England and Wales Case Law

Ping Fai Yuen v Fun Yung Li & Anor

Claims in conversion are struck out as English law does not permit conversion of intangible property such as Bitcoin; trespass to goods is not struck out at this stage pending possible amendment; security for costs is refused due to overwhelming evidence, assets within jurisdiction, and unreliable cost estimates; substituted service is granted for Second Defendant.

Source excerpt

• Digital assets
• Conversion
• Trespass to goods
• Unjust enrichment
• Breach of confidence
• Misuse of private information

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Cavendish IP Solutions Limited v On And On Consultants Limited & Anor

The High Court held that Neil Macpherson was a de facto and shadow director, the company was insolvent, and most challenged payments were recoverable.

• Transactions at an undervalue
• Preferences
• De facto director
• Shadow director
• Breach of statutory duty
• Fraudulent breach of trust

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Mittal v Barclays Bank PLC & Ors

Mittal v Barclays Bank PLC & Ors [2026] EWHC 1029 (Ch) (01 May 2026)

The court allowed amendment of a property claim to plead proprietary estoppel and constructive trust, but refused a challenge to receivers’ appointment and deferred rescission issues.

• Proprietary estoppel
• Constructive trust
• Overriding interests
• Amendment of pleadings
• Subrogation
• Receivership

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Voltaire Capital Holdings Ltd & Ors v Watson & Ors

Voltaire Capital Holdings Ltd & Ors v Watson & Ors [2026] EWHC 1103 (Comm) (24 April 2026)

The High Court refused a late application by William Gibson to add six counterclaims in a commercial fraud case, finding serious delay, prejudice, and weak pleading.

• Amendment of pleadings
• Counterclaims
• Fraud
• Estoppel
• Unlawful means conspiracy
• Knowing receipt

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Lux Films v Andrew Fowler & Anor

The High Court held that Andrew Fowler breached fiduciary, statutory and employment duties by diverting business and using Lux Films’ confidential information for his own company.

• Breach of fiduciary duty
• Statutory directors' duties
• Misuse of confidential information
• Knowing receipt
• Unlawful means conspiracy
• Implied contractual duties

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Lux Films Ltd v Fowler & Anor

Lux Films Ltd v Fowler & Anor [2026] EWHC 963 (KB) (24 April 2026)

The High Court found that a company director breached fiduciary, statutory and employment duties by diverting clients and confidential information to his own company.

• Breach of fiduciary duty
• Breach of statutory director's duties
• Misuse of confidential information
• Knowing receipt
• Unlawful means conspiracy
• Implied contractual duties

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Wenda Co Limited v Wang Jinhong & Ors

High Court commercial fraud case over an invoice-financing arrangement, holding Syner and Effs owed fiduciary duties and that Wang Jinhong dishonestly assisted their breaches.

• Breach of fiduciary duty
• Dishonest assistance
• Knowing receipt
• Constructive trust
• Disclosure obligations
• Forensic accounting

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Bhattacharya & Anor v Robert Armstrong & Anor

Bhattacharya & Anor v Robert Armstrong & Anor [2026] EWHC 759 (Ch) (30 March 2026)

The High Court refused daughters’ bid to set aside an insolvency declaration over property ownership, finding no real prospect of success and holding the application abusive.

• Res judicata
• Abuse of process
• Constructive trust
• Resulting trust
• Beneficial ownership
• Joinder of parties

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Bishnupriya Bhattacharya & Anor v Robert Armstrong & Anor

The High Court refused non-parties’ bid to set aside a bankruptcy declaration about ownership of a London property, finding no real prospect of success and abuse of process.

• Bankruptcy
• Beneficial ownership
• Constructive trust
• Resulting trust
• Estoppel
• Res judicata

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Ugolor & Ors v Ugolor & Anor

Ugolor & Ors v Ugolor & Anor [2026] EWHC 745 (Ch) (27 March 2026)

The High Court refused probate of a disputed will, finding that although capacity was not disproved, knowledge and approval were not established.

• Testamentary capacity
• Knowledge and approval
• Undue influence
• Validity of will
• Intestacy
• Constructive trust

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