Crystalmews Ltd v Metterick & Ors

Crystalmews Ltd v Metterick & Ors

Both Mr and Mrs Metterick were found to have had knowledge of the Freezing Orders at the time of the asset dissipation and were therefore guilty of contempt of court for breaching the Orders. The Orders were sufficiently clear and properly continued to found contempt proceedings.

Parties
Claimant: Crystalmews Limited (In liquidation); First Defendant: Lee Metterick; Second Defendant: Andrew Metterick; Third Defendant: Ricky Metterick; Fourth Defendant: Juliet Metterick
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
25 October 2006
Procedural Posture
Civil (chancery Division) / Judgment on Application for Committal for Contempt for Breach of Freezing Orders
Outcome
Both Mr and Mrs Metterick found guilty of contempt of court for breaches of the Freezing Orders; penalty to be determined at a later hearing.
Legal Topics
Freezing Orders, Contempt of Court, Director's Duties, Asset Dissipation, VAT Fraud
Civil Procedure Insolvency Company Law Freezing Orders Contempt of Court Director's Duties Asset Dissipation VAT Fraud

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 3 Authorities cited 8 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 12
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Crystalmews Limited (In liquidation)

Claimant

Lee Metterick

First Defendant

Andrew Metterick

Second Defendant

Ricky Metterick

Third Defendant

Juliet Metterick

Fourth Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil (chancery Division) / Judgment on Application for Committal for Contempt for Breach of Freezing Orders

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether Mr and Mrs Metterick breached the First and Second Freezing Orders
  2. 2 Whether Mrs Metterick had knowledge of the Freezing Orders at the time of asset dissipation
  3. 3 Whether the Orders were sufficiently clear to found contempt proceedings

Ratio Decidendi

Both Mr and Mrs Metterick were found to have had knowledge of the Freezing Orders at the time of the asset dissipation and were therefore guilty of contempt of court for breaching the Orders. The Orders were sufficiently clear and properly continued to found contempt proceedings.

Court Disposition

Both Mr and Mrs Metterick found guilty of contempt of court for breaches of the Freezing Orders; penalty to be determined at a later hearing.

Orders

  • Finding of contempt against Lee Metterick for breach of the First and Second Freezing Orders.
  • Finding of contempt against Juliet Metterick for breach of the First and Second Freezing Orders.