VWW v VWX: Appeal for Abridgement of Time to Enter Final Judgment in Divorce Proceedings

In VWW v VWX, before the General Division of the High Court (Family Division), the husband, VWW, appealed against the dismissal of his application for abridgement of time to enter final judgment in divorce proceedings against the wife, VWX. The husband sought the abridgement to marry his girlfriend, the mother of his child, to secure their immigration status in Singapore. Choo Han Teck J dismissed the appeal, holding that the husband's extramarital affairs did not justify expediting the final judgment, and he could legitimize his children after the divorce.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

General Division of the High Court (Family Division)

1.2 Outcome

Appeal dismissed.

1.3 Case Type

Family

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Appeal concerning the dismissal of an application for abridgement of time to enter final judgment in divorce. The court dismissed the appeal, citing the husband's extramarital affairs.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
VWWAppellantIndividualAppeal dismissedLost
VWXRespondentIndividualAppeal dismissedWon

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Choo Han TeckJudge of the High CourtYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Alina Sim Jin SimmAxis Law Corporation
Nicholas Leow Zhi WeiNetto & Magin LLC

4. Facts

  1. The wife filed for divorce on 2 November 2020.
  2. The interim judgment was made on 4 March 2021.
  3. The husband applied to enter Final Judgment on 8 June 2021.
  4. The husband's girlfriend gave birth to his child on 7 May 2020 and is pregnant with their second child.
  5. The husband sought to expedite the divorce to marry his girlfriend and secure her and their child's immigration status in Singapore.
  6. The wife contended she had no knowledge of the husband's extramarital affairs.

5. Formal Citations

  1. VWWvVWX and another matter, , [2021] SGHCF 35

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Husband and wife married
Husband's girlfriend gave birth to a child
Wife filed for divorce
Interim judgment made
Husband applied to enter Final Judgment
Appeal dismissed

7. Legal Issues

  1. Abridgement of time to enter final judgment
    • Outcome: The court dismissed the appeal, refusing to abridge the time for entering the final judgment.
    • Category: Procedural

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Abridgement of time to enter final judgment

9. Cause of Actions

  • Divorce

10. Practice Areas

  • Family Law
  • Divorce
  • Appeals

11. Industries

  • No industries specified

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
No cited cases

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
Rule 96(3)(a) of the Family Justice Rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Legitimacy Act (Cap 162, 1985 Rev Ed)Singapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Abridgement of time
  • Final judgment
  • Interim judgment
  • Extramarital affairs
  • Illegitimacy
  • Immigration status

15.2 Keywords

  • Divorce
  • Family Law
  • Abridgement
  • Final Judgment
  • Singapore

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Family Law95
Matrimonial Proceedings70
Abridgement of Time60
Civil Practice40

16. Subjects

  • Family Law
  • Divorce
  • Civil Procedure