TYU v TYV: Division of Matrimonial Assets in Divorce

In the divorce case of *TYU v TYV*, the Family Justice Courts of Singapore addressed the division of matrimonial assets and costs. The court considered the direct and indirect contributions of both the Plaintiff (Husband) and the Defendant (Wife) during their marriage. The court made orders regarding custody, care and control, access and maintenance of the Wife and Daughter, and the Husband later appealed the orders made on the division of matrimonial assets and costs. The court determined the value of the matrimonial assets and allocated a 32% share to the Wife.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Orders made on the division of matrimonial assets and costs.

1.3 Case Type

Family

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Singapore High Court judgment on division of matrimonial assets in a divorce case, considering direct and indirect contributions of parties.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
TYUPlaintiffIndividualOrders made on the division of matrimonial assets and costs.Neutral
TYVDefendantIndividualOrders made on the division of matrimonial assets and costs.Partial

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Valerie TheanJudicial CommissionerYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Cheong Zhihui IvanHarry Elias Partnership LLP
Shaun HoHarry Elias Partnership LLP
Loo Ming Nee BerniceAllen & Gledhill LLP
Sarah-Anne KhooAllen & Gledhill LLP

4. Facts

  1. The Husband and Wife were married on 18 July 1997.
  2. The Husband commenced divorce proceedings on 1 September 2011.
  3. Interim judgment for divorce was granted on 2 February 2012.
  4. The Husband's monthly income in 2012 was about S$60,000.
  5. The Wife was working as a publisher in the hospitality industry at the time of the parties’ marriage.
  6. The Wife became a homemaker in or around November 2000.
  7. The main component of the asset pool in dispute was the value of the Husband’s 50% interest in [B] Ltd.

5. Formal Citations

  1. TYU v TYV, Divorce Transfer No 4187 of 2011, [2017] SGHCF 8
  2. TYU v TYV, Divorce Transfer No 4187 of 2011, [2017] SGHCF 8

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Parties married
Parties purchased Kew Crescent Property
Wife became a homemaker
Jervois Close Property was sold
Wife purchased Montview Property
Husband purchased Marine Parade Property
Husband moved out of the Kew Crescent Property
Wife and Daughter moved into the Montview Property
Kew Crescent Property was sold
Husband commenced divorce proceedings
Interim judgment for divorce was granted
Interim maintenance order was issued
PriceWaterhouseCoopers submitted valuation report
Ancillary matters dealt with
Wife's half share of PWC costs clarified

7. Legal Issues

  1. Division of Matrimonial Assets
    • Outcome: The court determined the value of the matrimonial assets and allocated a 32% share to the Wife.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Direct contribution
      • Indirect contribution
      • Valuation of assets
    • Related Cases:
      • [2016] 2 SLR 686
      • [2011] 2 SLR 1157
      • [2015] 4 SLR 1043
      • [2015] SGCA 52
      • [2017] SGCA 15
      • [2012] SGCA 3
      • [2016] SGCA 2
  2. Costs
    • Outcome: The Husband was ordered to reimburse the Wife for the costs of the PriceWaterhouseCoopers valuation report.
    • Category: Procedural
    • Related Cases:
      • [2012] SGHC 213

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Division of Matrimonial Assets
  2. Maintenance for Wife
  3. Maintenance for Daughter
  4. Orders for Custody, Care and Control, and Access

9. Cause of Actions

  • Divorce

10. Practice Areas

  • Divorce
  • Family Law
  • Matrimonial Asset Division

11. Industries

  • No industries specified

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
ARY v ARX and another appealCourt of AppealYes[2016] 2 SLR 686SingaporeCited for guidance on the operative date for the delineation of the asset pool and the valuation of the assets.
Yeo Chong Lin v Tay Ang Choo Nancy and another appealUnknownYes[2011] 2 SLR 1157SingaporeCited regarding multiple dates possible when the court chooses the operative date for assets.
ANJ v ANKCourt of AppealYes[2015] 4 SLR 1043SingaporeCited for the structured approach to determine a just and equitable division of matrimonial assets.
Twiss, Christopher James Hans v Twiss, Yvonne PrendergastSingapore Court of AppealYes[2015] SGCA 52SingaporeCited regarding the structured approach to determine a just and equitable division of matrimonial assets.
Koh Bee Choo v Choo Chai HuahUnknownYes[2007] SGCA 21SingaporeCited for the requirements to draw an adverse inference against a party for failure to make full and frank disclosure.
Chan Tin Sun v Fong Quay SimUnknownYes[2015] 2 SLR 195SingaporeCited for the requirements to draw an adverse inference against a party for failure to make full and frank disclosure.
TNL v TNK and another appeal and another matterSingapore Court of AppealYes[2017] SGCA 15SingaporeCited for guidance in respect of single-income marriages.
AQS v AQRSingapore Court of AppealYes[2012] SGCA 3SingaporeCited as a precedent regarding division of matrimonial assets.
ATE v ATD and another appealSingapore Court of AppealYes[2016] SGCA 2SingaporeCited regarding the court’s power to order maintenance as supplementary to the court’s power to divide matrimonial assets.
Cheung Kam Yi Betty v Liu Tsun KieSingapore High CourtYes[2012] SGHC 213SingaporeCited regarding the court's discretion to order costs in matrimonial cases.

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
Family Justice Rules 2014 (S 813/2014)

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
  • Direct contribution
  • Indirect contribution
  • Interim judgment
  • Valuation
  • Average ratio
  • [B] Ltd
  • PWC Report
  • RHL Report
  • BDO Report

15.2 Keywords

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

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Matrimonial Assets95
Family Law95
Division of Matrimonial Assets90
Civil Practice60
Costs50
Matrimonial cases40
Principles40
Contract Law10

16. Subjects

  • Family Law
  • Divorce
  • Matrimonial Asset Division
  • Civil Procedure
  • Valuation