Sian Participation Corp. (In Liquidation) v Halimeda International Limited (Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court BVIHCMAP2021/0017)

Procedural record

1. 11 November 2022British Virgin Islands

   11 November 2022British Virgin Islands

   Judgment of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Court of Appeal in the case BVIHCMAP2021/0017 dated 11 November 2022

   Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Territory of the Virgin Islands

   Decision summary

   The Court dismissed Sian Participation Corp.'s appeal against the order appointing liquidators, affirmed the lower court's decision, refused the applications to adduce fresh evidence, and awarded appeal costs to Halimeda International Limited. It held that the arbitration objection was raised too late and that Sian had not established a genuine and substantial cross-claim or abuse of process.

   Participants

   Sian Participation Corp. (In Liquidation)

   Representative

   Tom Smith KC (For: Sian Participation Corp. (In Liquidation))

   Representative

   Paul Fradley (For: Sian Participation Corp. (In Liquidation))

   Representative

   Phillip Kite (For: Sian Participation Corp. (In Liquidation))

   Representative

   Francesca Gibbons (For: Sian Participation Corp. (In Liquidation))

   Representative

   Stuart Cribb (For: Sian Participation Corp. (In Liquidation))

   Representative

   Sara Malik (For: Sian Participation Corp. (In Liquidation))

   Halimeda International Limited

   Representative

   Paul Lowenstein KC (For: Halimeda International Limited)

   Representative

   Rupert Hamilton (For: Halimeda International Limited)

   Representative

   Andrew Willins (For: Halimeda International Limited)

   Representative

   Tamara Cameron (For: Halimeda International Limited)

   Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Territory of the Virgin Islands

   Judge

   Dame Janice M. Pereira, DBE

   Judge

   Paul Webster

   Judge

   Esco L. Henry

   Authorities cited

   23

   • Ladd v Marshall ([1954] 3 All ER 745)
     case-law
   • Article 30 of the LCIA Rules
     rule
   • Virgin Islands Arbitration Act, 2013 (Act No. 13 of 2013, Laws of the Virgin Islands)
     statute
   • Virgin Islands Insolvency Rules (Rule 164, S.I. No. 45 of 2005, Laws of the Virgin Islands)
     rule
   • Dufour and Others v Helenair Corporation Ltd and Others ((1996) 52 WIR 188)
     case-law
   • Jinpeng Group Limited v Peak Hotels and Resorts Limited
     case-law
   • Sparkasse Bregenz Bank AG v In the Matter of Associated Capital Corporation (BVIHCVAP2002/0010)
     case-law
   • LDX International Group LLP v Misra Ventures Ltd ([2018] EWHC 275 (Ch))
     case-law
   • C-Mobile Services Ltd v Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd (Statutory Demand) (BVIHCMAP2014/0006)
     case-law
   • Re Taylor's Industrial Flooring Ltd ((1990) BCC 44)
     case-law
   • Tweeds Garages Ltd ((1961) 1 Ch. 406)
     case-law
   • Palmers Company Law (Vol. 3, para. 15.214)
     case-law
   • In re London and Paris Banking Corporation ((1874) LR 19 Eq. 444)
     case-law
   • Mann v Goldstein ((1968) 2 All ER 769)
     case-law
   • Re Ringinfo Ltd ((2002) 1 BCLC 210)
     case-law
   • Taylor v Van Dutch Marine Holdings Ltd and others
     case-law
   • Ebbvale Ltd v Hosking ([2013] UKPC 1)
     case-law
   • In re Amalgamated Properties of Rhodesia ([1917] 2 Ch 115)
     case-law
   • Re Southard & Co Ltd ([1979] 1 WLR 1198)
     case-law
   • Re a Company ([1983] BCLC 492)
     case-law
   • Re Bayoil SA; Seawind Tankers Corp v Bayoil SA
     case-law
   • Ming Siu Hung and others v J F Ming Inc and another
     case-law
   • UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration (Article 8)
     model law