SBS Transit v Teo Chye Seng Douglas: Costs Award Dispute in Negligence Claim

In SBS Transit Ltd (formerly known as Singapore Bus Service Ltd) v Teo Chye Seng Douglas, the High Court of Singapore heard an appeal regarding a costs order. Teo sued SBS for damages resulting from a motor vehicle accident. SBS counterclaimed. The parties eventually settled both the claim and counterclaim, with costs to be determined by the court. SBS appealed the costs order in favor of Teo. The High Court varied the costs order, ruling that each party should bear their own costs regarding Teo's claims and that Teo should pay the costs of the appeal.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Costs order below varied.

1.3 Case Type

Civil

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

SBS Transit appealed a costs order after settling a negligence claim by Teo Chye Seng Douglas. The court varied the order, ruling each party bear their own costs.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
SBS Transit Ltd (formerly known as Singapore Bus Service Ltd)AppellantCorporationAppeal allowed in partPartial
Teo Chye Seng DouglasRespondentIndividualCosts order variedPartial

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Woo Bih LiJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Willy TayAri Goh and Partners
Anuradha TiwaryPillai and Pillai

4. Facts

  1. Teo and SBS were involved in a motor vehicle accident on 18 August 2001.
  2. Teo's solicitors initially claimed $18,335.31 for property damage and $500 for costs.
  3. SBS offered a global sum of $12,113.72 to settle all claims.
  4. Teo's solicitors later claimed $10,516 for injury damages, $500 for public trustee's fee, and $1,000 for costs.
  5. SBS offered $3,615 to settle the injury claim.
  6. SBS filed a Defence and Counterclaim and an Offer to Settle (OTS) offering $15,728.72.
  7. The parties settled Teo's claim for $15,728.72 and SBS's counterclaim for $6,000, with costs to be determined by the court.

5. Formal Citations

  1. SBS Transit Ltd (formerly known as Singapore Bus Service Ltd) v Teo Chye Seng Douglas, DA 17/2004, [2005] SGHC 15

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Motor car driven by Teo collided with a motor bus of SBS Transit Ltd.
Teo's solicitors wrote to SBS to ask if SBS would settle Teo’s property claim.
SBS replied to offer to settle the claim at a global sum of $12,113.72.
Pillai wrote to SBS to ask for a breakdown of its global offer.
SBS replied to Pillai to quantify the injury claim.
Pillai wrote to SBS on Teo’s injury claim.
SBS replied to offer $3,615 in full and final settlement of Teo’s injury claim.
Writ of Summons was issued for Teo.
SBS filed its Defence and Counterclaim and an Offer to Settle.
Parties reached a settlement of both Teo’s claim and SBS’s counterclaim with costs to be determined by the court.
Decision Date

7. Legal Issues

  1. Costs
    • Outcome: The court varied the costs order, ruling that each party should bear their own costs regarding Teo's claims and that Teo should pay the costs of the appeal.
    • Category: Procedural

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Monetary Damages

9. Cause of Actions

  • Negligence

10. Practice Areas

  • Litigation

11. Industries

  • Transportation

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
No cited cases

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
O 59 of the Rules of Court
O 22A of the Rules of Court
O 22A r 1 of the Rules of Court
O 22A r 9 of the Rules of Court
O 22A r 9(2) of the Rules of Court

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Rules of Court (Cap 322, R 5, 2004 Ed)Singapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Costs
  • Offer to Settle
  • Counterclaim
  • Global Sum
  • Disbursements

15.2 Keywords

  • costs
  • offer to settle
  • negligence
  • motor vehicle accident
  • appeal

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Costs95
Offer to Settle95
Civil Practice90
Civil Procedure90

16. Subjects

  • Civil Procedure
  • Costs
  • Motor Vehicle Accident