VLG v VLH: Child Maintenance Dispute Over School Fees and Credibility

In the Family Justice Courts of Singapore, VLG (the father) appealed against the District Judge's decision to increase the monthly maintenance for his child to $710 from $660, in District Court Appeal No 66 of 2020. The appeal was heard by Choo Han Teck J. The father's appeal against the $50 increase in maintenance was allowed with effect from the hearing date. The father's appeal regarding the clawback of excessive maintenance paid since 2013 was dismissed. The court also dismissed the father's request for costs. The court found the mother had lied about the child's schooling.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

General Division of the High Court (Family Division)

1.2 Outcome

Appeal allowed in part.

1.3 Case Type

Family

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Appeal regarding child maintenance. The court allowed the appeal against an increase in maintenance due to false claims about the child's schooling.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
VLGAppellantIndividualAppeal allowed in partPartial
VLHRespondentIndividualAppeal dismissedLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Choo Han TeckJudge of the High CourtYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization

4. Facts

  1. The father appealed against a $50 increase in monthly maintenance for his child.
  2. The mother claimed the increase was due to higher school fees in Singapore.
  3. The father doubted whether the child was studying in Singapore.
  4. The mother swore under oath that the child was studying in Singapore.
  5. The father contacted the school and was told the child was not studying there.
  6. The mother admitted the child was studying in China and had been since Primary 1.
  7. The father sought a clawback of excessive maintenance paid due to the child living in China.

5. Formal Citations

    6. Timeline

    DateEvent
    Mother sought maintenance for the child.
    Consent order recorded for $500 per month maintenance.
    Mother filed variation application.
    Consent order recorded, increasing monthly maintenance to $600.
    Mother filed second variation application.
    Maintenance increased to $660 by consent.
    Mother filed variation application to increase monthly maintenance to $750.
    Trial before the District Judge.
    Hearing before Choo Han Teck J.
    Mother filed Summons No 67 of 2021.
    Hearing before Choo Han Teck J; appeal allowed in part.
    Judgment Date

    7. Legal Issues

    1. Child Maintenance
      • Outcome: The court allowed the appeal against the increase in maintenance.
      • Category: Substantive
    2. Credibility of Evidence
      • Outcome: The court found the mother's evidence to be not credible due to her dishonesty.
      • Category: Procedural

    8. Remedies Sought

    1. Appeal against increase in maintenance
    2. Clawback of excessive maintenance fees
    3. Costs of appeal

    9. Cause of Actions

    • Application for variation of maintenance order

    10. Practice Areas

    • Family Law
    • Child Support

    11. Industries

    • No industries specified

    12. Cited Cases

    Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
    No cited cases

    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

    • Child maintenance
    • Variation application
    • Credibility
    • School fees
    • False claims

    15.2 Keywords

    • child maintenance
    • family law
    • Singapore
    • appeal
    • school fees
    • credibility

    17. Areas of Law

    Area NameRelevance Score
    Maintenance95
    Child Support95
    Family Law90
    Appeal60
    Evidence50
    Duty of Candour40
    Credibility of Witness30

    16. Subjects

    • Family Law
    • Child Support
    • Appeals