finalise Document” button will only be enabled after all eForms are confirmed and all documents to be uploaded in Step 2 have been uploaded.

Fig 16b. The row of the eForm will be updated with new buttons if the document requires a signature. You may choose either digital signing or offline signing.

• You will be taken to the Document Signing Service (“DSS”) portal.

• Please refer to "eLitigation FAQ > Document Signing Service (DSS) Guide for eLitigation Users > How do I request signatures with DSS?" for a step-by-step guide on how to sign your documents with DSS.

• DSS will pre-populate the list of signers based on the details in the Case Information section. Do check that the list of signers is correct before proceeding. You can add or remove the signers, if necessary.

• The eForm in Step 2 will automatically be made available in DSS for online signing.

Fig 16c. A new row will be displayed.

Upon successfully completing the signing procedure (regardless of which method was chosen) or if none of the documents require a signature, the “Next” button should be enabled. Click on the “Next” button to proceed to Step 3: Admin Details.

(3) Admin Details

Fig 17. In Step 3: Admin Details, indicate any urgent processing, special request or waiver required. You can also opt to eServe the documents to another law firm.

(4) Submission

Fig 18. In Step 4: Submission, review all information and documents before submission. Upon acceptance / approval by Court, the documents will be sent to your eLitigation inbox.