PUBLIC PROSECUTOR v ZH BUILDERS PTE. LTD.

[2025] SGHC 227 High Court (General Division) 17 November 2025 • HC/MA 9195/2024/01|HC/MA 9198/2024/01 • 27 min read
6 cases cited

Catchwords

Criminal Procedure and Sentencing — Sentencing — Appeals

Practice Areas

Criminal Procedure and Sentencing

Judges (3)

Sundaresh Menon Coram Tay Yong Kwang Delivered Vincent Hoong Coram

Counsel (8)

Attorney-General's Chambers Firm Chevalier Law LLC Firm Dentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP Firm Kong Kuek Foo Counsel Appellant Kurzbock Tsang Yu Han Kenn Counsel Respondent Lim Bee Li Counsel Respondent Ruth Teng Counsel Appellant V Santhosh Counsel Third Party

Parties (3)

457 Balestier Pte Ltd Respondent Public Prosecutor Appellant ZH Builders Pte Ltd Respondent

Case Significance

[2025] SGHC 227 is a High Court (General Division) decision dated 17 November 2025 concerning Criminal Procedure and Sentencing, specifically addressing sentencing. The judgment was delivered by Tay Yong Kwang, with Sundaresh Menon and Vincent Hoong on the coram. The case was brought by Public Prosecutor (appellant) against 457 Balestier Pte Ltd and others (respondent). Legal representation was provided by Attorney-General's Chambers and Chevalier Law LLC. The judgment cites 6 cases and references 5 statutory provisions, including the Act could be developed with reference to the sentencing framework for offences under the Workplace Safety and Health Act, the Building Control Act, and the The WSHA was introduced as a replacement for the Factories Act.

Summary

The Prosecution appealed against sentences imposed on two construction companies, ZH Builders and 457 Balestier, for offences under the Building Control Act relating to unauthorised building works and non-compliance with approved plans during a shophouse project. A three-judge panel allowed the appeals, establishing a sentencing matrix for corporate Building Control Act offences and imposing significantly higher fines of $70,000 per charge for ZH Builders and $90,000 for 457 Balestier.

What was decided in [2025] SGHC 227?

[2025] SGHC 227 (PUBLIC PROSECUTOR v ZH BUILDERS PTE. LTD.) is a High Court (General Division) decision from 17 November 2025 addressing Criminal Procedure and Sentencing, specifically sentencing. The judgment was delivered by Tay Yong Kwang.

Who were the parties in PUBLIC PROSECUTOR v ZH BUILDERS PTE. LTD.?

The appellant in [2025] SGHC 227 was Public Prosecutor, and the respondent was 457 Balestier Pte Ltd, ZH Builders Pte Ltd. Legal representation included Chevalier Law LLC and Attorney-General's Chambers. The case was decided on 17 November 2025 in the High Court (General Division).

Which judge decided [2025] SGHC 227?

[2025] SGHC 227 was delivered by Tay Yong Kwang in the High Court (General Division) on 17 November 2025. Sundaresh Menon and Vincent Hoong also sat on the coram. The case concerned Criminal Procedure and Sentencing.

What cases and statutes does [2025] SGHC 227 cite?

[2025] SGHC 227 cites 6 prior decisions. It references Act could be developed with reference to the sentencing framework for offences under the Workplace Safety and Health Act, Building Control Act, The WSHA was introduced as a replacement for the Factories Act.

Statutes Cited

Act could be developed with reference to the sentencing framework for offences under the Workplace Safety and Health Act (Cap 354A)
Building Control Act (Cap 29)
The WSHA was introduced as a replacement for the Factories Act (Cap 104)
They were charged with offences under the Building Control Act (Cap 29)
Workplace Safety and Health Act

Cases Cited (6)

SG (2)
[2020] SGHC 99 [2024] SGMC 79
SLR (4)
[2020] 5 SLR 580 [2021] 3 SLR 1199 [2023] 3 SLR 327 [2024] 2 SLR 673

Judgment

Read the full judgment on the official Singapore Courts portal.

Read on eLitigation

Source: eLitigation ([2025] SGHC 227)