Lee Hsien Loong v Leong Sze Hian [2021] SGHC 66 v Chew Chin Aik Victor [2001] 1 SLR(R) 86 (“Arul Chandran”) at [53], general damages serve three purposes: (a) First, they act as a consolation to the plaintiff for the distress the publication causes; 85 (b) Second, they repair the harm to the plaintiff’s reputation; and (c) Third, they serve to vindicate the plaintiff’s reputation. The plaintiff argues in favour of substantial damages, pointing to the existence of a number of factors which are material in determining the award to be made. In Lim Eng Hock Peter v Lin Jian Wei and another and another appeal [2010] 4 SLR 357 (“Lim Eng Hock Peter”) at [7], the Court of Appeal highlighted the following factors as being relevant to determining the quantum of general damages: (a) The nature and gravity of the defamation; (b) The conduct, position and standing of the plaintiff and the defendant; (c) The mode and extent of publication; (d) The natural indignation of the Court at the injury caused to the plaintiff; (e) The conduct of the defendant from the time the defamatory statement is published to the very moment of the verdict; (f) The failure to apologise and retract the defamatory statement; and 47