Hsiang Ding v Singasia: Forum Selection & Contract Law in Granite Supply Dispute

Hsiang Ding Enterprise Co Ltd, a Taiwanese granite supplier, sued Singasia Investments Pte Ltd (formerly Shinkeikin Aluminium (Pte) Limited), a Singaporean company, in the High Court of Singapore to recover NT$11,278,671.50 for an unpaid balance related to granite supplied for a building project in Taiwan. Singasia Investments applied to stay the action, arguing Taiwan was the proper forum. Choo Han Teck JC allowed Hsiang Ding's appeal, finding Singapore to be the more appropriate forum.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Appeal Allowed

1.3 Case Type

Civil

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Taiwanese granite supplier Hsiang Ding sues Singaporean Singasia Investments for unpaid balance. The court addresses forum selection and contract law.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Hsiang Ding Enterprise Co LtdPlaintiff, AppellantCorporationAppeal AllowedWon
Singasia Investments Pte Ltd (formerly known as Shinkeikin Aluminium (Pte) Limited)Defendant, RespondentCorporationAppeal DismissedLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Choo Han TeckJudicial CommissionerYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Loo Choon ChiawLoo & Partners
Pua Lee SiangLoo & Partners
Ho Chien MienAllen & Gledhill
Chua Boon TienAllen & Gledhill

4. Facts

  1. Hsiang Ding, a Taiwanese company, supplied granite to Singasia Investments, a Singaporean company.
  2. Singasia Investments was a sub-contractor for a building project in Taiwan.
  3. The contract stipulated Singapore law as the governing law.
  4. Hsiang Ding claimed NT$11,278,671.50 was owed for delivered granite.
  5. Singasia Investments sought a stay of proceedings, arguing Taiwan was the proper forum.
  6. Singasia Investments was involved in a legal dispute in Taiwan with Hung Wei.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Hsiang Ding Enterprise Co Ltd v Singasia Investments Pte Ltd (formerly known as Shinkeikin Aluminium (Pte) Limited), Suit 1446/1999, RA 600101/2000, [2000] SGHC 214

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Suit filed (Suit 1446/1999)
Decision Date

7. Legal Issues

  1. Forum Selection
    • Outcome: The court determined that Singapore was the more appropriate forum for the trial.
    • Category: Procedural

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Monetary Damages

9. Cause of Actions

  • Breach of Contract

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
No applicable statutes

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Granite
  • Sub-contractor
  • Forum selection
  • Governing law
  • Stay of action
  • Novation

15.2 Keywords

  • Contract Law
  • Forum Selection
  • Singapore
  • Taiwan
  • Granite
  • Construction

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Jurisdiction80
Breach of Contract75
Contract Law70
Natural forum60
Choice of Law50
International Commercial Disputes40

16. Subjects

  • Contract Dispute
  • Forum Non Conveniens