Lin Jianwei v Tung Yu-Lien Margaret: Stay of Proceedings & Validity of EGMs
In Originating Summons No 1446 of 2018, the High Court of Singapore heard an application by the plaintiff, Lin Jianwei, for a stay of proceedings or conversion to a writ action against the defendants, Tung Yu-Lien Margaret and Raffles Town Club Pte Ltd. The case concerned the validity of Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs) and board resolutions. The first defendant counterclaimed for a declaration that the impugned notices and resolutions are invalid. Tan Siong Thye J granted the stay of proceedings pending the determination of Suit 1048, finding overlapping issues and serious allegations that warranted a full trial.
1. Case Overview
1.1 Court
High Court of the Republic of Singapore1.2 Outcome
Summons No 2628 of 2020 granted; Summons No 2629 of 2020 dismissed. The first defendant’s counterclaim in OS 1446 is stayed pending the outcome of Suit 1048.
1.3 Case Type
Civil
1.4 Judgment Type
Ex tempore judgment
1.5 Jurisdiction
Singapore
1.6 Description
Stay of proceedings granted in OS 1446 pending the determination of Suit 1048 due to overlapping issues and serious allegations.
1.7 Decision Date
2. Parties and Outcomes
| Party Name | Role | Type | Outcome | Outcome Type | Counsels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lin Jianwei | Plaintiff | Individual | Stay of proceedings granted | Partial | Eng Zixuan Edmund, Tham Wei Chern, Danica Gan Fang Ling, Yang Yuanhong Bernard |
| Tung Yu-Lien Margaret | Defendant | Individual | Counterclaim stayed | Stayed | Davinder Singh s/o Amar Singh SC, Tan Siew Wei Cheryl, Pardeep Singh Khosa, Tan Mao Lin, Darveenia Rajula Rajah, Vanessa Poo Jill |
| Raffles Town Club Pte Ltd | Defendant | Corporation | Neutral | Neutral | Benny Jude Philomen, Mary-Anne Shu-Hui Chua |
3. Judges
| Judge Name | Title | Delivered Judgment |
|---|---|---|
| Tan Siong Thye | Judge | Yes |
4. Counsels
| Counsel Name | Organization |
|---|---|
| Eng Zixuan Edmund | Fullerton Law Chambers LLC |
| Tham Wei Chern | Fullerton Law Chambers LLC |
| Danica Gan Fang Ling | Fullerton Law Chambers LLC |
| Yang Yuanhong Bernard | Fullerton Law Chambers LLC |
| Davinder Singh s/o Amar Singh SC | Davinder Singh Chambers LLC |
| Tan Siew Wei Cheryl | Davinder Singh Chambers LLC |
| Pardeep Singh Khosa | Davinder Singh Chambers LLC |
| Tan Mao Lin | Davinder Singh Chambers LLC |
| Darveenia Rajula Rajah | Davinder Singh Chambers LLC |
| Vanessa Poo Jill | Davinder Singh Chambers LLC |
| Benny Jude Philomen | Joseph Tan Jude Benny LLP |
| Mary-Anne Shu-Hui Chua | Joseph Tan Jude Benny LLP |
4. Facts
- Lin Jianwei and Tung Yu-Lien Margaret are the only two shareholders and directors of Raffles Town Club Pte Ltd.
- Lin Jianwei commenced OS 1446 to validate EGMs for the appointment of Mr. Poon as a director.
- Tung Yu-Lien Margaret counterclaims that several notices of EGMs and board meetings are invalid.
- Suit 1048 concerns the repayment of debts allegedly owed by Lin Jianwei to Tung Yu-Lien Margaret.
- A key dispute involves the circumstances surrounding a $11m dividend and $4m withdrawn via cheques in 2016.
- The plaintiff applied for a stay of proceedings or conversion of OS 1446 to a writ action.
- The trial of Suit 1048 is fixed for hearing on 14 January 2021.
5. Formal Citations
- Lin Jianwei v Tung Yu-Lien Margaret and another, , [2020] SGHC 155
6. Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Suit No 1048 commenced | |
| OS 1446 commenced | |
| First defendant's application for plaintiff to be cross-examined granted | |
| Plaintiff granted leave to discontinue his claim in OS 1446 | |
| Plaintiff applied for leave to amend pleadings in Suit 1048 | |
| Plaintiff filed Summons No 2628 of 2020 and Summons No 2629 of 2020 | |
| Plaintiff's application to amend pleadings in Suit 1048 allowed | |
| Plaintiff filed amended pleadings in Suit 1048 | |
| Hearing of OS 1446 and judgment delivered | |
| Trial of Suit 1048 fixed for hearing |
7. Legal Issues
- Stay of Proceedings
- Outcome: The court granted a stay of proceedings in OS 1446 pending the determination of Suit 1048.
- Category: Procedural
- Related Cases:
- [2017] 3 SLR 27
- Validity of Extraordinary General Meetings
- Outcome: The validity of the impugned notices and resolutions is to be suspended during the period for which OS 1446 is stayed.
- Category: Substantive
8. Remedies Sought
- Stay of proceedings
- Declaration of validity
- Declaration of invalidity
9. Cause of Actions
- Declaration of Invalidity
- Repayment of Debts
10. Practice Areas
- Commercial Litigation
11. Industries
- No industries specified
12. Cited Cases
| Case Name | Court | Affirmed | Citation | Jurisdiction | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BNP Paribas Wealth Management v Jacob Agam and another | Singapore Court of Appeal | Yes | [2017] 3 SLR 27 | Singapore | Cited for the principles relating to the grant of a case management stay. |
13. Applicable Rules
| Rule Name |
|---|
| No applicable rules |
14. Applicable Statutes
| Statute Name | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| No applicable statutes | |
15. Key Terms and Keywords
15.1 Key Terms
- Extraordinary General Meetings
- Originating Summons
- Stay of Proceedings
- Writ Action
- Interim Dividend
- Impugned Notices and Resolutions
15.2 Keywords
- Stay of proceedings
- Extraordinary General Meetings
- Originating Summons
- Civil Procedure
16. Subjects
- Civil Procedure
- Company Law
17. Areas of Law
- Civil Procedure
- Stay of proceedings
- Originating processes