All Value Bank Limited v Central Bank of Seychelles (CA19/2015 MA182/2016) [2018] SCSC 8146 (9 April 2018)
The refusal of a banking licence was set aside because the Appellant was not given sufficient information to respond to the allegations against it, violating principles of fairness and natural justice.
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2018] SCSC 8146
- Parties
- Appellant: ALL VALUE BANK LIMITED; Respondent: CENTRAL BANK OF SEYCHELLES
- Court
- Supreme Court
- Jurisdiction
- Seychelles
- Case Number
- CA19/2015 MA182/2016
- Procedural Posture
- Civil Appeal / Order on Appeal
- Outcome
- Refusal of banking licence set aside; matter remitted to Central Bank for reconsideration; each party to bear its own costs.
- Legal Topics
- Banking Licence Refusal, Right to Reasons, Confidential Information, Remittal to Authority
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
ALL VALUE BANK LIMITED
Appellant
CENTRAL BANK OF SEYCHELLES
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Order on Appeal
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the refusal of a banking licence without adequate reasons was lawful
- 2 Whether the applicant was entitled to be heard on allegations against it
- 3 Whether the matter should be remitted to the Central Bank for reconsideration
Ratio Decidendi
The refusal of a banking licence was set aside because the Appellant was not given sufficient information to respond to the allegations against it, violating principles of fairness and natural justice.
Court Disposition
Refusal of banking licence set aside; matter remitted to Central Bank for reconsideration; each party to bear its own costs.
Orders
- The refusal of a banking licence to the Appellant is set aside and the matter is remitted to the Central Bank of Seychelles to consider the Appellant’s application anew.
- Each party shall bear its own costs.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
1 paragraphs
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF SEYCHELLES Civil Side: CA 19/2015 MA 182/2016 [2018] SCSC 368 ALL VALUE BANK LIMITED Appellant versus CENTRAL BANK OF SEYCHELLES Respondent Heard: 10 April 2018 Counsel: Kieran Shah, Counsel for the Appellant George Thatchett, Counsel for the Respondent Delivered: 10 April 2018 ORDER Twomey, CJ [1] Whereas the Appellant had applied to the Respondent for a banking licence under the Financial Institution Act 2004. [2] Whereas the Respondent refused to grant it and the Appellant has appealed to the Supreme Court of Seychelles against this decision. [3] Whereas the Appellant requested for reasons for the refusal which the Respondent declined to provide on the ground that it relied on information that has been disclosed to the Respondent under conditions of confidentiality. [4] Whereas on the direction of the Court, the Respondent by letter dated 21 November 2017 provided the gist of some information relied upon, without disclosing its source of confidential information. [5] Whereas the Appellant sought further information provided in the said letter, which the Respondent declined to provide by letter dated 6 April2018. [6] Whereas the Appellant now has some information the Respondent relied upon, which it was unaware of and could not make any representation thereon to the Central Bank of Seychelles in furtherance of its application for a banking licence. [7] Whereas it would be fair and in the interest of justice that the Appellant be permitted to be heard in respect of these allegations held against it. [8] And whereas the Respondent may be in a better position to determine the application for a banking licence, rather than the Court, having regard to all the circumstances of this case. [9] Now, therefore, the Court makes the following orders: 1. The refusal of a banking licence to the Appellant is set aside and the matter is remitted to the Central Bank of Seychelles to consider the Appellant’s application anew. 2. That each party shall bear its own costs. Signed, dated and delivered at Ile du Port on 10 April 2018 M. Twomey, CJ Chief Justice