Lee Boon Teow v. Shi Guojun: Contractual Terms, Implied Terms, and Constructive Trusts Dispute

In Lee Boon Teow v Shi Guojun, the High Court of Singapore heard a case regarding funds provided by the Plaintiff, Lee Boon Teow, to the Defendant, Shi Guojun, a Buddhist monk, for educational purposes. Lee Boon Teow sought repayment, claiming the funds were not used as intended. The court, presided over by Woo Bih Li J, dismissed Lee Boon Teow's claim on 19 March 2018, finding no contractual obligation or constructive trust requiring Shi Guojun to repay the funds. The claim was for breach of contract and constructive trust.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court of Singapore

1.2 Outcome

Plaintiff's action dismissed

1.3 Case Type

Civil

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Lee Boon Teow sues Shi Guojun for repayment of funds intended for education. The court dismissed the action, finding no contractual or trust obligation.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Lee Boon TeowPlaintiffIndividualAction dismissedLostDr William Koh Hai Keong
Shi Guojun @ Lai Meau Shin (Lai MiaoXin)DefendantIndividualAction dismissedWonJoseph Liow Wang Wu, Charlene Cheam, Celine Liow Wan Ting

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Woo Bih LiJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Dr William Koh Hai KeongKoh & Partners
Joseph Liow Wang WuStraits Law Practice LLC
Charlene CheamStraits Law Practice LLC
Celine Liow Wan TingStraits Law Practice LLC

4. Facts

  1. Plaintiff gave Defendant AUD$240,000 in 2010.
  2. The Plaintiff claimed the money was for the Defendant's doctoral studies.
  3. The Defendant claimed the money was a gift for prayers and advice.
  4. The Defendant did not use the money for doctoral studies.
  5. The Defendant used the money to purchase properties in Australia.
  6. The Plaintiff knew by June 2015 that the Defendant had purchased properties.
  7. The Plaintiff did not demand the return of the money until May 2016.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Lee Boon Teow v Shi Guojun alias Lai Meau Shin, Suit No 481 of 2016, [2018] SGHC 110

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Defendant became Abbot of Mahabodhi Monastery
Plaintiff gave Defendant AUD$240,000
Defendant returned to Singapore to assist in MBM’s fund-raising efforts
Relationship between Plaintiff and Defendant deteriorated
Plaintiff commenced defamation action against Defendant
Plaintiff learned Defendant used Sum to purchase properties in Australia
Issue of use of Sum raised at Management Committee meeting of MBM
Plaintiff's solicitors sent letter of demand to Defendant
Defendant's solicitors replied to letter of demand
Plaintiff filed Suit No 481 of 2016
Trial began
Court dismissed Plaintiff’s action
Detailed grounds of decision given

7. Legal Issues

  1. Breach of Contract
    • Outcome: The court found no express or implied term for repayment, thus no breach of contract.
    • Category: Substantive
  2. Constructive Trust
    • Outcome: The court found that the funds were at the free disposal of the Defendant, therefore no constructive trust existed.
    • Category: Substantive

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Repayment of funds
  2. Tracing
  3. Accounting
  4. Share of profit

9. Cause of Actions

  • Breach of Contract
  • Constructive Trust

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

  • Dana
  • Mahabodhi Monastery
  • Constructive trust
  • Implied term
  • Contractual term
  • Study grant

15.2 Keywords

  • Contract
  • Trust
  • Education
  • Repayment
  • Buddhist Monk

16. Subjects

  • Contract Law
  • Trust Law

17. Areas of Law

  • Contract Law
  • Trusts
  • Contractual Terms
  • Implied Terms
  • Constructive Trusts