Liew Chui Fong v Yew Kok Chin: Division of Matrimonial Assets and Maintenance Dispute
In a family law case before the High Court of Singapore on December 27, 2007, Justice Tan Lee Meng addressed the division of matrimonial assets and maintenance obligations between Mdm Liew Chui Fong and Mr Yew Kok Chin following their divorce. The court ordered that the matrimonial assets be divided with 60% allocated to Mr Yew and 40% to Mdm Liew. Additionally, Mr Yew was ordered to pay Mdm Liew a monthly maintenance of $700. The decision considered the parties' financial contributions, non-financial contributions, and Mr Yew's ill health and unemployment.
1. Case Overview
1.1 Court
High Court1.2 Outcome
Matrimonial assets divided 60% to Mr. Yew and 40% to Mdm. Liew; Mr. Yew to pay monthly maintenance of $700 to Mdm. Liew.
1.3 Case Type
Family
1.4 Judgment Type
Judgment
1.5 Jurisdiction
Singapore
1.6 Description
Division of matrimonial assets and maintenance dispute between Liew Chui Fong and Yew Kok Chin. The court ordered a 60/40 split of assets in favor of Yew and monthly maintenance of $700 to Liew.
1.7 Decision Date
2. Parties and Outcomes
| Party Name | Role | Type | Outcome | Outcome Type | Counsels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liew Chui Fong | Petitioner, Respondent | Individual | Partial | Partial | |
| Yew Kok Chin | Respondent, Petitioner | Individual | Partial | Partial |
3. Judges
| Judge Name | Title | Delivered Judgment |
|---|---|---|
| Tan Lee Meng | Judge | Yes |
4. Counsels
| Counsel Name | Organization |
|---|---|
| Fong Weng Khai | W K Fong & Co |
| Lisa Sam | Lisa Sam & Co |
4. Facts
- Mdm Liew and Mr Yew were married on March 29, 1977 and divorced in 2005.
- The matrimonial home at Hilltops at Cairnhill was sold en bloc for $2.8m.
- Other properties acquired during the marriage included an apartment in Newton View, a shop unit in China, an office unit in China, and a half-share of a property in Brisbane, Australia.
- Mdm Liew was a typist in Singapore Airlines, while Mr Yew was an executive employee with Castrol Oil.
- Mr Yew is unemployed and suffers from diabetes, high blood pressure, and blindness in his left eye, as well as wet myopic macular degeneration in his right eye.
5. Formal Citations
- Liew Chui Fong (mw) v Yew Kok Chin, DT 4789/2004, [2007] SGHC 225
6. Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Marriage of Mdm Liew Chui Fong and Mr Yew Kok Chin | |
| Mdm Liew retired from Singapore Airlines | |
| Divorce of Mdm Liew Chui Fong and Mr Yew Kok Chin | |
| Sale of property in Brisbane, Australia | |
| Assoc Prof Au Yong Kah Guan's report on Mr Yew's health | |
| Mr Yew filed affidavit | |
| Dr Gerard Chuah's report on Mr Yew's health | |
| Judgment issued |
7. Legal Issues
- Division of Matrimonial Assets
- Outcome: The court ordered that the matrimonial assets be divided on the basis of 60% for Mr Yew and 40% for Mdm Liew.
- Category: Substantive
- Maintenance
- Outcome: The court ordered that Mr Yew pay a monthly maintenance of $700 to Mdm Liew.
- Category: Substantive
8. Remedies Sought
- Division of Matrimonial Assets
- Maintenance
9. Cause of Actions
- Divorce
- Division of Matrimonial Assets
- Maintenance
10. Practice Areas
- Divorce
- Division of Matrimonial Assets
- Maintenance
11. Industries
- No industries specified
12. Cited Cases
| Case Name | Court | Affirmed | Citation | Jurisdiction | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lim Choon Lai v Chew Kim Heng | Court of Appeal | Yes | [2001] 3 SLR 225 | Singapore | Cited for the broad-brush approach in determining a just and equitable division of matrimonial assets under s 112(1) of the Women’s Charter. |
| Lee Yong Chuan Edwin v Tan Soan Lian | Court of Appeal | Yes | [2001] 1 SLR 377 | Singapore | Cited for the principle that the division of matrimonial assets and the financial resources of the parties may be considered when determining maintenance. |
13. Applicable Rules
| Rule Name |
|---|
| No applicable rules |
14. Applicable Statutes
| Statute Name | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| Women’s Charter (Cap 353, 1997 Rev Ed) s 112(1) | Singapore |
| Women’s Charter s 112(2) | Singapore |
| Women’s Charter s 114(1) | Singapore |
15. Key Terms and Keywords
15.1 Key Terms
- Matrimonial Assets
- Maintenance
- Division of Assets
- Women's Charter
- En Bloc Sale
- Financial Contributions
- Non-Financial Contributions
15.2 Keywords
- Divorce
- Matrimonial Assets
- Maintenance
- Singapore
- Family Law
17. Areas of Law
| Area Name | Relevance Score |
|---|---|
| Matrimonial Assets | 95 |
| Division of Matrimonial Property | 95 |
| Divorce | 90 |
| Family Law | 90 |
| Maintenance | 90 |
| Division of Assets | 80 |
16. Subjects
- Family Law
- Divorce
- Matrimonial Assets
- Maintenance