Qatar Investment and Projects Development Holding Company & Anor v Phoenix Ancient Art SA & Ors [2025] EWHC 1361 (KB) (14 April 2025)

Qatar Investment and Projects Development Holding Company & Anor v Phoenix Ancient Art SA & Ors [2025] EWHC 1361 (KB) (14 April 2025)

The requirements for a worldwide freezing order are satisfied: the claimants have a good arguable case (having obtained summary judgment), there are assets outside the jurisdiction, there is a real risk of dissipation given the defendants' conduct and lack of transparency, and it is just and convenient to grant the order. Asset disclosure orders are appropriate but deadlines for complex disclosures are staggered to allow for practical compliance.

Citation
[2025] EWHC 1361 (KB)
Parties
Claimant: Qatar Investment and Projects Development Holding Company; Claimant: His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Abdullah Al Thani; Defendant: Phoenix Ancient Art SA; Defendant: Ali Aboutaam; Defendant: Hicham Aboutaam; Defendant: Roland Ansermet; Defendant: Petrarch LLC d/b/a Electrum
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
14 April 2025
Procedural Posture
Civil (king's Bench Division) / Post Judgment Application for Worldwide Freezing Order
Outcome
Worldwide freezing order granted against first, second, third, and fifth defendants until return date, with asset disclosure orders imposed and deadlines staggered for complex disclosures.
Legal Topics
Worldwide Freezing Order, Summary Judgment, Asset Disclosure, Fraudulent Misrepresentation, Debarring Orders
Civil Procedure Fraud Asset Recovery Worldwide Freezing Order Summary Judgment Asset Disclosure Fraudulent Misrepresentation Debarring Orders

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 2 Authorities cited 5 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 5
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Qatar Investment and Projects Development Holding Company

Claimant

His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Abdullah Al Thani

Claimant

Phoenix Ancient Art SA

Defendant

Ali Aboutaam

Defendant

Hicham Aboutaam

Defendant

Roland Ansermet

Defendant

Petrarch LLC d/b/a Electrum

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil (king's Bench Division) / Post Judgment Application for Worldwide Freezing Order

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the requirements for a worldwide freezing order are met post-judgment
  2. 2 Whether asset disclosure orders should be granted and their scope/timing
  3. 3 Whether the risk of dissipation of assets exists

Ratio Decidendi

The requirements for a worldwide freezing order are satisfied: the claimants have a good arguable case (having obtained summary judgment), there are assets outside the jurisdiction, there is a real risk of dissipation given the defendants' conduct and lack of transparency, and it is just and convenient to grant the order. Asset disclosure orders are appropriate but deadlines for complex disclosures are staggered to allow for practical compliance.

Court Disposition

Worldwide freezing order granted against first, second, third, and fifth defendants until return date, with asset disclosure orders imposed and deadlines staggered for complex disclosures.

Orders

  • Worldwide freezing order up to US$10 million against specified defendants
  • Asset disclosure orders including associated entities (Tanis Antiquities Limited, Sekhmet Ancient Art, Aris Ancient Art SA, Adonis, Innana)