Custody Orders, Parental Responsibility and Academic Contributions

Abstract

The Court of Appeal decision in the case of CX v. CY (minor: custody and access)marks an important watershed in the law in Singapore concerning child custody. The judgment sets out very clearly the legal definition of the term "custody", the situations when the appropriate order should be made, and the expectations of how parents should behave vis-à-vis their child even as they encounter problems in their marriage. This decision is particularly important in view of the divergent practices in the lower courts when ordering custody of a child; and the increasing emphasis on the need for parents to co-operate in matters relating to their child's upbringing.