Anthony John Wright and Geoffrey Paul Rowley & Ors v Dominic Joseph Andrew Chappell & Ors (Re BHS Group Ltd & Ors (in liquidation))
| Judge | Mr Justice Leech |
| Neutral Citation | [2024] EWHC 1417 (Ch) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Court | Chancery Division |
| Counsel | Mr Joseph Curl Kc,Mr Ryan Perkins,Mirando,Ms Lexa Hilliard Kc,Ms Rachael Earle,Mr Daniel Lightman Kc,Ms Charlotte Beynon,Mr Tim Benham-mirando |
| Date | 11 June 2024 |
Approved Judgment: Leech J Re BHS Group Ltd CR 2016 0002220, 0002221, 002222, 002224
Neutral Citation Number: [2024] EWHC 1417 (Ch)
CR 2016 002220, CR 2016 002221, CR-2016-002222, CR-2016-002224
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE
BUSINESS AND PROPERTY COURTS OF ENGLAND AND WALES
INSOLVENCY AND COMPANIES LIST
IN THE MATTER OF BHS GROUP LIMITED, SHB REALISATIONS LIMITED
(FORMERLY BHS LIMITED), DAVENBUSH LIMITED, LOWLAND HOMES
LIMITED (EACH IN LIQUIDATION)
AND IN THE MATTER OF THE INSOLVENCY ACT 1986
11 June 2024
Before:
MR JUSTICE LEECH
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
B E T W E E N:
(1) ANTHONY JOHN WRIGHT AND
GEOFFREY PAUL ROWLEY
(LIQUIDATORS OF BHS GROUP LIMITED,
SHB REALISATIONS LIMITED, DAVENBUSH
LIMITED AND LOWLAND HOMES LIMITED
(ALL IN LIQUIDATION)
(2) BHS GROUP LIMITED (IN LIQUIDATION)
(3) SHB REALISATIONS LIMITED
(FORMERLY BHS LIMITED) (IN
LIQUIDATION)
(4) DAVENBUSH LIMITED (IN LIQUIDATION)
(5) LOWLAND HOMES LIMITED (IN
LIQUIDATION)
Applicants
– and –
(1) DOMINIC JOSEPH ANDREW CHAPPELL
(2) LENNART DAVID HENNINGSON
(3) DOMINIC LEONARD MARK CHANDLER
Respondents
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Approved Judgment: Leech J Re BHS Group Ltd CR 2016 0002220, 0002221, 002222, 002224
MR JOSEPH CURL KC and MR RYAN PERKINS (instructed by Jones Day) appeared
on behalf of the Applicants
MS LEXA HILLIARD KC and MS RACHAEL EARLE (instructed by Bark & Co)
appeared on behalf of the Second Respondent
MR DANIEL LIGHTMAN KC, MS CHARLOTTE BEYNON and MR TIM BENHAM-
MIRANDO (instructed by Olephant Solicitors) appeared on behalf of the Third Respondent
Hearing dates: 6-10, 15-17, 20-24, 27-29 November 2023
4-8 December 2023
Judgment circulated 15 May 2024
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
APPROVED JUDGMENT
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Approved Judgment: Leech J Re BHS Group Ltd CR 2016 0002220, 0002221, 002222, 002224
Mr Justice Leech:
Table of Contents
I. Introduction [1]
A. Preliminary Matters [1]
B. Procedural Matters [18]
II. The Facts [31]
C. Background [31]
D. Project Harvey [56]
E. Day One: 11 March 2015 [108]
F. 12 March 2015 to 17 April 2015 [130]
G. 18 April 2015 to 26 June 2015 [173]
H. 27 June 2015 to 7 September 2015 [238]
I. 8 September 2015 to 23 December 2015 [265]
J. 14 January 2016 to 25 April 2016 [326]
K. Subsequent Events [424]
III. The Evidence [433]
L. Witnesses of Fact [433]
M. Expert Witnesses [454]
IV. The Law [461]
N. Wrongful Trading [461]
O. Misfeasance [519]
V. Knowledge [573]
P. Completion [573]
Q. Day One: The Realistic Financial Position [687]
R. The 17 April Board Meeting [701]
S. 6 May 2015: The Second LOC Facility [741]
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