As cryptoassets have evolved, “staking” (the generation of rewards for locking up tokens), borrowing on margin, and lending against cryptocurrencies to, for example, bet on future movements of cryptoassets against fiat currencies, have all become available activities. In this article, David Mcllroy and Clyde Darrell examine how such activities interact with the UK’s consumer credit regime and the extent to which it can offer individuals an avenue for redress.
07 February 2025In this article, Matthew Parker KC considers some aspects of the LMA standard form illegality provision, including what does “unlawful” mean? and the application of the provision irrespective of the relative importance of the obligation.
07 February 2025It is critical to the operation of bond markets that ultimate account holders bringing liquidation proceedings against bond issuers are given only limited recourse to issues. One recent BVI decision, in which it was held that accountholders have standing as contingent creditors to present a winding-up petition against the issuer, unexpectedly stretches those limits. This article examines whether that decision is correct.
12 January 2025This article examines most-favoured nation clauses (MFNs) in private credit facility agreements in recent years with a particular focus on how MFN clauses are typically calculated and the scope of the carve-outs which often feature in such clauses.
12 January 2025An essential ingredient of an unjust enrichment claim is that the enrichment be “at the expense of” the claimant. In a typical case where the claimant transferred value to the defendant directly, the requirement is obviously met. Where however more than one transaction and/or entity is involved, the analysis will have to be more carefully considered. Terna Energy Trading DOO v Revolut Ltd [2024] Bus LR 1401 (Comm) provides much-needed clarification here, offering analyses in terms of an agency relationship and a series of co-ordinated transactions. Singapore and Hong Kong both adopt a very similar – if even slightly broader – approach.
12 January 2025In this article the authors consider how an English court might view a US-style liability management exercise which: (i) relies on the consent of a majority of creditors within a class to bind a minority within that class; and (ii) treats dissenting creditors less favourably than assenting creditors.
12 January 2025The long-standing controversy of whether a bank (or other agent) is “enriched” by receiving a payment into its customer’s account, where the receipt gives rise to a corresponding liability to the customer, should arguably now be treated as settled at High Court level, but would benefit from appellate consideration.
12 January 2025In this article the authors consider the impact on solicitors engaged in banking and finance transactions of the Law Society’s recent Guidance on the Impact of Climate Change on Solicitors . How is growing awareness of the potential risks associated with climate change affecting the nature and content of solicitors’ duties – and potential liabilities – to their clients?
12 January 2025The volatility of many cryptoassets is such that the date on which they fall to be valued for damages assessment can be critical to the commercial viability of crypto litigation. Yet this is a subject that receives comparatively little focus. This article reviews two recent cases, one from each of the English and Singaporean High Courts, where the question of valuation date for cryptoassets has arisen and, on the basis of those decisions, suggests a practical framework for approaching valuation date issue in typical cryptoasset disputes.
12 January 2025Since the Building Safety Act 2022 gained Royal Assent on 28 April 2022, there has been extensive commentary and litigation on the many issues which arise between landlords, leaseholders, and developers. Less so, in the case of lenders financing affected developments and/or investments. This article reflects on some considerations which can arise, in particular in the context of the higher-risk building management requirements in Pt 4, and the so-called “leaseholder protections” in Pt 5.
12 January 2025