Mr Lee Kuan Yew and Mr Lee Hsien Loong, have raised objections to the SDP’s Affidavit Evidence in Chief (AEIC) and former solicitor-general Mr Francis Seow’s supporting affidavit.
Citing a combination of reasons including the affidavits being scandalous and irrelevant, the plaintiffs want to prevent them being used by the defendants.
The affidavits were filed as part of the defence in the hearing to assess the amounts of money to be paid to the Lees in damages. The hearing is set to be held in a couple of months from now.
The SDP, Dr Chee Soon Juan, and Ms Chee Siok Chin have refused to bow down and apologise to the rulers and, as a result, they stand to pay enormous amount of damages to the father and son.
The courts had earlier ruled in a summary judgment that the lawsuit taken out by the Lees need not go to trial even though the defendants had disputed their claims.
In the defence, Dr Chee and Ms Chee pointed that there were disputes in fact and in law.
The summary judgment meant that the defendants could not cross-examine the Lees and call witnesses in an open trial. Many legal experts have said that summary judgments are not awarded in defamation cases because triable issues are at play.
Even then, the summary judgment is not sufficient for the Lees who now want the courts to throw out the affidavits filed by the defendants and Mr Francis Seow.
See also:
Lees’ objections to the SDP’s AEIC
Lees’ objections to Francis Seow’s affidavit
“If you defame us, we’re prepared to sue you, go to into the witness box and be cross-examined. You can brief the best lawyers and demolish us. If I’m involved, I go to the witness box. And you can question me, not only on the particular defamatory issue, bit all issues in my life.” – Lee Kuan Yew