DABBS MATTHEW EDWARD v AAM ADVISORY PTE LTD

Case Significance

In Dabbs, Matthew Edward v AAM Advisory Pte Ltd [2024] SGHC 260, the General Division of the High Court heard Originating Claim No 124 of 2022 concerning the alleged wrongful termination of the claimant's employment. The claimant, Mr Matthew Edward Dabbs, was a former financial advisor, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the defendant, AAM Advisory Pte Ltd, a Singapore-incorporated company. He sought to recover damages arising from the purported wrongful termination together with unpaid commissions and other amounts said to be owing following that termination.

The defendant maintained that it was entitled to summarily dismiss the claimant based on his conduct and behaviour, and denied that any commissions were owing. In its counterclaim, the defendant alleged that the claimant had been overpaid prior to the summary dismissal and that the overpayment should be returned. At the heart of the case, as framed by Wong Li Kok, Alex JC, was whether the claimant's behaviour amounted to conduct that justified summary dismissal. The matter was heard over several days in March and on 22 July 2024, with judgment reserved and delivered on 14 October 2024. Nicholas & Tan Partnership LLP acted for the claimant and WongPartnership LLP for the defendant. The catchwords spanned contract breach, termination, illegality and public policy, employment law, equitable remedies of account, and the right of set-off.