Attorney-General v Ong Wui Teck: Stay of Committal Application Pending Related Appeal
In the High Court of Singapore, Belinda Ang Saw Ean J dismissed Ong Wui Teck's application for a stay of committal proceedings in OS 871 of 2017, finding insufficient reasons to order a stay pending the outcome of OS 763 of 2014 and CA 178 of 2017. The court determined that the committal proceedings, concerning Ong's alleged contempt, should proceed, and ordered costs against Ong.
1. Case Overview
1.1 Court
High Court of Singapore1.2 Outcome
Application dismissed with costs.
1.3 Case Type
Civil
1.4 Judgment Type
Grounds of Decision
1.5 Jurisdiction
Singapore
1.6 Description
The High Court dismissed Ong Wui Teck's application for a stay of committal proceedings, finding insufficient reasons to order a stay pending the outcome of related appeals.
1.7 Decision Date
2. Parties and Outcomes
| Party Name | Role | Type | Outcome | Outcome Type | Counsels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Attorney-General | Applicant | Government Agency | Application granted | Won | Khoo Boo Jin, Elaine Liew Ling Wei, May Ng |
| Ong Wui Teck | Respondent | Individual | Application dismissed | Lost |
3. Judges
| Judge Name | Title | Delivered Judgment |
|---|---|---|
| Belinda Ang Saw Ean | Judge | Yes |
4. Counsels
| Counsel Name | Organization |
|---|---|
| Khoo Boo Jin | Attorney-General’s Chambers |
| Elaine Liew Ling Wei | Attorney-General’s Chambers |
| May Ng | Attorney-General’s Chambers |
4. Facts
- Ong Wui Teck sought a stay of committal proceedings until the conclusion of OS 763/2014 and CA 178.
- Ong Wui Teck argued that he needed undivided attention for OS 763/2014 and CA 178.
- The Attorney-General argued that Ong Wui Teck had not substantiated his need for undivided attention.
- CA 178 is an appeal against orders made by Judicial Commissioner Pang Khang Chau in OS 763/2014.
- The court documents for the committal proceedings were served on Mr Ong on 7 September 2017.
- The committal proceedings relate to Mr Ong’s contemptuous allegations against Woo J.
- Mr Ong applied in OS 165 of 2016 to disqualify Woo J from hearing four legal actions involving the mother’s estate.
5. Formal Citations
- Re the Attorney-General, Originating Summons No 871 of 2017 (Summons No 5053 of 2017), [2018] SGHC 49
6. Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| OS 763 of 2014 filed | |
| OS 871 of 2017 filed | |
| Court documents for the committal proceedings were served on Mr Ong | |
| Judicial Commissioner Pang Khang Chau gave various orders in OS 763/2014 | |
| Mr Ong filed CA 178 against three matters alleged to be part of the decision given on 25 September 2017 in OS 763/2014 | |
| Hearing on OS 763/2014 | |
| HC/SUM No 5053 of 2017 filed | |
| Application in SUM 5053 dismissed with costs | |
| Judgment Date | |
| Committal proceedings listed for hearing |
7. Legal Issues
- Stay of Proceedings
- Outcome: The court dismissed the application for a stay of proceedings.
- Category: Procedural
- Related Cases:
- [2010] 1 SLR 1192
- [2016] SGHC(I) 5
- [2014] SGHC 210
8. Remedies Sought
- Stay of Proceedings
9. Cause of Actions
- Contempt of Court
10. Practice Areas
- Civil Litigation
11. Industries
- No industries specified
12. Cited Cases
| Case Name | Court | Affirmed | Citation | Jurisdiction | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chan Chin Cheung v Chan Fatt Cheung and ors | High Court | Yes | [2010] 1 SLR 1192 | Singapore | Cited for the court's case management discretion to adjourn or stay the hearing of the committal proceedings. |
| BNP Paribas Wealth Management v Jacob Agam and anor | High Court | Yes | [2016] SGHC(I) 5 | Singapore | Cited for the factors the court takes into account when considering a stay application, including the bona fides of the application and the need to balance the advantages and disadvantages to each of the parties. |
| Eleven Gesellschaft Zur Entwicklung und Vermarktung Von Netzwerktechonologien MBH v Boxsentry Pte Ltd | High Court | Yes | [2014] SGHC 210 | Singapore | Cited for the proposition that the mere existence of simultaneous proceedings did not necessarily mean that a stay would be granted as of right. |
| Ong Wui Teck v Ong Wui Swoon | High Court | Yes | [2016] 2 SLR 1067 | Singapore | Cited as background to the committal proceedings, regarding Mr. Ong's application to disqualify Woo J from hearing legal actions involving the mother's estate. |
13. Applicable Rules
| Rule Name |
|---|
| No applicable rules |
14. Applicable Statutes
| Statute Name | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| Supreme Court of Judicature Act (Cap 322, 2007 Rev Ed) | Singapore |
| Rules of Court (Cap 322, R 5, 2014 Rev Ed) | Singapore |
15. Key Terms and Keywords
15.1 Key Terms
- Committal Application
- Stay of Proceedings
- Contempt of Court
- Litigant in Person
- Undivided Attention
15.2 Keywords
- Committal
- Stay
- Contempt
- Civil Procedure
- Singapore
16. Subjects
- Civil Procedure
- Contempt of Court
17. Areas of Law
- Civil Procedure
- Contempt of Court