Monié v APRIL Management: Interpretation of Employment Agreement & Accrued Obligations

In the High Court of Singapore, Alain Monié sued APRIL Management Pte Ltd, seeking a declaration that he was entitled to certain moneys under the "Accrued Obligations" clause of his employment agreement following his resignation. The court, presided over by Lee Seiu Kin J, found in favor of Monié, holding that he was entitled to be paid the sums set out in Appendix B of the agreement on the dates prescribed therein, despite his termination of employment. The court addressed the interpretation of the employment agreement, specifically focusing on the clauses related to termination and accrued obligations.

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 held that Alain Monié was entitled to payments under his employment agreement with APRIL Management following his termination.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Alain MoniéPlaintiffIndividualJudgment for PlaintiffWon
APRIL Management Pte LtdDefendantCorporationJudgment against DefendantLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Lee Seiu KinJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Tan Chuan ThyeStamford Law Corporation
Loh Jien LiStamford Law Corporation
Germaine ChiaStamford Law Corporation
Chew Kei-JinTan Rajah & Cheah
Teo Jun Wei AndreTan Rajah & Cheah

4. Facts

  1. The plaintiff was employed by the defendant as CEO.
  2. The plaintiff's employment was terminated on 31 October 2011.
  3. The employment agreement included an addendum for payment of forfeited long-term incentive compensation from the plaintiff's previous employer.
  4. The addendum specified payment dates in Appendix B.
  5. The plaintiff claimed entitlement to payments under the 'Accrued Obligations' clause of the agreement.
  6. The defendant argued that only sums accrued prior to termination were payable.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Alain Monié v APRIL Management Pte Ltd, Originating Summons No 946 of 2011, [2012] SGHC 160

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Employment agreement signed
Plaintiff commenced employment
Plaintiff tendered resignation
Plaintiff's employment ended
Payment of LTIP
Payment of Unvested Stock options
Payment of LTIP
Payment of Cash Retention
Payment of LTIP
Payment of LTIP
Payment of LTIP
Judgment reserved

7. Legal Issues

  1. Breach of Contract
    • Outcome: The court held that the defendant breached the contract by failing to pay the plaintiff the sums set out in Appendix B of the agreement on the dates prescribed therein.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Interpretation of contract clauses
      • Accrued obligations
  2. Interpretation of Employment Agreement
    • Outcome: The court interpreted the employment agreement in favor of the plaintiff, finding that the 'Accrued Obligations' clause entitled him to the disputed payments.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Termination clauses
      • Accrued benefits

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Declaration that the plaintiff is entitled to be paid certain moneys under “Accrued Obligations”

9. Cause of Actions

  • Breach of Contract

10. Practice Areas

  • Commercial Litigation

11. Industries

  • Pulp and Paper

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
No cited cases

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

  • Accrued Obligations
  • Employment Agreement
  • Termination
  • Addendum
  • Appendix B
  • Long Term Incentive Compensation
  • Termination for any reason

15.2 Keywords

  • employment agreement
  • accrued obligations
  • termination
  • contract law
  • Singapore
  • High Court

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Termination of Employment Contract90
Employment Law85
Breach of Contract75
Contract Law75
Contractual Interpretation60
Summary Judgement30

16. Subjects

  • Contractual Interpretation
  • Employment Contract
  • Executive Compensation