The 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 2025Part 26A, introduced into the Companies Act 2006 by the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (CIGA), is an important tool to assist companies in financial difficulties, building on the Pt 26 scheme of arrangement. Part 26A contains a relatively thin set of statutory provisions that leave a great deal to be fleshed out by the courts. Judges have risen to the occasion and have begun to develop a structured approach to Pt 26A cases. There are, however, some difficult issues that are emerging in the process. This article aims to pull together a shopping list of these issues, to promote conversation among scholars, practitioners, and policy makers about the way forward.
25 November 2024Marshalling as an equitable doctrine got into its stride as long ago as the 1700s, and the concept is one that has been developed throughout the common law. The doctrine (or sub-doctrine) of marshalling by apportionment demonstrates that marshalling still holds great potential for further development where there is a first-ranking secured creditor with security over multiple assets and, below it, two or more equally ranking secured creditors with respective interests in one or other of those assets. This article considers marshalling by apportionment in light of the Australian case Callisi Pty Ltd v Sterling & Freeman Advisory Pty Ltd [2023] VSC 300.
24 November 2024Lenders’ decisions will often prejudice third parties that have dealt with their borrowers. The third parties might then seek redress from the lenders, in a claim under one or more of the economic torts of: (i) inducing a breach of contract; and (ii) unlawful means conspiracy. This article summarises the key requirements for liability under each of the torts, together with the potential risks that lenders should be aware of in relation to each tort. It then considers the potential steps that lenders can take to mitigate their risk.
24 November 2024