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Scottish Court of Session Decisions


You are here: BAILII >> Databases >> Scottish Court of Session Decisions >> Creditors of The Lochfine Gunpowder Co. (Ltd), Petitioners [1867] ScotLR 5_398 (20 March 1867)
URL: http://www.bailii.org/scot/cases/ScotCS/1867/05SLR0398.html
Cite as: [1867] ScotLR 5_398, [1867] SLR 5_398

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SCOTTISH_SLR_Court_of_Session

Page: 398

Court of Session Inner House First Division.

Friday, March 20. 1867.

5 SLR 398

Creditors of The Lochfine Gunpowder Co. (Limited), Petitioners.

Subject_1Liquidation
Subject_2Winding-up of Company
Subject_3Companies Act 1851, sec. 147
Subject_4Removal from Office.
Facts:

In this petition for winding-up, subject to supervision of the Court, certain creditors appeared and craved removal of the liquidators already appointed, but the Court held that no sufficient ground of removal had been alleged.

Headnote:

This petition was presented by creditors of the Lochfine Gunpowder Company (Limited), At a meeting on 22d January last, it had been unanimously resolved that the business of the company should bo voluntarily wound-up. At a subsequent meeting this resolution was confirmed, and Mr George Shand, writer, Denny, and Mr James Weir, commercial traveller, Airdrie, were appointed liquidators. These gentlemen proceeded to realise the funds, with a view to distribution. Various actions and diligence, however, were threatened against the company, and accordingly this petition was presented, under section 147 of the Companies Act 1862, craving the Court to make an order directing that the voluntary winding-up of the company shall continue, but subject to the supervision of the Court, and with such liberty for creditors, contributories, and others to apply to the Court as the the Court thinks just. Answers were lodged for Martin, Turner, and Co., creditors of the company, objecting to the company being wound up under the present liquidators, and craving the Court to order a meeting of the creditors, to ascertain their views as to the appointment of liquidators by whom the winding-up might be carried on. Similar answers were lodged by two other creditors. Counsel were heard on the petition and answers.

Judgment:

Balfour for petitioner.

A Moncrieff and D. Marshall for respondents.

At advising—

Lord President—I don't think the respondents have made out a case either for removing the liquidators or for appointing additional liquidators. The power of the Court to remove liquidators is under the 141st section of the Act; but it contemplates it being done only “on due cause shown.” No sufficient cause has here been shown forcre-moving the gentlemen who were appointed unanimously to the office of liquidators; and as to the appointment of additional liquidators, that is an unnecessary expense to incur in so small a concern. It does not appear that there is so much complication in the winding-up of this company that greater skill must be possessed by the liquidators than may be presumed’ to be possessed by these gentlemen, one of whom held the position of traveller to the company while it carried on business, and the other of whom is a writer and bank agent. As a matter of judicial discretion, I am against interfering.

Lord Curriehill—If this proposal were to remove the present liquidators, or appoint additional liquidators, I should be against that course. The present proposal seems rather to be that we should appoint a meeting of creditors, that they may express their views. I am against allowing this. I think that no case has been made out for interfering with the liquidation.

Lord Deas—I am of the same opinion. Nothing has been stated to authorise the removal of the present liquidators, or the calling of a meeting of creditors, which would be attended with expense and trouble to all parties. No ground has been suggested at all, except that a certain number of creditors would prefer some one else. If they see ground for thinking that the interests of the creditors are not attended to, they may come, and if they are able to state some tangible ground for removal, they may be listened to then.

Lord Ardmillan concurred.

Solicitors: Agents for petitioner— Maclachlan, Ivory, & Rodger, W.S.

Agents for respondents— Cheyne & Stuart, W.S., A. R. Morison, S.S.C., and W. G. Roy, S.S.C.

1867


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URL: http://www.bailii.org/scot/cases/ScotCS/1867/05SLR0398.html