The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (1980) (the “Convention”) is an international treaty between Contracting States that governs issues of international child abduction. Where a child under 16 years has been wrongfully removed or retained overseas, the Convention secures protection for parental rights of custody and access, and facilitates the prompt return of the child to his or her habitual residence.

​An aggrieved party may make an application for the Court to issue an injunction restraining the other parent from taking the child out of Singapore where there is an agreement or order of court that one parent has custody, care and control of the child.

The Singapore Courts will recognise divorce judgments made by foreign courts of competent jurisdiction in accordance with the rules of private international law of Singapore. Generally, there are three accepted bases for recognition.