PT Panosonic Gobel Indonesia v Stratech Systems Ltd: Reliance Loss, Breach of Contract

In PT Panosonic Gobel Indonesia v Stratech Systems Ltd, the High Court of Singapore heard an appeal by Stratech Systems Ltd against the assistant registrar's decision to award S$1,830,000 in damages to PT Panosonic Gobel Indonesia for breach of contract. Stratech Systems argued that PT Panosonic Gobel Indonesia failed to prove its loss and should only receive nominal damages, claiming the damages were actually a claim for restitution. The court dismissed the appeal, affirming PT Panosonic Gobel Indonesia's right to claim reliance loss and awarding costs to PT Panosonic Gobel Indonesia.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Appeal Dismissed

1.3 Case Type

Civil

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Appeal regarding damages awarded to PT Panosonic Gobel Indonesia for Stratech Systems Ltd's breach of contract. The court upheld the reliance loss claim.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
PT Panosonic Gobel IndonesiaPlaintiff, RespondentCorporationAppeal DismissedWon
Stratech Systems LtdDefendant, AppellantCorporationAppeal DismissedLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Philip PillaiJudicial CommissionerYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Yong Boon OnWong & Leow LLC
Liu ZemingWong & Leow LLC
Shum Wai KeongWong & Leow LLC
Devinder RaiACIES Law Corporation

4. Facts

  1. The plaintiff claimed damages for breach of contract.
  2. The defendant appealed the assistant registrar's decision to award damages to the plaintiff.
  3. The plaintiff sought a refund of payments made to the defendant.
  4. The plaintiff claimed reliance loss in the form of wasted expenditure.
  5. The defendant argued the plaintiff's claim was actually for restitution.
  6. The defendant argued the plaintiff derived a benefit from the services.

5. Formal Citations

  1. PT Panosonic Gobel Indonesia v Stratech Systems Ltd, Suit No 34 of 2007 (Registrar's Appeal No 20 of 2010), [2010] SGHC 141
  2. PT Panasonic Goebel Indonesia v Stratech Systems Ltd, , [2009] 1SLR(R) 470
  3. CCC Films (London) Ltd v Impact Quadrant Films Ltd, , [1985] QB 16

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Suit No 34 of 2007 filed
Assistant Registrar awarded S$1,830,000 as damages to the plaintiff
Appeal dismissed

7. Legal Issues

  1. Breach of Contract
    • Outcome: The court upheld the finding of breach of contract.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Related Cases:
      • [2009] 1SLR(R) 470
  2. Reliance Loss
    • Outcome: The court affirmed the plaintiff's right to claim damages based on reliance loss.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Related Cases:
      • [1985] QB 16

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Monetary Damages

9. Cause of Actions

  • Breach of Contract

10. Practice Areas

  • Commercial Litigation

11. Industries

  • No industries specified

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
PT Panasonic Goebel Indonesia v Stratech Systems LtdHigh CourtYes[2009] 1SLR(R) 470SingaporeCited for the determination that the plaintiff's claim was for damages, not restitution.
CCC Films (London) Ltd v Impact Quadrant Films LtdQueen's BenchYes[1985] QB 16England and WalesCited as authority for the proposition that a claim can be made for reliance loss in the form of wasted expenditure.

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

  • Reliance Loss
  • Restitution
  • Total Failure of Consideration
  • Wasted Expenditure
  • Contract Sum

15.2 Keywords

  • breach of contract
  • reliance loss
  • restitution
  • damages
  • singapore
  • high court

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Measure of Damages95
Breach of Contract90
Reliance Loss85
Contract Law80
Remedies70
Total failure of consideration60
Unjust Enrichment40
Estoppel30

16. Subjects

  • Contract Dispute
  • Damages Assessment