Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority & Ors v Bestfort Development LLP & Ors [2015] EWHC 3197 (Ch) (05 November 2015)

Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority & Ors v Bestfort Development LLP & Ors [2015] EWHC 3197 (Ch) (05 November 2015)

The correct threshold test for ordering security for costs against foreign claimants under CPR 25.13(2)(a) is likelihood of substantial obstacle or burden to enforcement, not a mere real risk. The Master applied the correct test and did not err in principle or in considering relevant matters.

Citation
[2015] EWHC 3197 (Ch)
Parties
Claimant/respondent: RAS AL KHAIMAH INVESTMENT AUTHORITY; Claimant/respondent: RAS AL KHAIMAH INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE; Claimant/respondent: RAKEEN DEVELOPMENT PJSC-FZC; Claimant/respondent: RAKEEN DEVELOPMENT LLC; Claimant/respondent: RAKEEN UPTOWN DEVELOPMENT LLC; Claimant/respondent: RAS AL KAHIMAH INVESTMENT AUTHORITY GEORGIA LLC; Defendant/appellant: BESTFORT DEVELOPMENT LLP; Defendant/appellant: MANLINE PROJECTS LLP; Defendant/appellant: BELLCROWN ALLIANCE LLP; Defendant/appellant: LABBEY DEVELOPMENT LLP; Defendant/appellant: TECBERG PROJECTS LLP; Defendant/appellant: MONTBURY LLP; Defendant/appellant: HORNBERG SOLUTIONS LLP; Defendant/appellant: WORLDFOUND UNIVERSAL LLP; Defendant/appellant: RAYSTAR TRADE LLP; Defendant/appellant: BONTRADE LLP; Defendant/appellant: SONLAND TRANSIT LLP; Defendant/appellant: QB ENTERPRISE LLP; Defendant/appellant: THE SOLUTIONS ALLIANCE LLP; Defendant/appellant: LUXTRON WORLDWIDE LLP
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
05 November 2015
Procedural Posture
Appeal / Permission to Appeal and Substantive Appeal Determination
Outcome
Appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Security for Costs, Discrimination Under ECHR, Enforcement of Judgments, Threshold Test for Security, Objective Justification
Civil Procedure International Law Security for Costs Discrimination Under ECHR Enforcement of Judgments Threshold Test for Security Objective Justification

Case Brief

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Parties

RAS AL KHAIMAH INVESTMENT AUTHORITY

Claimant/respondent

RAS AL KHAIMAH INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

Claimant/respondent

RAKEEN DEVELOPMENT PJSC-FZC

Claimant/respondent

RAKEEN DEVELOPMENT LLC

Claimant/respondent

RAKEEN UPTOWN DEVELOPMENT LLC

Claimant/respondent

RAS AL KAHIMAH INVESTMENT AUTHORITY GEORGIA LLC

Claimant/respondent

BESTFORT DEVELOPMENT LLP

Defendant/appellant

MANLINE PROJECTS LLP

Defendant/appellant

BELLCROWN ALLIANCE LLP

Defendant/appellant

LABBEY DEVELOPMENT LLP

Defendant/appellant

TECBERG PROJECTS LLP

Defendant/appellant

MONTBURY LLP

Defendant/appellant

HORNBERG SOLUTIONS LLP

Defendant/appellant

WORLDFOUND UNIVERSAL LLP

Defendant/appellant

RAYSTAR TRADE LLP

Defendant/appellant

BONTRADE LLP

Defendant/appellant

SONLAND TRANSIT LLP

Defendant/appellant

QB ENTERPRISE LLP

Defendant/appellant

THE SOLUTIONS ALLIANCE LLP

Defendant/appellant

LUXTRON WORLDWIDE LLP

Defendant/appellant

Procedural Posture

Appeal / Permission to Appeal and Substantive Appeal Determination

Legal Issues

  1. 1 What is the correct threshold test for ordering security for costs against foreign claimants under CPR 25.13(2)(a)?
  2. 2 Did the Master err in applying the likelihood test rather than a real risk test?
  3. 3 Did the Master fail to consider relevant matters or consider irrelevant matters in dismissing the application for security for costs?

Ratio Decidendi

The correct threshold test for ordering security for costs against foreign claimants under CPR 25.13(2)(a) is likelihood of substantial obstacle or burden to enforcement, not a mere real risk. The Master applied the correct test and did not err in principle or in considering relevant matters.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed

Orders

  • Permission to appeal granted on grounds 1 and 2
  • Appeal dismissed on all grounds