Arbitral Digest

Matter

Kfir Gavrieli Bankruptcy Estate (Hong Kong HCMP 981/2026)

Hong Kong proceedings recognizing a US Chapter 11 trustee and assisting recovery of bankruptcy-estate funds held in Hong Kong accounts amid related California litigation.

  • Cross-border insolvency
  • Asset tracing and recovery

Procedural record

  1. 22 January 2021United States

    22 January 2021United States

    Amended Judgment of the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles in BC 686856 dated 22 January 2021

    Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles

    Case no.
    BC 686856
    Decision summary
    The court held that Kfir Gavrieli and Dikla Gavrieli Unatin each owned 50% of Gavrieli Brands, LLC and imposed a constructive trust over a 50% share of funds in specified bank accounts.

    1 year and 4 months later · 485 days

  2. 22 May 2022United States

    22 May 2022United States

    Order Confirming Chapter 11 Trustee's Second Amended Plan of Reorganization of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California dated 22 May 2022

    United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California

    Decision summary
    The court entered an order confirming the Chapter 11 trustee's Second Amended Plan of Reorganization in Kfir Gavrieli's bankruptcy case.

    3 years, 10 months and 24 days later · 1424 days

  3. 15 April 2026United States

    15 April 2026United States

    Order of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California in Case No. 2:21-bk 10826-BB dated 15 April 2026

    United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California

    Case no.
    2:21-bk 10826-BB
    Decision summary
    The court confirmed the trustee's powers and issued a Letter of Request seeking recognition of the US bankruptcy case and the trustee by the Hong Kong court.

    5 months and 6 days later · 159 days

  4. 21 September 2026Hong Kong

    21 September 2026Hong Kong

    Reasons for Judgment of the High Court of Hong Kong in HCMP 981/2026 dated 21 September 2026

    High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Court of First Instance

    Case no.
    HCMP 981/2026
    Citation
    [2026] HKCFI 5374
    Decision summary
    The court recognized J. Michael Issa as trustee of the post-effective-date trust administering Kfir Gavrieli's US bankruptcy estate and granted him powers to investigate, secure, collect, and pursue assets in Hong Kong. It ordered banks to provide specified account information and records within 28 days, subject to liberty to apply.

    Participants

    Application
    Recognition of foreign bankruptcy proceeding and trustee appointment — Granted
    Application
    Assistance to foreign insolvency office-holder — Granted
    J. Michael Issa
    Representative
    Christopher John Dobby (For: J. Michael Issa)
    Representative
    Hogan Lovells Cadwalader (For: J. Michael Issa)
    High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Court of First Instance
    Judge
    Linda Chan
    Other
    Insolvency office holder
    J. Michael Issa

    Authorities cited

    4
    • Re Phillips James Kingston (Bankrupt) ([2024] HKCFI 3311)
      case law
    • Re Lim Huey Ching ([2025] HKCFI 2896)
      case law
    • Re USUM Investment Group Ltd ([2026] HKCFI 1320)
      case law
    • United States Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. § 1123)
      statute

Matter record

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Kfir Gavrieli Bankruptcy Estate (Hong Kong HCMP 981/2026) · Matter