AQN v AQO: Division of Matrimonial Assets and Child Custody Dispute in Divorce Proceedings
In a divorce case between AQN (the husband) and AQO (the wife), the High Court of Singapore addressed ancillary matters including the division of matrimonial assets and child custody. The husband initiated divorce proceedings in 2008, and the wife lodged a counterclaim. The court granted the husband sole custody, care, and control of their two younger sons, suspended the wife's access for 12 months, and divided the matrimonial properties and assets between the parties. The wife's subsequent application for renewed access and reconsideration of asset division was dismissed. The court ordered the wife to transfer properties and pay the husband's share of an account into court.
1. Case Overview
1.1 Court
High Court1.2 Outcome
Application dismissed with costs; orders made for transfer of properties and payment into court.
1.3 Case Type
Family
1.4 Judgment Type
Grounds of Decision
1.5 Jurisdiction
Singapore
1.6 Description
High Court decision regarding division of matrimonial assets, child custody, and access in a divorce case between AQN and AQO.
1.7 Decision Date
2. Parties and Outcomes
| Party Name | Role | Type | Outcome | Outcome Type | Counsels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AQN | Plaintiff | Individual | Orders enforced concerning Singapore immovable properties and RBC Dominion Securities account | Won | Lew Chen Chen |
| AQO | Defendant | Individual | Application dismissed | Lost | Yeo Khee Chye Raymond |
3. Judges
| Judge Name | Title | Delivered Judgment |
|---|---|---|
| Tay Yong Kwang | Judge | Yes |
4. Counsels
| Counsel Name | Organization |
|---|---|
| Lew Chen Chen | Chambers Law LLP |
| Yeo Khee Chye Raymond | Raymond Yeo |
4. Facts
- Parties married on 24 June 1979 and divorced in 2008.
- Husband and wife are Hong Kong citizens with permanent resident status in Singapore.
- Husband is a medical professional in Singapore; wife is president of a technology institute in Hong Kong.
- The two younger sons reside with the husband in Singapore.
- Custody, care and control of the second and third sons were given solely to the husband.
- Wife's access to the second and third sons was suspended for 12 months.
- The third son is not the biological child of the husband.
5. Formal Citations
- AQN v AQO, Divorce Suit No DT 448 of 2008 (Summonses No 5814 of 2010, 1455 of 2011, 1630 of 2011 and 1934 of 2011), [2011] SGHC 127
6. Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Parties married | |
| Divorce proceedings commenced by the husband | |
| Interim judgment dissolving the marriage granted | |
| Interim judgment made final | |
| First hearing on ancillary matters | |
| Further submissions heard regarding third son’s Hong Kong citizenship | |
| Wife's solicitors requested access to the third son | |
| Wife applied under Summons No 5814 of 2010 for various orders | |
| Three applications by the parties heard | |
| Decision date |
7. Legal Issues
- Child Access
- Outcome: Access suspended for 12 months, wife's application for renewed access dismissed.
- Category: Substantive
- Division of Matrimonial Assets
- Outcome: Orders made for transfer of properties and payment into court.
- Category: Substantive
- Enforcement of Court Orders
- Outcome: Orders made for enforcement of orders concerning immovable properties and RBC Dominion Securities account.
- Category: Procedural
8. Remedies Sought
- Dissolution of Marriage
- Division of Matrimonial Assets
- Child Custody
- Child Access
9. Cause of Actions
- Divorce
- Counterclaim
10. Practice Areas
- Family Litigation
- Divorce
- Child Custody
11. Industries
- No industries specified
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
- Child Custody
- Child Access
- Interim Judgment
- Ancillary Matters
- Custody Evaluation Report
- RBC Dominion Securities account
15.2 Keywords
- divorce
- matrimonial assets
- child custody
- Singapore
- family law
16. Subjects
- Family Law
- Divorce
- Child Custody
- Matrimonial Assets
17. Areas of Law
- Family Law
- Divorce Law
- Matrimonial Assets
- Child Custody
- Civil Procedure