简介

最近在Re Klimvest plc [2022] EWHC 596 (Ch) 一案中，英国高等法院（「法院」）基于一个比较罕见的理由颁令将一家上市公司清盘——失去公司基础（loss of substratum），即公司放弃其主要宗旨和目的。

背景

Klimvest Plc（「该公司」）于2019年1月出售其业务及资产，其后其唯一重大资产为约800万英镑的现金储备。出售资产后，该公司的最大股东Klimt Invest SA（「第一答辩人」）要求该公司动用出售所得款项作出新投资，而非将在清盘中分派予股东。

Eric Duneau先生（「呈请人」）要求根据英国《1986年无力偿债法》第122(1)(g) 条颁令该公司清盘，认为由于该公司已失去其目的或基础，将该公司清盘属公正公平。第一答辩人反对呈请，辩称（其中包括）该公司并无失去其目的或基础，因为该公司在出售资产前实质上已成为一间控股投资公司，公司的目的仍可透过该投资实现。

失去公司基础的测试

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。

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

Nuoxi Capital Ltd (In Liquidation in the British Virgin Islands) v Peking UniversityFounder Group Co Ltd[2021] HKCFI 3817

Re Wang Huimin[2021] HKCFI 3472

The Bankrupt, Madam Wang, is a Chinese citizen and holds a PRC resident identity card. She has been residing in Shanghai since she was born. The Petitioner is Madam Wang’s younger brother.

Re Hsin Chong Construction Co Ltd (No 4)[2021] 5 HKLRD 489, [2021] HKCFI 3451

Re Ho Suet Hung[2021] HKCFI 3836

A bankruptcy order was made against the Bankrupt on 16 October 2018. Upon the consent of the Official Receiver, being the provisional trustee, the Bankrupt opened a bank account at Standard Chartered Bank (“SCB Account”) to receive her monthly salary. The Trustees were subsequently appointed whereupon the OR ceased to be provisional trustee.

Re Samson Paper Holdings Ltd[2021] 5 HKLRD 286

The Company convened a meeting of unsecured creditors for considering and approving a proposed scheme (“Scheme”) of arrangement restructuring the Company’s unsecured debt. The statutory majority required by section 674 of the CO was obtained and the Company issued a petition seeking the court’s sanction of the Scheme.

Excellent Asia (BVI) Ltd v Mas Media Group Ltd[2021] HKCFI 3605

In March 2020, the Petitioner presented a petition to wind up the Respondent company, which is incorporated in the Cayman Islands, on the ground of insolvency.

Failing to state in the Petition how the three core requirements are satisfied, the Petitioner subsequently took out a summons seeking to introduce a re-amendment to assert matters that are capable of satisfying the three core requirements.