Wong Kok Yee v Ng Ming San: Division of Matrimonial Assets and Wife's Maintenance
In Wong Kok Yee v Ng Ming San, the High Court of Singapore heard a case on January 14, 2008, concerning the division of matrimonial assets and the wife's maintenance. The petitioner, Wong Kok Yee, sought division of assets and maintenance from the respondent, Ng Ming San. The primary dispute centered on the Moonbeam Terrace property. The court disallowed the respondent's claim for a share in the Moonbeam property, ordered each party to retain assets in their sole name, and made no order for maintenance.
1. Case Overview
1.1 Court
High Court1.2 Outcome
Respondent's claim for a share in the Moonbeam property disallowed; each party retains assets in their sole name; no order for maintenance.
1.3 Case Type
Family
1.4 Judgment Type
Grounds of Decision
1.5 Jurisdiction
Singapore
1.6 Description
High Court case between Wong Kok Yee and Ng Ming San concerning the division of matrimonial assets and maintenance for the wife. The court disallowed the husband's claim for a share in the Moonbeam property.
1.7 Decision Date
2. Parties and Outcomes
| Party Name | Role | Type | Outcome | Outcome Type | Counsels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wong Kok Yee | Petitioner | Individual | Claim Allowed | Won | Chandra Mohan, Ng Jin |
| Ng Ming San | Respondent | Individual | Claim Dismissed | Lost | Helen Chia |
3. Judges
| Judge Name | Title | Delivered Judgment |
|---|---|---|
| Choo Han Teck | Judge | Yes |
4. Counsels
| Counsel Name | Organization |
|---|---|
| Chandra Mohan | Rajah & Tann |
| Ng Jin | Rajah & Tann |
| Helen Chia | Clifford Law Corporation |
4. Facts
- The petitioner and respondent were married for about 36 years.
- The petitioner is 62 years old, and the respondent is 59 years old.
- The petitioner had a career as an assessment officer and retired from her accountancy firm.
- The respondent works as a remisier.
- The petitioner has four properties in Singapore and two in Malaysia.
- The respondent claimed a share in the Moonbeam property, the matrimonial home.
- The petitioner claimed she paid for the Moonbeam property with her own funds and loans.
5. Formal Citations
- Wong Kok Yee v Ng Ming San, DT 5119/2004, [2008] SGHC 8
6. Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Petitioner began career as assessment officer at the Inland Revenue Department | |
| Petitioner paid $135,000 for property in Mount Sinai | |
| Moonbeam property purchased | |
| Moonbeam property purchased | |
| Respondent was unemployed | |
| Respondent was unemployed | |
| Respondent was unemployed for three months | |
| Respondent was employed | |
| Respondent signed undertaking regarding Moonbeam property | |
| Parties were living apart | |
| Petitioner retired from accountancy firm | |
| Judgment issued |
7. Legal Issues
- Division of Matrimonial Assets
- Outcome: The court disallowed the respondent's claim for a share in the Moonbeam property.
- Category: Substantive
- Maintenance for Wife
- Outcome: No order for maintenance was made.
- Category: Substantive
8. Remedies Sought
- Division of Matrimonial Assets
- Maintenance
9. Cause of Actions
- Division of Matrimonial Assets
- Claim for Maintenance
10. Practice Areas
- Divorce
- Family Law
11. Industries
- Finance
- Accounting
12. Cited Cases
| Case Name | Court | Affirmed | Citation | Jurisdiction | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No cited cases | |||||
13. Applicable Rules
| Rule Name |
|---|
| No applicable rules |
14. Applicable Statutes
| Statute Name | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| No applicable statutes | |
15. Key Terms and Keywords
15.1 Key Terms
- Matrimonial Assets
- Moonbeam Property
- Maintenance
- Division of Assets
- Chartered Accountants
15.2 Keywords
- matrimonial assets
- division of assets
- wife maintenance
- family law
- singapore
- high court
16. Subjects
- Family Law
- Divorce
- Asset Division
17. Areas of Law
- Family Law
- Matrimonial Assets
- Maintenance