Craig Wright v Peter McCormack (WFO Judgment)

Craig Wright v Peter McCormack (WFO Judgment)

Dr Wright's Defamation Claim was founded on a fraudulent assertion and supported by forged evidence, making Mr McCormack's claim for recovery of costs strong. There is a real risk of dissipation of Dr Wright's assets, and it is just and convenient to grant a Worldwide Freezing Order in the sum of £1.548m to secure the costs recovery.

Parties
Claimant/respondent: Craig Wright; Defendant/applicant: Peter McCormack
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
07 May 2024
Procedural Posture
Application for Worldwide Freezing Order / Post Trial, Costs Enforcement
Outcome
Worldwide Freezing Order granted in favour of Mr McCormack against Dr Wright in the sum of £1.548m.
Legal Topics
Worldwide Freezing Orders, Costs Recovery, Fraudulent Misrepresentation, Asset Disclosure, Foreign Enforcement
Civil Procedure Defamation Fraud Worldwide Freezing Orders Costs Recovery Fraudulent Misrepresentation Asset Disclosure Foreign Enforcement

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Parties

Craig Wright

Claimant/respondent

Peter McCormack

Defendant/applicant

Procedural Posture

Application for Worldwide Freezing Order / Post Trial, Costs Enforcement

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether Mr McCormack has a good arguable case for recovery of costs against Dr Wright
  2. 2 Whether there is a real risk of dissipation of Dr Wright's assets
  3. 3 Whether it is just and convenient to grant a Worldwide Freezing Order

Ratio Decidendi

Dr Wright's Defamation Claim was founded on a fraudulent assertion and supported by forged evidence, making Mr McCormack's claim for recovery of costs strong. There is a real risk of dissipation of Dr Wright's assets, and it is just and convenient to grant a Worldwide Freezing Order in the sum of £1.548m to secure the costs recovery.

Court Disposition

Worldwide Freezing Order granted in favour of Mr McCormack against Dr Wright in the sum of £1.548m.

Orders

  • Dr Wright restrained from disposing of assets up to £1.548m worldwide.
  • Ancillary orders for asset disclosure and leave for enforcement in Australia, Seychelles, Antigua, and Singapore.