Tang Huixian & 19 Ors v Soka Gakkai Singapore

[2025] SGHC 131 High Court (General Division) 8 July 2025 • HC/OA 981/2024 • 43 min read
21 cases cited (18 SG, 3 foreign)

Catchwords

Administrative Law — Natural justice Administrative Law — Judicial review — Wednesbury unreasonableness Administrative Law — Judicial review — Principles relating to review of decisions of religious associations

Practice Areas

Administrative Law

Judges (1)

Philip Jeyaretnam Delivered

Counsel (8)

De Souza Lim & Goh LLP Firm RCL Chambers Law Corporation Firm Choo Zheng Xi Counsel Applicant Donaven Foo Counsel Applicant Goh Kim Thong Andrew Counsel Defendant Goh Kok Yeow Counsel Defendant Sng Yi Heng Alvin Counsel Defendant Tan Jin Yi Counsel Applicant

Parties (21)

Soka Gakkai Singapore Defendant Ang Pei Shan, Grace Applicant Ang Wai Loong, Sebastian Applicant Ang Wei Ming, Kevin (Hong Weimin, Kevin) Applicant Chan Wei-lien Aaron (Zeng Weilian) Applicant Chen Kezhi, Dennies Applicant Chua Wen Hui Applicant Chua Yu Zhang Applicant Foo Chuan Hui Applicant Hou Chun Choon (Hou Jianjun) Applicant Kuek Yong Liang Applicant Lee Kang Hee Applicant Loi Wei Ling (Li Huiling) Applicant Quek Kwang Hwee, Vincent (Guo Guanghui, Vincent) Applicant See Soon Leong (Shi Chunliang) Applicant Tan Han Peng Applicant Tan Ying Wei, Melvin (Chen Yingwei, Melvin) Applicant Tang Huixian Applicant Tang Sok Mun, Joy (Deng Shuwen, Joy) Applicant Tiang Tsui Ling Serene (Chen Ruiling Serene) Applicant Wong Fui Yoong Applicant

Case Significance

[2025] SGHC 131 is a High Court (General Division) decision dated 8 July 2025 concerning Administrative Law, specifically addressing natural justice and judicial review. The judgment was delivered by Philip Jeyaretnam. The case was brought by Ang Pei Shan, Grace and others (applicant) against Soka Gakkai Singapore (respondent). Legal representation was provided by RCL Chambers Law Corporation and De Souza Lim & Goh LLP. The judgment cites 21 cases (18 Singapore, 3 foreign) and references 2 statutory provisions, including the Evidence Act and the The church was a company incorporated by guarantee under the Companies Act.

Summary

Twenty former members of Soka Gakkai Singapore (SGS) challenged their expulsion, alleging breaches of natural justice and irrationality in SGS's decision to expel them for involvement in an organised splinter group led by an expelled former member. The court dismissed the application, finding that SGS gave the claimants a full and fair opportunity to be heard at disciplinary hearings which they chose not to attend, and that the expulsion decision was not irrational.

What was decided in [2025] SGHC 131?

[2025] SGHC 131 (Tang Huixian & 19 Ors v Soka Gakkai Singapore) is a High Court (General Division) decision from 8 July 2025 addressing Administrative Law, specifically natural justice and judicial review. The judgment was delivered by Philip Jeyaretnam.

Who were the parties in Tang Huixian & 19 Ors v Soka Gakkai Singapore?

The applicant in [2025] SGHC 131 was Ang Pei Shan, Grace, Ang Wai Loong, Sebastian, and the respondent was Soka Gakkai Singapore. Legal representation included De Souza Lim & Goh LLP and RCL Chambers Law Corporation. The case was decided on 8 July 2025 in the High Court (General Division).

Which judge decided [2025] SGHC 131?

[2025] SGHC 131 was delivered by Philip Jeyaretnam in the High Court (General Division) on 8 July 2025. The case concerned Administrative Law.

What cases and statutes does [2025] SGHC 131 cite?

[2025] SGHC 131 cites 21 prior decisions, including 3 from foreign jurisdictions. It references Evidence Act, The church was a company incorporated by guarantee under the Companies Act.

Statutes Cited

Evidence Act (Cap 97)
The church was a company incorporated by guarantee under the Companies Act (Cap 185)

Cases Cited (21)

SG (4)
[2010] SGHC 319 [2017] SGHC 155 [2018] SGHC 166 [2023] SGHC 154
SLR (14)
[1991] 1 SLR(R) 57 [1991] 2 SLR(R) 494 [1993] 3 SLR(R) 407 [1997] 3 SLR(R) 430 [2008] 2 SLR(R) 802 [2014] 3 SLR 241 [2016] 1 SLR 779 [2018] 1 SLR 1 [2018] 2 SLR 1156 [2020] 2 SLR 386 [2022] 1 SLR 1318 [2024] 3 SLR 1228 [2024] 3 SLR 913 [2024] 5 SLR 481
UK (3)
[1987] 1 QB 815 [1992] 1 WLR 1036 [2015] AC 359

Judgment

Read the full judgment on the official Singapore Courts portal.

Read on eLitigation

Source: eLitigation ([2025] SGHC 131)