CWW v CWX: Division of Matrimonial Assets in Divorce

In the divorce case of *CWW v CWX*, the High Court of Singapore, presided over by Justice Chan Seng Onn, addressed the division of matrimonial assets. The Plaintiff, CWW, appealed the decision to divide the assets in the ratio of 8.57%: 91.43% in favor of the Defendant, CWX. The court considered the financial and non-financial contributions of both parties during their 21-year marriage, ultimately upholding the division, emphasizing the Defendant's significant financial contributions and extensive non-financial contributions as a 'supermum'. The court ordered the matrimonial flat to be sold and the proceeds divided accordingly, with the Defendant paying $418,345 to the Plaintiff to equalize the distribution of assets.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court of the Republic of Singapore

1.2 Outcome

Division of matrimonial assets ordered in the ratio of 8.57%: 91.43% in favor of the Defendant.

1.3 Case Type

Family

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Divorce case concerning the division of matrimonial assets. The court ordered a division of 8.57%: 91.43% in favor of the wife.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
CWWPlaintiffIndividualDivision of matrimonial assets ordered in the ratio of 8.57%: 91.43% in favor of the Defendant.Lost
CWXDefendantIndividualDivision of matrimonial assets ordered in the ratio of 8.57%: 91.43% in favor of the Defendant.Won

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Chan Seng OnnJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Looi Min Yi StephanieOptimus Chambers LLC
Choh Thian Chee IrvingOptimus Chambers LLC
Sam Hui Min LisaLisa Sam & Company

4. Facts

  1. Plaintiff and Defendant married on 15 June 1991.
  2. The Defendant was the primary breadwinner, contributing 92.2% of the financial contributions.
  3. The Plaintiff had a chequered employment history with periods of unemployment.
  4. The Defendant was a 'supermum' managing the household and caring for the children.
  5. The Defendant was responsible for managing the family's investments.
  6. The Plaintiff was absent from gatherings with the Defendant’s extended family from 2010.
  7. The Plaintiff had been benefitting from the rent-free stay in the matrimonial HDB executive apartment since March 2012.

5. Formal Citations

  1. CWW v CWX, Divorce (Transferred) No 2270 of 2012, [2015] SGHC 84

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Plaintiff and Defendant married.
Elder daughter born.
Younger daughter born.
Defendant lodged a police report.
Defendant received a letter from Plaintiff’s lawyer initiating divorce.
Defendant secured a rented apartment.
Defendant moved out of the matrimonial home.
Plaintiff commenced divorce proceedings.
Interim Judgment granted.
Plaintiff’s first affidavit filed.
Defendant's father's affidavit filed.
Hearing date.
Hearing date.
Judgment date.

7. Legal Issues

  1. Division of Matrimonial Assets
    • Outcome: The court ordered the entire pool of matrimonial assets to be divided in the ratio 8.57%: 91.43% in favor of the Defendant.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Financial contributions
      • Non-financial contributions
      • Weightage of contributions

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Division of Matrimonial Assets

9. Cause of Actions

  • Divorce

10. Practice Areas

  • Divorce
  • Family Law
  • Asset Division

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
Women’s Charter (Cap 353, 2009 Rev Ed)Singapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Matrimonial assets
  • Financial contributions
  • Non-financial contributions
  • Single overall ratio
  • Supermum
  • Weightage
  • Interim Judgment

15.2 Keywords

  • Divorce
  • Matrimonial Assets
  • Singapore
  • Family Law
  • Asset Division

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Matrimonial Assets95
Family Law95
Division of Assets90
Divorce90
Financial contribution70
Non-financial Contribution70
Child Custody50
Child Support50
Spousal Support50
Succession Law30
Corporate Law10
Contract Law5

16. Subjects

  • Family Law
  • Divorce
  • Matrimonial Assets