Zi Wang v Graham Darby

Zi Wang v Graham Darby

The court was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant owned approximately 100 Bitcoin at the relevant time, failed to disclose them as required by the freezing injunction, and knowingly verified a false disclosure. The defendant's explanations were found to be inconsistent, incredible, and unsupported by evidence. The expert blockchain analysis was unchallenged and confirmed the defendant's ownership and control of the assets. All three allegations of contempt were proved.

Parties
Claimant: Zi Wang; Defendant: Graham Darby
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
06 October 2024
Procedural Posture
Contempt Application (civil/commercial) / Judgment on Liability (pre Sentencing)
Outcome
All three allegations of contempt proved beyond reasonable doubt; sentencing adjourned for further hearing.
Legal Topics
Contempt of Court, Asset Disclosure, Freezing Injunctions, Cryptocurrency, Enforcement of Judgments
Civil Procedure Commercial Law Contempt of Court Asset Disclosure Freezing Injunctions Cryptocurrency Enforcement of Judgments

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Parties

Zi Wang

Claimant

Graham Darby

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Contempt Application (civil/commercial) / Judgment on Liability (pre Sentencing)

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the defendant breached asset disclosure obligations under a freezing injunction by failing to disclose ownership of approximately 100 Bitcoin
  2. 2 Whether the defendant breached the obligation to verify asset disclosure by witness statement
  3. 3 Whether the defendant knowingly made a false statement in a verified witness statement

Ratio Decidendi

The court was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant owned approximately 100 Bitcoin at the relevant time, failed to disclose them as required by the freezing injunction, and knowingly verified a false disclosure. The defendant's explanations were found to be inconsistent, incredible, and unsupported by evidence. The expert blockchain analysis was unchallenged and confirmed the defendant's ownership and control of the assets. All three allegations of contempt were proved.

Court Disposition

All three allegations of contempt proved beyond reasonable doubt; sentencing adjourned for further hearing.

Orders

  • Short hearing scheduled to arrange in-person sentencing hearing.
  • Defendant required to attend sentencing; failure to attend may result in warrant for arrest.