WHR v WHT: Discovery of Documents and Interrogatories in Probate Action

In a probate action before the Family Justice Courts of Singapore, WHR and WHS, as executors of the estate of LLT, sought to prove LLT's will and codicil against WHT, WHU, WHV, WHW, WHX, WHY, WHZ, WIA, WIB, WIC, WID, WIF, WIH, and WIG. The first and second defendants applied for discovery of documents and interrogatories, which the court dismissed, finding the communications privileged and the request premature.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

Family Justice Courts of the Republic of Singapore

1.2 Outcome

Summons dismissed.

1.3 Case Type

Probate

1.4 Judgment Type

Judgment

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Probate action where plaintiffs seek to prove a will and codicil. The court dismissed the defendants' application for discovery of documents and interrogatories.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
WHRPlaintiffIndividualSuccessful in opposing summonsWon
WHSPlaintiffIndividualSuccessful in opposing summonsWon
WHTDefendantIndividualSummons dismissedLost
WHUDefendantIndividualSummons dismissedLost
WHVDefendantIndividualNeutralNeutral
WHWDefendantIndividualNeutralNeutral
WHXDefendantIndividualNeutralNeutral
WHYDefendantIndividualNeutralNeutral
WHZDefendantIndividualNeutralNeutral
WIADefendantIndividualNeutralNeutral
WIBDefendantIndividualNeutralNeutral
WICDefendantIndividualNeutralNeutral
WIDDefendantIndividualNeutralNeutral
WIFDefendantIndividualNeutralNeutral
WIHDefendantIndividualNeutralNeutral
WIGDefendantIndividualNeutralNeutral

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Choo Han TeckJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Tan Teng MuanMallal & Namazie
Loh Li QinMallal & Namazie
Goh Kok YeowDe Souza Lim & Goh LLP
William OngDe Souza Lim & Goh LLP
Tan XeauweiDe Souza Lim & Goh LLP
Wong Shu Yi RachealDe Souza Lim & Goh LLP
Lim Huiling NaomiDe Souza Lim & Goh LLP
Oei Ai Hoea AnnaTan Oei & Oei LLC
Heng Chye Ming FriedrichTan Oei & Oei LLC
Yap Yi Ping DeannieTan Oei & Oei LLC
Sarbjit Singh ChopraSelvam LLC
Thomas Ang Ze XiSelvam LLC

4. Facts

  1. LLT was a businessman dealing with luxury watches.
  2. LLT died on 13 March 2009 at the age of 92 in Hong Kong.
  3. LLT made a will in 1999 and a codicil in 2008 with the assistance of his solicitor.
  4. The plaintiffs are the named executors under the will.
  5. The first and second defendants gave notice that they would be applying for grant of letters of administration in LLT’s estate.
  6. The plaintiffs commenced the action to prove the will and codicil.
  7. The first and second defendants sought discovery of documents and interrogatories against Evelyn Ho.

5. Formal Citations

  1. WHR and anothervWHT and others, Suit No 4 of 2019(Summons No 148 of 2020), [2020] SGHCF 14

6. Timeline

DateEvent
LLT died
LLT made a will
LLT appended a codicil to the will
No probate action was taken until 2015
LLT's safe was opened and the will and codicil were read
First and second defendants applied in Summons 148 of 2020
Hearing date
Hearing date
Judgment reserved

7. Legal Issues

  1. Discovery of Documents
    • Outcome: The court held that the communications between LLT and Evelyn Ho were privileged under s 128(1) of the Evidence Act and that it was not necessary for the documents to be disclosed at this early stage of the proceedings.
    • Category: Procedural
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Relevance of documents
      • Privilege
      • Necessity for fair disposal of matter
  2. Interrogatories
    • Outcome: The court held that the communications between LLT and Evelyn Ho were privileged under s 128(1) of the Evidence Act and that it was not necessary for the information sought via interrogatories to be disclosed at this early stage of the proceedings.
    • Category: Procedural
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Relevance of interrogatories
      • Privilege
      • Necessity for fair disposal of matter

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Proof of Will
  2. Proof of Codicil

9. Cause of Actions

  • Probate Action

10. Practice Areas

  • Probate Litigation
  • Discovery
  • Interrogatories

11. Industries

  • Legal Services

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
Re Moss, Larke v NugusEnglish Court of AppealYes[2000] WTLR 1033England and WalesCited regarding the proposition that beneficiaries may request information from solicitors who prepared a will before a probate claim is commenced, but the court found that the case does not support this proposition.
Geffen v Goodman EstateSupreme Court of CanadaYes[1991] 2 SCR 353CanadaCited regarding the admissibility of a solicitor's evidence on the circumstances surrounding the execution of a will in probate cases, but distinguished as it concerned a specific allegation of undue influence.

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
Rule 855(1) of the Family Justice Rules 2014 (S 813/2014)

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Evidence Act (Cap 97, 1997 Rev Ed) s 128(1)Singapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Will
  • Codicil
  • Probate
  • Discovery
  • Interrogatories
  • Privilege
  • Executors
  • Beneficiaries
  • Testator

15.2 Keywords

  • Probate
  • Will
  • Codicil
  • Discovery
  • Interrogatories
  • Singapore
  • Family Justice Courts

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Wills and Probate90
Civil Practice70
Evidence Law60
Succession Law50
Will Interpretation40
Trust Law30
Professional communications30

16. Subjects

  • Probate
  • Civil Procedure
  • Evidence