簡介
最近在Re Klimvest plc [2022] EWHC 596 (Ch) 一案中，英國高等法院（「法院」）基於一個比較罕見的理由頒令將一家上市公司清盤——失去公司基礎（loss of substratum），即公司放棄其主要宗旨和目的。
背景
Klimvest Plc（「該公司」）於2019年1月出售其業務及資產，其後其唯一重大資產為約800萬英鎊的現金儲備。出售資產後，該公司的最大股東Klimt Invest SA（「第一答辯人」）要求該公司動用出售所得款項作出新投資，而非將在清盤中分派予股東。
Eric Duneau先生（「呈請人」）要求根據英國《1986年無力償債法》第122(1)(g) 條頒令該公司清盤，認為由於該公司已失去其目的或基礎，將該公司清盤屬公正公平。第一答辯人反對呈請，辯稱（其中包括）該公司並無失去其目的或基礎，因為該公司在出售資產前實質上已成為一間控股投資公司，公司的目的仍可透過該投資實現。
失去公司基礎的測試
簡介
最近在關於申請罷免清盤人的Shearman & Sterling (a firm) and others v Asia-Pac Infrastructure Development Limited (in creditor’s voluntary liquidation) and others [2022] HKCFI 218一案中，法院在詳細考慮提出此項申請所需的資格後駁回申請，裁定申請人欠缺所需資格。
背景
第一被告人（「該公司」）是一間正在進行債權人自願清盤的公司。第二及第三被告人（分別為「鄧先生」及「侯女士」）是該公司的清盤人。該公司在高院民事訴訟2006年第806號（「高院訟案」）是原告人之一，而本案的原告人（「謝爾曼等人」）是高院訟案的被告人。
Introduction
In the recent case of Shearman & Sterling (a firm) and others v Asia-Pac Infrastructure Development Limited (in creditor’s voluntary liquidation) and others [2022] HKCFI 218, which concerns an application for removal of liquidators, the Court, after having considered the requisite locus standi for making such an application in detail, dismissed the application, finding that the applicants lacked the standing.
Background
简介
最近在关于申请罢免清盘人的Shearman & Sterling (a firm) and others v Asia-Pac Infrastructure Development Limited (in creditor’s voluntary liquidation) and others [2022] HKCFI 218一案中，法院在详细考虑提出此项申请所需的资格后驳回申请，裁定申请人欠缺所需资格。
背景
第一被告人（「该公司」）是一间正在进行债权人自愿清盘的公司。第二及第三被告人（分别为「邓先生」及「侯女士」）是该公司的清盘人。该公司在高院民事诉讼2006年第806号（「高院讼案」）是原告人之一，而本案的原告人（「谢尔曼等人」）是高院讼案的被告人。
Re GTI Holdings Ltd[2021] HKCFI 3647
The Company was incorporated in the Cayman Islands and listed on the Main Board of the HKEX. The Petitioner sought to wind up the Company on the ground that the Company failed to satisfy a statutory demand served upon it on 21 January 2020. On 26 May 2020, the Company presented a winding up petition (“Petition”) against itself and applied for the appointment of PLs for restructuring purpose with the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. Subsequently, on 28 May 2020, the Cayman Court appointed PLs over the Company.
有關森信洋紙有限公司 (2021) 粵 03 認港破 1 號
The Financial Conduct Authority v Carillion Plc[2021] EWHC 2871 (Ch)
The Respondent company was put into compulsory liquidation on 15 January 2018 and the Official Receiver was appointed as the liquidator.
Section 130(2) of the UK Insolvency Act (which is in the same wordings as section 186 of the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap 32)) provides that:
Silver Starlight Limited v China CITIC Bank Corporation Limited, Tianjin Branch &Others[2021] HKCA 1248
Re Hsin Chong Construction Co., Ltd.[2021] HKCFA 14
The Company and Build King Construction Limited (“Build King”) entered into a joint venture agreement (the “JV Agreement”) in November 2013 to form and operate a joint venture (the “JV”). The JV was subsequently awarded a government contract for a major project in June 2016 with the Company taking a 65% interest and Build King the remaining 35%.
Stanford International Bank Ltd (in liquidation) v HSBC Bank PLC[2021] EWCA Civ 535
Stanford International Bank Limited (“SIB”), which collapsed into liquidation in 2009, held multiple accounts with HSBC between 2003 to 2009 (“Accounts”). SIB had debts in excess of US$5 billion arising from its being used as the vehicle for one of the largest Ponzi schemes in history. The liquidators of SIB (“Liquidators”) made two claims against HSBC as follows: