Original news
Goldcrest Distribution Limited v McCole and others [2016] EWHC 1571 (Ch)
What is the background to this case?
The claimant lender, C, sought possession of residential property owned jointly by D1 and his partner D2 (the property) pursuant to a purported legal charge entered into by both the D1 and D2 (the charge). The charge secured D1’s liability to C arising under a guarantee whereby D1 had guaranteed the indebtedness of his company, "Ascot" to C.
Bailey v Angove’s Pty Ltd [2016] UKSC Civ 47
SUMMARY
The Supreme Court in this case had to consider whether an agent’s authority to accept payments had been ended by the principal’s termination of the agency agreement or if the agent’s authority was irrevocable in spite of the termination notice and permitted the agent to receive remaining payments due from customers for goods supplied during the term of the agreement.
BACKGROUND
The powers available to HMRC to request information or documents from a third party (a Third Party Notice) where it is reasonably required by HMRC for checking the tax position of a taxpayer are generally well known. What is not so well known is the limited opportunities available to a third party who might wish to challenge the terms or scope of a Third Party Notice.
For companies with an appetite for strategic business growth rather than divestment, buying assets from insolvent companies is a particular avenue of opportunity. For example, in the current market, there may be opportunities to purchase oil & gas assets from companies that have not been able to survive the prolonged low oil price. Corporate Partner, Philip Mace, provides his top 'legal tips' for purchasing assets from, in this example, an English administrator of a company.
Better late than never, the Third Party (Rights Against Insurers) Act of 2010 finally came into force in an amended form on 1 August 2016. It applies across the UK, with minor variances between Scotland and England and Wales. The Act updates third party creditors’ rights against insurers under the 1930 Act of the same name, permitting a streamlined and more cost-efficient procedure for creditors’ claims against insurers in circumstances where the insured company/ individual which took out the liability insurance has suffered an insolvency event.
Historic Position
In Rowtree Ventures Ltd v Oak Property Partners Ltd the High Court declined to exercise discretion on making administration orders in respect of two companies that were unable to pay their debts and where the statutory purpose was likely to be achieved.(1) Interestingly, the court appears to have exercised a degree of independent commercial judgement in determining whether to engage an insolvency process.
The Guide to ACV has been updated to 10th June 2016 including recent appeals decision and expanded consideration of nominators; supporting evidence; assessment process; nominations of pubs; and exempt disposals.
Assets of Community Value guide
Blighting of development or boosting the local community
CONTENTS
Vanquish Properties (UK) Ltd Partnership v Brook Street (UK) Ltd [2016] EWHC 1508 (Ch)
Vanquish, a developer, was a Limited Partnership under the Limited Partnerships Act 1907 with one General Partner, liable for all obligations of the business, and four Limited Partners.
It was granted an overriding lease by the City Corporation in the name of the Limited Partnership, “acting by” its General Partner. There was no mention of the four Limited Partners.
Summary
The High Court recently handed down the judgment in Ralls Builders Ltd (In Liquidation), Re [2016] EWHC 1812 (Ch). It was held that liquidators and administrators are not able to recover their own costs and expenses of investigating a wrongful trading claim from the directors of a company, even following a finding of wrongful trading under section 214 Insolvency Act 1986.
Background