YCB v YCC

YCB v YCC

Allowing relocation was in the child’s best interests because the primary caregiver’s reasonable and non‑bad faith wish to return to the parties’ home country, combined with the risk of deterioration in her mental health if prevented, outweighed the loss of direct physical contact with the Father; the loss could be mitigated by a strong post‑relocation access and communication plan, and no countervailing factor of sufficient weight existed to deny relocation.

Citation
[2026] SGFC 57
Parties
Applicant (relocation) / Mother: YCB; Respondent (objector) / Father: YCC
Court
Family Court
Jurisdiction
Singapore
Judgment Date
23 April 2026
Case Number
FC/OAGV 1/2024|FC/OAGV 1/2025|HCF/DCA 16/2026
Procedural Posture
Family Court – Relocation and Care and Control (child Welfare) / Judgment at First Instance Allowing Relocation; Notice of Appeal Filed; Stay Application Dismissed
Outcome
Relocation allowed; stay application dismissed; detailed access and maintenance orders made; appeal filed by Father
Legal Topics
Relocation, Care and Control, Access, Child Maintenance, Stay Pending Appeal
Source Language
English
Family Law Child Law Relocation Care and Control Access Child Maintenance Stay Pending Appeal

Case Brief

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Parties

YCB

Applicant (relocation) / Mother

YCC

Respondent (objector) / Father

Procedural Posture

Family Court – Relocation and Care and Control (child Welfare) / Judgment at First Instance Allowing Relocation; Notice of Appeal Filed; Stay Application Dismissed

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether relocation of the child to the UK with the primary caregiver is in the child’s best interests
  2. 2 How to balance the reasonable wishes of the primary caregiver against the likely loss of relationship with the left‑behind parent
  3. 3 Whether a stay of the relocation order should be granted pending appeal

Ratio Decidendi

Allowing relocation was in the child’s best interests because the primary caregiver’s reasonable and non‑bad faith wish to return to the parties’ home country, combined with the risk of deterioration in her mental health if prevented, outweighed the loss of direct physical contact with the Father; the loss could be mitigated by a strong post‑relocation access and communication plan, and no countervailing factor of sufficient weight existed to deny relocation.

Court Disposition

Relocation allowed; stay application dismissed; detailed access and maintenance orders made; appeal filed by Father

Orders

  • Mother allowed to relocate to the United Kingdom with the child [B]
  • [B] to have daily video calls with the Father at a time reasonable for [B]; Mother to provide suitable time convenient for [B]