NCC International AB v Alliance Concrete: Interlocutory Mandatory Injunction & Concrete Supply Dispute

NCC International AB, the plaintiff, applied for an interlocutory mandatory injunction against Alliance Concrete Singapore Pte Ltd, the defendant, in the High Court of Singapore on May 11, 2007, before Justice Kan Ting Chiu. The dispute arose from a concrete supply contract affected by an Indonesian sand export ban. The court dismissed the plaintiff's application, emphasizing the need for a pragmatic approach to resolve the dispute, including utilizing the dispute resolution process outlined in the contract and the procedure set out in the SCAL Advisory to obtain the sand it requires.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Application dismissed

1.3 Case Type

Civil

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

NCC International AB sought an interlocutory mandatory injunction against Alliance Concrete for concrete supply. The court dismissed the application, citing the need for pragmatic resolution.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Alliance Concrete Singapore Pte LtdDefendantCorporationApplication dismissedWon
NCC International ABPlaintiffCorporationApplication dismissedLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Kan Ting ChiuJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Kwek Choon Lin WinstonRajah & Tann
Balachandran s/o PonnampalamRobert Wang & Woo LLC
John WangRobert Wang & Woo LLC

4. Facts

  1. Plaintiff is the main contractor for underground train stations and tunnels.
  2. Defendant is a supplier of ready-mix concrete.
  3. Plaintiff and defendant entered into a concrete supply contract on 26 July 2006.
  4. Indonesian government banned export of concreting sand to Singapore effective 6 February 2007.
  5. BCA and SCAL intervened to ensure availability of concreting sand.
  6. Plaintiff complained that the defendant effectively ceased supply of ready-mix concrete since 2 February 2007.
  7. Parties could not agree on collection and payment for sand from suppliers.

5. Formal Citations

  1. NCC International AB v Alliance Concrete Singapore Pte Ltd, OS 429/2007, SUM 1109/2007, [2007] SGHC 64

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Concrete contract signed
Indonesian government declared ban on export of concreting sand
SCAL issued circular regarding sand ban
Defendant effectively ceased supply of ready-mix concrete
SCAL issued advisory regarding sand ban
Plaintiff filed originating summons and ex-parte summons
Application dismissed

7. Legal Issues

  1. Interlocutory Mandatory Injunction
    • Outcome: The court dismissed the application for an interlocutory mandatory injunction.
    • Category: Procedural
    • Related Cases:
      • [1971] 1 Ch 340
      • [1986] 3 All ER 772
      • [1992] 2 SLR 729
  2. Frustration of Contract
    • Outcome: The court did not make a definitive ruling on frustration but considered the circumstances.
    • Category: Substantive

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Interlocutory Mandatory Injunction
  2. Specific Performance

9. Cause of Actions

  • Breach of Contract

10. Practice Areas

  • Commercial Litigation
  • Construction Law

11. Industries

  • Construction

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
Shepherd Homes Ltd v SandhamHigh CourtYes[1971] 1 Ch 340England and WalesCited for the principle regarding the granting of mandatory injunctions.
Films Rover International Ltd and others v Cannon Film Sales LtdHigh CourtYes[1986] 3 All ER 772England and WalesCited for the principles and practice for the granting of interlocutory mandatory injunctions.
Chuan Hong Petrol Station Pte Ltd v Shell Singapore (Pte) LtdCourt of AppealYes[1992] 2 SLR 729SingaporeEndorsed the principles in Films Rover regarding the granting of interlocutory injunctions.

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

  • Interlocutory Mandatory Injunction
  • Ready-Mix Concrete
  • Concreting Sand
  • Sand Ban
  • SCAL Advisory
  • BCA
  • LTA
  • Concrete Contract
  • Main Contract

15.2 Keywords

  • injunction
  • concrete
  • construction
  • sand ban
  • singapore

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Contract Law80
Breach of Contract75
Injunctions65
Arbitration50
Construction Industry40

16. Subjects

  • Contract Law
  • Construction Law
  • Civil Procedure
  • Injunctions