CVB v CVC: Division of Matrimonial Assets and Child Maintenance Dispute
In the divorce case of CVB v CVC, the General Division of the High Court (Family Division) in Singapore, presided over by Lai Siu Chiu SJ, addressed the division of matrimonial assets and child maintenance. The court granted an interim judgment on 9 May 2018, and after protracted interlocutory proceedings, the ancillary matters were heard on 8 March 2022, 22 June 2022, and 27 June 2022. The court ordered the sale of the Bishan flat and shop unit, with proceeds divided between CVB and CVC. CVB was ordered to pay monthly child maintenance. CVC's appeal against the orders was partially dismissed.
1. Case Overview
1.1 Court
General Division of the High Court (Family Division)1.2 Outcome
Orders made for division of matrimonial assets and child maintenance.
1.3 Case Type
Family
1.4 Judgment Type
Grounds of Decision
1.5 Jurisdiction
Singapore
1.6 Description
Divorce case involving division of matrimonial assets and child maintenance. The court addressed asset disclosure, valuation, and maintenance obligations.
1.7 Decision Date
2. Parties and Outcomes
3. Judges
| Judge Name | Title | Delivered Judgment |
|---|---|---|
| Lai Siu Chiu | Senior Judge | Yes |
4. Counsels
4. Facts
- The wife (CVC) and the husband (CVB) were married on 3 January 2008 and have three children.
- CVB instituted divorce proceedings against CVC on 28 April 2017.
- The Bishan flat was purchased for $758,000 in March 2013 and has been rented out.
- The shop unit was purchased on 15 November 2010 for $485,000.
- CVB owns three Singapore car workshop companies.
- CVC alleged that CVB had hidden assets worth $163m.
- The parties filed multiple affidavits regarding their assets and income.
5. Formal Citations
- CVB v CVC, Divorce (Transferred) No 1870 of 2017, [2022] SGHCF 31
6. Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Wife and husband were married | |
| Child ‘B’ born | |
| Shop unit purchased | |
| Child ‘C’ born | |
| Child ‘D’ born | |
| Bishan flat purchased | |
| Divorce proceedings instituted by CVB | |
| Family Court granted an interim judgment | |
| Ancillary matters hearing commenced | |
| Orders made | |
| Costs Order determined | |
| Grounds of Decision issued |
7. Legal Issues
- Division of Matrimonial Assets
- Outcome: The court ordered the sale of the Bishan flat and shop unit, with proceeds divided between CVB and CVC according to specific percentages.
- Category: Substantive
- Child Maintenance
- Outcome: The court ordered CVB to pay monthly child maintenance, with the amount increasing after one year.
- Category: Substantive
- Disclosure of Assets
- Outcome: The court drew an adverse inference against CVC for failing to provide full disclosure of her assets.
- Category: Procedural
8. Remedies Sought
- Division of Matrimonial Assets
- Child Maintenance
9. Cause of Actions
- Divorce
10. Practice Areas
- Divorce
- Family Litigation
11. Industries
- No industries specified
12. Cited Cases
| Case Name | Court | Affirmed | Citation | Jurisdiction | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BPC v BPB and another appeal | Court of Appeal | Yes | [2019] 1 SLR 608 | Singapore | Cited for the principle that an adverse inference should be drawn against a party who fails to provide full disclosure of assets. |
| UZN v UZM | High Court | Yes | [2021] 1 SLR 426 | Singapore | Cited for the principle that a party's substantial earning power over the years meant she should have more assets than what she had declared. |
| Chan Tin Sun v Fong Quay Sim | Court of Appeal | Yes | [2015] 2 SLR 195 | Singapore | Cited for the principle that the court can give effect to the adverse inference drawn against a party by giving an uplift to the other party. |
| NK v NL | High Court | No | [2007] 3 SLR(R) 743 | Singapore | Cited for the principle that the quantification approach cannot be applied as the court is unaware of the value of CVC’s undisclosed assets. |
| AMW v AMZ | High Court | Yes | [2011] 3 SLR 955 | Singapore | Cited for the principles to be considered in deciding whether to order backdated maintenance. |
| AXM v AXO | High Court | Yes | [2014] 2 SLR 705 | Singapore | Cited for the principle that backdated maintenance would not be ordered as CVC failed to explain or give good reasons for her omission in not applying for interim maintenance for five years. |
13. Applicable Rules
| Rule Name |
|---|
| Family Justice Rules 2014 (S 813/2014) |
14. Applicable Statutes
| Statute Name | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| Women’s Charter (Cap 353, 2009 Rev Ed) | Singapore |
15. Key Terms and Keywords
15.1 Key Terms
- Matrimonial Assets
- Child Maintenance
- Affidavit of Means
- Interim Judgment
- Discovery
- Dissipation of Assets
- Adverse Inference
- Lack of Marketability Discount
- Business Intermediary Companies
- Uplift Principle
15.2 Keywords
- Divorce
- Matrimonial Assets
- Child Maintenance
- Singapore
- Family Law
17. Areas of Law
| Area Name | Relevance Score |
|---|---|
| Family Law | 95 |
| Matrimonial Assets | 90 |
| Maintenance | 85 |
| Child Support | 80 |
| Child Custody | 60 |
| Tax Planning | 10 |
16. Subjects
- Family Law
- Divorce
- Matrimonial Assets
- Child Maintenance
- Civil Procedure