Haotanto v Fang: Application for Variation of Monthly Contribution and Target Contribution

Haotanto Anna Vanessa filed a bankruptcy application against Fang Ching Wen Ted in the General Division of the High Court of the Republic of Singapore. Fang Ching Wen Ted applied for a variation of the monthly contribution and target contribution set by the private trustee. The court dismissed the application, finding no reason to disturb the private trustee's determination.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

General Division of the High Court

1.2 Outcome

Application dismissed.

1.3 Case Type

Insolvency

1.4 Judgment Type

Judgment

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Application by bankrupt Fang Ching Wen Ted for variation of monthly contribution and target contribution. The court dismissed the application.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Haotanto Anna VanessaPlaintiffIndividualNeutralNeutral
Fang Ching Wen TedDefendant, BankruptIndividualLostLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Aedit AbdullahJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Siraj Omar SCDrew & Napier LLC
Joelle TanDrew & Napier LLC
Cheng Si Yuan ShaunDentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP
Lim Hui Li DebbyDentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP

4. Facts

  1. Haotanto Anna Vanessa filed a bankruptcy application against Fang Ching Wen Ted.
  2. Fang Ching Wen Ted was declared bankrupt on 15 April 2021.
  3. The Official Assignee determined the Bankrupt’s monthly contribution and target contribution.
  4. A private trustee was appointed to administer the Bankrupt’s estate.
  5. The private trustee revised the applicant’s monthly contribution and target contribution.
  6. The Bankrupt requested the private trustee to reduce the monthly contribution and target contribution.
  7. The private trustee refused to reduce the monthly contribution and target contribution.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Haotanto Anna Vanessa v Fang Ching Wen Ted, Bankruptcy No 35 of 2021 (Summons No 425 of 2022), [2022] SGHC 216

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Bankruptcy application filed against the Bankrupt
Fang Ching Wen Ted declared bankrupt
Statement of Affairs submitted by the Bankrupt
Notice of determination communicated to the Bankrupt
Application for appointment of private trustee filed
Private trustee appointed
Private trustee revised monthly contribution and target contribution
Bankrupt requested reduction of monthly contribution and target contribution
Judgment reserved
Judgment issued

7. Legal Issues

  1. Variation of Monthly Contribution and Target Contribution
    • Outcome: The court held that there was no reason to disturb the private trustee’s determination of the Bankrupt’s monthly contribution and target contribution.
    • Category: Substantive
  2. Standard of Review of Private Trustee’s Determination
    • Outcome: The court held that the perversity standard, as stated in Jonathan Zhang, is the applicable standard of review.
    • Category: Procedural

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Variation of monthly contribution
  2. Variation of target contribution

9. Cause of Actions

  • Bankruptcy

10. Practice Areas

  • Bankruptcy
  • Insolvency

11. Industries

  • No industries specified

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
Zhang Hong En Jonathan v Private Trustee in Bankruptcy of Zhang Hong’En JonathanHigh CourtYes[2021] 4 SLR 139SingaporeCited for the perversity standard applicable to the court’s review of a private trustee’s decision.
Re A Debtor (No 400 of 1940); Ex parte The Debtor v Dodwell (The Trustee)N/AYes[1949] 1 All ER 510N/ACited for the principle that the court would not generally interfere with the discretion exercised by the private trustee.

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution ActSingapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Bankruptcy
  • Private trustee
  • Monthly contribution
  • Target contribution
  • Perversity standard
  • Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act

15.2 Keywords

  • Bankruptcy
  • Insolvency
  • Private Trustee
  • Monthly Contribution
  • Target Contribution
  • Singapore

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Bankruptcy95
Insolvency Law90
Restructuring and Dissolution85
Trust Law30

16. Subjects

  • Insolvency
  • Bankruptcy