Lee Hoon v Tio Heng Peng: Division of Matrimonial Assets and Wife's Maintenance

In the divorce case of Lee Hoon v Tio Heng Peng, the High Court of Singapore, presided over by Justice Woo Bih Li, addressed the division of matrimonial assets and the wife's claim for maintenance. The wife petitioned for divorce based on the husband's behavior, which was eventually uncontested. The primary disputes centered on the division of the matrimonial home, a property in New Zealand, and land in China, as well as the wife's request for monthly maintenance. The court ordered the sale of the matrimonial home with 80% of the net proceeds to the wife and 20% to the husband, awarded the wife 25% of the net value of the New Zealand property and 25% of the husband's other assets, and denied the wife's claim for maintenance.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Orders made for division of matrimonial assets; no maintenance awarded to the Wife.

1.3 Case Type

Family

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Divorce case involving Lee Hoon and Tio Heng Peng. The court addressed the division of matrimonial assets and the wife's claim for maintenance, ultimately granting her a larger share of assets.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Lee HoonPetitionerIndividualPartial division of matrimonial assetsPartial
Tio Heng PengRespondentIndividualPartial division of matrimonial assetsPartial

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Woo Bih LiJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Foo Siew FongHarry Elias Partnership
Nicole LohHarry Elias Partnership
Winston LowWinston Low & Partners

4. Facts

  1. Mr. Tio Heng Peng and Mdm. Lee Hoon were married on August 25, 1970.
  2. The Wife petitioned for divorce on January 23, 2006, based on the Husband's behavior.
  3. The couple owned a matrimonial home at 67 Still Road, Singapore, as tenants in common.
  4. The Husband owned a property in Queenstown, New Zealand.
  5. The Husband owned land in Fujian, China, which he sold.
  6. The Wife claimed the Husband had significant undisclosed assets in China.
  7. The Wife sought 80% of the Still Road property and 50% of the other matrimonial assets.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Lee Hoon v Tio Heng Peng, DT 293/2006, [2008] SGHC 118

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Marriage of Mr. Tio Heng Peng and Mdm Lee Hoon
Wife petitioned for divorce
Decree nisi granted
Deadline for Husband to implement orders regarding NZ property and other assets
Judgment issued

7. Legal Issues

  1. Division of Matrimonial Assets
    • Outcome: The court ordered the division of the matrimonial assets, including the matrimonial home, a property in New Zealand, and land in China, with the wife receiving a larger share of the assets.
    • Category: Substantive
  2. Wife's Maintenance
    • Outcome: The court denied the wife's claim for maintenance.
    • Category: Substantive

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Division of Matrimonial Assets
  2. Maintenance for the Wife

9. Cause of Actions

  • Divorce

10. Practice Areas

  • Family Law
  • Divorce 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 Charter (Cap 353) 1997 Rev EdSingapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Matrimonial Assets
  • Division of Assets
  • Maintenance
  • Divorce
  • CPF
  • Real Property

15.2 Keywords

  • Divorce
  • Matrimonial Assets
  • Maintenance
  • Singapore
  • Family Law

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Family Law95
Matrimonial Assets90
Maintenance80
Divorce70

16. Subjects

  • Family Law
  • Divorce
  • Asset Division