15 October 2021
“Lights. Camera. Action!” – Re Motion Picture Capital and standing for minority shareholders to bring unfair prejudice petitions
In the recent case of Re Motion Picture Capital Limited [2021] EWHC 2504 (Ch), the Court greenlit an unfair prejudice petition presented by a minority shareholder who no longer held shares in the relevant company at the time his petition was heard. The petitioner’s position was "Show me the money!", requesting an order that the company purchase his shares at a price reflecting the company’s value, even though his shares had already been transferred into the names of the company’s nominees.
21 May 2021
The Court confirms the Legal Costs Principle in Shareholder Disputes
In the case of KOZA LTD and HAMDI IPEK –v- KOZA ALTIN IŞLETMELERI AS [2021] EWHC 786 (Ch), Mr Justice Trower awarded an injunction restraining Mr Ipek, Koza Ltd (“KL”)’s sole director, from causing KL to use its funds to pay legal costs in the litigation, which was in reality a shareholder dispute between Mr Ipek and Koza Altin Işletmeleri AS (“KAI”). The decision upholds the ‘legal costs principle’ in company disputes, which provides that a company’s money should not be spent on disputes between shareholders.
14 May 2021
Ignorance is bliss? Not for directors!
In the recent case of TMG Brokers Ltd (In Liquidation) (also known as: Baker v Staines) the High Court held a director of a company to be jointly and severally liable for payments made by his co-director out of the company’s bank account which were made without proper authority and amounted to disguised distributions of capital. The fact that he had placed trust in the other director for the company's financial affairs did not excuse him from performing his duties.
17 February 2021
One hand in the cookie jar: Fraud and directors’ duties in insolvency
What happens when a director commits fraud by misappropriating company assets? Or what of the director who continues trading knowing that the company has no realistic prospect of paying its debts as and when they fall due? To whom does a director owe duties at that point and what recourse is there against that director? This article explores these questions.
14 December 2020
Money, money, money: what are directors’ duties in respect of the company’s bank account?
Disputes between directors often arise because of, and/or result in, disputes about company money. Directors need to be alert to how they are required to act, particularly in times of conflict.
