Privileged and Confidential Searching for Deep Pockets
Privileged and confidential IN AVONWICK V SHLOSBERG [2017] CH 210, MR JUSTICE serlespeakISSUE NO.21 ARNOLD REJECTED THE WIDELY HELD ASSUMPTION THAT A TRUSTEE-IN-BANKRUPTCY SIMPLY ‘STOOD IN THE SHOES’ OF THE BANKRUPT AS REGARDS HIS RIGHTS OF PRIVILEGE. I am pleased to introduce this new edition of Serlespeak on As the Court of Appeal determined in issues in the law of insolvency. upholding that decision, the trustee In my and Sophie Holcombe’s cannot use the bankrupt’s documents joint lead article, we discuss the “in a way which amounts to a waiver of scope of remedies under s.241, the privilege”. In a further decision made Insolvency Act, for transactions in the same proceedings, Re Webinvest Ltd (In Liquidation) [2017] EWHC 2446 at undervalue and preferences. (Ch), Arnold J has also considered the Taking up the theme of obligations of confidentiality to which an transactions at undervalue, officeholder is subject. Three significant Adrian de Froment in his article practical points emerge for officeholders considers the territorial reach of and their advisers from these decisions. claims under s.423. Moving on, First, trustees will need to exercise Ruth den Besten highlights the breadth of potential ramifications of greater caution before instructing the the Supreme Court’s judgment in Lehman, while Matthew Morrison petitioning creditor’s solicitors. This is focuses on the implications of the judgment in the Carlyle case because, if they review the bankrupt’s for directors’ duties when companies are in financial difficulties. As a matter of principle, though, it seems privileged documents, it will either Finally, James Mather examines aspects of an officeholder’s amount to a de facto sharing of their clear that the de facto blanket sharing of compulsorily obtained material through obligations in relation to privileged or confidential materials.
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