The WLR Daily case summaries
[2020] WLR (D) 382
Queen’s Bench Division
Deutsche Bank AG London Branch v Receivers appointed by the court and others
[2020] EWHC 1721 (Comm)
2020 June 22–25; July 2
Teare J
International law— Recognition— Rival claims to head of foreign state— Foreign state holding gold reserves with financial institutions in England— Rival claimants to presidency of foreign state or their appointees making conflicting claims to reserves— Financial institutions seeking direction from court as to whom to pay reserves— United Kingdom Government issuing statement recognising contender to presidency as head of state rather than sitting president but continuing formal diplomatic relations with state— Proper construction of Government’s statement— Whether one voice doctrine applicable such as to render it impermissible for court to consider other material to identify de facto position of Government— Whom Government recognising as head of foreign state— Whether act of state doctrine applicable such as to render non-justiciable consideration of foreign state’s legislation by which appointments by contender to presidency made— Whether court able to question validity or effect of appointments