Breezeway Overseas v UBS AG: Electronic Discovery Protocol & Search Terms Dispute
In Breezeway Overseas Ltd v UBS AG, the High Court of Singapore addressed a dispute regarding the electronic discovery protocol and search terms in a civil suit. The plaintiffs, Breezeway Overseas Ltd and Vasanmal Murli, sought discovery from the defendant, UBS AG, concerning certain financial transactions. The court, presided over by Yeong Zee Kin SAR, ordered an electronic discovery protocol to be carried out in stages, including the use of agreed search terms to efficiently manage the discovery process. The court also determined disputed search terms.
1. Case Overview
1.1 Court
High Court1.2 Outcome
Order for electronic discovery protocol in stages with the use of search terms.
1.3 Case Type
Civil
1.4 Judgment Type
Grounds of Decision
1.5 Jurisdiction
Singapore
1.6 Description
Breezeway Overseas Ltd v UBS AG involves a dispute over electronic discovery protocol and search terms, focusing on efficient management of discovery.
1.7 Decision Date
2. Parties and Outcomes
| Party Name | Role | Type | Outcome | Outcome Type | Counsels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breezeway Overseas Ltd | Plaintiff | Corporation | Order for electronic discovery protocol | Neutral | Julian Tay, Freddy Lim |
| UBS AG | Defendant | Corporation | Order for electronic discovery protocol | Neutral | Tan Shou Min, Charmaine Chan |
| Vasanmal Murli | Plaintiff | Individual | Order for electronic discovery protocol | Neutral | Julian Tay, Freddy Lim |
3. Judges
| Judge Name | Title | Delivered Judgment |
|---|---|---|
| Yeong Zee Kin | SAR | Yes |
4. Counsels
| Counsel Name | Organization |
|---|---|
| Julian Tay | Unknown |
| Freddy Lim | Unknown |
| Tan Shou Min | Unknown |
| Charmaine Chan | Unknown |
4. Facts
- Breezeway Overseas Ltd is a customer of UBS AG.
- Breezeway held accounts with the Hong Kong and Singapore branches of UBS.
- The plaintiffs applied for discovery to be carried out in accordance with a proposed electronic discovery protocol.
- The court ordered that parties adopt an electronic discovery protocol that provided for discovery to be carried out in stages and for the use of search terms.
- Parties were directed to discuss and agree on the search terms and liberty to apply was granted for parties to apply to court for determination of any disputed search term.
5. Formal Citations
- Breezeway Overseas Ltd v UBS AG, Suit No 114 of 2010 (consolidating Suit No 112 of 2010), Summons No 2443 of 2011, [2012] SGHC 41
6. Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Suit No 114 of 2010 (consolidating Suit No 112 of 2010) filed | |
| Summons No 2443 of 2011 filed | |
| Decision Date |
7. Legal Issues
- Electronic Discovery
- Outcome: The court ordered an electronic discovery protocol to be carried out in stages, including the use of agreed search terms.
- Category: Procedural
- Sub-Issues:
- Reasonable search terms
- Staged discovery
- Privilege review
8. Remedies Sought
- Discovery of documents
9. Cause of Actions
- No cause of actions
10. Practice Areas
- Litigation
- Commercial Litigation
11. Industries
- Finance
12. Cited Cases
| Case Name | Court | Affirmed | Citation | Jurisdiction | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robin Duane Littau v Astrata (Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd | High Court | Yes | [2011] SGHC 61 | Singapore | Cited for the definition of a 'reasonable search' in electronic discovery. |
| Sanae Achar v Sci-Gen Ltd | High Court | Yes | [2011] 3 SLR 967 | Singapore | Cited for the principle that search results are presumed to be relevant without further review. |
| Sanae Achar v Sci-Gen Ltd | High Court | Yes | [2011] SGHC 87 | Singapore | Cited for the principle that search results are presumed to be relevant without further review. |
| Goodale & Ors v The Ministry of Justice & Ors | Queen's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice | Yes | [2009] EWHC B41 (QB) | England and Wales | Cited for the staged or incremental approach to electronic discovery. |
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
- Electronic discovery
- Search terms
- Custodians
- Repositories
- Reasonable search
- Privilege review
- E-mail accounts
- Personal network profiles
- Leveraged bonds
- Collateral
- Margin call
15.2 Keywords
- Electronic discovery
- search terms
- protocol
- UBS
- Breezeway
16. Subjects
- Civil Procedure
- Discovery
- Information Technology Law
17. Areas of Law
- Civil Procedure
- Electronic Discovery