Beng Tiong Trading v Maria Janda: Setting Aside Order & Joinder of Party

In the High Court of Singapore, Beng Tiong Trading, Import And Export (1988) Pte Ltd initiated an action against multiple beneficiaries of the estate of Shaik Ahmad Bin Abdullah Wahdain Basharahil, with the Public Trustee as a defendant. JAK Alhadad & Co Pte Ltd applied to be joined as a defendant and to set aside a prior order. The court allowed Beng Tiong's appeal, setting aside the order to add JAK as a defendant and requiring JAK to file a fresh action if it wished to pursue its claim.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Appeal allowed, setting aside the order to add JAK as a defendant and requiring JAK to file a fresh action.

1.3 Case Type

Civil

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

High Court case regarding an application to set aside an order and join a party in a dispute over beneficiaries' interests in immovable properties.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
JAK Alhadad & Co Pte LtdOtherCorporationLostLost
Beng Tiong Trading, Import and Export (1988) Pte LtdPlaintiff, RespondentCorporationAppeal AllowedWon
Maria Janda Achmad Bin Abdullah Wachdin Basharahil alias MariaDefendantIndividualNeutralNeutral
Abd Rahim bin Awad bin Achmad Abdullah Wachdin Basharahil alias abd. Rahim Awad WachdinDefendantIndividualNeutralNeutral
Abd. Rachman bin Ali bin Achmad Abdullah Wachdin Basharahil alias Abd. Rachman ali WachdinDefendantIndividualNeutralNeutral
Ishak Bin Saad Bin Achmad Abdullah Wachdin Basharahil alias Ishak Wachdin BeDefendantIndividualNeutralNeutral
Quresh bin Muchsin bin Achmad Abdullah Wachdin Basharahil alias Quraisj Wahidin S.H. alias Quresh Muchsin WachdinDefendantIndividualNeutralNeutral
Abubakar bin Achmad bin Abdullah Wachdin Basharahil alias Abubakar WahdinDefendantIndividualNeutralNeutral
Wachin bin Achmad bin Abdullah Wachdin Basharahil alias Dr. H. Wachdin AchmanDefendantIndividualNeutralNeutral
Abd. Malik Muhammad Wachdin alias H. Abdul Malik Dr.DefendantIndividualNeutralNeutral
Futum binti Achmad bin Abdullah Wachdin Basharahil alias FutumDefendantIndividualNeutralNeutral
The Public Trustee of SingaporeDefendantGovernment AgencyNeutralNeutral
Salim Bin Hasan Bin Achman Abdullah Wachdin Basharahil Alias Salim Hasan WDefendantIndividualNeutralNeutral
Abd Azis Bin Achmad Bin Abdullah Wachdin basharahil Alias Abd Aziz WahidinDefendantIndividualNeutralNeutral
Harith Bin Achman Bin Abdullah Wachdin Basharahil Alias Harits Ahmad WahdinDefendantIndividualNeutralNeutral

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Woo Bih LiJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Norain Abu BakarKC Abu Bakar & Partners
Stanley WongJing Quee & Chin Joo
T P B MenonWee Swee Teow & Co

4. Facts

  1. Beng Tiong commenced an action against beneficiaries of the Testator's estate.
  2. JAK applied to be joined as a defendant and to set aside a prior order.
  3. The Testator died on 15 July 1995 in Madura, Indonesia, leaving properties in Singapore.
  4. The Public Trustee was appointed trustee of the Will.
  5. Beng Tiong obtained the 1999 Order declaring entitlement to rights and interests of some defendants.
  6. Lee JC made a determination of the beneficiaries in 2002.
  7. JAK claimed locus standi based on an agreement and assignments.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Beng Tiong Trading, Import And Export (1988) Pte Ltd v Maria Janda Achmad Bin Abdullah Wachdin Basharahil Alias Maria and Others, Suit 1255/1996, RA 600092/2002, [2003] SGHC 67

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Will made in Singapore
Public Trustee appointed trustee of the Will
Consent to Sale dated
Beng Tiong lodged caveats on the Properties
Testator died
Assignments made between representatives of beneficiaries and a former director of JAK
Beng Tiong commenced action
1999 Order obtained by Beng Tiong
Beng Tiong lodged a memorandum with the Registry of Deeds regarding the 1999 Order
Beng Tiong appeared as an interested party in OS 1030/2000
Judicial Commissioner Lee Seiu Kin ordered inquiry to ascertain persons entitled to the Properties
Lee JC directed JAK to file any application to set aside the 1999 Order within two weeks
Inquiry conducted by Lee JC
Assistant Registrar ordered JAK be joined as 14th Defendant and the 1999 Order be set aside
Public Trustee put up the Properties for sale by public tender
Appeal of Beng Tiong allowed

7. Legal Issues

  1. Joinder of Party
    • Outcome: The court held that JAK should not be shut out from pursuing its claim due to its failure to comply with the deadline.
    • Category: Procedural
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Delay in application
      • Failure to comply with court direction
  2. Setting Aside Interim Order
    • Outcome: The court held that the 1999 Order should not be set aside until there was a final order to the contrary.
    • Category: Procedural

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Joinder as Defendant
  2. Setting Aside Order

9. Cause of Actions

  • No cause of actions

10. Practice Areas

  • Litigation

11. Industries

  • No industries specified

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
Lee Siong Kee v Beng Tiong Trading Import and Export (1988) Pte LtdCourt of AppealYes[2000] 4 SLR 559SingaporeCited to argue that the Consent was invalid, demonstrating that the 1999 Order was wrongly made.
Property & Revisionary Ltd v TemplarHigh CourtYes[1977] 1 WLR 1223England and WalesCited regarding setting aside an earlier order in light of a subsequent decision.
Arnold v National Westminister BankCourt of AppealYes[1991] 3 All ER 41England and WalesCited regarding a dispute on a rent review provision and issue estoppel.

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

  • Beneficiaries
  • Estate
  • Immovable Properties
  • Public Trustee
  • Consent
  • 1999 Order
  • Joinder
  • Setting Aside
  • Locus Standi

15.2 Keywords

  • Civil Procedure
  • Trust
  • Estate
  • Beneficiaries
  • Joinder
  • Setting Aside Order

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Civil Practice75
Estate Administration60
Succession Law50
Estoppel30
Company Law25
Contract Law20

16. Subjects

  • Civil Procedure
  • Trusts
  • Estate Administration