Ng Chee Koon v Aprim: Interior Decoration Dispute over Renovation Works

Ng Chee Koon and Ng Chee Beng, formerly trading as B & K Interior Decoration, sued Aprim (Far East) Pte Ltd in the High Court of Singapore on 31 October 2000, claiming $481,743.45 for unpaid renovation works. Aprim counterclaimed for overpayments and rectification costs due to defective workmanship. The court, presided over by Justice Lai Siu Chiu, dismissed the plaintiffs' claim, finding their evidence unreliable and that they had attempted to claim more than their entitlement. The court granted interlocutory judgment to Aprim on their counterclaim, with damages to be assessed by the Registrar.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Plaintiffs' claim dismissed; Interlocutory judgment for Defendant on counterclaim, with damages to be assessed by the Registrar.

1.3 Case Type

Civil

1.4 Judgment Type

Judgment

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Twin brothers Ng Chee Koon and Ng Chee Beng sued Aprim (Far East) Pte Ltd for unpaid renovation work. The court dismissed the claim and allowed Aprim's counterclaim.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Ng Chee Koon (Huang Zhiqun)PlaintiffIndividualClaim DismissedLost
Ng Chee Beng (Huang Zhiming)PlaintiffIndividualClaim DismissedLost
Aprim (Far East) Pte LtdDefendantCorporationInterlocutory judgment for Defendant on counterclaimPartial

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Lai Siu ChiuJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Lee Tow KiatLee Tow Kiat & Co
Joseph LopezChoy & Lopez

4. Facts

  1. The plaintiffs, twin brothers, operated an interior decoration and renovation partnership.
  2. The defendants are general contractors specializing in renovation works for the French business community.
  3. The plaintiffs commenced doing renovation works contracted by the defendants in March 1998.
  4. The plaintiffs allegedly abandoned the Air France project on or about 2 March 1999.
  5. The defendants claimed overpayments on the AXA Insurance and Euro RSCG projects.
  6. The defendants alleged defective workmanship by the plaintiffs on several projects.
  7. The plaintiffs claimed additional costs for variations and additions to the original contracts.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Ng Chee Koon (Huang Zhiqun) and Another v Aprim (Far East) Pte Ltd, Suit 1401/1999, [2000] SGHC 221

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Partnership B & K Interior Decoration set up by the plaintiffs.
Plaintiffs commenced doing renovation works contracted by the defendants.
Parties' relationship terminated when the plaintiffs 'abandoned' the Air France project.
The two brothers incorporated B & K Interior Dcor Pte Ltd.
The partnership was terminated.
Writ of summons filed by B & K Interior Dcor Pte Ltd.
Defendants filed original defence.
Defendants obtained a third order of court for the company to furnish security for the defendants' costs in the amount of $100,000.
First day of trial; plaintiffs applied to amend the writ of summons.
Defendants filed an amended Defence and Counterclaim.
Judgment date.

7. Legal Issues

  1. Breach of Contract
    • Outcome: The court found that the plaintiffs failed to prove that all the work encompassed in their quotations was done.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Defective workmanship
      • Failure to complete work
      • Overpayment
  2. Counterclaim for Overpayment
    • Outcome: The court found that the defendants had proven their counterclaim for overpayment.
    • Category: Substantive

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Monetary Damages

9. Cause of Actions

  • Breach of Contract
  • Recovery of Debt

10. Practice Areas

  • Commercial Litigation
  • Construction Disputes

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

  • Renovation works
  • Interior decoration
  • Defective workmanship
  • Overpayment
  • Bill of quantities
  • Purchase order
  • Final account
  • Set-off
  • Counterclaim

15.2 Keywords

  • Renovation
  • Interior Decoration
  • Breach of Contract
  • Singapore
  • High Court
  • Construction Dispute

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Breach of Contract70
Contract Law70
Defective Workmanship60
Construction Law50
Renovation Contracts40
Interior Design Contracts30
Commercial Litigation30
Company Law20

16. Subjects

  • Construction Dispute
  • Contract Law
  • Civil Litigation