HillField International v Chew Lai Yoke: Division of Matrimonial Assets & Missing Belongings

In HillField International Ltd and Others v Chew Lai Yoke Bettina, the High Court of Singapore addressed disputes arising from the divorce of Michael David Selby and Bettina Chew Lai Yoke. Selby, the Plaintiff, sought the return of missing personal belongings, reimbursement for expenses on Chew's supplementary American Express card, and an accounting of wines. The three Plaintiff companies also claimed the return of company kits. The court ruled in favor of Selby for the return of specific items, reimbursement of Amex card expenses, and an accounting of wines, while ordering each party to bear their own costs, considering the interest of the parties' children.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Judgment for Plaintiff in part; Defendant to return certain items and render account of wines.

1.3 Case Type

Family

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

High Court case involving division of matrimonial assets and claims for missing personal belongings after a divorce. The court addressed ownership disputes and costs.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Hillfield International LtdPlaintiffCorporationJudgment for Plaintiff in partPartial
Chew Lai Yoke BettinaDefendantIndividualDefendant to return certain itemsPartial

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Lee Seiu KinJudicial CommissionerYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Morris YowDavid Chong & Co
Joseph Fok Shiu KongDavid Chong & Co
Foo Siew FongHarry Elias Partnership
Chang Man PhingHarry Elias Partnership
Philip FongHarry Elias Partnership

4. Facts

  1. Selby and Chew married in October 1989 and have two children.
  2. They signed a Deed of Separation and Financial Arrangement on 24 May 2001.
  3. The Deed included provisions for the division of matrimonial property and custody of the children.
  4. Selby claimed certain items were missing after movers transported his belongings from the matrimonial home.
  5. Selby sought reimbursement for charges on Chew's supplementary American Express card.
  6. Selby claimed the wines retained by Chew were of a far higher quality than the ones he obtained.
  7. The Companies claimed from Chew all banking and financial documents and files of correspondence.

5. Formal Citations

  1. HillField International Ltd and Others v Chew Lai Yoke Bettina and another action, Suit 1200/2001, 1349/2001, [2002] SGHC 234

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Selby and Chew married.
Selby and Chew agreed to divorce.
Selby and Chew consulted their solicitors.
Selby and Chew executed a Deed of Separation and Financial Arrangement.
Movers surveyed items to be moved from the matrimonial home.
Decree Nisi granted.
Movers attended the matrimonial home to pack Selby’s belongings.
Movers attended the matrimonial home to pack Selby’s belongings.
Movers attended the matrimonial home to pack Selby’s belongings.
Decree Nisi was made absolute.
Suit 1200/2001 and 1349/2001 filed.
Decision Date

7. Legal Issues

  1. Division of Matrimonial Assets
    • Outcome: The court determined the ownership of property in accordance with the terms of the deed.
    • Category: Substantive
  2. Entitlement to Personal Belongings
    • Outcome: The court ruled that the onus is on the husband to prove entitlement to missing personal belongings.
    • Category: Substantive
  3. Appropriate Costs Order
    • Outcome: The court considered the interest of the parties' children in making the costs order.
    • Category: Procedural

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Return of Personal Belongings
  2. Reimbursement of Expenses
  3. Account of Wine
  4. Return of Company Kits
  5. Monetary Damages

9. Cause of Actions

  • Conversion

10. Practice Areas

  • Family Law
  • Litigation

11. Industries

  • No industries specified

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
No cited cases

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Women’s CharterSingapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Matrimonial Assets
  • Deed of Separation
  • Personal Belongings
  • Company Kits
  • Division of Assets
  • Interim Maintenance

15.2 Keywords

  • matrimonial assets
  • divorce
  • personal belongings
  • financial arrangement
  • Singapore
  • High Court

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Matrimonial Assets90
Family Law75
Civil Procedure60
Civil Litigation60
Costs50
Child Custody50
Child Support40
Breach of Contract30
Contract Law30

16. Subjects

  • Family Law
  • Divorce
  • Property Law
  • Civil Procedure