Personal Protection Orders (PPO) in Singapore
What a Personal Protection Order is
A Personal Protection Order, or PPO, is a court order that restrains one family member from committing family violence against another. It is made by the Family Justice Courts under Part 7 of the Women’s Charter 1961. The statute itself calls it a protection order; Personal Protection Order and PPO are the names used by the Family Justice Courts and by the public, and they refer to the same thing.
This is general legal information, not legal advice. Consult a qualified advocate and solicitor about your situation. Information last verified on 23 July 2026.
A PPO is not a harassment order: the key distinction
This is the point that most often causes confusion. A PPO under the Women’s Charter protects a person against family violence committed by a family member. Harassment between people who are not family, such as neighbours, colleagues or strangers, is dealt with under a different law, the Protection from Harassment Act 2014, in a different court.
The Family Justice Courts make the distinction expressly. Their own PPO guide states that it covers protective orders under the Women’s Charter 1961 only, and not orders under the Protection from Harassment Act 2014. In short, if the person you need protection from is a family member and the conduct is family violence, the Women’s Charter route applies. If they are not family, see protection from harassment in Singapore, which explains the separate regime.
Who counts as a family member
Section 58A defines family member broadly. It includes a spouse or former spouse, a child (expressly including an adopted child or a stepchild), a parent, a parent-in-law, a sibling, and a relative through marriage or adoption whom the court considers should in the circumstances be regarded as a member of the family. It also extends to a person who is incapacitated or infirm through disability, illness or old age and who should similarly be regarded as family. It is not a narrow, closed list.
What family violence means
Section 58B defines family violence. It covers physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional or psychological abuse committed against a family member. Physical abuse includes causing or threatening hurt, and wrongfully confining or restraining a person, but it excludes lawful self-defence and the lawful correction of a child under 18. Emotional or psychological abuse covers conduct that torments, intimidates, harasses or distresses, including conduct that may cause a person to have thoughts of suicide or self-harm. Family violence can be a single incident or a course of conduct.
The Personal Protection Order (section 60A)
Under section 60A the court may make a protection order restraining a person from committing family violence if it is satisfied, on a balance of probabilities, that the person has committed or is likely to commit family violence against a family member, and that the order is necessary for that family member’s protection or personal safety. The order can also bar the respondent from getting someone else to commit family violence. It takes effect from the date it is made, or a later specified date, and can be made for a fixed period or indefinitely. Knowingly breaching a PPO is a family violence offence.
Add-on orders: exclusion, stay-away and no-contact (section 60B)
Section 60B allows the court to attach stronger orders to a PPO. These are commonly called a Domestic Exclusion Order, a Stay Away Order and a No Contact Order. A Domestic Exclusion Order can exclude the respondent from the shared home, or part of it, and grant the person protected exclusive occupation. A Stay Away Order can bar the respondent from places the person protected frequents. A No Contact Order can bar the respondent from visiting or communicating with them. These orders attach to a PPO that exists or is being made at the same time; they are not stand-alone remedies.
Urgent protection: the Expedited Order (section 61)
Where protection is needed before a PPO application can be heard, section 61 allows the court to make an Expedited Order. The court can make one if satisfied there is a danger that the respondent will commit family violence before the application is dealt with. An Expedited Order can be made even if the respondent has not yet been served, or has been served but does not attend. It generally lasts 28 days from the date it is served on the respondent, and the court can extend it. Exclusion, stay-away and no-contact terms can be attached to an Expedited Order in the same way as to a PPO.
How to apply
Applications are filed at the Family Justice Courts, through the Family Protection Centre or a Protection Specialist Centre. A duty judge reviews the application and may issue a summons, with or without an Expedited Order. The case then proceeds to a mention, which both the applicant and the respondent are expected to attend. If the person protected is under 18 or lacks mental capacity, the application is generally made by a family member, guardian or carer on their behalf, as set out in section 60. In an emergency involving a risk of harm now, contact the Police.
Recent change to Part 7
Part 7 of the Women’s Charter was substantially restructured with effect from 2 January 2025 by the Women's Charter (Family Violence and Other Matters) (Amendment) Act 2023. The section numbers used above reflect the current, restructured Part 7. Older sources may cite different section numbers for the same orders, so treat pre-2025 section references for this Part with care. For related topics, see the family law in Singapore section.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Personal Protection Order in Singapore?
It is an order of the Family Justice Courts under Part 7 of the Women’s Charter 1961 that restrains a family member from committing family violence against another family member. The statute calls it a protection order; PPO is the name used by the courts and the public.
Is a PPO the same as a Protection from Harassment Act order?
No. A PPO deals with family violence between family members under the Women’s Charter. Harassment between people who are not family, such as neighbours or strangers, is dealt with under the separate Protection from Harassment Act 2014 in a different court. The Family Justice Courts state that a PPO covers Women’s Charter orders only.
Who can apply for a PPO?
Generally the family member at risk applies for themselves. If that person is under 18 or lacks mental capacity, a family member, guardian or carer may apply on their behalf under section 60. A Protector may also apply. Applications are filed at the Family Justice Courts.
What is an Expedited Order?
An Expedited Order under section 61 is temporary protection made while a PPO application is still pending, where the court is satisfied there is a danger of family violence before the case is heard. It generally lasts 28 days from service on the respondent and can be extended by the court.
What happens if someone breaks a PPO?
Knowingly breaching a Personal Protection Order, or a domestic exclusion, stay-away or no-contact order attached to it, is a criminal offence under the Women’s Charter. If there is immediate danger, contact the Police.
Updates
Part 7 of the Women’s Charter 1961 (Protection Against Family Violence) was substantially restructured with effect from 2 January 2025 by the Women's Charter (Family Violence and Other Matters) (Amendment) Act 2023. The current provisions are section 58A (family member), section 58B (family violence), section 60A (the protection order or PPO), section 60B (domestic exclusion, stay-away and no-contact orders) and section 61 (expedited orders). Section references from before this date may not match the current Act.
Sources and References
- Women’s Charter 1961, Part 7 (Protection Against Family Violence), Singapore Statutes Online(sso.agc.gov.sg).gov
- Family Justice Courts, Personal Protection Order and other protective orders: The Essentials(judiciary.gov.sg).gov
- Family Justice Courts, Singapore(judiciary.gov.sg).gov