Ding Lik Sing v Chow Wai Shuen Mark Francis: Debt Recovery Dispute over Alleged Investment Agreement

In Ding Lik Sing v Chow Wai Shuen Mark Francis, the High Court of Singapore addressed a claim by the plaintiff, Ding Lik Sing, against the defendant, Chow Wai Shuen Mark Francis, for $1,952,000, purportedly given for an investment opportunity. The plaintiff also claimed the same amount by the alternative claim of an acknowledgement of debt. The defendant disputed the amount and claimed the money he took were loans. The court, presided over by Choo Han Teck J, dismissed the plaintiff's claim due to significant deficiencies in both the pleadings and the evidence presented by both parties. The defendant's counterclaim for a declaration that the 'I owe you' note is not authentic was also not proven.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

General Division of the High Court

1.2 Outcome

Plaintiff's claim is dismissed.

1.3 Case Type

Civil

1.4 Judgment Type

Judgment

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

A dispute over $1,952,000 allegedly given for investment. The court dismissed the claim due to inadequate pleadings and evidence from both parties.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Ding Lik SingPlaintiffIndividualClaim DismissedDismissed
Chow Wai Shuen Mark FrancisDefendantIndividualCounterclaim not provenLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Choo Han TeckJudge of the High CourtYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Muhammad Riyach Bin Hussain OmarH C Law Practice
Yong Zhee Hoe JerryRajwin & Yong LLP

4. Facts

  1. The plaintiff claimed $1,952,000 from the defendant for an investment opportunity.
  2. The plaintiff alleged the defendant promised a 'high return' on a monthly basis.
  3. The plaintiff claimed the defendant signed an 'I owe you' note for $1,980,000.
  4. The defendant admitted taking money for investment but disputed the amount.
  5. The defendant claimed the money was loans totaling $65,783.50.
  6. The defendant alleged the loan was tainted by illegal moneylending.
  7. The plaintiff produced three 'I owe you' notes signed by the defendant.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Ding Lik Sing v Chow Wai Shuen Mark Francis, Suit No 739 of 2021, [2022] SGHC 282

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Suit filed
Trial began
Judgment reserved
Judgment issued

7. Legal Issues

  1. Acknowledgement of debt owed
    • Outcome: The court found that the plaintiff did not sufficiently prove the authenticity or validity of the 'I owe you' note.
    • Category: Substantive
  2. Unlicensed moneylending
    • Outcome: The court noted that the defendant might have succeeded in a defence of unlicensed moneylending if the case had been properly pleaded and proved.
    • Category: Substantive

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Monetary Damages
  2. Declaration that the 'I owe you' note is not authentic

9. Cause of Actions

  • Recovery of debt
  • Breach of contract

10. Practice Areas

  • Commercial Litigation

11. Industries

  • No industries specified

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
No cited cases

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Moneylenders Act 2008Singapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Investment agreement
  • I owe you note
  • Unlicensed moneylending
  • Acknowledgement of debt

15.2 Keywords

  • Debt
  • Recovery
  • Investment
  • Agreement
  • Loan
  • Moneylending

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Debt Recovery80
Contract Law70
Oral Agreement40
Fraud and Deceit40
Misrepresentation40
Guarantee30
Investment Disputes30
Failure of consideration20
Banking Law20
Banking Litigation20
Banking and Finance20
Estoppel20
Agency Law20

16. Subjects

  • Contract Law
  • Debt Recovery
  • Investment Law