LIAU BENG CHYE v CHUA WEI JIEA (CAI WEIJIE)

[2025] SGHC 226 High Court (General Division) 14 November 2025 • HC/DCA 25/2024|HC/DCA 26/2024 • 16 min read

5 cases cited (3 SG, 2 foreign)

Catchwords

Civil Procedure — Appeals — Re-trial Contract — Breach — Joint and several liability Landlord and Tenant — Recovery of possession — Holding over Contract — Illegality and public policy — Statutory illegality

Practice Areas

Civil Procedure Contract Landlord and Tenant

Judges (1)

Philip Jeyaretnam Delivered

Counsel (9)

Lawrence Chua Practice LLC Firm Silvester Legal LLC Firm Tan Kim Seng & Partners Firm Fan Kin Ning Counsel Respondent Lee Yi Wei Sean Counsel Appellant Lei Chee Kong Thomas Counsel Appellant Madelene Yu Rwei Yi Counsel Appellant Moe Peter Counsel Respondent Robert Raj Joseph Counsel Appellant

Parties (6)

Chua Wei Jiea (Cai Weijie) Respondent Erna Jasum@Mrs Erna Jasum Liau Defendant Liau Beng Chye Appellant Liau Nanda Astary Defendant Liau Weisheng Rizza Appellant Liau Wizardson Appellant

Case Significance

[2025] SGHC 226 is a High Court (General Division) decision dated 14 November 2025 concerning Civil Procedure, Contract, and Landlord and Tenant, specifically addressing appeals, breach, and recovery of possession. The judgment was delivered by Philip Jeyaretnam. The case was brought by Liau Beng Chye and others (appellant) against Erna Jasum@Mrs Erna Jasum Liau and others (respondent). Legal representation was provided by Lawrence Chua Practice LLC and Tan Kim Seng & Partners. The judgment cites 5 cases (3 Singapore, 2 foreign) and references 2 statutory provisions, including the Civil Law Act and the Moneylenders Act.

Summary

Three defendants appealed against a District Judge's decision in a property dispute where the claimant, who had purchased the defendants' home to settle a moneylending debt, sought double rent and damages for the family's continued occupation. The High Court allowed both appeals, set aside the judgment below, and ordered a retrial, finding procedural irregularities including the denial of the first defendant's application to amend his defence and counterclaim.

What was decided in [2025] SGHC 226?

[2025] SGHC 226 (LIAU BENG CHYE v CHUA WEI JIEA (CAI WEIJIE)) is a High Court (General Division) decision from 14 November 2025 addressing Civil Procedure, Contract, and Landlord and Tenant, specifically appeals, breach, and recovery of possession. The judgment was delivered by Philip Jeyaretnam.

Who were the parties in LIAU BENG CHYE v CHUA WEI JIEA (CAI WEIJIE)?

The appellant in [2025] SGHC 226 was Liau Beng Chye, Liau Weisheng Rizza, and the respondent was Erna Jasum@Mrs Erna Jasum Liau, Liau Nanda Astary. Legal representation included Lawrence Chua Practice LLC and Silvester Legal LLC. The case was decided on 14 November 2025 in the High Court (General Division).

Which judge decided [2025] SGHC 226?

[2025] SGHC 226 was delivered by Philip Jeyaretnam in the High Court (General Division) on 14 November 2025. The case concerned Civil Procedure, Contract, and Landlord and Tenant.

What cases and statutes does [2025] SGHC 226 cite?

[2025] SGHC 226 cites 5 prior decisions, including 2 from foreign jurisdictions. It references Civil Law Act, Moneylenders Act.

Statutes Cited

Civil Law Act (Cap 43)

s 28(4)

Moneylenders Act

s 37

Cases Cited (5)

SLR (3)

[2010] 3 SLR 110 [2014] 3 SLR 609 [2022] 1 SLR 677

UK (2)

[1896] AC 44 [1950] 1 KB 359

Judgment

Read the full judgment on the official Singapore Courts portal.

Read on eLitigation

Source: eLitigation ([2025] SGHC 226)