SGPHC in Johan Daniel Blomberg v Khan Zhi Yan [2026] SGPHC 2 applies the s 21 AJPA defence of honest and reasonable mistake to acquit respondent of contempt.

The court found the respondent not guilty of contempt under the Administration of Justice (Protection) Act 2016 because her failure to comply was substantially attributable to an honest and reasonable failure to understand the imprecisely drafted order. The court noted that the respondent's unrepresented status and the nature of her statements (made while exercising legitimate rights) supported the availability of this defence.

Why it mattersThis clarifies the application of the statutory defence for honest and reasonable mistake in committal proceedings, particularly where imprecise drafting or a lack of legal representation contributes to a misunderising of an order's scope.