\n<\/p>\n
SINGAPORE \u2013 A new legal centre was launched on March 16 to help those with special needs and mental health conditions navigate the legal system.<\/p>\n
The Inclusive Justice Law Centre by Pro Bono SG and the Rao Family Foundation will have a full-time community lawyer who will reach out to special needs individuals in Singapore. <\/p>\n
The centre aims to form partnerships with different social service agencies so that the lawyer and a programme coordinator can offer services to individuals from these agencies.<\/p>\n
It also aims to bridge the awareness gap that many people with invisible disabilities and their caregivers have in knowing where to get help and understanding the type of help they need, said Pro Bono SG\u2019s chief representation officer Sadhana Rai.<\/p>\n
For a start, the centre intends to help a few hundred people with their cases in the first year, she added.<\/p>\n
The launch of the centre is in line with the work being done by a task force that was launched in January<\/span><\/a> to review how the Government can better support people with mental health conditions and special needs within the criminal justice system. This includes both accused persons and victims of crime. <\/p>\n Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development and Law Eric Chua and veteran lawyer Peggy Yee,\u00a0a vocal advocate for people with such disabilities<\/span><\/a>, are co-chairing the 20-member task force.<\/p>\n Speaking at the signing of a memorandum of understanding for the centre at The Foundry on March 16, Mr Chua said more has been done to improve access to justice in Singapore.<\/p>\n For instance, the per capita household income threshold for civil legal aid will be raised from $1,050 to $1,650, as announced during the debate of the Ministry of Law\u2019s budget on March 2. <\/p>\n This change could potentially benefit up to 1,000 more Singapore citizens and permanent residents annually.<\/p>\n Mr Chua said that during his time at the Ministry of Social and Family Development and as an MP on the ground, he has seen how some individuals with disabilities and mental health conditions can easily be misunderstood. <\/p>\n \u201cSome struggle to communicate their means, and their behaviour may be misread by others. Their families and caregivers often carry a heavy responsibility of care, advocating for them or managing everyday activities. These challenges are even greater when they must navigate the justice system,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n The task force will continue to study how Singapore can better support those with disabilities and mental health issues, and the Inclusive Justice Law Centre is exactly the kind of ground-up initiative he hopes to see more of, Mr Chua added. <\/p>\n \u201cA strong justice system must serve everybody, not just those with needs, but also those with limited resources, disabilities or special needs,\u201d he said. \u201cBroad access to justice strengthens public confidence in institutions and keeps our social fabric strong.\u201d<\/p>\n The Rao Family Foundation was set up by Indonesian gold mining magnate Jimmy Budiarto and his wife Yohana Limarno in 2024 to support charitable causes, and was registered as a charity in 2025.<\/p>\n