Hallman v Singapore Amalgamated Services: Charity Trustee Removal Dispute

In A Selvadurai Hallman v Singapore Amalgamated Services Co-operative Organisation Ltd, the High Court of Singapore heard an application by A Selvadurai Hallman, the Vice-Chairman of the Committee of Management of SASCO Senior Citizens’ Home, seeking a declaration that the nomination of several committee members by the defendant, Singapore Amalgamated Services Co-operative Organisation Limited, was void. The court, presided over by Choo Han Teck J, dismissed the application on 15 November 2018, finding no basis to grant the orders sought and upholding the validity of the current committee's appointment. The court ordered costs to the defendant.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court of Singapore

1.2 Outcome

Application dismissed, with costs to the defendant.

1.3 Case Type

Charities

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

A dispute over the removal of charity trustees. The court dismissed the application, upholding the validity of the current committee's appointment.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
A Selvadurai HallmanPlaintiffIndividualApplication DismissedLost
Singapore Amalgamated Services Co-operative Organisation LimitedDefendantCorporationCosts AwardedWon

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Choo Han TeckJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Gabriel LeeSelvam LLC
Mahadevan LukshumayehLukshumayeh Law Corporation

4. Facts

  1. The plaintiff was Vice-Chairman of the Committee of Management of SASCO Senior Citizens’ Home.
  2. SASCO Home’s charitable object is to provide board, lodging and care for senior citizens.
  3. SASCO Ltd nominated 11 individuals to the Committee, replacing the entire incumbent Committee.
  4. The plaintiff sought a declaration that the nomination of the new committee members was void.
  5. The plaintiff alleged wrongdoings and improper actions on the part of SASCO Ltd.
  6. The defendant argued that the alleged wrongdoings occurred before the new committee's appointment.
  7. The Commissioner of Charities only authorized the plaintiff to proceed on two of the five substantive prayers.

5. Formal Citations

  1. A Selvadurai Hallman v Singapore Amalgamated Services Co-operative Organisation Ltd, Originating Summons No 915 of 2018, [2018] SGHC 247

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Singapore Amalgamated Services Co-operative Organisation Limited registered.
SASCO Ltd held a Special General Assembly to elect the Executive Council.
The Executive Council nominated 11 individuals to the Committee of SASCO Home.
Hearing date.
Judgment delivered.

7. Legal Issues

  1. Validity of Committee Nomination
    • Outcome: The court held that the current committee was validly appointed in accordance with the by-laws of SASCO Home.
    • Category: Substantive

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Declaration that the nomination of several members of the Committee was void.
  2. Order confirming the plaintiff and some other persons as the rightful members of the Committee.

9. Cause of Actions

  • No cause of actions

10. Practice Areas

  • Trustee Removal
  • Charity Governance

11. Industries

  • Social Services

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

  • Committee of Management
  • SASCO Senior Citizens’ Home
  • SASCO Ltd
  • Executive Council
  • Charity
  • Trustees

15.2 Keywords

  • charity
  • trustees
  • removal
  • committee
  • SASCO
  • Singapore

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Charitable Giving75
Trust Law65
Trusts and Estates60
Corporate Law20

16. Subjects

  • Charity Governance
  • Trust Law
  • Non-profit Organizations