Goh Eileen v Goh Mei Ling: Undue Influence & Transfer of HDB Flat Title Dispute

In Goh Eileen née Chia and another v Goh Mei Ling Yvonne and another [2014] SGHC 3, the High Court of Singapore dismissed the plaintiffs' claim to set aside the addition of the defendants' names as joint tenants to the title of a Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat. The plaintiffs, Mrs. Goh Eileen née Chia and the late Mr. Goh Chin Chye Dennis, alleged harassment, undue influence, fraudulent misrepresentation, and unconscionability. The court found that the plaintiffs voluntarily intended to add the defendants' names to the title. The court also noted the involvement of the plaintiffs' sons in instigating the suit.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Claim Dismissed

1.3 Case Type

Civil

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

High Court case involving a family dispute over the transfer of title to an HDB flat. The plaintiffs' claim of undue influence was dismissed.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Goh Eileen née ChiaPlaintiffIndividualClaim DismissedLostSuchitra A/P K Ragupathy, Nadia Yeo, Ong Kai Min Kelvin
Goh Chin Chye DennisPlaintiffIndividualClaim DismissedLostSuchitra A/P K Ragupathy, Nadia Yeo, Ong Kai Min Kelvin
Goh Mei Ling YvonneDefendantIndividualClaim DismissedWonAlfred Dodwell, Terence Tan Li-Chern
Goh Meich’ang YvetteDefendantIndividualClaim DismissedWonAlfred Dodwell, Terence Tan Li-Chern

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Quentin LohJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Suchitra A/P K RagupathyRodyk & Davidson LLP
Nadia YeoRodyk & Davidson LLP
Ong Kai Min KelvinRodyk & Davidson LLP
Alfred DodwellDodwell & Co LLC
Terence Tan Li-ChernDodwell & Co LLC

4. Facts

  1. Plaintiffs added Defendants as joint tenants to the title of their Clementi flat.
  2. Plaintiffs alleged harassment and undue influence by the Defendants.
  3. Dennis Goh spontaneously wanted his daughters to have a home in Singapore.
  4. Defendants organized a surprise 90th birthday party for Dennis Goh.
  5. Eric and Evan were not involved in planning the birthday party.
  6. Eric and Evan demanded that the Defendants remove their names from the title deed.
  7. Eric signed the Warrant to Act for the Plaintiffs' solicitors.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Goh Eileen née Chia and another v Goh Mei Ling Yvonne and another, Suit No 732 of 2012, [2014] SGHC 3

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Plaintiffs purchased the Clementi flat.
Dennis Goh's 90th birthday party.
Plaintiffs applied to add Defendants' names to the title of the Clementi flat.
Plaintiffs executed the HDB Transfer form.
Evan found out about the addition of his sisters’ names onto the title from Mrs Goh.
Family meeting regarding the inclusion of Defendants' names on the title.
Eric signed the Warrant to Act.
Originating summons filed.
Dennis Goh passed away.
Court dismissed the entirety of the claim.
Grounds of Decision issued.

7. Legal Issues

  1. Undue Influence
    • Outcome: The court found no evidence of undue influence exerted by the defendants.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Harassment
      • Coercion
      • Exploitation of Weakness
  2. Fraudulent Misrepresentation
    • Outcome: The court found no evidence of fraudulent misrepresentation.
    • Category: Substantive
  3. Unconscionability
    • Outcome: The court found no evidence of unconscionable conduct.
    • Category: Substantive
  4. Mistake
    • Outcome: The court found no evidence that the transfer was executed under a mistake.
    • Category: Substantive

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Declaratory orders to set aside the addition of the Defendants’ names as joint tenants to the title of the Clementi flat
  2. Consequential relief

9. Cause of Actions

  • Setting aside transfer of property
  • Declaration of beneficial interest

10. Practice Areas

  • Civil Litigation
  • Family Disputes

11. Industries

  • Real Estate

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
Tung Hui Mannequin Industries v Tenet Insurance Co Ltd and othersHigh CourtYes[2005] 3 SLR(R) 184SingaporeCited for the principle that a lawyer should disclose his warrant to act as a matter of course.

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Evidence ActSingapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • HDB flat
  • Joint tenants
  • Undue influence
  • Transfer
  • Warrant to act
  • Clementi flat

15.2 Keywords

  • HDB
  • property transfer
  • family dispute
  • undue influence
  • joint tenancy

16. Subjects

  • Property Law
  • Family Law
  • Trusts

17. Areas of Law

  • Family Law
  • Equity
  • Trust Law