VUG v VUF: Division of Matrimonial Assets - Applicability of Women's Charter

In the Family Justice Courts of Singapore, Lai Siu Chiu SJ heard an appeal by VUG (the Husband) against the District Judge's decision regarding the division of matrimonial assets in divorce proceedings with VUF (the Wife). The key issue was whether the Husband's shares in Company [A] and Company [B] should be considered matrimonial assets under the Women's Charter. The court allowed the appeal, excluding the Husband's shares in the two companies from the pool of matrimonial assets.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

General Division of the High Court (Family Division)

1.2 Outcome

Appeal Allowed

1.3 Case Type

Family

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Appeal regarding division of matrimonial assets. Court excludes husband's company shares from divisible pool, reversing lower court's decision.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
VUGAppellantIndividualAppeal AllowedWon
VUFRespondentIndividualAppeal DismissedLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Lai Siu ChiuSenior JudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Yap Teong LiangT L Yap Law Chambers LLC
Tan Hui QingT L Yap Law Chambers LLC
Jasjeet Singh s/o Harjindar SinghDhillon & Panoo LLC
Sunil Singh PanooDhillon & Panoo LLC

4. Facts

  1. The parties were married on 8 June 2013 and have two daughters.
  2. Wife commenced divorce proceedings in December 2018 after leaving the matrimonial home on 1 February 2018.
  3. Husband held shares in Company [A] prior to the marriage.
  4. Husband held one share in Company [B] prior to the marriage.
  5. Wife was a director of Company [B].
  6. Wife received a salary from both companies.
  7. The District Judge included the value of the Husband's shares in the matrimonial pool.

5. Formal Citations

  1. VUG v VUF, District Court Appeal 68 of 2021, [2022] SGHCF 16

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Parties married in Singapore
Wife left the matrimonial home
Wife commenced divorce proceedings
Interim judgment granted
Ancillaries Order granted
Appeal heard
Appeal allowed

7. Legal Issues

  1. Division of Matrimonial Assets
    • Outcome: The court held that the Husband's shares in Company [A] and Company [B] were not matrimonial assets.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Substantial Improvement of Assets
      • Definition of Matrimonial Asset

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Division of Matrimonial Assets
  2. Maintenance for Wife
  3. Custody, Care and Control and Access to Children

9. Cause of Actions

  • Divorce

10. Practice Areas

  • Divorce
  • Family Law
  • Matrimonial Proceedings

11. Industries

  • Automotive

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
VUF v VUGDistrict CourtYes[2021] SGFC 86SingaporeCited as the grounds of decision of the District Judge in the lower court.

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Women’s Charter 1961 (2020 Rev Ed)Singapore
Companies Act (Cap 50, 2006 Rev Ed)Singapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Matrimonial Assets
  • Division of Assets
  • Shares in Company
  • Women's Charter
  • Substantial Improvement

15.2 Keywords

  • Divorce
  • Matrimonial Assets
  • Company Shares
  • Singapore
  • Family Law

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Matrimonial Assets95
Family Law95
Division of Matrimonial Property90
Maintenance60
Child Custody50
Child Support50
Company Law30
Unreasonable Behaviour30
Contract Law20

16. Subjects

  • Family Law
  • Divorce
  • Matrimonial Assets