Halime v Singapore Airlines Ltd

The applicant, Halime, sought leave to appeal from the summary dismissal of proceedings against Singapore Airlines Ltd. The original proceedings were commenced approximately 20 years after the expiry of the relevant limitation period. The summons seeking leave to appeal was filed over three years after the orders dismissing the original proceedings were made.

The primary legal issues before the court were whether leave to appeal should be granted, given the significant delay in commencing the original proceedings and the further delay in filing the summons for leave to appeal, and whether the proposed appeal had any prospects of success. The applicant contended that they had suffered psychological trauma and severe trauma after witnessing an engine explosion. The court considered the application of the Warsaw Convention and the Hague Protocol to the circumstances.

The court found that there was no adequate explanation for the extensive delays. It concluded that the proposed appeal would have no prospects of success, and therefore, there was no question of principle that warranted granting leave to appeal. The court dismissed the summons.

The summons was dismissed, and the applicant was ordered to pay the respondent’s costs.