On 1 October 2018, Parliament passed into law the Variable Companies Act 2018 (VCC Act), which provides for the incorporation, operation and regulation of the Variable Capital Companies (VCC). VCCs are a new corporate structure which investment fund managers (and family offices) can choose to utilise to manage their funds.…
Posts written by Yuk Lun Chan
Islamic vs Civil Estate Planning: Differences and Implications
Estate planning is the process of managing one’s assets, such as your monies or properties, while you are still alive, in preparation of the unfortunate event of your death or unforeseen circumstances. Some examples of how you can plan your estate include writing a will or buying life insurance plans.…
Legal Challenges Posed by the Covid-19 Fallout and How SMEs Should Respond
It is an understatement to say that Small-and-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have been hit hard by COVID-19. The unprecedented and widespread disruptions to business operations have thrown many businesses into financial disarray. SMEs often do not have deep pockets to weather a prolonged period of cessation of business operations. Hence, it…
COVID-19 Commercial Lease Issues in Singapore: What to Do
If the premises for your Singapore business is rented and your business has been adversely affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, you may be struggling to pay your overheads, especially the rental cost of your premises. What can you do about this? Managing Rent Negotiation with landlords Typically, commercial tenancy agreements…
Should You Choose Civil or Muslim Marriage? Impacts on Divorce
For a couple blissfully in love, deciding whether to enter into a civil or Muslim marriage is probably not the first thing on their minds. After all, there is a very natural assumption that only Muslims can marry under the relevant Islamic religious law, i.e. Syariah (Sharia) law. In addition,…
How Might COVID-19 Affect Divorces in Singapore?
As of 7 April 2020, the Singapore government put in place circuit breaker measures to reduce local transmission of COVID-19. Following the circuit breaker measures, the Family Justice Courts (FJC) have released new measures on the current state of proceedings in the divorce courts. However, the current measures taken by…
Should You File for Divorce First in Singapore? Pros and Cons
Going through a divorce can be an emotionally draining and overwhelming experience for many individuals. Added to that pressure can be any perceived legal, tactical or financial advantages that the Plaintiff (i.e. the spouse filing for the divorce) can have throughout the divorce process – simply because they filed for…
The COVID-19 Pandemic: 6 Issues International Families May Face
The whole world is watching Singapore’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic. The Singapore Government is being praised internationally for its handling of the situation so far. However, the number of infections is creeping up and the social restrictions are tightening. As of Tuesday 7 April, the Singapore Government has implemented…
Is It Legal for Married Couples to Divorce to Buy Another HDB Flat?
In 2018, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) removed a 3-year time-bar for divorcees to purchase a HDB flat. This simply means divorced persons no longer have to wait 3 years to buy an HDB flat after their divorce. The Minister for National Development had expressed the hope that the…
How the Law Can Help Domestic Violence Victims in Singapore
The experience of violence or abuse in the context of family or in the domestic setting (i.e within a home) is one of the most dehumanising and painful things that anyone can experience or witness. While victims may often feel paralysed and lost as to how to handle such a situation, the law is designed to provide safeguards…
