Tan Teck Koon v Tong Guat Hwa: Division of Matrimonial Assets and Wife's Maintenance

In the Family Justice Courts of Singapore, Tan Teck Koon appealed against the decision of the district judge regarding the division of matrimonial assets and maintenance to Tong Guat Hwa, and Tong Guat Hwa cross-appealed. The court dismissed both appeals, upholding the original decision regarding the division of assets and lump sum maintenance.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Appeals dismissed.

1.3 Case Type

Family

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Appeal concerning division of matrimonial assets and maintenance for the wife. The court dismissed both appeals, upholding the original decision.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Tan Teck KoonAppellant, RespondentIndividualAppeal dismissedLost
Tong Guat HwaRespondent, AppellantIndividualAppeal dismissedLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Choo Han TeckJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Ang Sin TeckBelinda Ang Tang & Partners
Wong Soo ChihHo Wong Law Practice LLC
Warren HoHo Wong Law Practice LLC

4. Facts

  1. The Husband and Wife married in 1988 and have two daughters.
  2. The Wife commenced divorce proceedings in 2014 on the ground of the Husband's behavior.
  3. The marriage was dissolved on 16 June 2014.
  4. The Husband was the sole proprietor of En-routing Marine Service Pte Ltd (EMS).
  5. The Wife worked as a Human Resource/Finance Executive and later as a bookkeeper for EMS.
  6. The parties owned a private apartment and a HDB flat.
  7. The Husband locked the Wife and daughters out of the matrimonial home in January 2014.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Tan Teck Koon v Tong Guat Hwa, District Court of Appeal from the Family Court No 158 and 159 of 2015, [2016] SGHCF 2

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Marriage occurred.
Wife gave up her job.
Husband locked the Wife and daughters out of the apartment.
Wife commenced divorce proceedings.
Marriage was dissolved.
Interim maintenance order of $3,200 was made.
Enforcement order was made against the Husband.
Ancillary matters were heard by the district judge.
Judgment reserved.
Judgment delivered.

7. Legal Issues

  1. Division of Matrimonial Assets
    • Outcome: The court upheld the district judge's decision on the division of matrimonial assets.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Related Cases:
      • [2015] 4 SLR 1043
      • [2007] SGCA 21
      • [2006] SGHC 95
  2. Wife's Maintenance
    • Outcome: The court upheld the district judge's decision to award lump sum maintenance to the wife.
    • Category: Substantive
  3. Adverse Inference
    • Outcome: The court agreed with the DJ that an adverse inference should not be drawn against the Wife.
    • Category: Procedural
    • Related Cases:
      • [2007] SGCA 21

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Division of Matrimonial Assets
  2. Maintenance

9. Cause of Actions

  • Divorce
  • Division of Matrimonial Assets
  • Maintenance

10. Practice Areas

  • Divorce
  • Family Law
  • Appeals

11. Industries

  • No industries specified

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
ANJ v ANKCourt of AppealYes[2015] 4 SLR 1043SingaporeCited for the three-step structured approach in dividing matrimonial assets.
Koh Bee Choo v Choo Chai HuahSingapore Court of AppealYes[2007] SGCA 21SingaporeCited regarding drawing adverse inferences against a party and the court's power to divide matrimonial assets.
MZ v NASingapore High CourtYes[2006] SGHC 95SingaporeCited regarding the appellate court's reluctance to interfere with orders made by a lower court in the division of matrimonial assets.
Tong Guat Hwa v Tan Teck KoonSingapore Family CourtYes[2015] SGFC 154SingaporeThis is the judgment being appealed from.

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

  • Matrimonial Assets
  • Lump Sum Maintenance
  • Indirect Contributions
  • Direct Contributions
  • Interim Maintenance
  • En-routing Marine Service Pte Ltd
  • Homemaker

15.2 Keywords

  • Divorce
  • Matrimonial Assets
  • Maintenance
  • Singapore
  • Family Law

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Family Law95
Matrimonial Assets95
Maintenance (Wife)90
Maintenance90
Divorce70
Civil Procedure30
Judgments and Orders30
Evidence Law20
Affidavits20

16. Subjects

  • Family Law
  • Divorce
  • Matrimonial Assets
  • Maintenance