Feature

Claims against ESG rating agencies: a hopeless task?

In this article, the author considers the possible claims an aggrieved party may have against an ESG rating provider in circumstances where that party considers that it has suffered a loss as a result of an inaccurate ESG rating decision.

Dovetailing between the Judgments Regulation and the Insolvency Regulation

In recognition of the unique features of insolvency law, the EU developed two distinct jurisdictional and recognition regimes for civil and commercial matters on the one hand, and insolvency on the other. The relationship between the two regimes has been controversial, but it is now widely accepted by national courts and the CJEU that the regimes are intended to dovetail into one another. In theory, dovetailing ensures that the regulations constitute a comprehensive regime for all civil proceedings. In practice, it is often unclear which set of rules applies, and whether particular proceedings are within the scope of both regulations, or neither. This article examines the difficulties of dovetailing, and the continued relevance of dovetailing after the UK’s exit from the EU.

Impact of the new Takeover Code on financing public bids

In this article, the authors consider the consequences of Rule 13.5 of the new Takeover Code for lenders, looking at the impact of a longer certain funds period and the controls that lenders can introduce.

The dynamics of insurers as lenders in the NAV market

In this article, Angela Batterson of Cadwalader in New York, considers the factors attracting insurance companies to the NAV financing space and some typical deal terms.

Channel Islands and statutory fences: obtaining evidence for use overseas

The recent decision, Green v CT Group Holdings Limited , adds to existing case law on the point that Norwich Pharmacal  applications cannot be used to obtain evidence for use in proceedings overseas. The court again found that the route to obtaining that evidence is “fenced off” by statute, and a letter of request must be issued to the English court from overseas instead. That process is however unsuitable for an urgent asset-trace in response to a fraud. Although controversial, there is a similar but separate route to obtaining information about assets and their whereabouts for use overseas under another statute.

Artificial intelligence in syndicated lending

Banks are technology companies subject to vertical (that is, industry-specific) regulation. The ABA Banking Journal reports that: “This region [North America], with a history of strong investment in banks’ technology foundations, will see IT spending grow to $100.4 billion by 2027…”. AI adoption and deployment forms part of this anticipated spend. Alongside AI, tokenisation of debt instruments will create a new model in syndicated loan markets. This article explores the current position on AI in syndicated lending.

The rule in Clayton’s Case: its application in non-banking relationships

The rule in Clayton’s Case  originated in banking relationships and its application is most often seen in that context. Recently there has been a trend to disapply the rule, in cases where multiple claimants seek to trace into a single fund. This article looks at a recent decision of the Court of Appeal which turned on the application of the rule in a non-banking context, and in particular on the timing of the appropriation of payments which is deemed to take place pursuant to the rule.

Non-notification receivables financing: can the assignor sue without joining the assignee?

Generalised statements in recent cases appear to say that an assignor cannot sue the debtor without joining the assignee to the action. This article argues that this should not be the case where the debtor has not been notified of the assignment, and that the statements in the cases are weak, if any, authority in relation to non-notification receivables financing. 

This article is based on the full chapter published in Peel and Probert: Shaping the Law of Obligations: Essays in Honour of Professor Ewan McKendrick KC,  OUP 2023, ISBN: 9780198889762. 

A mortgagee’s accountability for mortgage valuations following Shokrollah-Babaee v EFG Private Bank

This article considers the judgment of Miles J in Shokrollah-Babaee v EFG Private Bank Limited  [2023] EWHC 3270 (Ch), how it affects the relationship between mortgagees, valuers and mortgagors (to the extent that it can fairly be described as a relationship at all) and its wider impact.

Going cashless: the treatment of cryptoassets in insolvency proceedings

The transaction volume of cryptoassets and associated products has witnessed rapid expansion, with recent reports indicating that the cumulative market value for cryptocurrencies alone has now exceeded $3trn. This growth has, in turn, increased the likelihood of both cryptoasset-related businesses (such as exchanges and custodian wallet providers) entering into formal insolvency processes, and cryptoassets featuring within insolvency proceedings. Accordingly, this article considers how cryptoassets are treated within English insolvency law, focusing on their classification as property, jurisdictional issues arising from their decentralised nature, the enforcement of security interests, and the challenges of valuation and distribution.