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United Kingdom

Adare v Yellowstone: English Commercial Court on summary judgment and strike-out; no unconscionable bargain or lawful act economic duress; acceleration clause not penal in legally advised, sophisticated finance

Published on: 29 October 2020

Published by a LexisNexis Dispute Resolution expert
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Article summary

Adare Finance DAC v Yellowstone Capital Management SA and another [2020] EWHC 2760 (Comm)

What are the practical implications of this case?

This ruling serves as a convenient and accessible single reference point for practitioners on how to approach applications for summary judgment or strike out in general practice, and on the scope and interpretation of the equitable doctrines of unconscionable bargains, economic duress and penal provisions in particular detail. After a thorough and careful wide-ranging survey of the authorities, Peter MacDonald Eggers QC, sitting as a Deputy Judge of the High Court, firmly concluded that the defendants could not sidestep their freely negotiated contractual obligations by advancing nebulous allegations of victimisation by Adare. The judgment further emphasises that a litigant who is an experienced businessman with substantial means and access to top-quality legal advice cannot be treated as ‘vulnerable’ in Equity.

What was the background?

Adare sought payment of $US 10,539,779 under finance agreements arising from a loan advanced by Adare to Yellowstone, guaranteed by Ohayon, who beneficially owns and controls Yellowstone. The claims concerned (i) a credit facility agreement between Adare and Yellowstone (the new facility agreement), and (ii) a deed of guarantee and indemnity between Adare and...

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