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This article looks at three aspects involving a management corporation in a strata development. It is argued that the principle laid down in the New SouthWales cases that a management corporation holds the common property as trustee for the unit owners has no application in the Singapore context. In light of the various difficulties faced by a management corporation in pursuing actions in contract and tort for unit owners in respect of the common property, legislative intervention to confer on the management corporation a cause of action in its own right is justified. Finally, greater clarity on what amounts to structural defects in a strata development would be welcomed as it would greatly assist a management corporation in discharging its duty in this respect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the International Court of Justice's (ICJ's) 2008 judgment on the sovereignty of the Middle Rocks and South Ledge in the Pedra Branca/Pulau Batu Puteh (Pedra Branca/PBP) island in the Strait of Singapore contested by Malaysia and Singapore. Particular focus is given to the examining the history of the original land title to the Pedra Branca/PBP island from the early 17th century through the early 21st century.

In the face of Singapore's land scarcity problem, there is an increasing prevalence of strata-titled developments providing private housing in Singapore. This paper considers the awareness in certain quarters of certain fundamental aspects of this unique form of property ownership. The particular aspect which this paper considers is the understanding and interpretation of the term "common property" among two important groups of people. The first group comprises those who purchase strata title properties - they are referred to as "subsidiary proprietors". The second group comprises "managing agents" (MAs), who may be delegated this task of professionally managing and maintaining the strata-titled development. The findings of a survey are that their understanding of this fundamental term is inadequate. Based on these findings, the paper concludes with recommendations for improving the level of professionalism among MAs through licensing and courses for continuing professional development. This will bode well for the overall state of strata-titled developments which are not only here to stay, but are expected to increase in number in Singapore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]