Servis-Terminal LLC v Drelle

Subject Matter

BANKRUPTCY — Petition — Creditor’s petition — Russian company obtaining judgment against Russian national in Russian court — Company petitioning for bankruptcy order in English jurisdiction founded on unrecognised foreign judgment debt — Whether unrecognised foreign judgment capable of founding petition in English jurisdiction — Whether “debt” regarded and capable of initiating bankruptcy proceedings — Whether debt “payable” if foreign judgment unenforceable until recognised in jurisdiction — Insolvency Act 1986 (c 45), s 267(1),(2)(b)

[2025] EWCA Civ 62; [2025] 3 WLR 35; [2026] 1 All ER 69; [2025] WLR(D) 74, CA

BANKRUPTCY — Petition — Creditor’s petition — Creditor presenting bankruptcy petition in England and Wales on basis debtor owing debt as consequence of unrecognised Russian judgment — Whether unrecognised Russian judgment capable of providing basis for bankruptcy petition — Whether Russian judgment debt constituting “debt … payable … either immediately or at some certain, future time” — Insolvency Act 1986 (c 45), s 267

[2025] EWCA Civ 62; [2025] 3 WLR 35; [2026] 1 All ER 69; [2025] WLR(D) 74, CA

Appellate History

Commentary

Out-Law
Court of Appeal clarifies foreign judgment enforceability requirements Case comment