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Division of Matrimonial Assets in Singapore: An Empirical Study

How have Singapore’s courts navigated the evolving and often contentious landscape of division of matrimonial assets upon divorce? Through an extensive empirical study of matrimonial cases in Singapore, this monograph offers fresh insights into the historical and jurisprudential development of the division of matrimonial assets in its courts. It examines how legal reforms – from the Women’s Charter amendments in 1980 and 1996 to the “structured approach” introduced in ANJ v ANK (2015) – have influenced judicial practices in this area of Singapore family law. By drawing on comprehensive datasets on local matrimonial cases, it proposes a principled methodology for equitable asset division grounded in partnership law principles. Essential reading for family law judges and practitioners, policymakers, and social workers, this work is a key resource for stakeholders in the family law community in Singapore.

Author: Colin Tan Boon Chwee
Year of Publication: 2025
Page Extent: 320 pages

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Table of Contents

Foreword

Dr Colin Tan has undertaken rigorous empirical study of 803 reported decisions between the years 1981 and 2020 where the court awarded an order dividing the spouses’ matrimonial assets between them. This is a remarkable achievement as most legal scholars are not as comfortable as he is with handling numbers or formulae or producing meaningful comparative tables.

The ultimate value of rigorous research in the law regulating spouses is reached when it arrives at a legal proposition that aligns with a common-sense approach as to how most reasonable spouses ought to behave towards one another. Dr Tan’s work amply fulfils this threshold. It is rigorous research capable of guiding further development of good legal regulation of spouses. - Professor Leong Wai Kum

Preface

This monograph is based on my PhD thesis and examines the division of matrimonial assets upon divorce in Singapore through an extensive empirical study. Cases involving division of matrimonial assets can be hotly contested and acrimonious and the law in this area has gone through a significant number of changes over the years. Over the course of my career as a district judge, I have felt strongly that this is an area of family law which merits further and deeper study to better serve those involved in such disputes.

It is my hope that this work will prove valuable to those working in this area of family law and that it would provide a basis for future improvements to the law on division of matrimonial assets. - Mr Colin Tan

Chapters

Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Historical Background
Chapter 3: Methodology
Chapter 4: Division of matrimonial assets from 1981 to 1997
Chapter 5: Division of matrimonial assets from 1997 to 2015
Chapter 6: The ANJ v ANK methodology
Chapter 7: Comparison of data from different periods
Chapter 8: Is the methodology in use “just and equitable”?
Chapter 9: A proposal for an improved methodology

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