Statute Details
- Title: Remand Home
- Act Code: CYPA1993-S204-2006
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Children and Young Persons Act (Chapter 38)
- Authorising Provision: Section 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act
- Instrument No.: S 204
- Commencement / Effective Date: 1 April 2006 (appointment of the remand home)
- Cancellation of Prior Notification: 14 April 2006 (cancelling Children and Young Persons (Remand Homes) (Consolidation) Notification (N 5))
- Status: Current version as at 27 March 2026
- Key Subject Matter: Appointment of a specific institution as a “remand home” for purposes of the Act
What Is This Legislation About?
The “Remand Home” instrument is a Singapore subsidiary legislation made under the Children and Young Persons Act (Chapter 38). In plain terms, it is an official legal notice that designates a particular institution—the Singapore Girls’ Home at 1 Defu Avenue 1, Singapore 359540—as a remand home. A remand home is a facility used in the youth justice system for the detention and custody of children and young persons pending certain legal processes.
This instrument does not itself create a full detention regime. Instead, it operates at the administrative and institutional level: it identifies which premises are authorised to perform the remand function under the Act. Such designations matter because the legal consequences for a child or young person—such as where they may be held, and under what statutory framework—depend on whether the place is properly appointed as a remand home.
The notice also includes a transitional element: it cancels an earlier “consolidation” notification (N 5). This ensures that the legal designation of remand homes remains current and avoids overlap or confusion about which institution(s) are recognised under the Act.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. Appointment of the Singapore Girls’ Home as a remand home (effective 1 April 2006)
The core operative provision is the appointment. The instrument states that, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act, the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports has appointed the Singapore Girls’ Home (addressed at 1 Defu Avenue 1, Singapore 359540) to be a remand home for the purposes of the Act, with effect from 1 April 2006.
For practitioners, the practical significance is that the appointment provides the statutory basis for using that institution as the designated remand facility. Without such an appointment, there would be a risk that custody arrangements could be challenged as not being carried out in accordance with the statutory scheme.
2. Cancellation of the earlier consolidation notification (effective 14 April 2006)
The instrument further provides that the Children and Young Persons (Remand Homes) (Consolidation) Notification (N 5) is cancelled, with effect from 14 April 2006.
Cancellation provisions are important in legal administration because they clarify the “current” legal position. Even if a new remand home is appointed, an older notification may still be on the statute book. By cancelling N 5, the Minister ensures that the earlier consolidated designation does not continue to operate alongside the new appointment, thereby reducing ambiguity about the official list of remand homes.
3. Reliance on section 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act
Although the extract is short, it explicitly anchors the instrument to section 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act. This is legally significant: it signals that the Minister’s power to appoint remand homes is statutory, and that the appointment is not merely an administrative decision.
In a legal challenge or compliance review, counsel would typically examine section 53 to confirm: (i) who has the power to appoint; (ii) what criteria or procedural requirements apply; and (iii) whether the appointment must be in a particular form (e.g., by notification in the Gazette). The instrument’s reference to section 53 supports the validity of the appointment as an exercise of delegated legislative power.
4. Scope limited to designation, not sentencing or procedure
Notably, the instrument does not set out procedural rules (such as remand hearings, time limits, or rights of the child). Those matters are governed by the substantive provisions of the Children and Young Persons Act and related subsidiary legislation and practice directions. This instrument’s function is narrower: it identifies the institution authorised to serve as a remand home.
For lawyers, this distinction is crucial when advising clients or reviewing case records. If a dispute concerns the legality of detention conditions, the relevant analysis will likely involve both: (i) whether the place was properly appointed as a remand home; and (ii) whether the detention was ordered under the correct statutory powers and followed the required procedural safeguards.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This instrument is structured as a short Gazette notification. It contains:
(a) An enacting/notification statement that the Minister has exercised powers under section 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act;
(b) An operative appointment paragraph specifying the institution, address, and effective date (1 April 2006); and
(c) A cancellation paragraph specifying the earlier notification being cancelled and its effective date (14 April 2006).
There are no “parts” or “sections” in the extract because the instrument is a single-purpose notification rather than a comprehensive legislative code. In practice, the “structure” is therefore best understood as a designation-and-cancellation format.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The instrument applies to the youth justice system under the Children and Young Persons Act by determining which premises may be used as a remand home. While the notice does not directly address individual children and young persons in its text, it affects them indirectly: where a child or young person is remanded depends on whether the facility is properly appointed.
It also applies to the relevant authorities responsible for the custody and management of children and young persons in remand. In other words, the appointment binds the operational framework of custody: the institution named in the notification is the legally recognised remand home for the purposes of the Act during the relevant period.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the instrument is brief, it plays an important role in ensuring that youth detention arrangements are carried out within a lawful and accountable framework. In Singapore’s statutory system, the designation of remand homes is not merely administrative; it is a legal prerequisite tied to the Minister’s statutory powers.
1. Legal compliance and defensibility of custody arrangements
For practitioners, the appointment provides a key piece of evidence when assessing whether custody was carried out lawfully. If a case involves allegations about improper detention location, or if counsel is reviewing whether statutory requirements were met, the remand home designation is a foundational document. It helps establish that the institution used for remand was formally appointed under the Act.
2. Clarity and continuity through cancellation of earlier notifications
The cancellation of N 5 prevents legal uncertainty. Without cancellation, older designations could remain effective, potentially leading to disputes over which facility is authorised at a given time. The specified cancellation date (14 April 2006) also indicates that the legal regime changed in a controlled manner rather than abruptly without notice.
3. Practical impact on institutional governance
Designating a remand home affects institutional governance, including how the facility is expected to operate under the statutory youth justice framework. While the instrument itself does not detail operational standards, it is the legal gateway that allows the institution to be used for remand purposes. This can influence how records are kept, how custody is administered, and how oversight mechanisms apply.
Related Legislation
- Children and Young Persons Act (Chapter 38) — in particular section 53 (power to appoint remand homes) and the substantive provisions governing remand and youth justice processes
- Children and Young Persons (Remand Homes) (Consolidation) Notification (N 5) — cancelled by this instrument with effect from 14 April 2006
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Remand Home for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.