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Re Ralls Builders and s 214 IA 1986: no contribution without increase in net deficiency; liquidators' investigation/litigation costs not recoverable; practical guidance for wrongful trading claims (England and Wales)

Published on: 08 August 2016

Published by a LexisNexis Restructuring & Insolvency expert
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Article summary

Original news

Re Ralls Builders Ltd (in liquidation); Grant and another v Ralls and others [2016] EWHC 1812 (Ch), [2016] All ER (D) 113 (Jul). The Chancery Division determined that, as the joint liquidators’ application under section 214 of the Insolvency Act 1986 for a contribution from the company’s directors on a wrongful trading basis had failed, it was not appropriate to order the directors to add to the company’s assets in respect of the liquidators’ fees and expenses incurred in examining and advancing that unsuccessful claim.

What was the background to this judgment?

This was a wrongful trading claim brought under IA 1986, s 214. The liquidators, Steven Grant of Wilkins Kennedy and James Tickell of Portland, sought a £1.5m contribution to the company’s assets from three former directors of a South East building company that entered administration during the last recession. The liquidators alleged the directors knew, or ought to have known, by 31 July 2010, alternatively 31 August 2010, that insolvent liquidation could not be avoided and had taken no steps to protect the interests of creditors until...

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