Most Recent Articles
Cross Borders Series: Divorce Proceedings in Singapore as a Foreigner (Part 1 out of 2)
Reading Time: 4 minutesCan you get divorced in Singapore as a foreigner? What are the implications and the practical considerations you will need to consider? All these concerns and more will be addressed. In 2015, it was reported that 1 in 3 marriages in Singapore (or 36%) is between a Singaporean and a foreigner. In absolute numbers in […]
Who pays the costs of implementing a website-blocking order in the context of trade mark infringement?
Reading Time: 4 minutesAs a follow up our previous articles, “Website Blocking Order – a Possible Remedy against Trade Mark Infringement on the Internet?“ and “English Court of Appeal Affirms Injunctions Against ISPs for Website Selling Counterfeits“, we now revisit the topic as the UK Supreme Court handed down its long-awaited judgement in Cartier International AG and others (Respondents) v British […]
SMU Lexicon: Is that indemnity form valid?
Reading Time: 3 minutesDuring the school holidays, it is common for students to sign up for extra-curricular activities and it is equally common to be asked to sign an indemnity form. In a typical indemnity form, you agree to waive your right of legal action in the event of personal injury or death, arising from the negligence of […]
Varying Spousal Maintenance Orders in Singapore
Reading Time: 4 minutesYou have an existing maintenance order against your spouse/ex-spouse. Your financial situation has changed. You would now like to change by increasing amount of money you receive. How do you go about doing this? Maintenance orders are orders made by the court to mandate the payment of maintenance between the married/divorced couple. Unlike the division […]
Hong Kong: Under what circumstances would the court allow an application for joint custody?
Reading Time: 4 minutesIn a recent matrimonial case XS對LB [2018] CHKEC 639, the Court dismissed the Husband’s application for joint custody of the son. The Court was of the view that granting the custody, care and control of the son to the Wife would be in the best interest of the son on grounds that the two parents had poor […]
Singapore Trade Marks – Guccio Gucci S.P.A Succeeds in Opposition Proceedings Against Guccitech Industries (Pte Ltd)’s Similar Trade Mark – Guccio Gucci S.P.A V Guccitech Industries (Pte Ltd) [2018] SGIPOS 1
Reading Time: 9 minutesIn a decision rendered by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), IPOS held that Guccio Gucci S.p.A’s opposition against Guccitech Industries (Private Ltd)’s trade mark application succeeded. (A) Who are the parties involved in this case? Guccitech Industries (Private Limited) (Applicant) Incorporated in Singapore in 2010 and is engaged in the business of designing […]
Do you know what is a Writ of Summons?
Reading Time: 4 minutesWhat is a Writ of Summons (WOS)? A writ is “an order issued by a legal authority with administrative or juridicial powers, typically a court.”[1] Essentially, it refers to a document that has legal force and legal consequences, if not complied with. A “writ of summons” is a type of writ and is issued to […]
SMU Lexicon: The demise of Bolam-Bolitho: Towards Patient Centricity
Reading Time: 9 minutes Introduction The recent Court of Appeal decision in Hii Chii Kok v Ooi Peng Jin London Lucien (“Hii Chii Kok”)[1] has been a long time coming. Affirming the demise of the antiquated Bolam-Bolitho[2] test in relation to pre-treatment advice,[3] this decision also adds Singapore to a growing list of countries which have embraced the concept […]
Moneylenders (Amendment) Bill 2018
Reading Time: 5 minutesWhat are the aims of the Moneylenders (Amendment) Bill 2018? The Moneylenders (Amendment) Bill 2018 which was passed in Parliament on 8 January 2018 (“the Bill”) has a three-pronged aim: to provide borrowers with better protection; to strengthen the regulation of moneylenders; and to professionalise the moneylending industry. The legislative amendments to the Moneylenders Act […]
Would employer be liable when the employee who sustained injury is prohibited from being employed in Hong Kong?
Reading Time: 3 minutesIntroduction In a recent judgement of Tahir Kashif v Safdar Nasar Mahmud [2018] HKDC 600 (the “Tahir Case”), the applicant for employees’ compensation is an asylum seeker from Pakistan. Under the laws of Hong Kong, he is prohibited from engaging in any employment. The Court needs to consider whether (and if so, how) to exercise its power […]
Thailand Tax Alert: The Thai Government Announces New International Business Center Incentives and the Cancellation of the IHQ Program
Reading Time: 2 minutesOn 10 October 2018, the Thai government announced the cessation of the International Headquarters (“IHQs”) program (which also included Regional Operating Headquarters or “ROHs” and International Trading Centers or “ITCs”) and the creation of a replacement initiative; International Business Centers (“IBCs”). The move is part the OECD Inclusive Framework for Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (“BEPS“). […]
Having Child Custody Issues Across the Border?
Reading Time: 8 minutesSingapore is an extremely diverse country with people from all over the world living and working here. With slightly over half the current population actually being born in Singapore, it’s not surprising that 2 in every 5 marriages registered in Singapore in 2008 were between Singaporeans and foreigners. No statistics are available on the number […]
Personal
SMU Lexicon: A Non-parent’s Maintenance Obligation
Reading Time: 7 minutesIntroduction Imagine you marry someone with a child from a prior relationship. Initially, you do not mind caring for this child. Then, your marriage sours and you no longer want anything to do with your spouse or the child. However, can your initial conduct of caring for the child unknowingly saddle you with a legal […]
Business
Singapore’s latest push as a restructuring and insolvency hub – Amendments to SICC rules
Reading Time: 3 minutesSingapore has earned a budding reputation as a hub for debt restructuring and insolvency in Asia, with its transparent legal system and judicial expertise. This growth can also be attributed to enduring efforts to innovate and reform. To enhance Singapore as a forum of choice in international restructuring and insolvency proceedings, the Rules of Court […]
Most Common and Confusing Legal Words (Legalese) Explained Simply 
Pornography: How Legal is it in Singapore? 
What’s the difference between advocates, solicitors, barristers, counsels, notaries, lawyers and att... 
What constitutes acceptance of a contract? 
Can WhatsApp messages be used in court in Singapore? -
A Summary of “The Rule Of Law” by Tom Bingham: Part 1 
Breaking your rental lease early in Singapore - Hard-selling of beauty services and treatments gone wrong? Here’s how you can get your refund.
“Traditional” vs. “Design and Build” Contracts: What’s the Difference? 
A Guide to Sub-Contracts in the Building and Construction Industry
