WPV v WPW: Division of Matrimonial Assets and Central Provident Fund (CPF) Refunds

In WPV v WPW, the High Court (Family Division) heard an appeal regarding the division of matrimonial assets. The appellant disputed the District Judge's order concerning the timing of Central Provident Fund (CPF) refunds from the sale of the matrimonial property. Choo Han Teck J dismissed the appeal, finding that the District Judge's calculation of the division ratio reflected the final ratio ordered, regardless of when the CPF refunds were made.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

General Division of the High Court (Family Division)

1.2 Outcome

Appeal Dismissed

1.3 Case Type

Family

1.4 Judgment Type

Judgment

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Appeal regarding the division of matrimonial assets, specifically concerning the timing of Central Provident Fund (CPF) refunds. The court dismissed the appeal, finding the division fair.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
WPVAppellantIndividualAppeal DismissedLost
WPWRespondentIndividualAppeal DismissedWon

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Choo Han TeckJudge of the High CourtYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Tan Yong QuanSC Wong Law Chambers LLC
Andrew Wong Wei KiatFortis Law Corporation
Nicholas Yong Yoong HanFortis Law Corporation

4. Facts

  1. The Husband and Wife were married on 21 September 2000 and have three children.
  2. The interim judgment for divorce was granted on 1 September 2021.
  3. The District Judge divided the matrimonial assets in a ratio of 57.45:42.55 in favor of the Husband.
  4. The appellant disputed the timing of Central Provident Fund (CPF) refunds from the sale of the matrimonial property.
  5. The total value of the matrimonial assets was $1,582,828.07.
  6. The dispute was over $68,325.98, a 4% difference in the overall division.

5. Formal Citations

  1. WPV v WPW, District Court Appeal No 51 of 2023, [2024] SGHCF 9

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Marriage occurred
Interim judgment granted
Ancillary matters heard
Judgment reserved
Judgment issued

7. Legal Issues

  1. Division of Matrimonial Assets
    • Outcome: The court upheld the District Judge's division of matrimonial assets.
    • Category: Substantive
  2. Central Provident Fund (CPF) Refunds
    • Outcome: The court ruled that the timing of CPF refunds (before or after division of sale proceeds) did not materially affect the final division ratio.
    • Category: Substantive

8. Remedies Sought

  1. No remedies sought

9. Cause of Actions

  • No cause of actions

10. Practice Areas

  • Family Law
  • Divorce
  • Appeals

11. Industries

  • No industries specified

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
WBI v WBJHigh CourtYes[2022] SGHCF 22SingaporeCited regarding the approach to ordering Central Provident Fund (CPF) refunds from gross sales proceeds before apportioning the sales proceeds between the parties.
CVC v CVBHigh CourtYes[2023] SGHC(A) 28SingaporeCited regarding the timing of Central Provident Fund (CPF) refunds, stating that repayment may be made before or after dividing the sale proceeds.

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 Assets
  • Central Provident Fund (CPF)
  • Division of Assets
  • Refunds
  • Ratio
  • Sale Proceeds

15.2 Keywords

  • family law
  • matrimonial assets
  • cpf
  • division of assets
  • singapore
  • appeal

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Family Law95
Matrimonial Assets95
Division of Assets90
CPF Contributions60
Maintenance50

16. Subjects

  • Family Law
  • Divorce
  • Matrimonial Assets
  • Appeals