Sin Lian Heng Construction v. Singapore Telecommunications: Breach of Contract & Cable Recovery Dispute

In a consolidated suit before the High Court of Singapore, Sin Lian Heng Construction Pte Ltd (SLH) sued Singapore Telecommunications Ltd (Singtel) for $2,130,926.08 in unpaid work under a contract for cable laying and recovery. Singtel counterclaimed for breach of contract, conversion, and detention of cables. The court allowed SLH's appeal in part, reducing the damages owed by SLH to Singtel to $1,719,211.90, after accounting for a performance bond.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Appeal Allowed in Part

1.3 Case Type

Civil

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

SLH sued Singtel for unpaid work; Singtel counterclaimed for breach of contract and cable conversion. The court partially allowed SLH's appeal, reducing damages owed to Singtel.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Singapore Telecommunications LtdDefendant, AppellantCorporationJudgment for DefendantWon
Sin Lian Heng Construction Pte LtdPlaintiff, RespondentCorporationAppeal Allowed in PartPartial

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Lee Seiu KinJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Dawn Tan Ly-RuRajah & Tann LLP
Tang Hui JingRajah & Tann LLP
Julian SoongRajah & Tann LLP
S MagintharanS Magin & Co
James Liew Boon KweeS Magin & Co

4. Facts

  1. SLH contracted with Singtel for cable laying and recovery works.
  2. Singtel claimed SLH failed to return all recovered cables.
  3. SLH disputed Singtel's measurements of cable lengths.
  4. Singtel relied on as-built drawings to prove cable quantities.
  5. SLH alleged cables were missing before they arrived at the site.
  6. SLH claimed Singtel supervisors were present during recovery works.
  7. Singtel obtained summary judgment for the return of cables or their value.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Sin Lian Heng Construction Pte Ltd v Singapore Telecommunications Ltd, Suit No 525 of 2006 (Registrar's Appeal No 314 of 2008) and Suit No 532 of 2006, [2010] SGHC 215

6. Timeline

DateEvent
SLH commenced Suit 525 against Singtel
Singtel commenced Suit 532 against SLH
Assessment carried out by the assistant registrar
AR rendered decision assessing damages to Singtel at $5,211,711.92
SLH filed registrar’s appeal no 314 of 2008
Court allowed SLH’s appeal in part and reduced the quantum of damages to $1,891,891.90
Court gave grounds of decision

7. Legal Issues

  1. Breach of Contract
    • Outcome: SLH found liable for breach of contract for failing to return cables.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Failure to return cables
      • Conversion of cables
  2. Admissibility of Evidence
    • Outcome: Court rejected Singtel's evidence regarding the quantity of cables recovered due to lack of admissible evidence.
    • Category: Procedural
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Failure to call witnesses
      • Proof of as-built drawings

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Monetary Damages
  2. Delivery of Cables

9. Cause of Actions

  • Breach of Contract
  • Conversion
  • Detention of Cables

10. Practice Areas

  • Commercial Litigation
  • Construction Disputes

11. Industries

  • Construction
  • Telecommunications

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
Evidence ActN/AYess 116 of Evidence Act (Cap 97, 1997 Rev Ed)SingaporeCited for the principle that a party's failure to produce evidence within its power to produce suggests the evidence is unfavorable to that party.

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Evidence Act (Cap 97, 1997 Rev Ed)Singapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Cable Recovery
  • Service Order
  • Daily Pulling Summary Report
  • As-Built Drawings
  • Performance Bond
  • Cable Laying
  • Cable Shortfall

15.2 Keywords

  • breach of contract
  • cable recovery
  • construction
  • singtel
  • sin lian heng
  • damages
  • singapore

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Breach of Contract75
Contract Law70
Damages65
Evidence Law60
Civil Procedure50
Torts30
Performance Bond20

16. Subjects

  • Contract Dispute
  • Construction Dispute
  • Cable Recovery