Teo Chin Leong Thomson v Fuji Xerox: Breach of Photocopier Rental Agreement Dispute
Teo Chin Leong Thomson and Woo Poh Choon Doreen, trading as Thomson Copy Service, sued Fuji Xerox Singapore Pte Ltd in the High Court of Singapore on 30 June 2000, alleging breach of a photocopier rental agreement. The plaintiffs claimed that the Fuji FX 5100 photocopier was not fit for purpose and that Fuji Xerox failed to remedy the situation. Fuji Xerox denied any breach and counterclaimed for outstanding rentals. Justice G P Selvam ruled in favor of Fuji Xerox, finding that the plaintiffs were responsible for the machine not being installed at their preferred location and awarded Fuji Xerox $223,506.92 on their counterclaim.
1. Case Overview
1.1 Court
High Court1.2 Outcome
Judgment for Defendant
1.3 Case Type
Civil
1.4 Judgment Type
Grounds of Decision
1.5 Jurisdiction
Singapore
1.6 Description
Thomson Copy Service sued Fuji Xerox for breach of contract over a photocopier rental agreement. The court found in favor of Fuji Xerox.
1.7 Decision Date
2. Parties and Outcomes
| Party Name | Role | Type | Outcome | Outcome Type | Counsels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teo Chin Leong Thomson | Plaintiff | Individual | Claim Dismissed | Lost | Manoj Nandwani, Renganathan Shankar |
| Woo Poh Choon Doreen trading as Thomson Copy Service | Plaintiff | Individual | Claim Dismissed | Lost | Manoj Nandwani, Renganathan Shankar |
| Fuji Xerox Singapore Pte Ltd | Defendant | Corporation | Counterclaim Allowed | Won | Ian Chang, Desmond Ng |
3. Judges
| Judge Name | Title | Delivered Judgment |
|---|---|---|
| G P Selvam | Judge | Yes |
4. Counsels
| Counsel Name | Organization |
|---|---|
| Manoj Nandwani | Shankar, Nandwani & Partners |
| Renganathan Shankar | Shankar, Nandwani & Partners |
| Ian Chang | Jimmy Harry & Partners |
| Desmond Ng | Jimmy Harry & Partners |
4. Facts
- Plaintiffs entered into a rental agreement with the defendants for three photocopying machines.
- The agreement stipulated Sembawang Shopping Centre as the installation address.
- The plaintiffs were unable to install the FX 5100 machine at Sembawang Shopping Centre due to electrical issues and landlord restrictions.
- The machine was delivered to another location at Boon Lay.
- The plaintiffs defaulted on rental payments.
- The plaintiffs alleged the FX 5100 was not fit for purpose.
5. Formal Citations
- Teo Chin Leong Thomson and Another v Fuji Xerox Singapore Pte Ltd, Suit 1652/1999, [2000] SGHC 123
6. Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Plaintiffs' business relationship with the defendants began. | |
| Madam Woo became a partner in Thomson Copy Service. | |
| Plaintiffs decided to upgrade their photocopying machine. | |
| Rental and full service agreement signed for XEROX 3060 PLAN PRINTER. | |
| Rental agreement and full service agreement signed for A 935 COLOUR COPIER and XEROX 5100 COPIER. | |
| Plaintiffs defaulted in the payment of rents. | |
| Madam Woo admitted in a letter that they could not get permission to bring the machine into Sembawang Shopping Centre. | |
| First plaintiff reported his departure from the partnership. | |
| Plaintiffs filed action asserting breach of contract by the defendants. | |
| Judgment delivered in favor of the defendants. |
7. Legal Issues
- Breach of Contract
- Outcome: The court held that the plaintiffs breached the contract.
- Category: Substantive
- Fitness for Purpose
- Outcome: The court found that the FX 5100 was fit for the purpose it was purchased.
- Category: Substantive
8. Remedies Sought
- Monetary Damages
9. Cause of Actions
- Breach of Contract
10. Practice Areas
- Commercial Litigation
11. Industries
- Business Services
12. Cited Cases
| Case Name | Court | Affirmed | Citation | Jurisdiction | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No cited cases | |||||
13. Applicable Rules
| Rule Name |
|---|
| No applicable rules |
14. Applicable Statutes
| Statute Name | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| No applicable statutes | |
15. Key Terms and Keywords
15.1 Key Terms
- Photocopying machines
- Rental agreement
- Breach of contract
- Fitness for purpose
- Default
- Sembawang Shopping Centre
- FX 5100
15.2 Keywords
- photocopier
- rental agreement
- breach of contract
- Fuji Xerox
- Thomson Copy Service
16. Subjects
- Contract Dispute
- Equipment Rental
17. Areas of Law
- Contract Law
- Commercial Law