How much weight does a plea agreement carry in the court’s decision? In Oh Hin Kwan Gilbert v Public Prosecutor [2025] SGHC 22, the High Court dismissed an appeal against a sentence of imprisonment despite the parties having agreed to seek a fine if the appellant pleaded guilty.

Half a century ago, it was accepted that the court’s power to grant injunctions was limited to situations where the applicant had an independent underlying substantive right against the respondent. This notion is now generally considered outmoded, in view of the incremental development of novel forms of injunctions, many of which are “freestanding” in the sense of not requiring an independent underlying substantive right or cause of action. This article defends the modern position and argues that the rejection of “freestanding” injunctions in Gazelle Ventures v Lim Yong Sim [2024] 4 SLR 1066 represents a backward step that should not be followed.

This article reviews the past ten years of matrimonial asset division cases, examining what comprises a matrimonial asset, and the two main approaches for dividing matrimonial assets in ANJ v ANK [2015] 4 SLR 1043 and TNL v TNK [2017] 1 SLR 609. It discusses the various factors used in these two approaches, eg, marriage length, whether it is single or double-income, and the extent of parties’ contributions.

This update looks at the case of Ho Kai Xin v ByBit Fintech which underscores how breaching an injunction order can lead to severe legal and financial consequences.

In DEM v DEL [2025] SGCA 1, the Court of Appeal considered among other things whether a non-participating party to an arbitration can challenge the award on grounds that the arbitrator failed to consider a point which was not put in issue.

This update looks at the decision of Martin Piper v Singapore Kindness Movement [2024] SGDC 292 which provides instructive judicial guidance on, and a clear enunciation of the proper balance to be struck between the individual and the organizational needs under the PDPA.

The Magistrate’s Court’s decision in Walker Helen Debra v Soh Poh Geok [2021] SGMC 79 is the first published decision in Singapore that directly considers the principles applicable to an award of damages for tortious injury to a companion animal. This note tests the limits of the framework governing tortious remedies for damaged and destroyed chattels and argues for a shift away from the conventional “market value” analysis and the “total constructive loss” rule in favour of a holistic test of reasonableness in determining the recoverability of damages.

This update takes a look a the decision of SW Trustees Pte Ltd v Teodros Ashenati Tesemma and others [2024] SGHC 322 where the court laid down important principles on how to value the consideration received, and the consideration provided, for undervalue transaction claims under section 224 of the Insolvency, Restructuring and Insolvency Act 2018.

The Personal Data Protection Commission published one decision between October and December 2024 after concluding an investigation relating to the Protection Obligation under the Personal Data Protection Act 2012. This update highlights the salient points of the decision.

This update covers recent court decisions and featured articles, events and developments relating to IP/IT dispute resolution in Singapore in January 2025.

This is a sampling of some decisions that the Singapore courts handed down in 2024, which provide useful insights relating to intellectual property, intangible assets or technology.

In WQP v WQQ [2024] SGHC(A) 34, the Appellate Division of the High Court held that the fact that the pool of matrimonial assets comprises substantial pre-marriage assets commingled with post-marriage assets is relevant to the division of matrimonial assets pursuant to s 112 of the Women’s Charter. This update discusses the court’s decision.

This write-up details selected issues, holdings and comments of interest for IPOS decisions issued in 2024.

This update examines the recent High Court decision of Changi Airport Group (Singapore) Pte Ltd v Comptroller of Income Tax [2024] SGHC 281 which ruled that certain airport assets were structures and not plant and therefore not eligible for capital allowances under section 19A of the Income Tax Act 1967 (the Act) – affirming the decision of the Income Tax Board of Review.

This update reviews and sets out the key takeaways from the High Court decision of TrueCoin LLC v Techteryx, Ltd [2024] SGHC 296 where the court affirmed that the grant of an anti-suit injunction in favour of arbitration does not undermine comity and the risk of forum fragmentation should not be overstated especially in the context of arbitration agreements.

The decision of the Singapore High Court in Re Mingda Holding Pte Ltd and another matter [2024] SGHC 130 illustrates the considerations for rewarding funding creditors with an appropriate priority in the distribution of assets, and also provides guidance for liquidators seeking to appoint solicitors to assist in their duties or to bring legal proceedings on behalf of the company.

In Li Jialin and another v Wingcrown Investment Pte Ltd [2024] SGCA 48, the Singapore Court of Appeal held that a contractually stipulated deposit amounting to about 63% of the purchase price of a property in Singapore was not reasonable as an earnest, and hence could not be forfeited in its entirety or in part. This update takes a look at the Court of Appeal’s decision.

This update discusses a recent Court of Appeal decision in COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers Co, Ltd v PT OKI Pulp & Paper Mills [2024] SGCA 50 which clarified the approach to be taken by courts in determining when a non-contractual dispute can be said to be “arising out of or in connection with” the contract between the parties.

This update takes a look at a rare, published judicial decision in Singapore regarding interim administration in XBW v XBX and another [2024] SGHCF 30. This decision is instructive on the criteria for a grant of letters of administration pending determination of a probate claim.

The case of Dabbs, Matthew Edward v AAM Advisory Pte Ltd [2024] SGHC 26 involved a claim for wrongful dismissal and allegations of the breach of natural justice in respect of a workplace investigation and disciplinary hearing. This update delves into some of the issues which the court considered and discusses some of the things employers should note when dealing with such situations.