SPV Osus Ltd v. HSBC Institutional Trust Services (Ireland)
Limited & Ors [2018] IESC 44
In the landmark decision of SPV Osus Ltd v. HSBC Institutional Trust Services
(Ireland) Limited & Ors, the Supreme Court held that the
assignment of a right to litigate to an unconnected third party
with no legitimate interest in the cause of action giving rise to
the litigation is contrary to public policy and void under Irish
law. For previous articles on this topic please click
here and
here.
Background
This case arises from the Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme fraud.
Optimal Strategic US Equity Ltd ("SUS")
invested in Bernie L Madoff Investments LLC ("Madoff
LLC"). Madoff LLC collapsed due to a large scale
ponzi type fraud and the liquidation of Madoff LLC commenced in the
Bankruptcy Court of the Southern District of New York which
provides for an "Allowed Customer Claims"
("ACCs") procedure which carries an
entitlement for investors to be paid in priority in the