Where a bankrupt was joint owner of property abroad but within the European Community, an English court could order the property to be sold and the proceeds paid to the trustee. Such an order could not be made against the land itself, but could be effective against the bankrupt in personam. The bankrupt and his … Continue reading Pollard and Another v Ashurst: ChD 16 Mar 2000
The defendant had been employed as a local government officer, and had accrued pension rights under the statutory scheme. He was made bankrupt, and later made redundant under circumstances triggering payment of the pension. The trustee claimed all or part of the pension. Held: He was entitled to the basic pension, pension lump sum, and … Continue reading Patel v Jones: CA 24 May 2001
A right of pre-emption granted over land was property. It had value and was capable of assignment, and was therefore a chose in action. As such it was vested the trustee in bankruptcy on the insolvency of the owner of the right. It may be difficult to value, and might not become exercisable, but it … Continue reading Dear v Reeves: CA 1 Mar 2001
The assignment of the fruits of an action for damages was a sale of property within section 436 of the Act, it was not within the exemption for champerty provided by the Act to a liquidator which arose from the statutory power of sale. The assignment of a cause of action assigned the right to … Continue reading ANC Ltd v Clark Goldring and Page Ltd and Another: CA 31 May 2000
The company’s liquidator had refused to assign to its former directors a claim for a reduction in corporation tax which they were funding. Held: Such a claim did not constitute property within section 436, and was not a chose capable of assignment. All that could be assigned would be the right to appeal. Since the … Continue reading Williams v Glover and Another: ChD 4 Jun 2013
The claimant was sole residuary legatee of his mother’s estate. He became bankrupt, but was released by automatic discharge from the bankruptcy before the administration of the estate was completed. He challenged the solicitors who wished to pay the estate to his trustee. Held: The value of the estate was payable to the trustee in … Continue reading Raymond Saul and Co (A Firm) v Holden and Another; In re Hemming (deceased): ChD 12 Nov 2008
A contractor had done defective work in breach of a building contract with the developer but the loss was suffered by a third party who had by then purchased the development. The developer recovered the loss suffered by the purchaser. Held: The benefit of a contract may be assigned to a third party without the … Continue reading Linden Gardens Trust Ltd v Lenesta Sludge Disposals Ltd and Others; St. Martins Property Corporation Ltd v Sir Robert McAlpine: HL 8 Dec 1993
The Court was asked as to the validity of the assignment by a liquidator to a litigation funder of the benefit of a wrongful trading claim against the directors of the company under section 214 of the IA 1986. The directors sought to stay the claim on the basis that the liquidator had no power … Continue reading Ward v Aitken and Others; In re Oasis Merchandising Services Ltd: CA 9 Oct 1996
The claimant investors said that their financial adviser, the defendant insolvent company, had given them negligent advice. The action was brought as a preliminary to claiming against the defendant’s insurers under the 1930 Act, in the way made necessary by the Post Office and Bradley cases. Limitation defences were deployed to strike the action out. … Continue reading Financial Services Compensation Scheme Ltd v Larnell (Insurances) Ltd: CA 29 Nov 2005
Saad Investments was a Cayman Islands company in liquidation. The liquidator brought an action here, but the defendant sought a stay saying that another forum was clearly more appropriate. Shares in Saudi banks were said to be held in trust for the company, but Saudi law would not recognise such trusts. The shares had been … Continue reading Akers and Others v Samba Financial Group: SC 1 Feb 2017
The court was asked whether the prescribed parts of the company’s net property (as defined in s.176A (6)) is available to satisfy any part of the debts due to a creditor which are secured by a floating charge in that creditor’s favour but cannot be paid out of the realisation of the net property due … Continue reading Thorniley and Another v HM Revenue and Customs and Another: ChD 5 Feb 2008
A waste management licence could constitute both property and onerous property for the purposes of the Insolvency Act. It could also be an interest incidental to the land to which it related. Because of this the liquidator of a waste management company could disclaim the licence without committing an offence under the Act. Citations: Times … Continue reading Official Receiver v Environment Agency: CA 5 Aug 1999
Arden J was asked to approve aproposal that the company should go into voluntary liquidation, on the basis that, prior to that happening, the administrators would pay into a trust account in their own name a sum equal to the total amount owing to the preferential creditors, from which account the preferential creditors would be … Continue reading In re UCT (UK) Ltd: ChD 2001
At the date of the bankruptcy the bankrupt was entitled to a pension, payable in the future on his attaining the age of 65 years. He was aged 61 when the bankruptcy order was made, and 64 when it was discharged. The trustee claimed to be entitled to elect under the policy to commute part … Continue reading In Re Landau (A Bankrupt): ChD 1 Dec 1996
IVA is a special form of contract Liquidators asked the court whether sums sought by the insolvent company’s landlords were payable and or provable. Under an IVA, the copany had been paying reduced rents, but the arrangement document provided that the full rents would be restored on its cessation. The liquidators challenged the clause as … Continue reading Wright and Another (Liquidators of SHB Realisations Ltd) v The Prudential Assurance Company Ltd: ChD 6 Mar 2018
The bankrupt applicants each applied to the Court of Appeal for leave to appeal against the judgment for a liquidated sum on which the bankruptcy petition had been based. In the first case, the trustee in bankruptcy indicated his unwillingness to pursue an appeal; in the second, no trustee had been appointed. Held: A bankrupt … Continue reading Heath v Tang, Stevens v Peacock: CA 11 Aug 1993
