ATU and others v ATY

ATU and others v ATY

Default judgment established liability; defendant held liable for foreseeable republication by press; corporate plaintiff (ATU) cannot recover aggravated damages; plaintiffs failed to prove special damages referable wholly to defendant's publications; awards assessed as S$30,000 to ATU (general), ATVs S$50,000...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2015] SGHC 184
Parties
First Plaintiff (school): ATU; Second Plaintiff (principal): ATV; Third Plaintiff (administrator): ATW; Fourth Plaintiff (teacher's Aide): ATX; Defendant (parent): ATY
Court
General Division of the High Court
Jurisdiction
Singapore
Judgment Date
16 July 2015
Case Number
Suit No 779 of 2014
Procedural Posture
Defamation / Damages Assessment After Judgment in Default of Appearance
Outcome
Judgment in default upheld; damages quantified after hearing
Legal Topics
General Damages, Aggravated Damages, Special Damages, Republication and Foreseeability, Malice and Recklessness, Corporate Plaintiffs
Source Language
english
Defamation Tort Civil Procedure Media Law General Damages Aggravated Damages Special Damages Republication and Foreseeability +2 more

Source-derived case record

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Parties

ATU

First Plaintiff (school)

ATV

Second Plaintiff (principal)

ATW

Third Plaintiff (administrator)

ATX

Fourth Plaintiff (teacher's Aide)

ATY

Defendant (parent)

Procedural Posture

Defamation / Damages Assessment After Judgment in Default of Appearance

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the defendant's statements defamed the plaintiffs and liability established by default judgment
  2. 2 Whether defendant is liable for republication by press (Jakarta Post and Independent)
  3. 3 Appropriate quantum of general and aggravated damages

Ratio Decidendi

Default judgment established liability; defendant held liable for foreseeable republication by press; corporate plaintiff (ATU) cannot recover aggravated damages; plaintiffs failed to prove special damages referable wholly to defendant's publications; awards assessed as S$30,000 to ATU (general), ATVs S$50,000 general + S$20,000 aggravated, ATW S$50,000 general + S$20,000 aggravated, ATX S$40,000 general + S$20,000 aggravated.

Court Disposition

Judgment in default upheld; damages quantified after hearing

Orders

  • Awarded to ATU S$30,000 general damages
  • Awarded to ATV S$50,000 general damages and S$20,000 aggravated damages