13 October 2026, Singapore
Sheryl Keith Nuqui Sandhu, Head of the Expatriate Divorce Practice at Gloria James-Civetta & Co, together with Wu Yuqi, represented the wife in successfully opposing the application.
The case, XTQ v XTR [2026] SGFC 134, involved a couple who married in India, subsequently became Singapore citizens and had financial connections to Singapore, including matrimonial property and CPF savings
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The Singapore Family Court has dismissed a husband’s second attempt to have matrimonial financial matters heard in India instead of Singapore.
The husband had commenced divorce proceedings in India and sought to stop the financial proceedings in Singapore, arguing that India was the more appropriate jurisdiction.
However, the Family Court found that the issue had already been determined in an earlier application. The Court also considered the couple’s connections to Singapore, including their financial assets and the limitations of foreign court orders concerning CPF savings.
The husband’s second application was dismissed, with costs of S$2,000 awarded to the wife.
The decision highlights an important issue for international couples: commencing divorce proceedings overseas does not automatically mean that matrimonial financial matters must also be resolved in that country, particularly where Singapore property and CPF savings are involved.
The husband has appealed against the decision.
News Report Source: The Online Citizen – Family Court Rejects Husband’s Second Bid to Move Divorce Financial Matters to India
Case Reference: XTQ v XTR [2026] SGFC 134
