Ping Fai Yuen v Fun Yung Li & Anor

Ping Fai Yuen v Fun Yung Li & Anor

Claims in conversion are struck out as English law does not permit conversion of intangible property such as Bitcoin; trespass to goods is not struck out at this stage pending possible amendment; security for costs is refused due to overwhelming evidence, assets within jurisdiction, and unreliable cost estimates; substituted service is granted for Second Defendant.

Parties
Claimant: Ping Fai Yuen; First Defendant: Fun Yung Li; Second Defendant: Lai Yung Li
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
03 October 2026
Procedural Posture
Civil / Interlocutory Judgment on Amendment, Strike Out, Security for Costs, and Substituted Service Applications
Outcome
Claim in conversion struck out; trespass to goods claim not struck out pending amendment; security for costs application dismissed; substituted service granted.
Legal Topics
Digital Assets, Conversion, Trespass to Goods, Unjust Enrichment, Breach of Confidence, Misuse of Private Information, Proprietary Restitution, Constructive Trust, Security for Costs, Substituted Service
Property Law Tort Law Civil Procedure Digital Assets Conversion Trespass to Goods Unjust Enrichment Breach of Confidence +5 more

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Parties

Ping Fai Yuen

Claimant

Fun Yung Li

First Defendant

Lai Yung Li

Second Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil / Interlocutory Judgment on Amendment, Strike Out, Security for Costs, and Substituted Service Applications

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether Bitcoin is capable of being converted under English law
  2. 2 Applicability of trespass to goods to digital assets
  3. 3 Availability of proprietary restitution and constructive trust remedies for misappropriated Bitcoin

Ratio Decidendi

Claims in conversion are struck out as English law does not permit conversion of intangible property such as Bitcoin; trespass to goods is not struck out at this stage pending possible amendment; security for costs is refused due to overwhelming evidence, assets within jurisdiction, and unreliable cost estimates; substituted service is granted for Second Defendant.

Court Disposition

Claim in conversion struck out; trespass to goods claim not struck out pending amendment; security for costs application dismissed; substituted service granted.

Orders

  • Claim in conversion struck out.
  • Claimant given seven days to apply to amend trespass to goods claim.