NG HOO KUI & ANOR v. WENDY TAN LEE PENG & ORS

[2020] 6 MLRA 193
Federal Court, Putrajaya
Mohd Zawawi Salleh, Vernon Ong, Abdul Rahman Sebli, Zaleha Yusof, Zabariah Mohd Yusof FCJJ
[Civil Appeal No: 02(f)-60-07-2019(P)]
Mohd Zawawi Salleh, Vernon Ong, Abdul Rahman Sebli, Zaleha Yusof, Zabariah Mohd Yusof FCJJ

JUDGMENT

Zabariah Mohd Yusof FCJ:

Introduction

[1] At the Federal Court, the appellant was granted leave to appeal on the sole question of law as follows:

"Whether the application of the "plainly wrong" test by an appeal court in reversing the findings of facts by a trial court should be subject to guidelines and whether the guidelines laid down by the UK Supreme Court in Henderson v. Foxworth Investments Ltd and Another [2014] 1 WLR 2600 and Mc Graddie v. Mc Graddie and Another [2013] 1 WLR 2477 should be adopted as the relevant guidelines or such other guidelines as may be relevant or appropriate?"

[2] The aforesaid leave question arises as a result of the decision of the Court of Appeal which reversed the decision of the High Court on findings of fact on the main issue, namely, whether the monies paid by the 1st appellant (Ng) to the deceased, Tan Ewe Kwang (TEK) was for capital contribution for shares in the 2nd appellant, Alor Vista Development Sdn Bhd (AVD).

[3] The High Court after a full trial, held that the monies paid by Ng to TEK was for capital contribution for shares in AVD and not for premium payment payable to TEK for participation in the land development undertaken by AVD. It further held that the 2nd and 3rd respondents held the shares (to the value of the investment by Ng) in AVD as trustees for Ng and ordered the transfer of the said shares to him (Ng). However, on appeal, the Court of Appeal reversed the decision of the High Court and held that the payment made by Ng was not for capital contribution nor were the other payments, towards capital investment in AVD.

[4] The appellants in this appeal are the plaintiffs and the respondents are the defendants in the High Court. In this judgment, unless otherwise stated as herein below, parties shall be referred to as they were in the High Court:

(a) The 1st appellant shall be referred to as "Ng";

Sign up to view full cases Login