Feb 2012
CAYMAN ISLANDS
GRAND COURT
COMPANIES – INSOLVENCY – S.103 COMPANIES LAW – ORDER FOR DELIVERY UP OF DOCUMENTS AGAINST AUDITOR
An application was brought by the joint official liquidators of certain hedge fund companies for an order pursuant to Section 103(3) of the Companies Law requiring the funds’ auditor to deliver up all property or documents belonging to the funds in their possession, custody or control. For the Liquidators to succeed with an order under Section 103(3) for the production of documents, the Court must be satisfied that the auditor is a “relevant person” within the meaning of Section 103(1) and that it has in its possession documents which can fairly be said to belong to the funds.
The Liquidators argued that the auditor was a relevant person on the basis that it was a “professional service provider” within the meaning of Section 103(1)(c). In its ordinary business usage, this expression has a very wide meaning which probably does include auditors. However, the statutory power to compel persons to co-operate with official liquidators for the ultimate benefit of the creditors and/ or shareholders is intended to apply only to those who were involved in the Company’s promotion or management.