Edgar Joseph Jr FCJ:

Preliminary

[1] In a sense, this appeal from the judgment of the Court of Appeal is historic, for it is the first to be heard pursuant to the provisions of s 96 of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964 (as amended by Act A886/1994 and Act A909/1995), which explains why we are sitting as a Court comprising five judges of the Federal Court.

[2] The appeal concerns a dispute about ownership of certain lands which has its roots in the breakup of a Singapore family due to the eternal triangle. Unless the context otherwise requires, it will be more convenient, if we refer to the parties, as follows:

The Appellant as "the Intervener/Purchaser".

The First Respondent as "the Father".

The Second Respondent who is the Second Wife of the First Respondent as "the Second Wife Rahimah".

The Third Respondent who is the brother of the First Respondent as "the Father's Brother".

The Fourth Respondent who is the sister of the First Respondent as "the Father's Sister".

The Fifth Respondent an incorporated company of which the First Respondent was founder, Managing Director and Chairman, as "the Family Company".

The Sixth Respondent who is the first wife of the First Respondent as "the M