SMU Lexicon: Benefits of the Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Act 2020 to the Consumer

Reading Time: 5 minutesIntroduction This article explains how the Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Act 2020[1] (the “Amendment”) benefits the user in three areas: customer experience, safeguards, and transparency. Firstly, the Amendment improves the customer experience in two ways: (1) deemed consent by contractual necessity eliminates the hassle of clicking multiple checkboxes to express the user’s consent to the […]

The mathematics in dividing matrimonial assets: VJP v VJQ [2021] SGCA 82

Reading Time: 6 minutesIt is an oft-repeated refrain in decisions on the division of matrimonial assets that the Court takes a ‘broad-brush’ approach. What this means is that the Court does not strictly require mathematical precision – where evidence is lacking, or where evidence is equivocal, the Court can exercise its discretion and make findings notwithstanding gaps in […]

10 things to know before entering into a Pre-Nuptial Agreement

Reading Time: 7 minutesA pre-nuptial agreement, or a “pre-nup” as they are commonly called, can be one of the most significant documents a couple signs together in anticipation of marriage. Time-stretched and stressed over wedding preparations, couples tend to routinely sign documents without batting an eyelash. These include purchasing a property together, paying hefty deposits to secure their […]

Eugene Lim, founding Principal of Taxise Asia LLC and technopreneur, on how he fell into tax accidentally.

Reading Time: 6 minutesEugene starts his day at around 8 in the morning, just in time to catch the companies in the West Coast before they end work. Then, he checks in with his associates at WTS Taxise. “Especially in this Covid-19 period, it’s important to ensure that everyone is coping well,” Eugene says. In the afternoon, he […]

Debt Management Plans: A Practical Solution for Debt-Laden Individuals

Reading Time: 6 minutesIntroduction How does one achieve financial freedom? One typical answer may be to spend below our means. Unfortunately, some of us may already be beyond the point of no return, with interest causing a seemingly-unstoppable spiral into bankruptcy.[1] Still, there is still hope for individuals who are unable to pay off their debts. Various repayment […]

Enforcement of Verbal Contracts and Evidential Issues

Reading Time: 6 minutes Introduction Suppose Adam agrees verbally to purchase oranges from a supplier, Ben, for Adam’s business. Adam finds out the very next day that another supplier, Cindy, can provide those oranges at a lower cost. Being a shrewd businessman, Adam no longer wishes to purchase them from Ben. He calls up Ben to inform him of […]

Know Your Lawyer: Dawn Tan, Managing Director of Ashurst ADTLaw, is a practitioner of Sogetsu Ikebana and the law

Reading Time: 5 minutesOne of Dawn’s hobbies outside of work include Sogetsu Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement. To draw parallels between Dawn’s pursuit of Ikebana and the law, their similarities include the high standards to which she practises both (having obtained her teacher’s diploma in Sogetsu Ikebana). The calm and contemplative nature of Ikebana, in which […]

SMU Lexicon: Surviving Flow-down Liability for Liquidated Damages: A Guide for Subcontractors

Reading Time: 7 minutesIntroduction The construction sector in Singapore was valued at S$33.4 billion in 2019.[1] This booming industry is expected to remain strong in 2020, due to the increasing complexity in the design of buildings, such as the rising emphasis on prefabrication technology.[2] Construction projects are complex, and require many different skills and expertise. Any one contractor […]

Know Your Lawyer: Cephas Yee, Partner at Aquinas Law Alliance, deems creative problem solving essential for effective lawyering.

Reading Time: 5 minutesCephas vividly remembers a time when he acted on behalf of a wealthy businessman. His business partner had backed out of the deal at the last minute. Upset, the businessman had engaged Cephas to help him recover his monetary losses from the other party. However, after taking the case, Cephas got the feeling that it […]

Know Your Lawyer: Angelia Thng, Partner at Braddell Brothers, On Imposter Syndrome And Fear Of The Unknown

Reading Time: 4 minutesWhen Angelia’s boss first told Angelia that he wanted to promote her to the role of Partner, her first response was, “Are you crazy?” Although she had already been an Associate at Braddell Brothers for more than four years by that point, Angelia still didn’t feel ready to assume the responsibility of being a partner. […]