The Court of First Instance has recently helpfully summarised the legal position on schemes of arrangement under both Hong Kong law and English law. Notably, it has called for further development in cross-border coordination in order to avoid the trouble of parallel insolvency proceedings and it has raised a red flag in relation to detailed … Read more
In Yeung Lui Ming v Tang Mo Lin Irene [2019] HKCFI 1848, the Hong Kong Court of First Instance set aside a sale of cemetery sites and a transfer of shares by a bankrupt individual on the basis that they constituted transactions at an undervalue and/or disposals with intent to defraud the creditors. In arriving … Read more
In Re Galleria (Hong Kong) Limited [2019] HKCFI 1877, the Hong Kong Court of First Instance examined the legal principles in relation to dishonesty and blind-eye knowledge. Background This was an action brought by the liquidators of Galleria (Hong Kong) Limited (GHK) against a bank (the Bank), which was one of GHK’s former lenders, for … Read more
In Re Kaoru Takamatsu [2019] HKCFI 802, [2019] HKEC 906, the Hong Kong Court of First Instance has recognised Japanese insolvency proceedings and granted assistance to a trustee in bankruptcy appointed by the Japanese Court. Mr Justice Harris commented that this was the first application of its kind from Japan. He held that it is … Read more
In Swiss Cosmeceutics (Asia) Ltd [2019] HKCFI 336, Mr Justice Harris of the Hong Kong Court of First Instance declined to wind up a company despite it failing to establish a bona fide defence on substantial grounds. Mr Justice Harris commented on the difficulties presented by sporadic record keeping, and reiterated the principle that the … Read more
In a highly international cross-border restructuring, the High Court of Hong Kong has refused to assist the New York-based Chapter 11 trustee of a Singaporean subsidiary of the Cayman-incorporated Peruvian business China Fishery Group (“CFG”). Significantly, the Court held that there was no way that the Chapter 11 proceedings could be recognised given the applicant … Read more
Summary In the recent decision of Shandong Chenming Paper Holdings v Arjowiggins HKK 2 Ltd, the High Court of Hong Kong has provided further guidance on the winding up of foreign companies in Hong Kong. Background Shandong Chenming Paper Holding (the “Company“) is a paper conglomerate incorporated in the People’s Republic of CHina with a … Read more
By now, you will all be aware of the recently gazetted the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Ordinance 2016 ("Amendment Ordinance"), heralding as it does a much anticipated refreshment and modernisation of the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance ("CWUMPO") and the Companies (Winding up) Rules ("CWUR"). Given that the last major … Read more
In Re Hin-Pro International Logistics Limited[1], the Hong Kong Court of First Instance held that it has jurisdiction to grant leave to amend a creditor's winding up petition to include debts accrued only after its presentation. The Court adopted the relevant legal test set out in Re Richbell Strategic Holdings Limited[2] and rejected the more … Read more
