Darryl Goon Siew Chye J:

[1] This Originating Summons was brought by the Plaintiffs to challenge the validity of certain board meetings and extraordinary general meetings of the defendant companies, and the validity of the resolutions passed thereat.

[2] At the heart of this Originating Summons was the Plaintiffs' contention that they had been unlawfully removed as directors of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Defendant companies.

The Parties

[3] The 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Defendants are wholly owned subsidiaries of the 5th Defendant company, which is a holding and investment company. For ease of reference the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Defendants shall hereinafter be referred to, collectively, as the "Subsidiaries".

[4] The 1st Plaintiff was director of the Subsidiaries before his removal as a director.

[5] The 2nd Plaintiff was a director of the 1st Defendant before his removal as a director.

[6] The 6th Defendant was a director of the 1st and 2nd Defendant.

[7] The 7th Defendant was a director of the 1st Defendant.

[8] The 8th defendant was the Company Secretary of the Subsidiaries.

[9] The 9th Defendant was, at the material time, also a director of the Subsidiaries.

Background and issues

[10] O