Receivership: Draconian Or Now Versatile?

• Published date: 04 May 2022
• Subject Matter: Finance and Banking, Financial Services
• Law Firm: Harneys
• Author: Ms Marcia McFarlane

Introduction

Receivership; a draconian remedy of last resort. However, today, receivers are appointed to address a wide range of legal circumstances. This article summarises some features of the court appointed receiver. No attention is therefore given to the receiver who is appointed in the commercial context to enforce the security given over an asset by way of a mortgage or charge over shares.

A receiver is traditionally appointed to get in and hold or secure funds or other property for the benefit of those with an interest in the property. Receivership is primarily an enforcement procedure. It contrasts with liquidation in that it is not a collective insolvency procedure for the benefit of the general body of creditors or the company.

The primary sources of law regarding receiverships in the BVI are: (i) the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (Virgin Islands) Act, Cap 80, s24; (ii) Part IV of the Insolvency Act 2003 (the 2003 Act), (iii) Part VI of the Insolvency Rules 2005 (the 2005 Rules); and (iv) common law and equitable principles derived from English law.

Process and court considerations for appointment

The process for the appointment of a receiver commences with a notice of application to the court supported by affidavit evidence. To exercise its discretion, the court needs to be satisfied from the supporting evidence that it is just and convenient for a receiver to be appointed. The court will determine whether to attach conditions to an appointment. On a case-by-case basis, the court will determine whether the applicant is required to provide a cross undertaking in damages.

The law has evolved to accommodate a wide range of circumstances in which the court will exercise its discretion to appoint a receiver. Following decisions like Parker v the London Borough Council of Camden [1986] CH 162 and Masri v Consolidated Contractors International (UK) Ltd No 2 [2009] QB 450, the BVI court has appointed receivers by way of equitable execution, to secure assets subject to a freezing injunction, or to protect and preserve assets pending litigation. The BVI Court will follow English law to appoint receivers in the context of a joint venture, where there has been a misappropriation of assets, fraud or bribes.

The types of assets over which a receiver may be appointed are as follows:

• Shares
• Bank accounts
• Reserved rights under a trust
• LLP interests
• Contractual rights
• Beneficiary entitlement

Effect of appointment

The appointment of a receiver over the assets...