VGY v VGZ: Striking Out Portions of Affidavit of Assets and Means in Ancillary Matters Proceedings

In Registrar’s Appeal No 50 of 2019, VGY (Husband/Appellant) appealed against the District Judge's decision to strike out portions of his 2nd Affidavit of Assets and Means in ancillary matters proceedings against VGZ (Wife/Respondent). The High Court (Family Division) before Debbie Ong J dismissed the appeal, emphasizing the need for relevance and conciseness in presenting evidence, and highlighting that the AM proceedings should focus on the financial consequences of the marriage breakdown.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

Family Justice Courts of the Republic of Singapore

1.2 Outcome

Appeal dismissed.

1.3 Case Type

Family

1.4 Judgment Type

Ex Tempore Judgment

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Appeal regarding striking out portions of Husband's affidavit in ancillary matters. The court dismissed the appeal, emphasizing relevance and conciseness.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
VGYAppellant, PlaintiffIndividualAppeal dismissedLost
VGZRespondent, DefendantIndividualAppeal dismissedWon

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Debbie OngJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Sam Hui Min LisaLisa Sam & Company
Yap En LiTan Rajah & Cheah
Sudhershen HariramTan Rajah & Cheah
Khwaja Imran HamidTan Rajah & Cheah

4. Facts

  1. The parties are in the midst of Ancillary Matters proceedings.
  2. The Husband's 2nd Affidavit of Assets and Means was more than a hundred pages long.
  3. The District Judge struck out various portions of the Husband’s 2nd Affidavit of Assets and Means.
  4. The Husband appealed against the District Judge's decision.

5. Formal Citations

  1. VGY v VGZ, Registrar’s Appeal No 50 of 2019, [2020] SGHCF 6

6. Timeline

DateEvent
FC/D 441 of 2017 filed
Registrar’s Appeal No 50 of 2019 filed
Judgment delivered

7. Legal Issues

  1. Striking out portions of affidavit
    • Outcome: The court upheld the decision to strike out portions of the affidavit, finding them irrelevant to the ancillary matters proceedings.
    • Category: Procedural
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Relevance of evidence
      • Conciseness of pleadings

8. Remedies Sought

  1. No remedies sought

9. Cause of Actions

  • No cause of actions

10. Practice Areas

  • Family Law
  • Divorce Litigation

11. Industries

  • No industries specified

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
UYQ v UYPCourt of AppealYes[2020] SGCA 3SingaporeCited for the principle of focusing on major details and eschewing flooding the court with irrelevant details in ancillary matters proceedings.
ANJ v ANKN/AYes[2015] 4 SLR 1043SingaporeCited in terms of how to conduct the AM proceedings and presenting relevant evidence.

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
r 89 of the Family Justice Rules 2014

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Family Justice Rules 2014Singapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Ancillary Matters
  • Affidavit of Assets and Means
  • Striking out
  • Relevance
  • Conciseness

15.2 Keywords

  • family law
  • ancillary matters
  • affidavit
  • striking out
  • relevance
  • Singapore

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Family Law90
Matrimonial Assets85
Maintenance75
Civil Practice70
Civil Procedure60

16. Subjects

  • Family Law
  • Civil Procedure