A Singularis Approach To Cross-Border Insolvencies

The Privy Council in Singularis Holdings Ltd v Pricewaterhouse Coopers [2014] UKPC 36 ("Singularis") has clarified the extent to which courts can render common law assistance for cross-border insolvencies.

In summary, there is a limited common law power to assist a liquidator appointed by a foreign court by ordering the production of information. Such information must be necessary for the administration of the foreign winding up and this power is only exercisable if the foreign court could have made such an equivalent order.

BACKGROUND: MODIFIED UNIVERSALISM

In a cross-border insolvency, courts may be faced with difficult questions. Should a domestic court apply its domestic laws as if the case had no international aspects or should a domestic court defer to the foreign laws of the main jurisdiction of incorporation of the wound up company?