Clearlab v Ting Chong Chai: Costs for Breach of Confidence Claim

In Clearlab SG Pte Ltd v Ting Chong Chai and others, the Singapore High Court addressed the issue of costs following the dismissal of claims against the sixth, seventh, and eighth defendants. The plaintiff, Clearlab SG Pte Ltd, had brought claims for breach of confidence and conspiracy against nine defendants, including Ting Chong Chai. The court awarded joint costs to the seventh and eighth defendants in the sum of $270,000 plus reasonable disbursements, considering the length of the trial and the necessary involvement of their counsel.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Joint costs awarded to the seventh and eighth defendants in the sum of $270,000 plus reasonable disbursements.

1.3 Case Type

Civil

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Singapore High Court case regarding costs allocation in a breach of confidence and conspiracy suit involving Clearlab and Ting Chong Chai.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
CLEARLAB SG PTE LTDPlaintiffCorporationClaims dismissed against the sixth, seventh, and eighth defendantsLost
MA ZHIDefendantIndividual
LI YUEXINDefendantIndividual
TING CHONG CHAIDefendantIndividual
RATHINARAJ DAVIDDefendantIndividual
GOH WEE HONGDefendantIndividual
NG CHEE HANDefendantIndividual
AQUILUS LENS INTERNATIONAL PTE LTDDefendantCorporation
CENTRAL GLOBAL PTE LTD FKA CENCORP ENGINEERING PTE LTDDefendantCorporation
HO KAR KITDefendantIndividual
Jason ChanDefendantIndividualCosts awardedWon
Melvin PangDefendantIndividualCosts awardedWon

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Lee Seiu KinJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Lok Vi MingRodyk & Davidson LLP
Crystal GohRodyk & Davidson LLP
Tang JinshengRodyk & Davidson LLP
Jason ChanAmica Law LLC
Melvin PangAmica Law LLC

4. Facts

  1. The plaintiff sued nine defendants for breach of confidence and conspiracy.
  2. The trial lasted 49 days and involved 35 factual witnesses and 2 expert witnesses.
  3. The plaintiff's claims against the sixth, seventh, and eighth defendants were dismissed.
  4. The seventh and eighth defendants' counsel attended court for 32 days.
  5. The court considered precedents of costs awarded in similar cases.
  6. The court took into account the length of the trial and the defendants' role.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Clearlab SG Pte Ltd v Ting Chong Chai and others, Suit No 691 of 2011, [2015] SGHC 267

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Lawsuit filed
Claims allowed against first, second, third, fourth, fifth and ninth defendants
Joint costs awarded to the seventh and eighth defendants
Further arguments heard regarding costs order
Grounds of decision issued

7. Legal Issues

  1. Breach of Confidence
    • Outcome: Claims dismissed against the seventh and eighth defendants.
    • Category: Substantive
  2. Costs Allocation
    • Outcome: Joint costs awarded to the seventh and eighth defendants.
    • Category: Procedural

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Monetary Damages

9. Cause of Actions

  • Breach of Confidence
  • Conspiracy

10. Practice Areas

  • Commercial 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

  • Breach of Confidence
  • Conspiracy
  • Costs
  • Disbursements
  • Confidential Information

15.2 Keywords

  • breach of confidence
  • conspiracy
  • costs
  • singapore
  • high court

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Costs80
Breach of Confidence75
Conspiracy by Unlawful Means65
Civil Procedure50

16. Subjects

  • Civil Litigation
  • Costs