Goh Lye Chin Raymond v Poon Soon Chin: Specific Performance of Option to Purchase for Property

In Goh Lye Chin Raymond and another v Poon Soon Chin and another, the High Court of Singapore, on 12 August 2010, ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, Goh Lye Chin Raymond and Ong Siah Liyo, ordering specific performance of an option to purchase a property. The court found that the option, granted by the defendants, Poon Soon Chin and another, was validly exercised despite the defendants' claim that it had expired. The plaintiffs sought a declaration that the option to purchase was duly exercised and an order for specific performance. The court granted the order for specific performance.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Judgment for Plaintiff

1.3 Case Type

Civil

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

The High Court ordered specific performance of an option to purchase for a property, finding the option was validly exercised despite a dispute over its expiry date.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Goh Lye Chin RaymondPlaintiffIndividualJudgment for PlaintiffWonFan Kin Ning
Ong Siah LiyoPlaintiffIndividualJudgment for PlaintiffWonFan Kin Ning
Poon Soon ChinDefendantIndividualOrder for specific performance of the OptionLostTan Tuan Wee
AnotherDefendantIndividualOrder for specific performance of the OptionLostTan Tuan Wee

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Philip PillaiJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Fan Kin NingDavid Ong & Partners
Tan Tuan WeeSim Mong Teck & Partners

4. Facts

  1. The defendants granted the plaintiffs an option to purchase a property.
  2. The first plaintiff initially believed he could not take the option in his name due to HDB rules.
  3. Three documents were signed: an Offer to Purchase, an Option to Purchase, and a Side Letter.
  4. The Option did not contain an expiry date.
  5. The Side Letter mentioned 5 April 2010, but not as an expiry date for the Option.
  6. The plaintiffs attempted to exercise the Option on 12 April 2010.
  7. The defendants refused to proceed, claiming the Option had expired.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Goh Lye Chin Raymond and another v Poon Soon Chin and another, Originating Summons No 449 of 2010, [2010] SGHC 232

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Option to purchase dated granted by the defendants
First plaintiff travelled
First plaintiff travelled
Meeting between defendants and property agent
Plaintiffs purported to exercise the Option
Defendants' lawyers returned the exercise cheque and documents
Judgment reserved

7. Legal Issues

  1. Specific Performance
    • Outcome: The court granted an order for specific performance of the option.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Related Cases:
      • [1993] 2 SLR(R) 596
  2. Exercise of Option to Purchase
    • Outcome: The court held that the option to purchase was validly exercised by the plaintiffs.
    • Category: Substantive

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Declaration
  2. Specific Performance

9. Cause of Actions

  • Breach of Contract

10. Practice Areas

  • Commercial Litigation
  • Real Estate Litigation

11. Industries

  • Real Estate

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
Tai Joon Lan v Yun Ai Chin and anotherUnknownYes[1993] 2 SLR(R) 596SingaporeCited to support the treatment of the exercise of the Option on 12 April 2010 to be valid and that the defendants be compelled to perform the Option and proceed to complete the contract for the sale and purchase of the property provided therein.

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Housing and Development Act (Cap 129, 2004 Rev Ed), section 49ASingapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Option to Purchase
  • Side Letter
  • Specific Performance
  • Expiry Date
  • Minimum Occupation Period

15.2 Keywords

  • option to purchase
  • specific performance
  • property
  • contract
  • singapore

16. Subjects

  • Contract Law
  • Property Law
  • Real Estate
  • Options

17. Areas of Law

  • Contract Law
  • Real Estate Law
  • Property Law
  • Civil Procedure