Dr. Jack Miliband Appellant v. Health Solutions Ltd. Respondent
Dr. Jack Miliband Appellant v. Health Solutions Ltd. Respondent
AT NEW DELHI
(Article 136 of the Constitution of India, 1950 read with Order XXI, Rule 1, Supreme Court
Rules, 2013).
Clubbed with:
v.
Vikram Bhatia Respondent
Clubbed with:
Civil Appeal No. 8178 of 2015
(Article 136 of the Constitution of India, 1950 read with Order XXI, Rule 1, Supreme Court
Rules, 2013).
v.
Dr. Jack Miliband Respondent
TABLE OF CONTENTS
[A.] Bhatia does not fall under the jurisdictional ambit of Frugalian Courts................ 1
II. IN ANY CASE, MILIBAND IS NEITHER ENTITLED TO £1M AS DEBT/DAMAGES NOR UNPAID
SALARY FOR THE INTERVENING PERIOD. .............................................................................. 2
[A.] Miliband’s affirmation of the EA made him lose the right to ask for £1m as
damages. ............................................................................................................................ 3
[B.] Even if he is entitled to damages, the quantum of those cannot be £1m. ................ 3
[C.] Since Miliband had no legitimate interest in continuance of the EA, he is not entitled
to unpaid salary as ‘agreed sum’....................................................................................... 4
[A.] Bhatia did not submit to the jurisdiction of Forrest J in Frugalia. ......................... 5
[B.] Mere presence does not amount to submission to the jurisdiction. ......................... 5
[C.] Bhatia challenged the jurisdiction of the Commercial Court of Frugalia and did not
ask for discretion................................................................................................................ 5
IV. IN ANY CASE, MILIBAND IS NOT ENTITLED TO ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER. ............. 6
[D.] In any case, £500,000 was the maximum sum of damages to be paid..................... 7
ii
University Selection Rounds, 2015-16 B7
[A.] A restriction upon transfer of shares does not require incorporation in the AoA... 8
[D.] The legislative intent was to not interfere in the freedom to enter into contractual
agreements. ...................................................................................................................... 10
VI. CL. 7, SPA BEING ENFORCEABLE, DAMAGES ARE NOT TOO REMOTE. .......................... 11
[A.] Breach of cl.7 was the dominant cause of the loss. ............................................... 11
PRAYER..................................................................................................................................... 13
iii
University Selection Rounds, 2015-16 B7
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
Abbreviation Expansion
¶ Paragraph
£ Great Britain Pounds
HSL Health Solutions Ltd.
EA Employment Agreement
§ Section
CPC Civil Procedure Code, 1908
cl. Clause
HSC HS Holdings Corporation
FHPL Frugalian Health Products Ltd.
SPA Share Purchase Agreement
AoA Articles of Association
CA Companies Act
ICA Indian Contract Act, 1872
iv
University Selection Rounds, 2015-16 B7
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
CASES
1. Adams v. Cape Industries plc, [1990] Ch 433.
2. Aron Salomon v. A. Salomon & Co., [1897] A.C. 22.
3. Attica Sea Carriers Corpn v. Ferrostaal Poseidon Bulk Reederei GmbH, (1976) 1
Lloyd’s Rep 132.
4. British India Steam Navigation Co v. Shanmughavilas Cashew Industries, 1990 SCR
(1) 884.
5. Carrick v. Hancock, (1895) 12 TLR 59.
6. Cockburn & Anor v. Alexander, (1848) 6 CB 791.
7. Czarnikow Ltd v. Koufos, [1967] UKHL 4.
8. Golden Strait Corpn. v. Nippon Yusen Kubishika Kaisha, 2007 UKHL 12.
9. Great Lakes SS Co. v. Maple Leaf Milling Co., (1924) 19 Ll. L. Rep. 208.
10. Hadley v. Baxendale, [1854] EWHC J70.
11. Hedley Byrne & Co. v. Heller & Partners Ltd., [1964] A.C. 465.
12. Henry v. Geoprosco International Ltd, [1976] QB 726.
13. HRH Maharanee of Baroda v. Wildenstein, [1972] 2 QB 283.
14. ICICI Bank Ltd v. SIDCO Leathers Ltd., (2006) 10 SCC 452.
15. In Re Swaledale Cleaners Ltd, [1968] 1 WLR 1710.
16. Livingstone v. Raywards Coal Co., [1880] 5 A.C. 25.
17. M.S Madusoodhanan v.Kerala Kaumudi Pvt. Ltd., AIR 2004 SC 909.
18. Messers Holdings v. Shyam Madanmohan Ruia, [2010] 159 CompCas 29.
19. Monarch Steamship Co. Ltd. v. A/B Karlshamns Oljefabriker, [1949] A.C. 196.
20. Narasimha Rao v. Venkatalakshmi, (1991) 3 SCC 451.
21. Pannalal Jankidas v. Mohanlal, AIR 1951 SC 144.
22. Rajah of Faridkot v. Gurdayal Singh, (1895) ILR 22 Cal 222.
23. Smith New Court Securities v. Citibank N.A, [1997] A.C. 254.
24. South Australia Asset Management Corporation v. York Montague Ltd., [1997] A.C.
191.
25. SP Jain v. Kalinga Tubes Ltd., AIR 1965 SC 1535.
26. Stocznia Gdanska SA v.Latvian Shipping Co, [1996] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 132.
27. Sukhdeo Pande v. Union of India, 2007 (7) SCC 455.
28. Tett v. Pheonix Property and Investment Co Ltd., (1986) 2 BCC 99140.
v
University Selection Rounds, 2015-16 B7
29. Trojan & Co. Ltd vs Rm. N. N. Nagappa Chettiar, 1953 AIR 235.
30. V.B. Rangaraj v. V.B. Gopalakrishnan, (1992) 1 SCC 160.
31. Vine v. National Dock Labour Board, [1956] 1 QB 658.
32. Vodafone International Holdings B.V. v. Union of India, (2012) 12 SCC 613.
33. Walker v. Walker, AIR 1934 Rang 284.
STATUTES
1. Companies Act, 1956.
2. Indian Contract Act, 1872.
3. Sale of Goods Act, 1930.
4. Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956.
5. Statement of Objects and Reasons, Securities Contracts (Regulation) Amendment Act,
1996.
Notifications
vi
University Selection Rounds, 2015-16 B7
STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION
The Appellant has approached this Honourable Court under Article 136 of the Constitution of
India, 1950. Subsequently, the leave has been granted by the Court. The Respondent humbly
submits to the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court.
The Appellant has approached this Honourable Court under Article 136 of the Constitution of
India, 1950. Subsequently, the leave has been granted by the Court. The Respondent humbly
submits to the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court.
The Appellant has approached this Honourable Court under Article 136 of the Constitution of
India, 1950. Subsequently, the leave has been granted by the Court.
vii
University Selection Rounds, 2015-16 B7
STATEMENT OF FACTS
The Players
1. Dr. Jack Miliband- Jack Miliband (hereinafter, Miliband) is one of the most brilliant
scientists of his generation. He grew up in London and was for many years a leading
academic at Cambridge and a member of the Royal Society. By the early 1990s he was
no longer content with academic life and decided to move to industry. Mason Carter
plc (‘MCP’), the second largest pharmaceutical company in the world, won the battle
for his services and appointed him Vice-President of its Research & Development
division. The company, keeping in view his breakthroughs in his area of research i.e.,
tropical diseases, transferred him to Frugalia (a country in Southeast Asia) from
London. In 2007, he became a citizen of Frugalia however, by 2010, he was frustrated
at the lack of opportunities in MCP and felt that his eminence warranted a senior
position.
2. Health Solutions Limited (HSL) – Incorporated in New Delhi, HSL is largest and
most respected pharmaceutical company in India with Mr. Vikram Bhatia (hereinafter,
‘Bhatia’) as its CEO. Its promoters and senior directors (including Bhatia) collectively
hold about 40% of its equity shares; the remainder is held by FIIs, other Indian
companies, mutual funds and tens of thousands of individual members of the general
public. Its main competitors in the Indian market are Bruton Pvt Ltd (‘Bruton’),
Medicamento Ltd (‘Medicamento’) and Versus Health Services Ltd (‘Versus’), in that
order. It is increasingly a global player and rapidly expanded in the 1990s. In recent
years it has emerged as MCP’s main rival in Southeast Asia.
3. Bhatia – The CEO of HSL and a senior director as well as promoter of the company,
Bhatia managed to secure a contract from the Government of Frugalia to develop drugs
for certain diseases that were of increasing concern in that country. This was a major
achievement considering the history of rivalry between the two nations. This contract
with Frugalia, being first of its kind, gave HSL substantial funding to expand its R&D
department and the exclusive right to market in Frugalia any products that it
successfully developed.
4. HSC and FHPL – On perusal of an internal memorandum from the HSL Legal
Department, two companies were incorporated: HS Holdings Corporation (‘HSC’) in
Vaduz (the capital of Liechtenstein) and Frugalian Health Products Ltd (‘FHPL’) in
Frugalia City (the capital of Frugalia) in order to save HSL from the jurisdiction of the
viii
University Selection Rounds, 2015-16 B7
Frugalian courts and limit dispute resolution only to Indian courts. HSC, a private
company, was incorporated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of HSL. FHPL, also a private
company, has two classes of equity shares, A and B. Class A shares are ordinary equity
shares and all issued Class A shares are held by HSC. Only one Class B share has been
issued and this is held by HSL.
The Dispute
Bhatia was keen to strengthen his R&D Department by recruiting a world-class scientist with
expertise in tropical medicine. Jack Miliband was clearly the best candidate for it and after
several rounds of informal discussion, Dr Miliband said that he would consider moving but
only if he was given an equity package in HSL (rather than FHPL) on the basis that this was
needed in view of the financial security that he would lose by leaving MCP which was
reluctantly accepted by Bhatia. In a meeting between the two at Delhi, Bhatia suggested Dr.
Miliband to transfer is his entire pension pot from MCP’s Workplace pension facility to HSL’s
pension facility, honestly, though errantly believing that an identical scheme existed in India.
Dr Miliband relied on Bhatia’s statement and joined HSL as its Research Director entering into
a Share Purchase Agreement (‘SPA’) with HSL and Bhatia (wherien the latter sold 8% of his
equity shares of HSL to Miliband £5 million though their market value on that date was £4.5
million) and an Employment Agreement (‘EA’) with HSL (wherein his annual salary was
decided as £750,000, payable in equal monthly instalments) both dated 10 January 2012. He
also transferred his MCP pension to the HSL scheme. He was toreport directly to Bhatia.
By early 2013, HSL’s profits began to fall and by mid-2013, some Board members (including
Bhatia) disappointed by the same, felt that Dr Miliband, despite his reputation, had not been
able to attract the best and the brightest scientists to join HSL. The situation was worsened by
a Times of India report that a drug sold by HSL principally in the Indian market had life-
threatening side-effects and that it had been inadequately tested prior to release. The drug was
banned due to its adverse effects on the masses and class actions were instituted in plaintiff-
friendly jurisdictions (notably in the USA) and the prospect of substantial awards further
undermined investor confidence. Consequently, the share prices fell drastically, and Dr.
Mitiland was horrified by the same and took the view that he should not have been asked to
join a company potentially at risk of enormous liabilities while Bhatia thought that he (Dr.
Mitiland) had conveniently washed his hands off the matter instead of doing what he could to
stem the crisis. They had more than one heated exchange in September. Matters soon came to
a head and Bhatia, after summoning Mr. Miliband to Delhi, summarily dismissed him and
ix
University Selection Rounds, 2015-16 B7
without the latter’s knowledge, instructed the HSL Accounts Department (on 30 September) to
pay him £1m in accordance with clause 9.5 of the EA. They removed his name from the
monthly payrolls however, due to an error, did not make the termination payment.
In perusal of the National Security Ordinance (hereinafter, Ordinance) promulgated on 19
December 2013 and post consultation with his solicitor, Bhatia, directed the Accounts
Department not to make any payment to Dr. Miliband who, on receiving a letter to this effect,
was astonished and demanded the same from HSL, but was refused. Dr. Miliband, furious, sold
his shares to an unknown client for r £1m. It soon emerged that the bank had purchased these
shares on behalf of Bruton which, by virtue of acquiring this additional 8%, now owned 10%
of HSL leading to a breach of a particular clause in the consortium agreement between HSL,
Medicamento and Versus. HSL wrote to Dr Miliband on the 10th of February claiming
damages for breach of contract in the sum of £2 million, i.e. loss caused by its inability to
remain in the consortium. Dr. Miliband, was however, unaware of the exit clause of the
agreement and did not respond to the letter.
On Miliband’s instructions, his solicitors discovered that Bhatia had falsely represented in 2012
that Dr Miliband’s pension would be protected by a Government-backed scheme in the event
of HSL’s insolvency and issued two writs (Frugalian equivalent of a plaint or a claim form) in
the Commercial Court in Frugalia: (i) against HSL for £1m as the agreed sum under the EA or
alternatively as damages for breach of the EA, and/or for unpaid salary and (ii) against Bhatia
for damages for negligent misrepresentation. Both the writs were served upon him when he
was in Frugalia City for 24 hours due to a technical glitch in the Air India flight he had boarded
from Delhi for travelling to Sydney.
Frugalian Suits
Bhatia and HSL entered appearance (under protest) only to contest the jurisdiction of the
Frugalian Commercial Court (they did not plead to the merits) and their applications
challenging jurisdiction came before Forrest J who dismissed the same and upheld the
jurisdiction. She decided the case on merits and ordered HSL to pay as damages £1m to Dr
Miliband in Forrest 1 (writ 1) and Bhatia to pay as damages £4.5 million to Dr. Miliband in
Forrest 2 (writ 2). None of the parties appealed the decision and thus, it acquired finality under
the Frugalian law.
x
University Selection Rounds, 2015-16 B7
Suits in India
Miliband, filed three civil suits in the High Court at Delhi. The suits were heard by a single
judge bench who decided as follows:
1. In the suit for claiming £1m and unpaid salary, Miliband was held entitled to both because:
1.1 Forrest 1 is conclusive; or because
1.2 £1m was a debt due to or damages for breach him or the unpaid salary.
2. In the suit for damages, he was entitled to:
2.1 £4.5m as Forrest 2 is conclusive.
2.2 £4m as difference in sale and purchase price of shares.
3. In the suit claiming unenforceability of cl. 7 of the SPA, it was held that
3.1 Cl.7 was enforceable, even if not mentioned in AoA.
3.2 £2m’s loss is not too remote.
Delhi High Court’s division bench later heard the matter on appeal and reversed the decision
on all counts in the first suit, depriving Miliband of £1m as contract was never terminated and
since he never worked, he would not even get the unpaid salary. In the second suit Miliband’s
damages were diluted to £500,000 as that was the difference between the market price and the
price at which he bought. In the third appeal, cl. 7 of the SPA was held unenforceable and
damages of HSL were held to be too remote. The parties sought special leave to appeal to the
Supreme Court, which was granted.
Hence, the present matter.
xi
University Selection Rounds, 2015-16 B7
ISSUES RAISED
Appeal 1
I. IS FORREST 1 CONCLUSIVE?
II. IF NOT, IS DR. MILIBAND ENTITLED TO: (i) £1M AS EITHER DEBT OR DAMAGES;
AND/OR (ii) UNPAID SALARY FOR THE PERIOD BETWEEN 30 SEPTEMBER 2013 AND 19
DECEMBER 2013?
Appeal 2
Appeal 3
V. IS CLAUSE 7 OF THE SPA ENFORCEABLE?
VI. IF SO, IS THE LOSS FOR WHICH HSL SEEKS DAMAGES TOO REMOTE?
xii
University Selection Rounds, 2015-16 B7
SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS
A foreign court’s decision that contravenes §13 of the CPC is not ‘conclusive’ and can neither
serve either as evidence nor a basis for filing of a new claim. The Frugalian Commercial Court
did not have jurisdiction to hear the matter as HSL never submitted to the jurisdiction of the
Frugalian courts. They appeared there under protest to pose a jurisdictional challenge and not
to seek an exercise of discretion. Moreover, notice was not properly served to HSL’s registered
office. Furthermore, the facts of the case show no justification for piercing the corporate veil.
Lastly, the decision in Forrest 1 was not based on the merits of the case. In light of all this,
Forrest 1 is not conclusive.
Miliband could have either elected to affirm the contract or could have terminated it. He chose
affirmation and hence, lost his right to claiming damages. Assuming he is entitled to damages,
the quantum of those damages is not to the tune of £1m. While assessing damages we must
follow the principle of minimum legal obligations and the least onerous obligation must be
placed upon the defendant and that which is least profitable to the plaintiff to profit should be
applied. Also, Miliband cannot claim unpaid salary as he never worked in the intervening
period. While he was admittedly prevented from working, his failure to terminate the contract
despite losing all legitimate interest in keeping the contract alive, divested him from a claim
under the contract.
xiii
University Selection Rounds, 2015-16 B7
Dr Miliband did not place reliance on the misrepresentation made by Bhatia in deciding as to
the purchase of equity shares of HSL. Also, the loss suffered and monetary harm caused was
unforeseeable. Here, the rule of fraudulent misrepresentation must not be applied as there was
no fraud in this case. An honest mistake should not be treated the same as an active endeavour
to defraud. Therefore, no damages are owed. However, if at all damages are to be paid, then
the optimum amount of damages would be £500,000.
It is submitted that a pre-emption clause in a share purchase agreement does not need
incorporation within the AoA of a company for it to be enforceable. Furthermore, given the
legislative intent behind §22A of the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 and §111A
of the Companies Act, 1956, the rule of free transferability must not be applied in the present
case. Also, the incorporation rule laid down in Nagaraj has been impliedly overruled by the
Supreme Court. In light of all this, pre-emption clauses must be enforceable.
VI. CL.7 BEING ENFORCEABLE, THE LOSS FOR WHICH DAMAGES ARE
SOUGHT IS NOT TOO REMOTE
The loss suffered by HSL because of being ousted from the Governmental consortium was a
direct consequence of the breach of cl. 7 of the SPA by Miliband. Furthermore, the damages
were reasonably foreseeable. What is significant is not whether Miliband had contemplated the
damages, rather, whether a reasonable man in his position would have done so. The ability of
the defendant to contemplate the extent of damages is irrelevant.
xiv
University Selection Rounds, 2015-16 B7
ARGUMENTS ADVANCED
Suit 1
1. Forrest 1 was instituted in the Commercial Court in Frugalia. Summons was served to
Bhatia on his unexpected emergency landing in Frugalia. Bhatia appeared only to challenge
jurisdiction, but the challenge was dismissed by Forrest (J.). It is submitted that, for the
purposes of CPC, Forrest 1 is not conclusive as: first, Bhatia does not fall under the
jurisdictional ambit of Frugalian Courts [A.] and; secondly, Forrest 1 was a decree not founded
on merits [B.].
[A.] BHATIA DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE JURISDICTIONAL AMBIT OF FRUGALIAN COURTS.
2. Bhatia never fell within the jurisdictional ambit of the Commercial Court of Frugalia,
as: (a) HSL did not submit to Frugalian jurisdiction; (b) Notice served to HSL was not valid;
(c) HSL appeared in the matter only under protest of jurisdiction, and; (d) FHPL’s corporate
veil should not be lifted.
3. Corporations that are not residents of a country, are generally not amenable to its
jurisdiction. However, if a foreign resident corporation voluntarily submits to a court in that
country, the court is justified in exercising jurisdiction over such corporations.1 Appearing to
contest jurisdiction does not amount to submission. While common law recognises mere
presence to be enough for serving of a summons writ,2 Indian law deviates from common law
and purports that only voluntary and unconditional submission amounts to submission.3
However, in case of a conflict between the two, Indian Law must be considered for the purposes
of this appeal as common law also purports that the country in which the decree is being
enforced, that country’s jurisdiction must be followed.4 It is thus, submitted, that HSL did not
unconditionally submit to Frugalian jurisdiction, as it appeared only under protest to present a
jurisdictional challenge.
1
HALSBURY’S LAWS OF ENGLAND, vol. 7, 5th edn., 2008.
2
Admans v. Cape Industries plc, [1990] Ch 433.
3
Narasimha Rao v. Venkatalakshmi, (1991) 3 SCC 451.
4
Admans v. Cape Industries plc, [1990] Ch 433.
1
University Selection Rounds, 2015-16 B7
4. Per Company (Court) Rules, 1959, a writ of summons must only be sent to a company’s
registered office. In the case at hand, the writ of summons for Forrest 1 was served to Bhatia.
This was in express violation of the Rules, and hence, the decree given by the Frugalian
Commercial Court is a nullity, owing to contravention of procedural rules.5
5. A corporation has a distinct legal personality. Its jurisdiction under a legal framework
could not be established in the same6 way as a person’s, through residence.7 The purpose of
lifting the corporate veil is to see through tax evasion tactics of a group of companies acting as
a single economic entity, thereby perpetrating tax evasion.8 It is to be noted that FHPL’s
operations are limited to Frugalian jurisdiction. It legitimately pays taxes on the income that it
generates in Frugalia. The mere fact that HSL wanted to minimize assets by creation of a
special purpose vehicle, is not enough to lift the corporate veil.
6. For the decision to be made on merits, there must be challenge between the parties. 9 A
mere appearance in the court for challenging jurisdiction, and filing of a reply claim does not
mean that there has been a real contest between the parties. This does not amount to submission
to the jurisdiction, and such a decree cannot be enforced on merits.10
II. IN ANY CASE, MILIBAND is NEITHER ENTITLED TO £1M AS DEBT/DAMAGES NOR UNPAID
SALARY FOR THE INTERVENING PERIOD.
7. By mid-2013, HSL’s Board members had lost confidence in Miliband’s services for
they believed that despite being a renowned expert in his field, Miliband had not been able to
expand HSL’s research and development department to the requisite levels.11 Upon his
dismissal on 30th September 2013, Miliband rejected the dismissal and wanted to continue the
contract, despite HSL’s persistent refusal. Further, he turned down a better offer from a
5
Rajah of Faridkot v. Gurdayal Singh, (1895) ILR 22 Cal 222.
6
Aron Salomon v. A. Salomon & Co., [1897] A.C. 22.
7
Adams v. Cape Industries plc, [1990] Ch 433.
8
Vodafone International Holdings BV v. Union of India, 2012 Indlaw SC 20.
9
Narasimha Rao v. Venkatalakshmi, 1991 SCALE (2)1.
10
Narasimha Rao v. Venkatalakshmi, 1991 SCALE (2)1.
11
Factsheet, ¶ 8.
2
University Selection Rounds, 2015-16 B7
Frugalian pharmaceutical company.12 In this claim, Miliband is neither entitled to £1m, nor the
unpaid salary, as: first, Miliband’s affirmation of the EA made him lose the right to ask for
£1m as damages [A.]; secondly, even if he is entitled to damages, the quantum of those cannot
be £1m [B.] and; thirdly, since Miliband had no legitimate interest in continuance of the EA,
he is not entitled to unpaid salary as ‘damages’ or ‘agreed sum’ [C.].
[A.] MILIBAND’S AFFIRMATION OF THE EA MADE HIM LOSE THE RIGHT TO ASK FOR £1M AS
DAMAGES.
8. A claim for payment in lieu of notice, is in the form of a claim for ‘damages’.13 A party
affirming a contract after breach has only two options14: (a) to terminate the contract and sue
for damages, or (b) to affirm the contract. Impliedly, a party affirming the contract after breach
is not entitled to damages in Common Law. In the present case, Miliband chose to affirm the
contract after his dismissal. Hence, it is submitted, that he is barred from instituting a suit
claiming £1m as damages.
9. In Golden Strait Corpn. v. Nippon Yusen Kubishika Kaisha, The Golden Victory,15 it
was held that the effective date of assessment of damages accruing out of a contract, would be
the date of hearing the case, in cases where supervening circumstances that were not
premeditated by the parties have manifested. Hence, the effective date of assessment of
damages in the present case should also be the date of hearing as supervening illegality had
frustrated the contract. Further, in Common Law, computation of damages is done using the
concept of ‘minimum legal obligation’. This principle states that where there are several ways
of performance of a contract, that mode is adopted for the purposes of computing damages
which is least onerous to the defendant, and least profitable to the plaintiff.16 In hindsight, the
contract, after the breach, could have unfolded in two ways: (a) Miliband would have been paid
£1m and the EA would have been terminated; or (b) Miliband would not have been paid and
the contract would have automatically frustrated after the Ordinance. Following the minimum
12
Factsheet, ¶ 9.
13
Vine v. National Dock Labour Board, [1956] 1 QB 658.
14
White and Carter (Councils) Ltd. v. McGregor, [1961] UKHL 5.
15
[2007] UKHL 12.
16
Cockburn & Anor v Alexander, [1848] 6 CB 791; Lion Nathan Ltd v. C-C Bottlers Ltd, [1996] 1 AC
344.
3
University Selection Rounds, 2015-16 B7
legal obligation principle, the latter situation must be the basis for calculating the damages.
Hence, it is submitted, that Miliband is not entitled to £1m as damages.
[C.] SINCE MILIBAND HAD NO LEGITIMATE INTEREST IN CONTINUANCE OF THE EA, HE IS NOT
ENTITLED TO UNPAID SALARY AS ‘AGREED SUM’.
10. Admittedly, owing to Miliband’s affirmation of the contract after the breach, the
contract subsisted and later got discharged by frustration. However, the principle of “no work,
no pay”17 bars Miliband from getting any remedy as contractual due. §53, ICA, 1872 invests
in the innocent party, a right to declare the contract void in case the other party prevents it from
discharging its performance. Admittedly, HSL prevented Miliband from performing his part of
the contract by not replying to his e-mails and cutting him off official communications.
However, this prevention invested in Miliband, a right to terminate the contract at any point in
Miliband.
11. Per the legitimate interest principle, “the innocent party must have reasonable grounds
for keeping the contract open, bearing in mind also the interests of the wrongdoer.”18 The
justification for the same is that a party cannot keep a contract open only to claim damages.
Here, as soon as Miliband received a better offer, he lost legitimate interest in the employment.
A party that loses such an interest cannot sue for agreed sum. 19 Hence, it is submitted, that
Miliband cannot sue for unpaid salary as contractual due.
Suit 2
17
Sukhdeo Pande v. Union of India, 2007 (7) SCC 455.
18
Stocznia Gdanska SA v. Latvian Shipping Co, [1996] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 132.
19
White and Carter (Councils) Ltd. v. McGregor, [1961] UKHL 5; Attica Sea Carriers Corpn. v.
Ferrostaal Poseidon Bulk Reederei GmbH, (1976) 1 Lloyd’s Rep 132.
4
University Selection Rounds, 2015-16 B7
Bhatia challenged the jurisdiction of the Commercial Court of Frugalia and did not ask for
discretion [C.].
15. Appearing before a bench under protest and contesting jurisdiction, is different from
asking the court to exercise discretion with respect to the hearing of the matter, and raising a
plea of forum non conveniens. When either of the aforesaid two are pleaded, the defendant
submits to the jurisdiction, however, while arguing with the bench with respect to its
jurisdictional ambit. The court’s competence to hear is acknowledged in this case. 27 In the
present case, Bhatia challenged this very competence to hear of the Commercial Court of
Frugalia and did not plead court’s discretion or forum non conveniens. This would not amount
20
Adams v. Cape Industries plc, [1990] Ch. 433.
21
HRH Maharanee of Baroda v. Wildenstein, [1972] 2 QB 83.
22
British India Steam Navigation Co v. Shanmughavilas Cashew Industries, 1990 SCR (1) 884.
23
Factsheet, ¶ 16.
24
Carrick v. Hancock, (1895) 12 TLR 59.
25
Adams v. Cape Industries plc, [1990] Ch. 433.
26
Factsheet ¶ 15.
27
Henry v. Geoprosco International Ltd [1976] QB 726.
5
University Selection Rounds, 2015-16 B7
to submission to the jurisdiction of the Frugalian Commercial Court. It is thus, submitted, that
since the Frugalian Commercial Court does not possess jurisdiction upon the matter, Forrest 2
lacks conclusiveness.
28
[1964] AC 465.
29
Factsheet, ¶ 4 and ¶ 6.
6
University Selection Rounds, 2015-16 B7
negligence.30 Intervening factors frustrate the causational chain.31 It is therefore, apparent that
market dynamics were unforeseeable.
19. In case of banned drugs, one can also observe that such a banning and filing of class
action lawsuits against HSL32 came as a surprise for HSL as well. In no way, could these be
prevented. Hence, it is submitted, that losses accruing to Miliband were not foreseeable.
[D.] IN ANY CASE, £500,000 WAS THE MAXIMUM SUM OF DAMAGES TO BE PAID.
21. A premium was paid on the erstwhile market price when Miliband entered into the SPA
with Bhatia and HSL. This premium was to the tune of £500,000 paid over and above the then
market price (£4.5m). However, these shares were transferred to Miliband by way of dilution
of the CEO’s shares. Hence, a premium upon the said shares was a token money for acquiring
those important shares of the company. Assuming but not conceding, that these shares were
brought owing to complete reliance on the misrepresentation, the only damages that this
accrues to Miliband would be to the tune of £500,000.
30
South Australia Asset Management Corporation Respondents v York Montague Ltd., [1997] A.C.
191.
31
W.V.H. Rogers, WINFIELD AND JOLOWICZ ON TORTS 309 (2006).
32
Factsheet ¶ 5 and ¶ 8.
33
Smith New Court Securities Ltd. v. CitiBank N.A., [1997] A.C. 254.
34
Hedley Byrne & Co. v. Heller & Partners, [1964] AC 465.
35
Livingstone v. Raywards Coal Co., (1880) 5 A.C. 25.
36
Victoria Laundry v. Newman, [1949] 2 KB 528.
7
University Selection Rounds, 2015-16 B7
Suit 3
[A.] A RESTRICTION UPON TRANSFER OF SHARES DOES NOT REQUIRE INCORPORATION IN THE
AOA.
23. In V.B Rangaraj v. V.B Gopalakrishnan,37 the oft-critiqued “incorporation rule” was
elucidated. This rule entails that a contractual clause restricting free transfer of a company’s
equity, must be necessarily incorporated in the the AoA. It is submitted that the aforesaid rule
need not be followed, as: (a) “incorporation rule” laid down in Rangaraj does not stand; and
(b) such a stipulation in agreements between ‘particular shareholders’ for transfer of ‘specific
shares’ is enforceable.
24. It is submitted that the “incorporation rule: is the wrong legal position, as:
25. First, the aforesaid rule has been implicitly overruled. In Vodafone,38 the Supreme
Court has dissented from the view expressed in Rangaraj and has opined that a shareholder’s
agreement imposing restrictions must not necessarily be incorporated in the AoA.
26. Second, §4439 was not intended by the legislators to apply to contractual relationships.
Undeniably, the aforesaid section entails transfer of shares in the way provided by the AoA.
However, it is submitted, that the legislators did not intend to apply this to contractual
relationships. It is known that before the inclusion of §22A40 the directors had no intrinsic
power to refuse registration of transferred shares and the authority for the same had to searched
for in the AoA. This principle extends only to board of directors finding the power to reject in
the AoA. The ambit of it, is however, does not include in its ambit, the contracting parties.
37
AIR 1993 SC 453.
38
Vodafone International Holdings B.V v. Union of India, (2012) 12 SCC 613.
39
§44, CA, 2013.
40
§22A, Securities Contract (Regulation) Act, 1956.
8
University Selection Rounds, 2015-16 B7
27. Third, Rangaraj had relied on foreign judgments, with their ratios taken out of context.
The aforesaid foreign judgements were - In re Swaledale Cleaners Ltd41 and Tett v. Phoenix.42
In the former, the issue at hand was whether delay inhibits directors’ right to refuse registration.
Hence, the judgment is not applicable in the present scenario. In the latter, the issue was with
respect to the validity of refusal to register. Hence, it is submitted, that the conclusion arrived
at in Rangaraj is wrongful and does not hold well.
28. While distinguishing Rangaraj, the Supreme Court has held that agreements amongst
‘particular shareholders’ with respect to transfer of ‘specific shares’ is not restricted by law.43
In the opinion of the judges in Madusoodhanan, an omnibus restriction on the free
transferability among shareholders of shares, both present and future, is not permitted. In the
present case, the SPA entered into by Bhatia and Miliband, entails a relationship between
‘particular shareholders’ with respect to ‘specific shares’, and not an omnibus restriction that
is impermissible in law.
(a) The aforesaid clause enjoys legal validity by virtue of applying the proviso to §58(2),
CA, 2013.
41
In re Swaledale Cleaners Ltd, [1968] 1 WLR 1710 (Court of Appeal Civil Division).
42
Tett v. Phoenix Property and Investment Co. Ltd., (1986) 2 BCC 99140 (Court of Appeal Civil
Division).
43
M.S Madusoodhanan v. Kerala Kaumudi Pvt. Ltd., AIR 2004 SC 909.
44
Modi Rubber Ltd. v. Guardian International Corp., 141 (2007) DLT 822; M.S Madusoodhanan v.
Kerala Kaumudi Pvt. Ltd., AIR 2004 SC 909. See also, Ontario Jockey Club Limited v. Samuel Jackson,
AIR 1928 PC 291.
45
Modi Rubber Ltd. v. Guardian International Corp., 141 (2007) DLT 822.
9
University Selection Rounds, 2015-16 B7
31. Plain reading of §58(2), CA, 2013 allows contractual limitations on free transferability.
This part of the statue paves the way for pre-emption clauses.
32. Vide §28 of the Securities Contract (Regulation) Act, 1956, the Government had issued
two notifications, dated June 27, 196146 and October 3, 2013.47 These notifications exempt the
application of the Securities Contract (Regulation) Act, 1956 to pre-emption clauses. It is, thus,
submitted that since §58, CA, 2013 finds its roots in §22A of the Securities Contract
(Regulation) Act, 1956, by logical extrapolation, pre-emption clauses, are allowed per the
provisions of the CA.
[D.] THE LEGISLATIVE INTENT WAS TO NOT INTERFERE IN THE FREEDOM TO ENTER INTO
CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENTS.
34. Any moveable property envisages proprietary rights of owners. Since shares are also
moveable property,49 shareholders are entitled to voluntarily bar the movement of shares.
Moreover, shares also fall within the definition of ‘goods’.50 Hence, contractual arrangements
entered into by shareholders whereby they give rights of pre-emption to each other do not
constitute a restriction on free transferability as it amounts to a shareholder exercising
proprietary rights.51 §111A (2) cannot be construed as a fetter as well. This is because
legislators have hardly ever interfered with contractual relationships unless warranted by public
46
Notification S.O 1490, dated June 27, 1961 (Securities and Exchange Board of India).
47
Notification LAD-NRO/GN/2013-14/26/6667., dated October 3, 2013 (Securities and Exchange
Board of India).
48
Messers Holdings v. Shyam Madanmohan Ruia, [2010] 159 CompCas 29.
49
Section 44, Companies Act, 2013.
50
Section 2(7), Sale of Goods Act, 1930.
51
Bajaj Auto Ltd. v. Western Maharashtra Development Corporation, 2015 (4) BomCR 499.
10
University Selection Rounds, 2015-16 B7
policy.52 Also, while enacting a statute, Parliament cannot have presumably taken away the
right to property.53 In light of all this, it is submitted that the SPA entered into by Miliband
with HSL and Bhatia has is enforceable.
VI. CL. 7, SPA BEING ENFORCEABLE, DAMAGES ARE NOT TOO REMOTE.
[A.] BREACH OF CL.7 WAS THE DOMINANT CAUSE OF THE LOSS.
35. Damages are accrued only when the breach is a direct and dominant cause of the loss.54
If there are several causes that may lead to damages, the impugned breach must be the
“effective cause”55 There causational chain56 must not be broken by intervention of third
party57 or intervening act58 or omission of the plaintiff.59 In the case at hand, breach of cl. 7 led
to Bruton’s increasing their stake in HSL by 8%. This made the other parties to the consortium
invoke the exit clause, ousting HSL from the consortium. The consequential loss has been
computed accurately to be £2m.60 Contractual damages envisage a restitution principle, which
states that the wronged party must be returned to a pre breach position.61 Hence, HSL must be
entitled to recover £2m from Miliband.
37. First, damages must arise in the ‘usual course of things’.64 A direct consequence of
breach of cl. 7 could be perceived as loss in equity control and economic losses may arise out
of the same. This loss, arising in ‘usual course’ entailed invocation of the exit clause, which
52
Byram Pestonji Gariwala v. Union Bank of India, (1992) 1 SCC 31.
53
ICICI Bank Ltd. v. SIDCO Leathers Ltd., (2006) 10 SCC 452.
54
Trojan & Co. Ltd v. Rm. N. N. Nagappa Chettiar, 1953 AIR 235; State of Kerala v. K Bhaskaran ,
AIR 1985 Ker 49. See also, Re Polemis & Furniss, Wilthy & Co Ltd., [1921] 3KB 560.
55
Monarch Steamship Co. Ltd. v. A/B Karlshamns Oljefabriker, [1949] A.C. 196; Galoo Ltd. v. Bright
Grahame Murray, [1995] 1All ER 16.
56
Lambert v. Lewis, (1982) AC 956.
57
Weld-Bundell v. Stephens, (1920) AC 956.
58
Weld-Bundell v. Stephens, (1920) AC 956.
59
Quinn v. Burch Brothers (Builders) Ltd., (1966) 2QB 370; Lambert v. Lewis, (1982) AC 225.
60
Factsheet, ¶ 13.
61
Frederick Pollock and, Dinshaw Mulla, THE INDIAN CONTRACT AND SPECIFIC RELIEF ACTS, Vol. II,
1164 (14th edn., 2012).
62
Hadley v. Baxendale, [1854] EWHC J70. See also, Karsandas H. Thacker v. The Saran Engineering
Co. Ltd. AIR 1965 SC 1981.
63
§73, ICA.
64
Union of India v. Hari Mohan Ghosh, AIR 1990 Gau 14; Hadley v. Baxendale, [1854] EWHC J70;
C Czarnikow Ltd v Koufos, [1967] UKHL 4.
11
University Selection Rounds, 2015-16 B7
was further in ‘usual course’ of the same. The fact that Miliband contemplated the damages is
enough to connote liability to him. Knowledge about the intricacies of the procedure of damage
is irrelevant for determining remoteness.65 No prior knowledge of manner of accruing of
damages is also irrelevant.66
38. Second, in any case, knowledge of accruing damages could be imputed to him. It was
held in Heron II,67 that the parties can be held liable for damages that they could preconceive
based on their (a) actual knowledge and (b) imputed knowledge. If it can be shown that the any
reasonable man in place of the defendant could have had imputed knowledge of the damages
that will accrue as a consequence of his actions, the defendant could be held liable.68 It follows
from these findings that two important pieces of knowledge could be imputed to Miliband.
They are:
39. Knowledge about the common industry practices prevalent in and around defendant’s
place of work could be attributed to him.69 In the present case, Miliband cannot deny the
presence of the consortium agreement that HSL was bound by.70 Hence, terms of such a
contract must have been known to any reasonable party who would have been in place of
Miliband. That he did not know of it, is no excuse.
2. Importance of Confidentiality
40. One who has been in similar trade for years, is assumed to have known the common
trade practices governing that field.71 Miliband’s experience in the field is enough for him to
know the dynamics of a multinational pharmaceutical company, its rivals, etc. He should have
contemplated that selling such a crucial percentage of shares to an unidentified buyer can affect
research projects’ confidentiality immensely. Further, he should have picked a cue from the
secretive manner in which he was approached for the purchase. In light of all this, it is
submitted that the damages being claimed are not too remote.
65
Monarch Steamship Co. Ltd. v. A/B Karlshamns Oljefabriker, [1949] AC 196; Great Lakes SS Co.
v. Maple Leaf Milling Co, (1924) 19 Ll. L. Rep. 208; Parsons (Livestock) Ltd. v. Uttley Ingham & Co.
Ltd., [1978] QB 791.
66
Pannalal Jankidas v. Mohanlal, 1951 AIR 144.
67
C Czarnikow Ltd v Koufos, [1967] UKHL 4.
68
Brown v. KMR Services Ltd., [1995] 4 All ER 598.
69
Monarch Steamship Co. Ltd. v. A/B Karlshamns Oljefabriker, [1949] AC 196.
70
Factsheet, ¶ 8.
71
Transfield Shipping Inc. v. Mercator Shipping Inc., [2008] UKHL 48.
12
University Selection Rounds, 2015-16 B7
PRAYER
Wherefore in light of the issues raised, arguments advanced and authorities cited, it is humbly
prayed that this Honourable Court may be pleased to dismiss the first two appeals and allow
the third, holding:
Forrest 1is inconclusive and that Dr Miliband is neither entitled to £1m nor arrears in
salary;
Forrest 2 is inconclusive and award no damages;
Declare cl. 7 of the SPA enforceable and award damages to the extent of £2m;
And pass any other order that this Honourable Court may deem fit in the interests of justice,
equity and good conscience.
All of which is humbly prayed,
B7,
Counsel for the Respondent/Appellant.
13