LEXLAW Solicitors & Barristers
The High Court ordered Mr Steven Bell to repay substantial sums after causing BSS LED [R&D] Limited to enter into transactions at an undervalue and make preferential payments to connected companies, in breach of directors’ duties under the Companies Act 2006 and the Insolvency Act 1986.
The High Court held that Ronojoy Nag was liable for misfeasance and breach of fiduciary duty after diverting company assets during insolvency, while his wife Amanda Nag was found liable for dishonest assistance and knowing receipt, ordering both to account for misapplied funds.
The High Court, per Chief ICC Judge Briggs, held that Manolete Partners could not advance misfeasance claims under section 212 Insolvency Act 1986 via an Insolvency Application, and instead had to pursue them under CPR Part 7, ordering payment of the full Part 7 issue fee despite procedural arguments about hybrid claims brought in insolvency proceedings.
Account Freezing Orders (AFOs) are among the most formidable tools that law enforcement and regulatory bodies in England and Wales wield in the fight against financial crime. In…
The High Court refused Sampson Coward LLP’s application for summary judgment in Manolete Partners Plc v Sampson Coward LLP [2023] EWHC 37 (Ch), allowing a £2 million claim concerning alleged mismanagement of escrow accounts during UK Property and Land Specialists Ltd’s insolvency to proceed. The ruling highlights the complexity of fiduciary breaches in escrow arrangements and confirms assignees’ rights to pursue breach of undertaking claims under the Insolvency Act 1986.
The Tribunal in Hastings Insurance Services Ltd v HMRC confirmed that UK intermediaries can recover VAT on services provided to overseas insurers. This decision challenges HMRC’s interpretation of VAT law and sets a strong precedent for cross-border transactions.
The High Court ordered former director Simon Thacker to repay £33,542.20 after benefiting from the extinguishing of his director’s loan account, which was ruled a preference under s.239 Insolvency Act 1986. In contrast, claims against fellow director David Coleman were dismissed after he successfully rebutted the statutory presumption of desire to prefer, despite having received £15,000 shortly before insolvency.
![McGuinness & Anor v Goldentree Financial Services PLC & Anor [2025] EWHC 870 (Ch)](https://lexlaw.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/McGuinness-Anor-v-Goldentree-Financial-Services-PLC-Anor-2025-EWHC-870-Ch-2-1080x720.png)
McGuinness v Goldentree [2025] EWHC 870 (Ch) clarifies investment property loan exemptions under Article 61A FSMA 2000. The High Court struck out regulatory challenges to commercial development finance, confirming contemporaneous evidence establishes business purposes. The judgment reinforces that former directors lack litigation authority during administration without administrator consent. This decision protects legitimate commercial lending from spurious consumer credit challenges whilst emphasising robust documentation practices for development finance practitioners.
Unjust enrichment is a powerful remedy in English law allowing recovery where one party is enriched at another’s expense without legal justification. This guide by LEXLAW Solicitors explains how restitution claims arise in commercial, financial, and contractual disputes. We outline key legal principles, real-world examples, and common defences helping you understand your rights and take action.
The High Court ordered Dr Amir Matta, director of Saint George Investment Holdings Ltd, to repay £1.43 million after he misapplied company funds for personal expenses, breaching his statutory duties under the Companies Act 2006 and authorising unsubstantiated payments to connected parties during a period of financial distress.