Herbert Smith Freehills successfully strike out a HK$3 billion fraudulent trading claim commenced against an IPO sponsor in breach of mandatory procedural rules

Last week, the Hong Kong Court struck out a fraudulent trading claim brought by the liquidators (the “Liquidators“) of China Metal Recycling (Holdings) Limited (“China Metal“) against one of its sponsors (the “Sponsor“) on the ground that it was brought as a High Court Writ action (the “Action“), in breach of the mandatory statutory requirement … Read more

COMI is first port of call – a modified framework for recognising foreign insolvency proceedings in Hong Kong

Historically, the common law has only recognised foreign insolvency proceedings commenced in the jurisdiction in which the company is incorporated. This may no longer be the case in Hong Kong. Going forward, a Hong Kong court will now recognise foreign insolvency proceedings in the jurisdiction of the company’s “centre of main interests” (COMI). Indeed, it … Read more

Herbert Smith Freehills secures further victory in Hong Kong’s Court of Appeal for bank in defending liquidator claim for fraud

Last week, the Hong Kong Court of Appeal refused to grant liquidators (the “Liquidators“) of Galleria (Hong Kong) Limited (“Galleria“), a Hong Kong company, leave to appeal to the Court of Final Appeal in relation to their action against one of Galleria’s former lenders (the “Bank“) for knowing receipt, dishonest assistance and fraudulent trading. The … Read more

Hong Kong Court holds that commercial decisions in a voluntary winding up fall in the remit of a liquidator

We previously wrote about the Court’s attitude to liquidators’ applications for directions on matters arising in a compulsory winding up (i.e., by the court) under section 200 of the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance, Cap. 32 (“CWUMPO“) (see our articles here and here). For voluntary winding ups, a similar provision, being section 255 … Read more

Hong Kong Court issues letter of request under Mainland-Hong Kong arrangement for mutual recognition of insolvency in respect of Cayman-incorporated company

In a further development to cross-border insolvency cooperation between Hong Kong and Mainland China, the Hong Kong Court has issued a letter of request to a Mainland Court requesting recognition and assistance of Hong Kong liquidators appointed over a Cayman company, under the mutual recognition arrangement introduced on 14 May 2021 (the “Arrangement“, see our … Read more

Hong Kong court considers grounds for striking out claims of dishonest assistance, knowing receipt and fraudulent trading

The Court of First Instance recently rejected an attempt by Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited (BOCHK) to strike out various claims brought against it by the liquidators of China Medical Technologies (China Medical). The liquidators’ claims related to BOCHK’s handling of funds deposited with it by China Medical’s former officers, which were allegedly obtained … Read more