Gable Insurance AG v William Dewsall & Ors

Gable Insurance AG v William Dewsall & Ors

The Court of Appeal held that the domestic freezing order against Mrs Dewsall was properly made based on overwhelming evidence of undisclosed assets and risk of dissipation, that the proprietary claim over the proceeds of Weald Hall precluded their use for legal expenses unless Mrs Dewsall demonstrated no other assets, that the Judge’s directions regarding the sale of jewellery and costs were within her discretion, and that Mrs Dewsall’s undertaking did not override the standard principles governing proprietary claims.

Parties
Claimant: Gable Insurance AG; First Defendant: William Dewsall; Second Defendant: Michael Hirschfield; Third Defendant/appellant: Judith Dewsall; Fourth Defendant: Horatio Risk Consulting LLP
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
07 November 2025
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Appeal From High Court Judgment and Orders
Outcome
Appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Worldwide Freezing Orders, Proprietary Claims, Case Management, Expert Evidence, Costs Orders
Civil Procedure Injunctions Asset Freezing Property Law Worldwide Freezing Orders Proprietary Claims Case Management Expert Evidence +1 more

Case Brief

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Parties

Gable Insurance AG

Claimant

William Dewsall

First Defendant

Michael Hirschfield

Second Defendant

Judith Dewsall

Third Defendant/appellant

Horatio Risk Consulting LLP

Fourth Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Appeal From High Court Judgment and Orders

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the domestic freezing order against Mrs Dewsall was properly made
  2. 2 Whether Mrs Dewsall should be permitted to pay legal and personal expenses from proceeds of sale of Weald Hall
  3. 3 Whether Mrs Dewsall should be allowed to rely on forensic accountancy evidence at trial

Ratio Decidendi

The Court of Appeal held that the domestic freezing order against Mrs Dewsall was properly made based on overwhelming evidence of undisclosed assets and risk of dissipation, that the proprietary claim over the proceeds of Weald Hall precluded their use for legal expenses unless Mrs Dewsall demonstrated no other assets, that the Judge’s directions regarding the sale of jewellery and costs were within her discretion, and that Mrs Dewsall’s undertaking did not override the standard principles governing proprietary claims.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed

Orders

  • Domestic freezing order against Mrs Dewsall upheld
  • Mrs Dewsall not permitted to pay legal expenses from proceeds of Weald Hall