BUSINESS AND PROPERTY COURTS OF ENGLAND AND WALES
FINANCIAL LIST (ChD)
7 Rolls Buildings, Fetter Lane, London, EC4A 1NL |
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B e f o r e :
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FORTENOVA GRUPA D.D. (AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE INTERESTS OF THE FORTENOVA GROUP COMPANIES, PURSUANT TO CPR 19.8) |
Claimants |
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(1) LLC SHUSHARY HOLDING (2) KROLL AGENCY SERVICES LIMITED (3) KROLL TRUSTEE SERVICES LIMITED (4) KROLL ISSUER SERVICES LIMITED (5) MP 2019 PGU HOLDINGS LUX SARL (AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE INTERESTS OF THE HPS HOLDERS, PURSUANT TO CPR 19.8) (6) BANQUE PICTET & CIE SA |
Defendants |
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2nd Floor, Quality House, 6-9 Quality Court, Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1HP.
Telephone No: 020 7067 2900. DX 410 LDE
Email: info@martenwalshcherer.com
Web: www.martenwalshcherer.com
MS. CLARE SIBSON KC (instructed by PCB Byrne) appeared for the First Defendant.
MR. BRIAN KENNELLY KC (instructed by Sidley Austin LLP) appeared for the Second, Third and Fourth Defendants.
THE FIFTH DEFENDANT was not present and was not represented.
MR. EDWARD MEULI (instructed by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP) appeared for the Sixth Defendant.
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Crown Copyright ©
MR. JUSTICE MICHAEL GREEN:
(a) UK sanctions. On 24th February 2022, pursuant to the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, VTB became a designated entity and subject to an asset freeze under UK blocking sanctions, which extends to its subsidiaries, including Shushary. The UK sanctions prevent a UK person from, amongst other things, dealing with funds or economic resources owned, held or controlled by a UK designated person, which includes making funds or economic resources available to subsidiaries of a UK designated person.
(b) US sanctions. On 24th February 2022, pursuant to an Executive Order 14024, the US Government designated VTB and its subsidiaries as Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons ("SDNs"). VTB Bank and Shushary became SDNs and subject to an asset freeze under US blocking sanctions given VTB's more than 50% ownership of these two entities. Executive Order 14024 prohibits, amongst other things, the making or receiving of any contribution or provision of funds, goods or services by, to, or for the benefit of an SDN.
(c) EU sanctions. On 8th April 2022, pursuant to Council Regulation EU 269/2014 of 17th March 2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, as amended by Council Regulation 2022/580, VTB became a designated entity and subject to an asset freeze under EU blocking sanctions, which extends to its subsidiaries, including Shushary. The EU sanctions prevent, amongst other things, dealing with funds and economic resources belonging to, owned, held or controlled by an EU designated person, which includes making funds or economic resources available to subsidiaries of a UK designated person. Likewise, no funds or economic resources shall be made available directly or indirectly to, or for the benefit of, an EU designated person.
"An English law contract to mortgage or charge foreign land takes effect in England as an English mortgage or charge with all the rights and liabilities attached to such a mortgage or charge even if the foreign law does not recognise the equity of redemption or the validity of the security interest created."
"If an obligor fails to pay any amount payable by it under a finance document on its due date, interest shall accrue on the overdue amount from the due date up to the date of actual payment."
(This Judgment has been approved by Mr Justice Green.)