Leading Contempt of Court Lawyers & Firms by Reported Cases — Singapore
30 reported cases · February 2023 to August 2026
Updated
What did Singapore courts decide in Contempt of Court?
Singapore courts issued 30 reported Contempt of Court judgments (2023–2026), most in the High Court (16). This is a descriptive summary of what the courts recorded in reported decisions, not legal advice.
Compiled from 30 reported Contempt of Court judgments published on eLitigation. Counts and figures are derived from the judgments themselves; the Attorney-General's Chambers is excluded from the counsel and firm counts as the public prosecutor.
Outcome data updated
Across 30 reported Contempt of Court judgments in Singapore courts (February 2023 to August 2026). The lists below count how often named firms and lawyers appear in reported decisions — a descriptive count of activity, not an assessment of quality or standing.
Overview
Contempt of Court appears in 30 reported Singapore judgments (2023–2026). The most common sub-topics are Civil contempt (8), Sentencing (5) and Administration of Justice (Protection) Act 2016 (3). The most active judge by reported case count is Choo Han Teck (4 cases).
Which law firms handle the most Contempt of Court cases in Singapore?
Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP (4 cases), Attorney-General's Chambers (4 cases) and Bird & Bird ATMD LLP (3 cases) appear as a firm on record in reported Contempt of Court cases between February 2023 and August 2026. 49 firms appeared in Contempt of Court cases during this period.
Who are the leading Contempt of Court lawyers in Singapore?
Nicholas Say Gui Xi (2 cases), Loy Ming Chuen Brendan (2 cases) and Lee Wei Han Shaun (2 cases) appear as counsel in reported Contempt of Court cases between February 2023 and August 2026.
Which judges handle the most Contempt of Court cases in Singapore?
Choo Han Teck has handled 4 Contempt of Court cases between February 2023 and August 2026, the most of any Singapore judge.
How many Contempt of Court cases are reported in Singapore courts?
30 reported Singapore judgments (2023–2026) involve Contempt of Court, most often decided by Choo Han Teck.
What are the main sub-topics in Singapore Contempt of Court cases?
The main sub-topics are Civil contempt (8), Sentencing (5) and Administration of Justice (Protection) Act 2016 (3).
Case Volume by Year
Key Issues & Sub-Topics
Civil contempt 8 cases
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The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal on 20 January 2026, upholding the findings of contempt and the sentence of five months' imprisonment, and ordered Mr Jhaveri to pay costs fixed at $50,000…
Court of Appeal · 27 February 2026 · [2026] SGCA 6 -
The court allowed the committal applications and sentenced Mr Phua to three months' imprisonment for breaching the document production order and one month's imprisonment for breaching the asset…
High Court · 19 February 2026 · [2026] SGHC 37 -
The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal against the finding of contempt but reduced the sentence from one month's imprisonment to two weeks' imprisonment, so the appeal was allowed in part on…
Court of Appeal · 18 June 2025 · [2025] SGCA 26 -
The court allowed the committal application and found the first defendant in contempt of ORC 4975 under both injunctions.
High Court · 9 October 2024 · [2024] SGHC 254 -
The court found both Sun Travels and Siyam in contempt of court.
High Court · 9 May 2024 · [2024] SGHC 119 - + 3 more cases
Sentencing 5 cases
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The court allowed the committal applications and sentenced Mr Phua to three months' imprisonment for breaching the document production order and one month's imprisonment for breaching the asset…
High Court · 19 February 2026 · [2026] SGHC 37 -
Chua Lee Ming J dismissed the stay application and allowed the committal application, finding Mr Salim guilty of contempt in his personal capacity and as sole director of the first defendant.
High Court · 17 July 2024 · [2024] SGHC 184 -
Andre Maniam J imposed fines on all four contempt respondents: $50,000 on Mr Patel, $15,000 on Mr Neji and $20,000 each on DLT and Dowser, payable within 14 days.
High Court · 26 June 2024 · [2024] SGHC 148 -
The court found both Sun Travels and Siyam in contempt of court.
High Court · 9 May 2024 · [2024] SGHC 119 -
S Mohan J dispensed with service and found Dr Chan in contempt for intentionally disobeying paragraphs 1, 9 and 10 of the order personally, and paragraph 2 as sole director of PILS.
High Court · 21 February 2023 · [2023] SGHC 40
Administration of Justice (Protection) Act 2016 3 cases
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The High Court sentenced Mr Ravi to imprisonment for each instance: seven days for the scandalising and insult contempts before District Judge Chay, five days for interrupting him, 14 days each for…
High Court · 8 November 2023 · [2023] SGHC 321 -
The High Court allowed the Attorney-General's application, finding Mr Xu liable for contempt for publishing both the article and the Facebook post; it fined him S$18,000, payable within four weeks…
High Court · 6 April 2023 · [2023] SGHC 87 -
The High Court allowed the applications in part on liability, finding him guilty of contempt on the second to eighth and tenth allegations and on part of the ninth (the disqualification application),…
High Court · 31 March 2023 · [2023] SGHC 78
Civil contempt — Company failing to comply with monetary judgment — Company director failing to attend examination of enforcement respondent hearing — Whether failure to attend intentional — Whether company director’s conduct contumelious — Whether contempt purged — Whether committal proceedings should be remedy of last resort — Section 4(1) Administration of Justice (Protection) Act 2016 2 cases
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The Magistrate's Court found the director not guilty of contempt of court and dismissed the claimant's application to commit her.
Magistrate Court · 3 June 2026 · [2026] SGMC 67 -
District Judge Chiah Kok Khun found Naga not guilty of contempt of court and dismissed the claimant's committal application.
District Court · 30 March 2026 · [2026] SGDC 113
Civil contempt — Consent order stipulating that each party retain respective assets in their own names — Wife alleging husband had breached order by retaining dogs that were assets in her sole name — Whether wife had proved husband’s breach of court order 1 case
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The High Court dismissed the appeal, holding that the wife had not proved beyond reasonable doubt that the husband was in contempt of court.
High Court (Family Division) · 28 August 2026 · [2026] SGHCF 25
Civil contempt — Plaintiff disclosing documents in course of defamation suit — Defendant posting documents on SafeChat and Facebook before trial — Whether breach of Riddick principle — Whether contempt of court — Whether breach intentional — Whether motive relevant — Whether custodial sentence appropriate — Section 4(1) Administration of Justice (Protection) Act 2016 1 case
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The court allowed the plaintiff's application, finding that the defendant's breach of her Riddick undertaking amounted to contempt of court.
District Court · 23 July 2026 · [2026] SGDC 241
civil contempt — interpretation of substantive contractual consent order — whether respondent had requisite intent and understood her obligations in court order — whether there was reasonable and honest failure to understand court order 1 case
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The Protection from Harassment Court (Judge Jasbendar Kaur) dismissed the committal application.
Protection from Harassment Court · 26 May 2026 · [2026] SGPHC 2
Civil contempt — Whether production of documents may be sought in committal proceedings 1 case
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The High Court allowed the appeal.
High Court · 30 October 2025 · [2025] SGHC 213
Court’s powers — Whether court has power to allow a further affidavit — Applicable test for allowing a further affidavit 1 case
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The Court of Appeal declined permission to appeal and dismissed the application on 21 July 2025 with costs fixed at $8,000 (all-in) payable to Alliance, giving these grounds later.
Court of Appeal · 24 September 2025 · [2025] SGCA 46
Civil contempt — Full and frank disclosure — Intention to commence proceedings against examinee — Concurrent proceedings against examinee 1 case
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The Court of Appeal dismissed Civil Appeals No 30 and 31 of 2024 and allowed Civil Appeal No 19 of 2024 in part.
Court of Appeal · 24 June 2025 · [2025] SGCA 31
Sentencing — Whether custodial sentence warranted 1 case
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The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal against the finding of contempt but reduced the sentence from one month's imprisonment to two weeks' imprisonment, so the appeal was allowed in part on…
Court of Appeal · 18 June 2025 · [2025] SGCA 26
Civil contempt — Rules of Court 2021 1 case
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Aidan Xu J allowed the application in part.
High Court · 16 April 2025 · [2025] SGHC 70
Civil contempt — Lifting of suspension of committal order 1 case
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The High Court dismissed the Father's appeal.
High Court (Family Division) · 29 November 2024 · [2024] SGHCF 46
Contempt in face of court 1 case
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Chua Lee Ming J dismissed the stay application and allowed the committal application, finding Mr Salim guilty of contempt in his personal capacity and as sole director of the first defendant.
High Court · 17 July 2024 · [2024] SGHC 184
Civil Contempt 1 case
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Andre Maniam J imposed fines on all four contempt respondents: $50,000 on Mr Patel, $15,000 on Mr Neji and $20,000 each on DLT and Dowser, payable within 14 days.
High Court · 26 June 2024 · [2024] SGHC 148
Civil Contempt — Appropriate quantum of fine 1 case
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Goh Yihan J found both respondents guilty of contempt and fined each $20,000, payable within 14 days, with five days' imprisonment in default for Mr Peh.
High Court · 7 March 2024 · [2024] SGHC 62
Civil Contempt — Whether custodial sentence warranted 1 case
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Goh Yihan J found both respondents guilty of contempt and fined each $20,000, payable within 14 days, with five days' imprisonment in default for Mr Peh.
High Court · 7 March 2024 · [2024] SGHC 62
Civil Contempt — Whether breach of court order intentional 1 case
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Goh Yihan J found both respondents guilty of contempt and fined each $20,000, payable within 14 days, with five days' imprisonment in default for Mr Peh.
High Court · 7 March 2024 · [2024] SGHC 62
Civil Contempt — Leave to commence committal proceedings 1 case
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Goh Yihan J allowed the application and granted permission to apply for committal orders against Good Year and Mr Peh, with costs reserved.
High Court · 12 January 2024 · [2024] SGHC 8
Civil contempt — Impecunious judgment debtor not to be committed for being unable to pay judgment debts 1 case
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The High Court dismissed the committal application, finding the defendant in a position analogous to an impecunious judgment debtor who could not pay, while noting this could change if circumstances…
High Court · 8 November 2023 · [2023] SGHC 319
Civil contempt — Breach of disclosure order under Mareva injunction 1 case
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The court dismissed the committal application against the 3rd and 4th respondents.
High Court · 4 October 2023 · [2023] SGHC 280
Criminal contempt 1 case
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Kwek Mean Luck J dismissed the application in full, refusing permission for the quashing order, the declaration and the mandatory order, and declining to consider the unpleaded backdating prayer.
High Court · 12 May 2023 · [2023] SGHC 137
Disobedience of order of court 1 case
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S Mohan J dispensed with service and found Dr Chan in contempt for intentionally disobeying paragraphs 1, 9 and 10 of the order personally, and paragraph 2 as sole director of PILS.
High Court · 21 February 2023 · [2023] SGHC 40
Key Statutes
Court Distribution
Cases
Page 2 of 2-
Kwek Mean Luck J dismissed the application in full, refusing permission for the quashing order, the declaration and the mandatory order, and declining to consider the unpleaded backdating prayer.
High Court · 12 May 2023 · [2023] SGHC 137 -
The High Court allowed the Attorney-General's application, finding Mr Xu liable for contempt for publishing both the article and the Facebook post; it fined him S$18,000, payable within four weeks…
High Court · 6 April 2023 · [2023] SGHC 87 -
The High Court allowed the applications in part on liability, finding him guilty of contempt on the second to eighth and tenth allegations and on part of the ninth (the disqualification application),…
High Court · 31 March 2023 · [2023] SGHC 78 -
The High Court dismissed the Mother's appeal against the findings of contempt but allowed it in part on sentence, varying the suspension to one year from the date the District Judge's judgment was…
High Court (Family Division) · 1 March 2023 · [2023] SGHCF 8 -
S Mohan J dispensed with service and found Dr Chan in contempt for intentionally disobeying paragraphs 1, 9 and 10 of the order personally, and paragraph 2 as sole director of PILS.
High Court · 21 February 2023 · [2023] SGHC 40
Methodology & disclaimer
Firms and lawyers are ranked by the number of reported Singapore court judgments they appear in, published on eLitigation. Counts reflect appearances in reported decisions only — unreported matters, settlements, and advisory work are not included. This is a descriptive count of activity by reported case volume, not an assessment of quality or standing, and not an endorsement or recommendation of any firm or lawyer. It is information, not legal advice.