BAEK JONGWOO v JOHN S/O SUSARETNAM

[2025] SGDC 312 District Court 4 December 2025 • DC/OC 630/2024|HC/DCA 21/2025 • 32 min read

6 cases cited (4 SG, 2 foreign)

Catchwords

Tort – Negligence – Breach of duty Tort – Negligence – Contributory negligence – Passenger’s duty to fasten seatbelt whilst on board a vehicle

Practice Areas

Tort

Judges (1)

Tay Jingxi Delivered

Counsel (5)

Tan Chin Hoe & Co Firm Winston Low and Partners Firm Cynthiya C Charles Christy Counsel Defendant Low Kuang Ting Winston Counsel Plaintiff Tan Seng Chew Richard Counsel Defendant

Parties (2)

Baek Jongwoo Plaintiff John s/o Susaretnam Defendant

Case Significance

[2025] SGDC 312 is a District Court decision dated 4 December 2025 concerning Tort, specifically addressing negligence. The judgment was delivered by Tay Jingxi. The case was brought by Baek Jongwoo (plaintiff) against John s/o Susaretnam (defendant). Legal representation was provided by Winston Low and Partners and Tan Chin Hoe & Co. The judgment cites 6 cases (4 Singapore, 2 foreign) and references 1 statutory provision, namely the Road Traffic Act.

Summary

A rear-seat passenger who was not wearing a seatbelt sued the driver after sustaining injuries when the car collided with a third-party vehicle at a junction along Anson Road and Maxwell Road. The key issue was the apportionment of liability, particularly whether the passenger's failure to wear a seatbelt constituted contributory negligence. The District Court found the driver liable but apportioned 20% contributory negligence to the passenger for failing to fasten his seatbelt, holding that adult passengers should know to buckle up without being told.

What was decided in [2025] SGDC 312?

[2025] SGDC 312 (BAEK JONGWOO v JOHN S/O SUSARETNAM) is a District Court decision from 4 December 2025 addressing Tort, specifically negligence. The judgment was delivered by Tay Jingxi.

Who were the parties in BAEK JONGWOO v JOHN S/O SUSARETNAM?

The plaintiff in [2025] SGDC 312 was Baek Jongwoo, and the defendant was John s/o Susaretnam. Legal representation included Winston Low and Partners and Tan Chin Hoe & Co. The case was decided on 4 December 2025 in the District Court.