Teo E Shen v Wakako Nakayama: Appeal for Variation of Maintenance Order in Divorce

In Teo E Shen v Wakako Nakayama, before the High Court of Singapore on March 29, 2012, the wife, Wakako Nakayama, appealed against the decision varying the maintenance order. The High Court, with Choo Han Teck J presiding, varied the lump sum payment to A$72,000, based on A$1,200 a month for five years, considering the age and occupation of the parties and the advantage of early payment. The original order had required the husband, Teo E Shen, to pay a lump sum maintenance of A$7,200. The wife's claim for A$500,000 was not granted.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Appeal Allowed in Part

1.3 Case Type

Family

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Appeal regarding a maintenance order in a divorce case. The court varied the lump sum payment to A$72,000, considering the parties' circumstances.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Teo E ShenAppellant, DefendantIndividualAppeal allowed in partPartial
Wakako NakayamaRespondent, PlaintiffIndividualAppeal allowed in partPartial

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Choo Han TeckJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Sim Bock EngWongPartnership LLP
Loo Ee LinWongPartnership LLP
Chloe Mercy Lee WeimingWongPartnership LLP
Gregory FongJohn Tay & Co

4. Facts

  1. The husband is a 35-year-old veterinary surgeon in Singapore.
  2. The wife is 42 years old and works as a Japanese translator in Australia.
  3. They met in Australia, married in 2001 and divorced in 2010 in Singapore based on four years separation.
  4. The court below ordered the husband to pay lump sum maintenance of A$7,200.
  5. The wife appealed against that order.
  6. The wife claimed lump sum maintenance of A$500,000.
  7. The husband claims that he earns about $6,000 to $7,000 a month.
  8. The wife claims that she earns A$2,836 a month.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Teo E Shen v Wakako Nakayama, Divorce No 3492 of 2010, [2012] SGHC 68

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Marriage occurred
Divorce occurred
RAS No 184 of 2011
Judgment issued

7. Legal Issues

  1. Variation of Maintenance Order
    • Outcome: The court varied the lump sum payment to A$72,000, based on A$1,200 a month for five years.
    • Category: Substantive

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Lump Sum Maintenance

9. Cause of Actions

  • No cause of actions

10. Practice Areas

  • Divorce
  • Family Law
  • Litigation

11. Industries

  • No industries specified

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

  • Maintenance Order
  • Lump Sum Payment
  • Divorce
  • Variation
  • Clean Break

15.2 Keywords

  • Divorce
  • Maintenance
  • Appeal
  • Family Law
  • Singapore
  • High Court

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Maintenance95
Divorce90
Matrimonial Assets80

16. Subjects

  • Family Law
  • Divorce
  • Maintenance