Siong Ann Engineering v Pure Group: Contract Formation Dispute over Ramp Works
Siong Ann Engineering Pte Ltd appealed a District Court decision against Pure Group (Singapore) Pte Ltd regarding a dispute over the design, supply, and installation of temporary ramp works for a project at Marina Bay Sands. The District Court had ruled that no agreement existed and ordered Siong Ann Engineering to return the sum paid by Pure Group. Choo Han Teck J of the High Court allowed the appeal, finding that an agreement was formed based on email and WhatsApp exchanges between the parties, and ordered Pure Group to pay Siong Ann Engineering $130,180.00 for the ramp works.
1. Case Overview
1.1 Court
General Division of the High Court of the Republic of Singapore1.2 Outcome
Appeal Allowed
1.3 Case Type
Civil
1.4 Judgment Type
Judgment
1.5 Jurisdiction
Singapore
1.6 Description
Appeal regarding a contract dispute over ramp works. The court found an agreement existed based on email and WhatsApp exchanges, reversing the lower court's decision.
1.7 Decision Date
2. Parties and Outcomes
| Party Name | Role | Type | Outcome | Outcome Type | Counsels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pure Group (Singapore) Pte Ltd | Respondent | Corporation | Appeal Dismissed | Lost | |
| Siong Ann Engineering Pte Ltd | Appellant | Corporation | Appeal Allowed | Won |
3. Judges
| Judge Name | Title | Delivered Judgment |
|---|---|---|
| Choo Han Teck | Judge | Yes |
4. Counsels
| Counsel Name | Organization |
|---|---|
| Kelvin Chia Swee Chye | Lumen Law Corporation |
| Tan Tee Jim | Lee & Lee |
| Tan Jin Yong | Lee & Lee |
4. Facts
- The respondent company managed a project to convert a theatre into a restaurant and nightclub.
- The appellant is a sub-contractor specializing in theatre engineering and steel structural works.
- The dispute relates to the design, supply, and installation of a temporary ramp.
- The appellant submitted a quotation for the Ramp Works.
- The respondent instructed the appellant to have the steel materials ready for fabrication and installed by 23 February 2018.
- The appellant informed the respondent that it had begun fabricating the steelworks materials for the steel ramp.
- The respondent requested the appellant to stop further work on the ramp due to structural engineer concerns.
5. Formal Citations
- Siong Ann Engineering Pte Ltd v Pure Group (Singapore) Pte Ltd, District Court Appeal No 47 of 2021, [2022] SGHC 73
6. Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Appellant submitted a quote for the Ramp Works. | |
| Parties discussed technical designs and specifications of the ramp. | |
| Appellant submitted a revised quotation for the Ramp Works. | |
| Respondent requested the temporary steel ramp to be completed by 16 February 2018. | |
| Appellant provided further details of the Ramp Works. | |
| Appellant asked when it could commence the Ramp works. | |
| Respondent instructed the appellant to have the steel materials ready for fabrication and installed by 23 February 2018. | |
| Appellant informed respondent that it had begun fabricating the steelworks materials for the steel ramp. | |
| Appellant updated respondent on the progress of the Ramp Works and asked for a purchase order. | |
| Respondent requested appellant to stop further work on the ramp. | |
| Appellant filed Adjudication Application No SOP/AA 435 of 2018. | |
| Respondent commenced Suit No 35 of 2020 in the District Court against the appellant. | |
| Judgment reserved | |
| Judgment delivered |
7. Legal Issues
- Contract Formation
- Outcome: The court held that there was a concluded agreement between the parties in relation to the Ramp Works and that the respondent had agreed to the appellant’s 5 February Quotation.
- Category: Substantive
- Sub-Issues:
- Offer and Acceptance
- Agreement on Essential Terms
8. Remedies Sought
- Payment for work done
9. Cause of Actions
- Breach of Contract
10. Practice Areas
- Commercial Litigation
- Construction Law
11. Industries
- Construction
- Entertainment
12. Cited Cases
| Case Name | Court | Affirmed | Citation | Jurisdiction | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No cited cases | |||||
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
- Ramp Works
- 5 February Quotation
- 8 February Email
- 9 February WhatsApp
- 19 February WhatsApp
- Steel Materials
- Fabrication
- Marina Bay Sands
15.2 Keywords
- contract
- formation
- offer
- acceptance
- ramp
- construction
- engineering
17. Areas of Law
| Area Name | Relevance Score |
|---|---|
| Formation of contract | 95 |
| Contract Law | 90 |
| Offer and Acceptance | 90 |
| Breach of Contract | 75 |
| Performance of Contract | 50 |
| Contractual Interpretation | 40 |
16. Subjects
- Contract Dispute
- Construction Dispute