VHK v VHL: Disclosure of Bank Statements and IP Address in Child Access Dispute

In the Family Justice Courts of Singapore, Justice Choo Han Teck addressed Summons No 276 of 2023 in the divorce case between VHK (Plaintiff) and VHL (Defendant). The defendant sought orders to compel DBS Bank to disclose the plaintiff's bank account information and the Supreme Court of Singapore to disclose the plaintiff's IP address to locate the plaintiff and their child. The court granted the order for DBS Bank to disclose bank statements, subject to certain conditions, but dismissed the application for the Supreme Court to disclose the plaintiff's IP address.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

Family Justice Courts of the republic of singapore

1.2 Outcome

Defendant's application for disclosure of bank statements granted; application for disclosure of IP address dismissed.

1.3 Case Type

Family

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

In a child access dispute, the court considered the disclosure of bank statements and IP address to locate a parent who breached court orders.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
VHKPlaintiffIndividualDisclosure of bank statements orderedPartial
VHLDefendantIndividualDisclosure of bank statements orderedPartial

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Choo Han TeckJudge of the High CourtYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization

4. Facts

  1. Plaintiff repeatedly denied the defendant access to their child.
  2. Plaintiff breached a court order by refusing to send the child to the defendant in the United States.
  3. Plaintiff failed to produce the child in court as ordered.
  4. A warrant of arrest was issued against the plaintiff.
  5. Defendant was granted sole custody, care, and control of the child.
  6. Plaintiff refused to disclose the child's whereabouts.
  7. Defendant sought disclosure of bank statements and IP address to locate the plaintiff and child.

5. Formal Citations

  1. VHK v VHL, Divorce (Transferred) No 2504 of 2018(Summons No 276 of 2023), [2024] SGHCF 7

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Plaintiff breached a court order by refusing to send the daughter to see the defendant in the United States of America.
Court ordered the plaintiff to produce the child in court.
Warrant of arrest issued against the plaintiff.
Defendant transferred US$162,810 to the plaintiff’s DBS Bank account.
Court granted the defendant sole custody, care, and control of the child.
Defendant applied by Summons 276 of 2023 to compel DBS Bank to disclose accounts and transaction history and for the Supreme Court to disclose the plaintiff’s IP address.
Judgment delivered.
Judgment date.

7. Legal Issues

  1. Disclosure of Bank Statements
    • Outcome: The court granted the order for DBS Bank to disclose bank statements, subject to certain conditions.
    • Category: Procedural
  2. Disclosure of IP Address
    • Outcome: The court dismissed the application for the Supreme Court to disclose the plaintiff's IP address.
    • Category: Procedural

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Disclosure of bank statements
  2. Disclosure of IP address

9. Cause of Actions

  • No cause of actions

10. Practice Areas

  • Family Law
  • Divorce
  • Child Custody
  • Discovery

11. Industries

  • Banking

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
No cited cases

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Evidence Act 1893Singapore
Government Proceedings ActSingapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Custody
  • Access
  • Disclosure
  • Bank Statements
  • IP Address
  • Breach of Court Order
  • Warrant of Arrest
  • Banking Secrecy
  • Government Proceedings Act
  • Evidence Act

15.2 Keywords

  • family law
  • divorce
  • child custody
  • access
  • disclosure
  • bank statements
  • IP address

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Family Law95
Child Custody90
Access to Children90
Evidence Law60
Disclosure of Information50
Civil Procedure40
Banking Secrecy30
Banking Law30
Contract Law20

16. Subjects

  • Family Law
  • Civil Procedure
  • Evidence
  • Divorce
  • Child Custody