VYQ v VYP: Appeals on Matrimonial Assets, Child Maintenance, and Access

In the Appellate Division of the High Court of Singapore, VYQ (the wife) and VYP (the husband) both appealed aspects of a lower court's decision regarding their divorce. The appeals concerned access arrangements, division of matrimonial assets, and child maintenance. The court, with Judges Belinda Ang Saw Ean, Kannan Ramesh, and Hoo Sheau Peng presiding, allowed both appeals in part, adjusting the division of matrimonial assets to a 53.55:46.45 ratio in favor of the husband and modifying the monthly child maintenance expenses.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

Appellate Division of the High Court of the Republic of Singapore

1.2 Outcome

Appeal Allowed in Part

1.3 Case Type

Family

1.4 Judgment Type

Ex Tempore Judgment

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Appeals concerning division of matrimonial assets, child maintenance, and access arrangements. The court allowed both appeals in part, adjusting the asset division ratio and child maintenance.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
VYQAppellant, DefendantIndividualAppeal Allowed in PartPartial
VYPRespondent, Appellant, PlaintiffIndividualAppeal Allowed in PartPartial

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Belinda Ang Saw EanJudge of the Appellate DivisionNo
Kannan RameshJudge of the High CourtYes
Hoo Sheau PengJudge of the High CourtNo

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Yap Teong LiangT L Yap Law Chambers LLC
Tan Hui QingT L Yap Law Chambers LLC
Tan Wen Cheng AdrianAugust Law Corporation

4. Facts

  1. The parties married in Singapore on 25 June 2011.
  2. Interim judgment for the divorce was granted on 10 March 2020.
  3. There are three children of the marriage: W, R, and X.
  4. The wife is an anesthesiologist, and the husband is the Chief Operating Officer of a cybersecurity company.
  5. The Judge granted sole care and control to the wife with liberal access to the husband.
  6. The Judge assessed direct financial contributions to matrimonial assets as 60:40 in the husband’s favor.
  7. The Judge assessed indirect contributions at 50:50.

5. Formal Citations

  1. VYQ v VYP and another appeal, Civil Appeal No 10 of 2022, [2022] SGHC(A) 31
  2. VYQ v VYP and another appeal, Civil Appeal No 11 of 2022, [2022] SGHC(A) 31
  3. VYP v VYQ, , [2021] SGHCF 40

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Parties married in Singapore
Interim judgment for divorce granted
Ancillary matters heard
Judgment delivered
Judge varied aspects of the Judgment relating to backdated maintenance and access
Judgment issued

7. Legal Issues

  1. Division of Matrimonial Assets
    • Outcome: The court adjusted the ratio for the division of matrimonial assets to 53.55:46.45 in favor of the husband.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Direct Contributions
      • Indirect Contributions
      • Valuation of Assets
    • Related Cases:
      • [2017] 1 SLR 609
      • [2012] 4 SLR 405
      • [2015] 4 SLR 1043
  2. Child Maintenance
    • Outcome: The court adjusted the monthly expenses for child maintenance and determined the amount of backdated maintenance owed.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Monthly Expenses
      • Backdated Maintenance
      • School Fees
      • Enrichment Classes
    • Related Cases:
      • [2022] SGHC(A) 6
  3. Child Access
    • Outcome: The court upheld the overnight access arrangements for the older children and did not grant a reciprocal remote access order to the wife.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Overnight Access
      • Remote Access
      • Access on Public Holidays
    • Related Cases:
      • [2021] SGHCF 42

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Adjustments to access orders
  2. Re-division of matrimonial assets
  3. Adjustments to child maintenance

9. Cause of Actions

  • No cause of actions

10. Practice Areas

  • Divorce
  • Family Litigation

11. Industries

  • No industries specified

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
VXM v VXNSingapore High CourtYes[2021] SGHCF 42SingaporeCited regarding overnight access and disruption to schoolwork, but distinguished based on the specific facts of the case.
TNL v TNK and another appeal and another matterUnknownYes[2017] 1 SLR 609SingaporeCited for the principle that appellate intervention is warranted where the Judge erred in principle.
Wan Lai Cheng v Quek Seow Kee and another appeal and another matterUnknownYes[2012] 4 SLR 405SingaporeCited for the principle that inter-spousal gifts ought to remain part of the pool of matrimonial assets.
ANJ v ANKUnknownYes[2015] 4 SLR 1043SingaporeCited for the structured approach in dividing matrimonial assets.
VOD v VOC and another appealHigh Court of Singapore (Appellate Division)Yes[2022] SGHC(A) 6SingaporeCited regarding the practice of ordering the husband to bear a portion of the child's expenses even with access to the child.

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Women’s Charter (Cap 353, 2009 Rev Ed)Singapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Matrimonial Assets
  • Child Maintenance
  • Access Orders
  • Direct Contributions
  • Indirect Contributions
  • Overnight Access
  • Remote Access
  • Backdated Maintenance

15.2 Keywords

  • divorce
  • matrimonial assets
  • child maintenance
  • child access
  • family law
  • singapore

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Family Law95
Matrimonial Assets90
Division of Assets85
Access to Children80
Children's Maintenance80
Child Support70
Child Custody70

16. Subjects

  • Family Law
  • Divorce
  • Appeals