Dowling & Ors -v- Cook & Ors [2013] IEHC 129 (27 March 2013)

Dowling & Ors -v- Cook & Ors [2013] IEHC 129 (27 March 2013)

The application for interlocutory relief is refused because the Articles of Association mandatorily require the retirement by rotation of the longest-serving director, Mr Skoczylas, at the AGM. There is no evidence of oppression justifying interlocutory relief, Mr Skoczylas can stand for re-election, and the balance of convenience favours compliance with the Articles. The facts are distinguishable from McGilligan v O’Grady, and adequate relief is available in the main proceedings if warranted.

Citation
[2013] IEHC 129
Parties
Petitioner: Gerard Dowling; Petitioner: Padraig McManus; Petitioner: John Paul McGann; Petitioner: Tibor Neugebauer; Petitioner: Piotr Skoczylas; Petitioner: Muriel Scorer; Petitioner: Georg Haug; Respondent: Andy Cook; Respondent: Jeremy Masding; Respondent: Emer Daly; Respondent: Margaret Hayes; Respondent: Sandy Kinney; Respondent: Ray McSharry; Respondent: Pat Ryan; Respondent: Kevin Murphy; Respondent: David McCarthy; Respondent: Bernard Collins; Respondent: Roy Keenan; Respondent: Minister for Finance
Jurisdiction
Ireland
Judgment Date
27 March 2013
Procedural Posture
Application for Interlocutory Injunction in Company Law Proceedings / Interlocutory (pre Trial)
Outcome
interlocutory injunction refused
Legal Topics
Oppression of Minority Shareholders, Directors' Duties, Articles of Association, Interlocutory Injunctions, EU Company Law Directives, Retirement by Rotation of Directors
Company Law European Union Law Oppression of Minority Shareholders Directors' Duties Articles of Association Interlocutory Injunctions EU Company Law Directives Retirement by Rotation of Directors

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Parties

Gerard Dowling

Petitioner

Padraig McManus

Petitioner

John Paul McGann

Petitioner

Tibor Neugebauer

Petitioner

Piotr Skoczylas

Petitioner

Muriel Scorer

Petitioner

Georg Haug

Petitioner

Andy Cook

Respondent

Jeremy Masding

Respondent

Emer Daly

Respondent

Margaret Hayes

Respondent

Sandy Kinney

Respondent

Ray McSharry

Respondent

Pat Ryan

Respondent

Kevin Murphy

Respondent

David McCarthy

Respondent

Bernard Collins

Respondent

Roy Keenan

Respondent

Minister for Finance

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Application for Interlocutory Injunction in Company Law Proceedings / Interlocutory (pre Trial)

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the petitioners are entitled to an interlocutory injunction restraining the respondents from terminating the directorship of Mr Skoczylas pending the outcome of s. 205 Companies Act 1963 proceedings
  2. 2 Whether the actions of the respondents constitute oppression under s. 205 Companies Act 1963
  3. 3 Whether breaches of EU law by the directors justify interlocutory relief

Ratio Decidendi

The application for interlocutory relief is refused because the Articles of Association mandatorily require the retirement by rotation of the longest-serving director, Mr Skoczylas, at the AGM. There is no evidence of oppression justifying interlocutory relief, Mr Skoczylas can stand for re-election, and the balance of convenience favours compliance with the Articles. The facts are distinguishable from McGilligan v O’Grady, and adequate relief is available in the main proceedings if warranted.

Court Disposition

interlocutory injunction refused

Orders

  • Application for interlocutory injunction restraining removal of Mr Skoczylas as director is refused.
  • Application for preliminary reference to the CJEU under Art 267 TFEU is refused.