Taishi-Tech v Hyundai: Breach of Oral Contract Dispute over Watertown Project Payments

Taishi-Tech (S) Pte Ltd (“Taishi”) sued Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co Ltd (“Hyundai”) in the General Division of the High Court of the Republic of Singapore, alleging breach of an oral contract. Taishi claimed Hyundai agreed to pay it directly for work done on the Watertown Project, a residential and commercial development. Hyundai denied the terms of the agreement. Lee Seiu Kin J dismissed Taishi's claim, finding insufficient evidence to prove the existence of the alleged direct deal agreement.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

General Division of the High Court

1.2 Outcome

Plaintiff's claim dismissed.

1.3 Case Type

Civil

1.4 Judgment Type

Judgment

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Taishi-Tech sued Hyundai for breach of contract, alleging Hyundai agreed to pay directly for works on the Watertown Project. The court dismissed Taishi-Tech's claim.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Taishi-Tech (S) Pte LtdPlaintiffCorporationClaim DismissedLost
Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co LtdDefendantCorporationJudgment for DefendantWon

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Lee Seiu KinJudge of the High CourtYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Lim Bee LiOptimus Chambers LLC
Wong Zhen YangOptimus Chambers LLC
Choh Thian Chee IrvingOptimus Chambers LLC
Chan Kah Keen MelvinTSMP Law Corporation

4. Facts

  1. Hyundai was the main contractor for the Watertown Project.
  2. Hyundai subcontracted part of the works to J-Plan Associates Pte Ltd.
  3. J-Plan sub-subcontracted part of the works to Taishi-Tech.
  4. Taishi-Tech encountered payment problems with J-Plan.
  5. Taishi-Tech alleged Hyundai agreed to pay it directly.
  6. Hyundai admits to an agreement to pay Taishi-Tech directly, but disputes the terms.
  7. Hyundai made several direct payments to Taishi-Tech.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Taishi-Tech (S) Pte Ltd v Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co Ltd, Suit No 604 of 2018, [2021] SGHC 208

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Hyundai engaged as main contractor for Watertown Project
Hyundai engaged J-Plan as subcontractor
Hyundai engaged J-Plan as subcontractor for interior design works
J-Plan engaged Taishi-Tech as sub-subcontractor
J-Plan engaged Taishi-Tech as sub-subcontractor
Taishi-Tech ceased work due to payment issues
Hyundai issued cheque to Taishi-Tech for SGD 118,784.92
Hyundai issued cheque to Taishi-Tech for SGD 123,352.72
Hyundai made payment of SGD 107,000 to Taishi-Tech
Hyundai transferred SGD 321,000 to Taishi-Tech
Taishi-Tech completed works for Watertown Project
J-Plan was wound up
Suit No 604 of 2018 filed
Trial began
Judgment reserved
Judgment issued

7. Legal Issues

  1. Breach of Contract
    • Outcome: The court found that the plaintiff failed to prove the existence of the alleged direct deal agreement and dismissed the claim for breach of contract.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Related Cases:
      • [2012] 4 SLR 1206

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Monetary Damages

9. Cause of Actions

  • Breach of Contract

10. Practice Areas

  • Commercial Litigation
  • Construction Disputes

11. Industries

  • Construction

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
OCBC Capital Investment Asia Ltd v Wong Hua ChoonCourt of AppealYes[2012] 4 SLR 1206SingaporeCited for the importance of documentary evidence in determining the existence and terms of a contract.

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

  • Watertown Project
  • Direct Deal Agreement
  • Sub-subcontracts
  • Back-to-back payment
  • Subcontractors
  • Main contractor

15.2 Keywords

  • breach of contract
  • construction
  • payment dispute
  • Watertown Project
  • Singapore

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Contract Law90
Contractual terms85
Breach of Contract75

16. Subjects

  • Contract Dispute
  • Construction Dispute