Susan Lim v Singapore Medical Council: Appeal on Party-and-Party Costs for Disciplinary Hearings

Dr. Susan Lim Mey Lee appealed against the High Court's decision regarding party-and-party costs payable to the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) for disciplinary hearings before two Disciplinary Committees. The appeal concerned the fees of the second legal assessor to the second Disciplinary Committee appointed by the SMC for the disciplinary inquiry of the Appellant. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, finding the costs awarded to be reasonable.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

Court of Appeal of the Republic of Singapore

1.2 Outcome

Appeal dismissed

1.3 Case Type

Regulatory

1.4 Judgment Type

Oral Judgment

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Appeal concerning party-and-party costs payable by Dr. Susan Lim to the Singapore Medical Council for disciplinary hearings. The court dismissed the appeal.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Singapore Medical CouncilRespondentStatutory BoardAppeal dismissedWon
DR SUSAN LIM MEY LEEAppellantIndividualAppeal dismissedLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Andrew Phang Boon LeongJudge of AppealYes
Tay Yong KwangJudgeNo
Quentin LohJudgeNo

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Tan Kia HuaWongPartnership LLP
Chang Man PhingWongPartnership LLP
Melanie HoWongPartnership LLP
Joycelyn NgiamWongPartnership LLP
Lee Eng BengRajah & Tann Singapore LLP
Amy SeowRajah & Tann Singapore LLP
Paul TanRajah & Tann Singapore LLP

4. Facts

  1. Dr. Susan Lim appealed against the High Court's decision on party-and-party costs.
  2. The costs were related to disciplinary hearings before two Disciplinary Committees.
  3. The appeal concerned the fees of the second legal assessor to the second Disciplinary Committee.
  4. The assistant registrar awarded $22,000 in costs against the Appellant.
  5. The Judge disagreed with the AR and awarded the full sum of $235,200.
  6. The 2nd LA billed for “work done from 27 August 2010 to 17 July 2012”.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Lim Mey Lee Susan v Singapore Medical Council, Civil Appeal No 154 of 2015, [2016] SGCA 14

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Appellant’s solicitors’ letter requesting more information about the SMC’s disbursement items
Respondent’s solicitors’ letter regarding the SMC’s disbursement items
Date the 2nd LA was first approached by the SMC to act as Legal Assessor
2nd DC was formally constituted
First Pre-Inquiry Conference held
Inquiry hearing
Inquiry hearing
Inquiry hearing
Inquiry hearing
Inquiry hearing
High Court Judge decision in Singapore Medical Council v Lim Mey Lee Susan [2015] SGHC 129
Civil Appeal No 154 of 2015
Judgment reserved
Oral Judgment

7. Legal Issues

  1. Reasonableness of Costs
    • Outcome: The court found the costs awarded to be reasonable.
    • Category: Substantive

8. Remedies Sought

  1. No remedies sought

9. Cause of Actions

  • No cause of actions

10. Practice Areas

  • Litigation
  • Regulatory Proceedings

11. Industries

  • Healthcare

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
Singapore Medical Council v Lim Mey Lee SusanHigh CourtYes[2015] SGHC 129SingaporeThe High Court's decision regarding the party-and-party costs payable by Dr. Susan Lim to the Singapore Medical Council was affirmed.

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Rules of Court (Cap 322, R 5, 2014 Rev Ed)Singapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Party-and-party costs
  • Disciplinary Committee
  • Legal assessor
  • Taxation of costs
  • Reasonable costs
  • Hourly rate
  • Disbursement items

15.2 Keywords

  • costs
  • legal assessor
  • disciplinary
  • Singapore Medical Council
  • Susan Lim

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Costs80
Civil Procedure70
Taxation of Legal Fees60
Disciplinary Proceedings50
Assessment40

16. Subjects

  • Costs
  • Legal Profession
  • Disciplinary Proceedings