Causing the company to issue proceedings against Lisa
257.Proceedings were delayed whilst Nora was alive because the relevant Respondents knew that she would tell the truth. On Nora’s death the proceedings were issued (paragraphs 19 and 20 of the Petition).258.The claim was a false claim and known to be such. They were brought to bring unfair pressure to bring about a position in which John would become sole owner of the Companies and would be able to “milk” them for what they are worth (paragraphs 22/23).259.It is to be inferred from the administrators’ decision not to pursue the same that this was because they believed that it would not be likely to succeed (paragraph 23A).(5)
- Approved Judgment
- Introduction
- The Disputed Strip
- Representation before me
- The direction for a split trial and the trial before me
- The Hughes’ family and an overview of some of the Hughes’ businesses
- Portbond and LWC: Directors, shareholders and entry into administration
- The alleged acts of, or conduct of the Companies’ affairs, said to amount to unfair prejudice: summary
- Unfair prejudice
- [630]
- [631]
- [11]
- [12]
- Gamlestaden Fastigheter AB v Balti Partners Ltd
- Statements of case and amendment
- Approach to the Evidence
- Gestmin SGPS SA v Credit Suisse (UK) Ltd
- Lachaux v Lachaux
- Carmarthenshire County Council v Y
- Kimathi v Foreign and Commonwealth Office
- Gestmin:
- iii) Carmarthenshire County Council:
- Armagas Ltd v Mundogas SA
- Armagas v Mundogas
- The Ocean Frost,
- Charlie Pickering
- Mr Gregory
- David Clarkson
- Charles Hughes
- James
- Mr Greg Lacey: Expert
- Conduct in relation to other Hughes’ family companies
- 7,500
- Allegations in the Petition regarding alleged “cash sales” (stock sold for unaccounted cash); false allegations concerning, and unfair investigation of, payments to Lisa; removal of Lisa and Charlie from the Companies; legal proceedings against Lisa known to be on a false basis
- Cash sales
- Dismissal/Removal of Lisa
- (3) Investigation
- Causing the company to issue proceedings against Lisa
- Dismissal of Charlie from employment
- Directors’ loan accounts and the alleged cash sales of stock
- Lisa Pickering
- Repayment
- Proceedings
- Conclusion
- Charlie Pickering’s dismissal
- Cash Sales: conclusions
- Conclusions: investigations and removal of Lisa, the Recovery Proceedings
- Conclusion: dismissal of Charlie Pickering
- Benefits alleged to be taken from the Company by the Relevant Respondents: Funding of “extravagant personal lifestyles”
- (a) Salaries: John’s salary including Lorraine’s salary; James’ salary; Charles’ salary
- (b) Company credit card expenditure of John and Charles
- (c) Car expenditure
- Horse related expenditure
- Gallops:
- (e) Child support agency payments
- Payments to James for investment in his property business
- The evidence
- Discussion and conclusions
- General conclusion: allegation of financial support to fund extravagant personal lifestyles.
- Allegations relating to the Pre-Pack sale: summary
- The facts: the path to administration
