SINGAPORE - The family justice courts will look into developing an international family mediation framework to address cross-border family law issues, said Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon at the opening of the new legal year on Monday (Jan 11).

The courts must keep pace with new complexities that come with an ageing population and increasing number of transnational marriages and family relocations, he said.

An International Advisory Council will be established. It will bring together internationally renowned family judges, academics and experts in family law and social science. The council will discuss latest ideas in family law and practice, study international best practices and solutions.

It will meet for the first time later this year.

During his speech , CJ Menon announced initiatives to enhance access to civil justice as well, including two likely moves in the coming year to review the District Court's civil monetary jurisdictional limit from $250,000, and look at increasing the monetary jurisdiction of the Small Claims Tribunal.

Fees for the Singapore Academy of Law's programmes and services will likely be increased, with some adjustments implemented by July.

He also announced the appointment of Professor Ng-Loy Wee Loon as honorary senior counsel at the event.