Bourlakova & Ors v Bourlakov & Ors [2024] EWHC 929 (Ch) (23 April 2024)

Bourlakova & Ors v Bourlakov & Ors [2024] EWHC 929 (Ch) (23 April 2024)

The court refused to grant an anti-suit injunction. The Russian bankruptcy proceedings are the only forum for appointment of a Russian bankruptcy administrator and do not require determination of the partnership issue central to the English proceedings. The risk of issue estoppel or irreconcilable judgments is mitigated by the undertaking from Mr Kazakov not to argue for issue estoppel in England. The court found no unconscionable conduct or sufficient risk of injustice to justify anti-suit relief, and exercised caution given the single forum nature of the Russian proceedings.

Citation
[2024] EWHC 929 (Ch)
Parties
Claimant: Loudmila Bourlakova; Claimant: Hermitage One Limited; Claimant: Greenbay Invest Holdings Limited; Claimant: Veronica Bourlakova; Defendant: Oleg Bourlakov; Defendant: Daniel Tribaldos; Defendant: Leo Services Holding Ltd; Defendant: Leo Trust Switzerland AG; Defendant: Reuwen Schwarz; Defendant: Semen Anufriev; Defendant: Nikolai Kazakov; Defendant: Vera Kazakova; Defendant: Columbus Holding and Enterprises SA; Defendant: Finco Financial Inc; Defendant: Gatiabe Business Inc; Defendant: Edelweiss Investments Inc; Defendant: IPEC International Petroleum Co Inc
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
23 April 2024
Procedural Posture
Application for Anti Suit Injunction / Post Pleadings, Interlocutory Hearing
Outcome
Application refused
Legal Topics
Anti Suit Injunctions, Forum Non Conveniens, Issue Estoppel, International Insolvency, Partnership Disputes
Civil Procedure Insolvency Conflict of Laws Anti Suit Injunctions Forum Non Conveniens Issue Estoppel International Insolvency Partnership Disputes

Case Brief

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Parties

Loudmila Bourlakova

Claimant

Hermitage One Limited

Claimant

Greenbay Invest Holdings Limited

Claimant

Veronica Bourlakova

Claimant

Oleg Bourlakov

Defendant

Daniel Tribaldos

Defendant

Leo Services Holding Ltd

Defendant

Leo Trust Switzerland AG

Defendant

Reuwen Schwarz

Defendant

Semen Anufriev

Defendant

Nikolai Kazakov

Defendant

Vera Kazakova

Defendant

Columbus Holding and Enterprises SA

Defendant

Finco Financial Inc

Defendant

Gatiabe Business Inc

Defendant

Edelweiss Investments Inc

Defendant

IPEC International Petroleum Co Inc

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Application for Anti Suit Injunction / Post Pleadings, Interlocutory Hearing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the English court should grant an anti-suit injunction restraining Russian bankruptcy proceedings initiated by Mr Kazakov against Mr Bourlakov's estate
  2. 2 Whether the Russian bankruptcy proceedings are vexatious or oppressive
  3. 3 Whether the risk of irreconcilable judgments or issue estoppel justifies injunctive relief

Ratio Decidendi

The court refused to grant an anti-suit injunction. The Russian bankruptcy proceedings are the only forum for appointment of a Russian bankruptcy administrator and do not require determination of the partnership issue central to the English proceedings. The risk of issue estoppel or irreconcilable judgments is mitigated by the undertaking from Mr Kazakov not to argue for issue estoppel in England. The court found no unconscionable conduct or sufficient risk of injustice to justify anti-suit relief, and exercised caution given the single forum nature of the Russian proceedings.

Court Disposition

Application refused

Orders

  • No anti-suit injunction granted
  • Mr Kazakov undertakes not to argue for issue estoppel in England arising from Russian bankruptcy proceedings