Third party proceedings allow a defendant in a lawsuit to add additional parties that may be wholly or partly liable for the claim. A defendant can initiate third party proceedings if they claim contribution, indemnity, or require determination of an issue regarding the subject matter of the claim. A third party served with notice will be bound by the judgment if they do not enter an appearance or defend the claim.
Summary judgment allows a plaintiff to obtain a judgment without a full trial if the defendant's defense has no merit or raises no triable issues. To obtain summary judgment, the plaintiff must show the defendant has entered an appearance, been served with the statement of claim, and submit an affidavit verifying the claim and stating there is no defense
4. INTRODUCTION
SITUATION
When a lawsuit is begun in Subordinate Court, the
Claimant files a Statement of Claim (SOC) at the
Court Registry.
The SOC contains a statement which describes the
Claimant's claim against the Defendant.
The Defendant is then served with the SOC.
After that, Defendant must file a Reply to be able
to defend the lawsuit.
There are few examples of when third party may
be added to a lawsuit. (will be discussed).
5. HIGH COURT: O.16 RC
ONLY a defendant can take TP proceedings.
Plaintiff may take TP proceedings if there is a
counterclaim by the defendant.
A TP proceedings is a separate action from the
main action between P and D. In TP
proceedings, D becomes P and the TP becomes
D.
TP proceedings and the main action between P
and D may be heard together to avoid
multiplicity of suits.
6. When TP proceedings may beused by D??
O.16 r.1(1)
D claims
contribution
D claims
indemnity
D claims any
relief or
remedy
D requires any
question or issue
related to the
original subject
matter to be
determined
7. (1) D claims contribution
D may claim contribution from TP where:
(i) One of several trustees is sued in breach of trust: the
trustee sued (D) may claim contribution from the other
trustees (TP); or
(ii) There are joint tortfeasors: where one tortfeasor (D) is
sued, he may claim contribution from the other
tortfeasors (TP); or
(iii) Two insurers have issued policies covering the same
assured and the same peril: where one insurer (D) is
sued, he may claim contribution from the other insurer
(TP).
8. The case of Stott v West Yorkshire Road Car Co Home
Bakeries Ltd and Another [1971] 2 QB 651 is an
example where a TP proceeding had been initiated to
seek for contribution.
The case involved a road traffic collision between a
motorcycle (the plaintiff), an oncoming bus (the
defendants) and a parked van (the third party). The
plaintiff who was injured in the accident brought an
action against the defendants. The defendants in turn
brought third party proceedings against the parked
van, seeking contribution.
9. (2) D claims indemnity
D may claim indemnity from TP in cases of:
a) Surety and principal debtor: e.g. where the banker
goes after the guarantor (TP) for a loan.
b) Insured and insurer: where the insured (D) goes after
the insurer (TP).
In Sze Hai Tong Bank Ltd v Rambler Cycle Co Ltd [1959]
MLJ PC 200, the Privy Council held that P, who had
shipped the goods, was entitled to judgment against D
who was the carrier of the goods. In turn, D was entitled
to be indemnified by the TPs who were the consignee
and the bank.
10. (3) D claims any relief or remedy
• D may claim any relief or remedy from TP which is
substantially the same as the relief or remedy
claimed by P against D.
e.g. “P is injured by a falling roof tile
in D’s house. The roof was repaired
the previous day by T, a contractor
(i.e. third party). P is suing D”. D can
claim the damages against T by TP
proceedings.
11. (4) D requires any question or issue
related to the original subject matter
to be determined
• For example, “A’s car was stolen by B. B sold
the car to C. C sold the same car to D. The car
is in D’s possession. A is now suing D for its
return.”
• D may take TP proceedings to require C to
determine the ownership of the car. C in turn
can require B to determine ownership.
12. AMANAH SCOTTS PROPERTIES (KL) SDN BHD & ORS v. OOIT
MENG KHIN & ORS (NO 2) [2011] 1 LNS 500
• plaintiffs are seeking reliefs relating to breach of duty and
negligence against the defendant.
• The defendant alleged that his signature has been forged on
certain document, allowing monies from the Plaintiff’s account
to be released.
• He therefore wishes to apply for the bank to be named as a
third party to the proceeding for negligent in releasing such
unauthorised payments from the plaintiff’s accounts.
• CT held that the application shall fail because D did not show
how the reliefs claimed against the banks were related to with
the subject matter of the plaintiffs ’ claim
13. So, what if there is
default by the third
party??
We can refer to Order 16 rule 5(1)(a):
If a third party does not enter an
appearance or, having been ordered to
serve a defence, fails to do so, he shall
be deemed to admit any claim stated in
the third party notice and shall be bound
by any judgement or decision in the
action so far as it is relevant to any
claim, question or issue stated in that
notice.
14. • The rules on limitation period apply to defendant as well
as to third party. For example, for contract or tort, the
limitation is 6 years to bring an action against defendant
or third party.
• In the case of Mat Abu b Man v Govt of Malaysia
(1989), the court held that time does not begin to run
until defendant is made liable to plaintiff . Also, a third
party claim is between defendant and third party and is a
separate action from the main action between plaintiff
and defendant.
Limitation against Third Party
15. Procedureof ThirdParty Proceeding
• Governed by O 16 of Rules of Court (ROC)
• Defendant may or may not required leave from court to issue third
party proceeding:
– Leave not required:
When action begun by writ of summon but defendant not yet serve his
defence.
Defendant issues third party notice before defendant serves his defence
according to Rule 1(2)
– Leave required:
When action begun by originating summons.
Defendant issues the notice after serving his defence according to Rule 1(2).
Third party is government (O73 R8).
• Third Party notice must be served to every third party personally
together with a copy of the writ and any of the pleadings served
(if any) as Rule 3(2) is concerned.
16.
17.
18.
19. D must apply for directions by way of a notice in Form
22 within 7 days after third party has entered
appearance and serve the application to all parties of
proceeding. (R 4(1))
If D has not served within 7 days, third party may apply
to the Court for an order to set aside the third party
notice according to O 16 R 4(2).
The Notice may be dismissed if:
-The action does not fall under O.16 r.1 (1)(a) – (c);
or
-Plaintiff or third party can show special
circumstances why the directions should not be
given. E.g: In Pacific Asia etc v Senanti Motors Sdn
Bhd [1992] 2 MLJ 364, the court held that delay in
taking out third party proceedings by D may
constitute special circumstances to dismiss it.
20. no leave required
D entered
appearance
D have to apply
for direction
Third party enter
appearance
Issued and served
third party notice
Apply leave to issue
third party notice
Defence served or
third party is
goverment
Proceed with third party
proceeding if follow all the
procedure
22. • Summary judgment is to enable P to
obtain early judgment in cases where the
defendant has no hope of success and any
defence he raises would merely have the
effect of delaying judgment (Jones v
Stone). It can be filed when the defendant
has entered appearance.
Reasons for summary judgment:
1. Such defence is just a mock defence
2. The defence is only a mere denial
3. There is no triable issues
23. • Trials in civil suit incurs time and costs. Instead of going to trial, P
can apply for summary judgment if certain conditions are met.
• It is a procedure to obtain judgment without trial. Its applicable
only in a clear-cut cases where there is no dispute as to facts or
law and D’s defence is only to delay.
• Summary judgment is a quick way to dispose of a civil action.
However, the court must exercise caution in granting an O.14
application.
When Summary Judgment Under O. 14 Is Not Available??
• When proceedings begun with originating summons and not writ
O.14 R.1(2)
• action involves claim for defamation, malicious prosecution, false
imprisonment, seduction or breach of promise of marriage and
where the claim is based on an allegation of fraud O.14 R.1(2)
• Where there are triable issues in the D’s defence.
• Where P’s claim falls under O.81 i.e. specific performance.
• Where D is the government O.73 R.5(1)
24. PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING SUMMARY JUDGMENT
1) Preliminary Requirement:
A. National Company for Foreign Trade v Kayu Raya Sdn Bhd
Held:
(i) The preliminary requirements to be satisfied, before a party can
obtain summary judgment, are:
(a) D must have entered an appearance;
(b) the statement of claim must have been served on D; and
(c) the affidavit must comply with the requirements of O.14 R.2.
Once these considerations have been satisfied, P will have established a
prima facie case and he becomes entitled to judgment. The burden then
shifts to D to satisfy the court why judgment should not be given against
him: see rr.3 and 4(1) of O.14.
25. (ii) A case is not within O.14:
(a) where no statement of claim had been served on D;
(b) where the indorsement on the writ includes a claim or claims outside the
scope of O.14 as coming within R.1(2);
(c) where the affidavit in support of the application is defective, i.e. in
omitting to state the deponent’s belief that there is no defence to the claim
or part of it to which the application relates; and
(d) where the application is made in an action against the government: O.73
R.5(1).
If P fails to satisfy any of these considerations, the Notice of Application may
be dismissed.
B. Whether injunctive relief is available under O.14 RC
Binariang Communications Sdn Bhd v I & P Inderawasih Jaya Sdn Bhd [2000] 3
MLJ 321,
COA (Siti Norma Yaakob JCA) Held:
• that as long as the 3 conditions have been fulfilled, there is no restriction in law
to prevent P from proceeding to obtain injunctive relief in an O.14 proceeding
before a judge.
26. 2) Time of application
• An application for summary judgment should be made
promptly after D has entered appearance and a statement of
claim has been served on D: O.14 R.1
• If P delays his application for summary judgment, he must
give good reasons and explain the delay.
Cases on delay of P’s application:
In CGIR v Weng Lok Mining Ltd [1969] 2 MLJ 98, concerning
non-payment of tax
Raja Azlan Shah J Held:
That the reason for delay of 3 months in the application for
summary judgment due to holidays and the fasting month was
good reason and did not warrant a dismissal of the application.
27. (b) In Krishnamurthy v Malayan Finance Corp [1986] 2 MLJ
134
Salleh Abas LP stated that an application for summary
judgment must be made after D has entered an appearance
and it could be made either before or after the delivery of
defence. If it is made after the service of the defence, P must
explain the delay. If the Court does not accept the
explanation by P, the Court will not grant an O.14 judgment.
(c)In British American etc Bhd v Pembinaan Fal Bhd [1994]
3 MLJ 267
The court did not accept P’s explanation for the delay in that
its former solicitors had moved to Kota Bharu and it had to
engage other solicitors.
28. 3) Application and service of Application:
• P must apply by Notice of Application (Form 57) supported by
affidavit in Form 13: O.14 R.2
• The Notice of Application and the affidavit must be served on D
within 14 days from the date of receipt of sealed notice: O.14 R.2 (3)
(See also: O.32 R.2 and O.63A R.10)
• Service may be effected personally, by prepaid registered post, by
leaving it at D’s proper address, or by facsimile: O.62 R.6.
4) Affidavit:
(i) An affidavit is a sworn statement made by the deponent who
affirms or swears the affidavit.
29. (ii) The affidavit may be made in Form 13 by:
(a) P himself: P need not state the source and grounds; or
(b) P’s solicitor: the solicitor must state the source
(authorisation) and grounds.
(iii) The affidavit must satisfy the following requirements:
(a) It must be made by P or any person duly authorised to
make it;
(b) It must verify the facts on which the claim or part of the
claim to which the application relates is based; and
(c) It must state the deponent’s belief that there is no defence
to the claim or part of the claim or no defence except as to the
amount of damages claimed: O.14 R.2 (1). Example: “I verily
believe that there is no defence to the action.”
30. (iv) If the 3 requirements are satisfied, then the court has jurisdiction to hear the application
for summary judgment.
(v) Non-compliance of R.2 (1):
• If the affidavit is defective i.e. does not satisfy the requirements of R.2 (1), P’s application
for summary judgment will be dismissed but not the action. The action will still go to trial.
In Chai Cheon Kam v Hua Joo Development Co Sdn Bhd [1989] 2 MLJ 422
P’s affidavit did not verify the claim as well as it did not state that in his belief, D had no
defence.
Held:
The affidavit did not comply with O.14 R.2(1) and was bad. P’s application was dismissed and
the action had to go for trial.
5) Defective statement of claim:
• If the statement of claim is defective, it cannot be cured by the affidavit supporting the
O.14 application
Gold Ores Reduction Co v Parr [1892] 2 QB 14l
To cure it, P must apply to the court to amend it.
31. ISSUES
(1) How hearing proper is made?
The hearing of P’s O.14 application is in chambers, usually before the Registrar who may
refer it to the Judge in Chambers: O.32 R.9 and R.10.
(2) Can D raise technical objections?
D can raise substantive technical objections against P’s O.14 application for non-compliance
with the rules such as defective service, defective affidavit, etc.
If D’s objection succeeds, the Judge will dismiss P’s application under O.14 r.7 and award
costs to D.
If the defect can be cured, the Judge may give leave to P to amend and P has to pay costs.
(3) How D shows that there is a triable issue?
(i) D must show in his counter affidavit (or affidavit in reply) that, “there is an issue or
question in dispute which ought to be tried”.
• If D succeeds, P’s application will be dismissed and D will be given unconditional leave
to defend.
• Cases on whether there is a triable issue to merit D’s defence:
In Appaduray v Ananda [1982] 1 MLJ 292, where the case involved an action for trespass
Court Held:
The dispute in the boundaries of property raised by D required evidence of a survey report.
This was a triable issue and hence P’s application for O.14 judgment was dismissed.
32. (ii) If D or P raises fraud in the case and gives evidence, then no
summary judgment will be granted as it becomes a triable issue
which must go to trial: O.14 R.1 (2).
(iv) If D has filed his defence he may raise defences over and above
those alleged in his defence: Lin Securities v Noone & Co Sdn Bhd
[1989] 1 MLJ 321, it was held,
The court is interested in whether D has a defence.
However at the hearing, D cannot raise issues not covered in D’s
affidavit in reply because there should be openness in civil
procedure.
(v) Summary judgment is also possible even if damages have to be
quantified as they can be assessed later: Avel Consultants Sdn Bhd v
Mohd Zain [1985] 2 MLJ 209.
33. (4) Order 14 Rule 3 : Defendant shows “some other reason that
there ought to be a trial of that claim”
• Although Defendant may not be able to raise a triable issue,
the circumstances of the case might be such that summary
judgment should not be given.
In Concentrate Engineering (Pte) Ltd v UMBC Bhd [1990] 3 MLJ 1,
P sued D (bank) for honouring its cheques which were stolen and
the signatures were forged. P applied for summary judgment. D
resisted P’s application on the ground that police investigations
were going on. This reason is under the 2nd limb of Order 14 rule
3 (other reason) as D could not raise a triable issue under the 1st
limb. The court dismissed P’s application for summary judgment
as the on-going police investigations constituted “other reason
that there ought to be a trial”.
Other reasons D may raise are:
• D is trying to contact a material witness;
• D claims he was mentally unsound when he made the contract;
or
• Where the facts of the case are only within P’s knowledge and
hence it is unfair to enter summary judgment without discovery
34. (5) Can the court determine questions of law?
In the English Court of Appeal case of European Asian Bank v
Punjab & Sind Bank [1983] 2 All ER 508 (CA), Goff LJ said that in
appropriate cases the court can decide on the question of law
under Order 14 even if the question of law seems to be complex.
In Malaysia, the Federal Court, in Chong Ngam Sen v Yeoh Bah Chee
[1981] 1 MLJ 161, held that where there was a question of law raised and not
determined, leave to defend should be given. Thus, no summary judgment would be
granted.
But the Supreme Court, in Malayan Insurance (M) Sdn Bhd v Asia Hotel Sdn Bhd
[1987] 2 MLJ 183, applied Goff LJ’s statement in European Asian Bank and held that
where the issue raised is solely a question of law and the facts are undisputed, then
an Order 14 application should be allowed even if the question of law is a difficult
one.
35. (6) WHEN DEFENDANT NEEDS TO PAY IN TO COURT?
• In Yorke Motors v Edwards [1982], the House of Lords held that:
1. If conditional leave to defend is granted then Defendant has to
pay into court the whole or part of the claim;
2. It would be wrong for the court to impose payment for
conditional leave to defend if Defendant finds it impossible to
fulfil;
3. The conditions for Defendant to pay are:
(i) Defendant must make a full and frank disclosure;
(ii) Defendant cannot rely on the ground that he is on legal aid;
(iii) Defendant cannot just complain that the financial condition is
difficult to fulfil. He must provide evidence that it is
impossible for him to fulfil.
36. (7) CAN THE COURT DISMISS P’S ACTION?
In Diamond Peak Sdn Bhd v Tweedie [1980] 2 MLJ 31,
Held:
The trial judge has no power in an application for summary
judgment to dismiss P’s action. He can only dismiss the application
for summary judgment and grant Defendant unconditional leave
to defend.
SETTING ASIDE ORDER 14 JUDGMENT AGAINST A PARTY
WHO DOES NOT APPEAR AT THE HEARING
Order 14 rule 11 The court may, if it thinks just, set aside an
Order14 judgment against Defendant who does not appear
at the hearing where the court views that there is a triable
issue or other reasons that it ought to go to trial.
38. SUMMARRY JUDGMENT UNDER O.81
- Obtaining summary judgment for certain applications
for example specific performance or rescission of an
agreement.
- Plaintiff must first commence an action by writ before
the Plaintiff can apply for specific performance or
rescission of an agreement.
39. APPLICATION FOR O.81 JUDGMENT
O.81 r.1(1) provides that P may apply to the court for:
(a)Specific performance of sale or purchase or of exchange of property or
in respect of lease; or
(b)Rescission of an agreement; or
(c)Forfeiture or return of deposit under such an agreement.
(2) The above applications are for equitable relief which may be granted at the
discretion of the court.
(3) P must begin his action by writ indorsed with a claim and on grounds that
D has no defence to the action.
WHEN IS O.81 APPLICABLE?
O.81 is only applicable where P’s application for summary
judgment is for the claim specified in O.81 r.1(1)(a) – (c): Ng
Ah Bah @ Ng Looi Seng & 2 Ors v Ramanda Sdn Bhd [1996] 1
CLJ 238, 1 MLJ 62, where the court dismissed the appallents
appeal as well as the respondents appeal.
40. PROCEDURE AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN O.81 AND O.14:
(1) P may make the application as soon as the writ is served whether or not D has entered
appearance: O.81 r.1(2).
In an O.14 application, P can only apply after D has entered appearance and after P has
served his statement of claim.
(2) P must proceed by Notice of Application supported by affidavit which is made by
some person who can:
(i) Swear positively to the facts verifying the cause of action; and
(ii) State that in his belief there is no defence to the action: O.81 r.2(1).
In an O.14 application, the affidavit may be made by P himself or his solicitor.
(3) The Notice of Application must attach the minutes of the judgment sought by P i.e. a
draft copy of the summary judgment sought: O.81 r.2(2)
(4) In an O.14 application, there is no requirement of the minutes of judgment sought to
be attached to the Notice.
(5) In Sova Sdn Bhd v Kasih Sayang Realty Sdn Bhd [1988] 2 MLJ 268, the court held that
failure to file the minutes of judgment is not fatal to P’s action.
(6) (4) The Notice of Application, a copy of the affidavit in support and of any exhibit
referred to therein must be served on D within 14 days from date of issue of the
notice: O.81 r.2(3).
(7) This is the same as for O.14 application.
41. JUDGMENT FOR PLAINTIFF: O.81 R.3
O.81 r.3 provides that at the hearing of the application under r.1, the Court may give
judgment for the plaintiff in the action unless:
(a) The Court dismisses the application; or
(b) D satisfies the Court that there is an issue or question in dispute which ought
to be tried; or (c) There ought for some other reason to be a trial of the action.
LEAVE TO DEFEND
(1) D may show cause against an application under r.1 by
affidavit or otherwise to the satisfaction of the Court: r.4 (1).
(2) The Court may give D leave to defend the action either
unconditionally or on such terms as to give security or
time or mode of trial or otherwise as it thinks fit: r.4(2).
(3) Where the Court orders that D has leave to defend the
action, the Court shall give directions as to the further
conduct of the action: r.5
42. CAN COURT DISMISS P’S ACTION UNDER O.81 APPLICATION?
(1) The court can dismiss P’s whole action under O.81
application as it is for an equitable relief made by a judge.
(2) Note that in O.14 application, the court cannot dismiss P’s
action as an O.14 application is an interlocutory application.
SETTING ASIDE JUDGMENT: O.81 R.7
O.81 r.7 provides that any judgment given against D who does not
appear at the hearing of an application under r.1 may be set aside
or varied by the Court on such terms as it thinks fit.
44. Cotra Enterprises Sdn Bhd v Pakatan Mawar (M) Sdn Bhd
[2001] 3 AMR 334;
Ahmad Maarof JC had before him a case in which the
plaintiff had sought summary judgment under Order 14
for a declaration the substance of which was that five
written agreements he had entered into were void and
had been rescinded.
The learned judicial commissioner held – and in our
judgment correctly held – that the declaration sought was
in essence an order for rescission within Order 81 and
therefore fell outside the scope of Order 14.
In the present case the facts are inverted. Here the
respondent obtained a declaration under Order 81 when
that form of relief is not one of the remedies available
summarily under the Order. It is our very respectful view
that the High Court was plainly wrong in making the order
which it did as it simply did not have the power to do so.
45. CE Health Plc v Ceram Holding Co [1988] 1 WLR 1219, Neill LJ made the
following observation:
“The scope of Order 14 proceedings has been a matter which has been determined
by the rules. There would therefore appear to be little, if any, room for an argument
that the court has some wider powers in these fields than that conferred by the
rules, or that it has some residual or inherent jurisdiction to grant relief where it is
just to do so, or that the wide language of the statute confers some additional
powers to act outside and beyond the rules.”
That passage in our respectful judgment applies to the summary procedure created
by RHC Order 81.
What we are therefore concerned with are not two different procedures to achieve
the same result but two entirely different types of jurisdiction.