Abstract
This article aims to elucidate the reasons for an award for punitive damages in private law. In particular, two research methods are employed simultaneously. First, employing a comparative approach between Singapore and the United States, various nuances in judicial attitudes emerge and give rise to a trove of data for interpretation. Second, an intra-disciplinary examination of tort law and contract law highlights the common purposes of punitive damages across different areas of law. The findings of these two methods are subsequently juxtaposed which uncovers novel insights upon examination. A balance between deterrence and proportionality in the remedy of punitive damages can be achieved through the use of principled judicial discretion.
Chua, Andre and Ang, MYN, Punitive Damages: Intradisciplinary and Comparative Perspectives (August 31, 2024), Singapore Comparative Law Review (2024) pp 292-332.
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