Chapter 2 - Pre-Litigation Issues - Limitation Period for Specific Action Flashcards
OVERVIEW
1) Actions in Tort
1. 1) Actions in Tort of Negligence not Involving Personal Injuries
2) Actions in Contract
3) Actions to Recover Land
4) Actions to Recover Money Secured by Mortgage or to Enforce Charge
5) Actions in Respect of Trust Property
6) Actions against Government
7) Actions for Fatal Accident Claims
ACTIONS IN TORT
Overview
1) The law
2) When does time start to run
3) Examples & Application
4) Recent application
ACTIONS IN TORT
The law
- S.6 LA: 6 years from the date of cause of action accrues
ACTIONS IN TORT
When does time start to run
1) Date of cracks developed
- Pirelli Cable Works v Oscar Faber
- Ambank Bhd v Abdul Aziz Hassan
2) Date of cracks discovered
- Ambank (M) Bhd v Kamariyah bt Hamdan & Ors
ACTIONS IN TORT
Examples & Application
1) Personal injury claims - Credit Corporation (M) Bhd v Fong Tak Sin:
- D’s identity is irrelevant in P.I claims for the purpose of limitation.
2) Professional negligence - suit struck out - Pang Yeow Chow v Advance Specialist Treatment Engineering Sdn Bhd:
- Cause of action arises on the day when the suit was struck out.
ACTIONS IN TORT
Recent Application
CA, 2020
Nyo Nyo Aye v Kevin Sathiaseelan a/l Ramakrishnan
- period of limitation runs from the date of the damage, not on the date of the act which caused the damage.
- e.g. date the suit was struck off, not on the date of the act which caused the suit was struck off
ACTIONS IN TORT OF NEGLIGENCE NOT INVOLVING PERSONAL INJURIES
Overview
1) The law & applicability
2) When does time start running
3) Meaning of knowledge
4) Extent of knowledge required
ACTIONS IN TORT OF NEGLIGENCE NOT INVOLVING PERSONAL INJURIES
The law & applicability
1) The law - S.6A
- after initial limitation of 6 years, action must be brought within 3 years from the date of damages discovered;
- subject to longstop of 15 years
2) The applicability
- actions for damages for negligence;
- NOT involving personal injuries.
ACTIONS IN TORT OF NEGLIGENCE NOT INVOLVING PERSONAL INJURIES
When does time start running
KI
S.6A(4)(a) - KI
WHEN:
- P or any person has KNOWLEDGE of the damage; and
- Has knowledge on the IDENTITY of the D.
ACTIONS IN TORT OF NEGLIGENCE NOT INVOLVING PERSONAL INJURIES
Meaning of knowledge
MFI
S.6A(4)(b) - MFI
- Being aware of the MATERIAL FACTS; AND
- Being aware if the IDENTITY of the potential defendants
ACTIONS IN TORT OF NEGLIGENCE NOT INVOLVING PERSONAL INJURIES
Extent of knowledge
1) Reasonable suspicion - Lian Kok Hong v Ow Wah Foong (SG):
- Only reasonable suspicion is required, not absolute uncertainty.
2) Aware & knowledge - Howard & Ors v Fawcett (HL):
- being aware of the basis of the complaint;
- has the knowledge that D’s acts or omissions were the cause of the damages.
ACTIONS IN CONTRACT
Overview
1) The law
2) Application
ACTIONS IN CONTRACT
The law
S.6 LA
- 6 years from the date of cause of action accrues.
ACTIONS IN CONTRACT
Application
On void contract - Khatijah Abdullah v Mohd Isa bin Biran
- S.6 does not apply to void contract
ACTIONS TO RECOVER LAND
Overview
1) The law
2) When does time start to run
3) Scope & applicability of the law
4) Recent application