- INTRODUCTION:
Madam Bernice was a well-known entrepreneur in Nigeria in the 1970s and 1980s. She had a big business dream to start a family fashion business that would outlive her and be a blessing to future generations. That dream did come to fruition, as “Bernice Fashion Enterprise” was established sometime in 1972 and became a registered company in 1978, acquiring a new name “Bernice Fashion Limited.” (real names withheld).
1. The CMS Law-Now article “Arbitration agreement does not prevent winding up petition” updated the position in England & Wales following the Privy Council decision in Sian Participation Corporation (In Liquidation) v Halimeda International Ltd [2024] UKPC 16 (“Sian”).
The High Court of Australia (being Australia’s highest court) refused special leave to appeal the Full Federal Court’s decision inCEG Direct Securities Pty Ltd v Cooper (as liquidator)[2025] FCAFC 47. The Court held that the Full Court’s decision turned on the application of the relevant provision to the particular facts of that case and did not raise any broader question of principle.
Introduction
Retention of Title (“ROT”) clauses, although still not commonly used in India, are a well-established measure in various international jurisdictions to secure the interests of sellers in commercial transactions. An ROT clause allows a seller to retain ownership or title to the goods supplied until a specified condition, usually payment in full, is met by the buyer.
In a well-known episode of the comedy “Fawlty Towers”, hotel boss Basil Fawlty was frustrated. A guest had asked for a Waldorf salad. Basil had no idea how to make such a dish, and his attempts to do so were criticised by the guest.
The Appellate Division of the Singapore High Court has in Goh Jin Hian v Inter-Pacific Petroleum Pte Ltd (in liquidation) [2025] SGHC(A) 7 allowed Dr Goh’s appeal against a US$146 million award, holding that breach of the duty of care, skill and diligence (the "Care Duty") does not automatically establish loss.
The landmark decision by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in Stevanovich v Richardson1provides authoritative guidance on the proper interpretation of “person aggrieved” under section 273 of the BVI Insolvency Act, which deals with standing to challenge a liquidator’s decision.
This article examines whether a delay in implementing the Resolution Plan equates to failure of the plan or can timelines for implementation be extended?
Power to extend timelines
The High Court sanctioned Madagascar Oil Limited’s restructuring plan, exercising cross class cram down. The judgment deals with a few now familiar points: what is the relevant alternative? Can it be a different deal? As well as touching on a few novel ones in an unusual two class only plan: was there in fact an in the money class enabling cross class cram down? Almost a third of the judgment is devoted to international recognition and effectiveness of the plan in Madagascar and Mauritius, an unusually detailed analysis, but required here given the specific facts of the case.