WOZ v WOY: Appeal on Matrimonial Asset Valuation and Child Access Arrangements

In the Family Justice Courts of Singapore, WOZ appealed against the District Judge's decision regarding the valuation of the matrimonial property and access arrangements for their daughter. Choo Han Teck J dismissed the appeal regarding the valuation, emphasizing the importance of a fixed valuation date, and upheld the current access arrangements, granting the Husband liberty to apply for changes after three months. The Respondent was WOY.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

General Division of the High Court (Family Division)

1.2 Outcome

Appeal dismissed in part; liberty to apply granted.

1.3 Case Type

Family

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Appeal concerning valuation of matrimonial property and access arrangements for the child. The court upheld the original valuation date and current access arrangements, granting liberty to apply for changes after three months.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
WOZAppellantIndividualAppeal dismissed in partPartial
WOYRespondentIndividualAppeal dismissed in partPartial

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Choo Han TeckJudge of the High CourtYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Andrew GohDe Souza Lim & Goh LLP
Alvin SngDe Souza Lim & Goh LLP

4. Facts

  1. The parties were married on 25 September 2011.
  2. They have one daughter who is turning 12 years old this year.
  3. Interim judgment was granted on 16 March 2023.
  4. The ancillary matters were heard on 7 July 2023.
  5. The Husband appealed the District Judge's decision on the valuation of the matrimonial property and access arrangements.
  6. The Husband sought to adduce new evidence of comparable property sales, but the court did not allow it.
  7. The Husband claimed the access arrangements were unworkable because the Child was unresponsive.

5. Formal Citations

  1. WOZ v WOY, District Court Appeals No 64 of 2023, [2024] SGHCF 11

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Parties married
Interim judgment granted
Ancillary matters heard before the District Judge
District Judge gave decision
Appellant obtained public records of comparable properties
Hearing date
Judgment date

7. Legal Issues

  1. Valuation of Matrimonial Property
    • Outcome: The court held that the valuation of matrimonial assets is to be assessed as at the ancillary matters date (7 July 2023), with whatever information available as of that date.
    • Category: Substantive
  2. Child Access Arrangements
    • Outcome: The court allowed the current access arrangements to remain for now, but granted the Husband liberty to apply after three months, to see if there is room for change in the access conditions.
    • Category: Substantive

8. Remedies Sought

  1. No remedies sought

9. Cause of Actions

  • No cause of actions

10. Practice Areas

  • Family Law
  • Divorce
  • Child Custody
  • Ancillary Matters

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
No applicable statutes

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Matrimonial Property
  • Access Arrangements
  • Ancillary Matters
  • Valuation Date
  • Liberty to Apply

15.2 Keywords

  • family law
  • divorce
  • child custody
  • matrimonial assets
  • access
  • valuation

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Access to Children95
Family Law90
Matrimonial Assets80
Child Custody75
Division of Assets60

16. Subjects

  • Family Law
  • Divorce
  • Child Custody
  • Matrimonial Assets