Bajumi Wahab v Afro-Asia Shipping: Review of Taxation Order and Solicitor's Bill of Costs

In Bajumi Wahab and Others v Afro-Asia Shipping Co (Pte) Ltd, the High Court of Singapore heard three applications for review of an assistant registrar's taxation order regarding a Bill of Costs presented by Wong Partnership, the former solicitors of the Tan family and their company, Afro-Asia Shipping Co (Pte) Ltd. The defendants, represented by different counsels, argued that Wong Partnership had improperly altered the bills and that the awarded quantum was too generous. The court, presided over by Judicial Commissioner Choo Han Teck, dismissed all three applications, finding no improper alteration of the bills and deeming the assessed costs of $420,000 reasonable given the complexity of the case.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Applications for review dismissed.

1.3 Case Type

Civil

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Review of taxation order on solicitor's bill of costs. The court dismissed the applications, finding the costs reasonable and no improper alteration of bills.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Afro-Asia Shipping Co (Pte) LtdDefendantCorporationApplications for review dismissedLost
Bajumi WahabPlaintiffIndividual
Tan familyDefendantOtherApplications for review dismissedLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Choo Han TeckJudicial CommissionerYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Wong Meng MengWong Partnership
Tan Hsiang YueWong Partnership
Boey Swee SiangAllen & Gledhill
Manjit SinghManjit & Partners
Sree Govind MenonManjit & Partners

4. Facts

  1. Wong Partnership presented a Bill of Costs for $617,541.25.
  2. The assistant registrar taxed off $197,541.25, allowing costs at $420,000.
  3. The defendants objected to the award, arguing that the bills were altered without leave of court.
  4. The defendants also argued that the quantum allowed was too generous.
  5. Wong Partnership had presented three commercial bills to the defendants before the Bill of Costs.
  6. The defendants did not make payment under any of the commercial bills.
  7. The court found that the quantum sum of the commercial bills was not larger than the Bill of Costs.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Bajumi Wahab and Others v Afro-Asia Shipping Co (Pte) Ltd and other applications and Others, OS 727/1996, CWU 162/1996, BOC 600366/2001, SIC 600170/2002, 600174/2002, 600175/2002, [2002] SGHC 182

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Originating Summons No. 727 filed.
Wong Partnership rendered a commercial bill to the defendants.
Wong Partnership rendered a commercial bill to the defendants.
Wong Partnership rendered a commercial bill to the defendants.
Wong Partnership presented its Bill of Costs No. 600366.
Wong Partnership drew up a Bill of Costs No. 600696 for taxation.
Decision Date

7. Legal Issues

  1. Alteration of Solicitor's Bill of Costs
    • Outcome: The court held that the Wong Partnership did not improperly alter the bills.
    • Category: Procedural
    • Related Cases:
      • [1988] SLR 884
  2. Quantum of Costs
    • Outcome: The court found the assessed costs of $420,000 to be reasonable.
    • Category: Substantive

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Review of taxation order

9. Cause of Actions

  • No cause of actions

10. Practice Areas

  • Commercial Litigation

11. Industries

  • Legal Services

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
Lee Hiok Ping v Lee Hiok WoonHigh CourtYes[1988] SLR 884SingaporeCited regarding the principles for amending a bill of costs, but noted to be overtaken by amendments to the Rules of Court.

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
O 59 r 28(4) Rules of Court

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Legal Profession Act, Ch 161 s 126Singapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Bill of Costs
  • Taxation
  • Solicitor's Costs
  • Quantum
  • Alteration of Bills

15.2 Keywords

  • taxation
  • bill of costs
  • solicitor
  • costs
  • review

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Costs80
Civil Practice75
Legal Profession Act60
Taxation of Legal Costs50
Affidavits20

16. Subjects

  • Civil Procedure
  • Legal Costs
  • Solicitor-Client Relationship