Chai Fei Choo v Leong Tak Wa: Appeal on Division of Matrimonial Assets and Maintenance in Divorce
In the divorce case of *Chai Fei Choo v Leong Tak Wa*, the High Court of Singapore heard an appeal by the husband, Leong Tak Wa, against the District Judge's orders regarding the division of matrimonial assets and maintenance. The wife, Chai Fei Choo, had filed for divorce, which was granted. The husband appealed the ancillary orders, but the High Court, presided over by Choo Han Teck J, found no merit in the appeal and dismissed it, upholding the District Judge's original orders.
1. Case Overview
1.1 Court
High Court1.2 Outcome
Appeal Dismissed
1.3 Case Type
Family
1.4 Judgment Type
Grounds of Decision
1.5 Jurisdiction
Singapore
1.6 Description
Appeal concerning division of matrimonial assets and maintenance after divorce. The High Court upheld the District Judge's orders, finding them fair and reasonable.
1.7 Decision Date
2. Parties and Outcomes
| Party Name | Role | Type | Outcome | Outcome Type | Counsels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chai Fei Choo | Respondent | Individual | Appeal Dismissed | Won | |
| Leong Tak Wa | Appellant, Defendant | Individual | Appeal Dismissed | Lost |
3. Judges
| Judge Name | Title | Delivered Judgment |
|---|---|---|
| Choo Han Teck | Judge | Yes |
4. Counsels
4. Facts
- The parties were married on 27 January 1988 and the marriage broke down in 2007.
- The respondent filed for divorce on 28 October 2008.
- Interim judgment was granted on 7 October 2009.
- The parties have three children, aged 22, 20, and 17.
- The respondent was a housewife until the divorce and then worked as a customer service assistant.
- The appellant was ordered to pay interim maintenance of $5,000 a month.
- The main matrimonial assets were a flat at Sin Ming Walk and an HDB flat at Teck Whye Lane.
5. Formal Citations
- Chai Fei Choo v Leong Tak Wa, , [2012] SGHC 185
6. Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Marriage occurred | |
| Marriage broke down | |
| Divorce suit filed | |
| Interim judgment granted | |
| District Judge's written judgment dated | |
| Judgment reserved | |
| Appeal dismissed |
7. Legal Issues
- Division of Matrimonial Assets
- Outcome: The court upheld the District Judge's division of matrimonial assets, finding it just and fair.
- Category: Substantive
- Maintenance
- Outcome: The court upheld the District Judge's maintenance orders for the wife and children, finding them reasonable.
- Category: Substantive
8. Remedies Sought
- Division of Matrimonial Assets
- Maintenance
9. Cause of Actions
- Divorce
10. Practice Areas
- Divorce
- Family Law
- Appeals
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
- Maintenance
- Divorce
- Ancillary Orders
- Interim Judgment
- Care and Control
- Custody
15.2 Keywords
- Divorce
- Matrimonial Assets
- Maintenance
- Singapore
- Family Law
17. Areas of Law
| Area Name | Relevance Score |
|---|---|
| Family Law | 95 |
| Divorce | 90 |
| Matrimonial Assets | 85 |
| Division of Assets | 85 |
| Child Support | 80 |
| Child Custody | 80 |
| Maintenance | 75 |
| Costs | 40 |
| Solicitor's fees | 20 |
16. Subjects
- Family Law
- Divorce
- Appeals