Sintalow Hardware v Ricwil: Dispute over Goods, Services & Fiduciary Duties

Sintalow Hardware Pte Ltd sued Ricwil (Singapore) Pte Ltd in the High Court of Singapore, decision date 2000-06-13, for goods sold and delivered and services provided. Ricwil counterclaimed for goods sold and delivered and alleged breach of fiduciary duties by Madam Aw and Mr. Chew. The court found in favor of Sintalow, awarding them $145,082.12 plus interest, and dismissed Ricwil's claims against Madam Aw and Mr. Chew.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Judgment for Sintalow Hardware Pte Ltd.

1.3 Case Type

Civil

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Sintalow Hardware sued Ricwil for goods/services. Ricwil counterclaimed, alleging breach of fiduciary duty. The court ruled in favor of Sintalow.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Sintalow Hardware Pte LtdPlaintiffCorporationJudgment for PlaintiffWon
Ricwil (Singapore) Pte LtdDefendantCorporationCounterclaim DismissedLost
Madam Aw Mui KeeDefendantIndividualClaim DismissedDismissed
Mr Johnny Chew Kong HuatDefendantIndividualClaim DismissedDismissed

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Judith PrakashJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Kenneth Tan SCKenneth Tan Partnership
Joseph TanKenneth Tan Partnership
Johnny CheoCheo Yeoh & Associates
Genevieve SimKhattar Wong & Partners

4. Facts

  1. Sintalow is a major stockist of pipes in Singapore.
  2. Mr. Chew and Ricwil (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd formed Ricwil (Singapore) Pte Ltd as a joint venture.
  3. Sintalow, Ricwil, and two other companies shared common premises and administrative staff.
  4. Mr. Chew resigned as managing director of Ricwil in April 1996.
  5. Madam Aw resigned from Ricwil three months later.
  6. Ricwil moved to its own premises in mid-1996.
  7. Sintalow claimed $329,243.95 for goods sold and delivered to Ricwil.
  8. Sintalow claimed $17,865.35 for transport services provided to Ricwil.
  9. Sintalow claimed $57,154.50 for Ricwil's occupation of Sintalow's premises.
  10. Sintalow claimed $5,150 for administrative support services provided to Ricwil.
  11. Ricwil counterclaimed $185,400.65 for goods and services supplied to Sintalow.
  12. Ricwil claimed repayment of $80,429.95 for an audit adjustment.
  13. Ricwil claimed repayment of $78,705.70 for alleged overpayment to Airmaid.
  14. Ricwil claimed $41,532.21 for galvanised steel coils.
  15. Ricwil claimed $8,756.07 for pipes from Hup Seng Huat Pte Ltd.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Sintalow Hardware Pte Ltd v Ricwil (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Suit 2128/1997, [2000] SGHC 108

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Joint venture agreement entered into between Mr Chew and Ricwil (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
Mr Chew resigned as managing director of Ricwil
Madam Aw resigned her position
Ricwil moved to its own premises
Suit filed (Suit 2128/1997)
Trial of claim and counterclaim fixed
Judgment issued

7. Legal Issues

  1. Breach of Contract
    • Outcome: The court found that Sintalow was owed money for goods sold and delivered and services provided.
    • Category: Substantive
  2. Breach of Fiduciary Duty
    • Outcome: The court dismissed Ricwil's claim against Mr. Chew and Madam Aw for breach of fiduciary duty, finding that Ricwil had not suffered any loss as a result of their actions.
    • Category: Substantive

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Monetary Damages

9. Cause of Actions

  • Breach of Contract
  • Breach of Fiduciary Duty

10. Practice Areas

  • Commercial Litigation

11. Industries

  • Construction

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
No cited cases

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Civil Law Act (Cap 43)Singapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Pipes
  • Goods sold and delivered
  • Services
  • Joint venture
  • Administrative charges
  • Audit adjustment
  • Overpayment
  • Galvanised steel coils
  • Seamless pipes

15.2 Keywords

  • Contract
  • Goods
  • Services
  • Fiduciary Duty
  • Singapore
  • High Court

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Breach of Contract60
Contract Law60
Company Law50
Fiduciary Duties40
Duty to Account30
Commercial Law30
Civil Procedure20
Banking and Finance10

16. Subjects

  • Contract Dispute
  • Commercial Dispute
  • Fiduciary Duty