NG KAI HOE RAYMOND v Wong Peng Kong

NG KAI HOE RAYMOND v Wong Peng Kong

Award nominal damages of $1 because the defendant’s republication had manifestly limited reach (one reaction and one share, no evidence of readership in Singapore) and, independently, the claimant’s reputation was not deserving of legal protection given exaggeration of harm, lack of candour about the earlier dismissed action and related evidential deficiencies; limited publication and undeserving reputation justify nominal damages even on default judgment.

Citation
[2026] SGDC 136
Parties
Claimant: Ng Kai Hoe Raymond; Defendant: Wong Peng Kong
Court
District Court
Jurisdiction
Singapore
Judgment Date
17 April 2026
Case Number
DC/OC 1154/2025 ( DC/AD 16/2026 )
Procedural Posture
Defamation Assessment of Damages Following Default Judgment / Assessment Hearing (default Judgment Entered)
Outcome
Nominal general damages of $1 awarded to claimant; no order as to costs.
Legal Topics
Assessment of Damages, Default Judgment, Publication, Nominal Damages, Costs
Source Language
English
Defamation Civil Procedure Internet Publication Assessment of Damages Default Judgment Publication Nominal Damages Costs

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Parties

Ng Kai Hoe Raymond

Claimant

Wong Peng Kong

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Defamation Assessment of Damages Following Default Judgment / Assessment Hearing (default Judgment Entered)

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the defendant’s republication caused reputational harm to the claimant attributable to that republication
  2. 2 Extent and proof of internet publication and audience reach
  3. 3 Whether the claimant’s reputation is deserving of legal protection

Ratio Decidendi

Award nominal damages of $1 because the defendant’s republication had manifestly limited reach (one reaction and one share, no evidence of readership in Singapore) and, independently, the claimant’s reputation was not deserving of legal protection given exaggeration of harm, lack of candour about the earlier dismissed action and related evidential deficiencies; limited publication and undeserving reputation justify nominal damages even on default judgment.

Court Disposition

Nominal general damages of $1 awarded to claimant; no order as to costs.

Orders

  • Award general damages of SGD 1 to the claimant
  • No order as to costs