Tan Lai Wah v First National Bank of Chicago

• Jurisdiction: Singapore
• Judge: Lord Brightman
• Judgment Date: 08 February 1984
• Neutral Citation: [1984] SGPC 1
• Citation: [1984] SGPC 1
• Date: 08 February 1984
• Year: 1984
• Plaintiff Counsel: John C Beveridge QC and Tuan Kay (Cameron Markby)
• Docket Number: Privy Council Appeal No 38 of 1981
• Defendant Counsel: R Alexander QC and N Chambers (Coward Chance)
• Court: Privy Council
• Published date: 19 September 2003

This is an appeal brought by a Chinese lady who had been a successful land broker for 17-18 years. The appeal is against a judgment for moneys payable under a guarantee of an overdraft entered into as long ago as 1974. The only defence persisted in before their Lordships was one of non est factum to the guarantee which was signed. It was first raised some 15 months after the defence had originally been filed. The learned trial judge surprisingly upheld that defence. His judgment was...