BU is perplexed by the latest news in this mess, in which it is reported that the BIPA (Barbados Investors Policyholders Alliance) aka CLICO investors – represented by Mr Alair Shepherd QC – has refused to stay the action against the CLICO directors. It is noted that the FSC is represented in this matter by Mr Adrian King.
BU’s attention was initially grabbed (or as it transpires, misdirected and sidetracked) by the fact that Mr Shepherd and Mr King both practice out of Inn Chambers and BU asked for clarification that, although Mr Shepherd and Mr King both practice from the same chambers, they are NOT partners, but ARE, in fact, individual counsel who simply share facilities. As such, therefore, there is no impropriety, nor does BU even suggest such of the two counsel named.
That disclaimer and clarification having now been made, BU asks its family and legal eagles to weigh in as to whether BIPA has the standing to bring its action against the CLICO directors, or not. If not, as this whole CLICO mess is of massive importance to Bajans in general, on what basis BIPA has refused to stay its action? Is there any merit in pursing an action that will be stayed at the end of the day?
BU, which first disclaims that it this is in any way a legal opinion, sets out its impressions gained from archives and from a reading of the Barbados Companies Act Cap 308 as follows:
Some years ago, BU posted the decision of the Court of Appeal in Civil Appeal No. 17 of 2001 (written on behalf of the panel consisting of Waterman AJ, Belgrave AJ and delivered by the Honourable Errol Chase CHB JA, the chairman of the panel) and confirmed by the Privy Council (Hoffman LJ) in which Chase AJ started his judgement on behalf of an unanimous panel by giving a scholarly, yet easily understandable to the layman, and precedent-supported dissertation on the difference between the Barbados Companies Act Cap. 308 of the Laws of Barbados and the former Act, being the Companies Act 1910.
BU’s impression gained from this judgement was that prior to 1986, Barbados’ corporate laws had followed those of the United Kingdom. However, post 1986, all Barbados corporations had been required to be “continued” under the new Act (Cap. 308) which, in its turn, followed the Canada Corporations Act 1975.
The conclusion of Chase AJ is set out in paragraph 22 of his judgement, wherein he states:
“Further, section 95(3) of the [Companies] Act makes it unequivocally clear that the person to whom the directors of a company owe their duty is the company, not to the shareholders, not to the creditors, not to the general public, but to the company itself.”
For clarity, BU cites section 95 of the Companies Act Cap. 308.
“Duty of Directors and Officers
95. (1) Every director and officer of a company in exercising his powers and discharging his duties must
(a) act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the company; and
(b) exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances.
(2) In determining what are the best interests of a company, a director must have regard to the interests of the company’s employees in general as well as to the interests of its shareholder.
(3) The duty imposed by subsection (2) on the directors of a company is owned by them to the company alone; and the duty is enforceable in the same way as any other fiduciary duty owned to a company by its directors.
(4) Every director and officer of a company must comply with this Act and the regulations, and with the articles and by-laws of the company, and any unanimous shareholder agreement relating to the company.
(5) Subject to subsection (2) of section 133, no provision in a contract, the articles of a company, its by-laws or any resolution, relieves a director or officer of the company from the duty to act in accordance with this Act or the regulations, or relieves him from liability for a breach of this Act or the regulation.”
Chase AJ goes on in paragraph 23 of his judgement, to cite the Canadian case of:
“Pelling v Pelling et al (1981), B.C.S.C. 130. D.L.R. (3) 761 at page 762, where Berger J. in dismissing a shareholder’s claim for breach of fiduciary duty, said:
“there is no fiduciary obligation between shareholders, and no general fiduciary obligation owed by a director to a shareholder. A director’s duty is to the company; he has no fiduciary obligation to the shareholders…..”
BU can find nowhere any subsequent case in which the decision of Chase AJ, as confirmed by the Privy Council, has been reversed or set aside by a court of competent and superior jurisdiction and therefore the Barbados courts are, it would seem to BU, bound by this ruling – and by the law as set out in the Companies Act Cap. 308.
Can BU’s legal eagles shed any further light or provide any opinions on this?
BU goes further, in so far as BIPA (as a party to the action is concerned) in asking its legal eagles for clarification as to whether as an association, it has any standing at all to bring such an action against the directors of CLICO in the name of the association. After all, the association is itself not a shareholder in CLICO, nor, so far as we can see, is this a class action of shareholders. It seems to BU that BIPA is acting as an agent in this, but so far as BU is aware, an agent has no right to bring such an action, only the shareholders themselves can do that in their own names. IF BU is correct (and we are very open to dissent, discussion and advice on that) then this action is fatally flawed from the get-go and doomed to be stayed.
On its Facebook site BIPA sets out its mission statement as:
“BIPA is a non-profit organisation which was formed out of the coming together of policyholders of the bankrupt insurance companies, CLICO and BAICO who are seeking to get their money back using the legal system to achieve this goal.” [BU’s emphasis]
While BU applauds and encourages the BIPA intentions and is certainly 100% behind holding CLICO and BAICO to account, it sincerely questions the grounds of this latest and asks if in this case “using the legal system” is prudent…….or a possible mis-use and whether the stay BIPA has refused to agree to may not inevitably be granted by the courts, based “unequivocally” (the word used by Chase AJ) on both statute and precedent?
It is noted solely as a by-the-way that the losing counsel in Appeal No. 17 of 2001 were Mr Alair Shepherd QC acting in association with Mr Adrian King.
We are, frankly, confused on this one and we hope that BU’s legal eagles will assist us to understand what is going on, for clearly Mr Shepherd QC knows something that is completely obscured from the scope of BU’s layman knowledge. We would like to know what it is. For to quote BIPA’s Facebook statement:
“The ongoing CLICO and BAICO situation is without doubt the most disgraceful financial debacle Barbados has ever witnessed. For nearly four years now it has devastated the lives …of 35,000 Barbadians, most of whom can least afford it, particularly the elderly.”
BU ENDORSES THIS STATEMENT WITHOUT RESERVATION OF ANY KIND.
In a country of approximately 285,000 souls, something that has “devastated the lives …of 35,000 Barbadians, most of whom can least afford it, particularly the elderly,” requires more journalistic investigation than the mere bald statement that BIPA has refused to agree a stay of the action against the CLICO directors. It requires an investigation on the chances of success of such an action and whether good money is not being thrown after bad.
And it is no good claiming that the matter is sub judice and that BU should not comment or question, as in any other free society with a functional press, such an action would be discussed in all media by legal experts, as to law and chances of success. In addition, elected members of the executive would be weighing in heavily with their views and statements of outrage and AGGRESSIVE suggestions of ways forward. Imagine that 12+% of the population of the United Kingdom (8.4 million souls) were affected by a situation like CLICO……imagine the press and investigative journalism feeding frenzy. There would be parliamentary inquiries, judge-led inquiries, police inquiries and a major international scandal and every UK MP would be fighting for air time to make their views known.
Well, according to BIPA, 12+% of Barbados’ population are victims of CLICO and, so far as we can see, not much is being done – and frankly a change of government in February 21 is highly unlikely to change this, given the deafening silence and the political games that has one party trying to blame another for a situation for which BOTH are clearly responsible. BU is fully on side with BIPA in any law-based action that can bring with it the chance of success and restitution for the CLICO investors.
Where BU and BIPA would part company is if the money of BIPA members, already egregiously harmed by CLICO, is being used by counsel to bring meritless litigation with little or nil chance of success – for which the losing party will have to pay the costs. For that would be to exacerbate the harm and loss and hardship already suffered by CLICO investors. All for nothing, except dollars in the pockets of the legal profession and the further clogging up of an already fully clogged and moribund court system under the administration of a chief justice who hasn’t a clue what is going on or, even if he had a clue – which he clearly does not, how to fix it.
And it is no good to say that this action is brought as a means of getting the matter before the CCJ, if, once it is before the CCJ, it fails. The CCJ is bound to apply the laws of Barbados, being the Barbados Companies Act Cap 308, not the 1910 Act. In the circumstances, and as a pure layman, BU does not see on what basis the precedent decision of Chase AJ can be overturned. It seems crystal clear and unshakeable and a matter of statute.
BU, having little or no legal training, does not pretend to know the answers. It merely presents its impressions and poses obvious questions and now affords the family and legal eagles the chance to weigh in, in the spirit of a true, functional and democratic press. We are, after all, the Fifth Estate and, in Barbados at any rate, charged with the responsibility of making up for the deplorable lack of duty of what calls itself the Barbados Fourth Estate. Also, frankly, the family as a whole is far brighter and better educated and much more on the ball than those posing as reporters in the Fourth Estate.
@david
Seems like someone has been persuaded paid or prodded to run a hatchet job on Fowler. Could this be payback for not holding off that darn lawsuit? Could it be in tandem with Chris and Leroy’s drinking spree in the Ivy? Did any one notice ye Hal of Redman fame turning from the camera so as not to be seen with his “pals”?
@alvin
Good exposition on the legal and regulatory side of the matter. The challenge is, it surpassed those a while back and became a fraternal/paternal and political one. Herein lies the rub.
@hants
Your simplistic reasoning is quite sound. Waiting on JM, waiting on assets to regain value, waiting on the OECS countries, waiting on an FSC investigation…all the while money iss tied up, premiums still being thrown down the hole and the “culprits” drink wine and champagne without a care for those whose lives they have affected…maybe even ruined in some instances.
As me great gran used to say…”God don’t like ugly.”
Karma will tip the scales of balancee one way or the other.
Just observing
@ BIPA member | February 10, 2013 at 3:35 PM |
“He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.
Remember that Ms. Fowler and PSA.”
Listen jackass, this is not about “equity” but about meeting obligations under the law, that is Statutory Obligations.
Members of the local private sector (and even government bodies and agencies) have a Statutory obligation to pay over all PAYE deductions from employees wages and salaries and net VAT collected from customers within a specified time.
There are no ifs or buts or equity considerations where these responsibilities are concerned.
There is nothing to argue over in a court of law.
The government also has a similar statutory obligation to refund overpayments whether under the Income Tax or VAT Legislation within a specified period.
Do you want to see Barbados continue to be a law abiding society or a free-for-all wild wild west banana republic?
I told a friend of mine this morning that very soon we are going to see the goons of the DLP throwing mud on BU at June Fowler. Wow, less than 12 hours and it has happened. But June Fowler said in a VOB interview that her back is board to take the attacks.
How will the policyholders feel today after they saw that photo with Sinkliar and his pals? They will truly feel that the have been screwed. Sinkliar a big liar has been lying to these folk since the day he took over as MOF. Did not the king on his dying bed said that a solution was found and that the MOF would reveal it in a few days? Well that was in October 2010.
Any hope they had of getting back money is gone should the DLP win this election. BIPA should have sued Leroy Parris as CEO and Lawrence Duprey as the owner. If the king had not died, he too as the lawyer. All these people assets should be seized as it is clear that they misused the policyholders monies.
david; Re. your 10.10 am comments.
I have great difficulty in accepting the intended cloud that masks Chris’ statement that the current market value of the CLICO assets are well below market value and hence this invalidates the “solution” that OSA is now offering the BIPA folk. Sounds like a circular argument to me.
DT, CS and FS’ fingerprints must be prominent amongst those of the entities that would have contributed to, or even knowingly engineered, that situation. Imho it seems certain that if they had each acted as would have been expected of government officials with no axes to grind for the CLICO hierarchy in the early days of the collapse of Clico (2008-2009) and instituted a Judicial Management operation, with dispatch, like the other countries in the region the CLICO asset base would surely have been significantly higher today.
CS can’t reasonably claim that the CLICO problem has now become irretrievably insoluble in so far as the BIPA people recouping a reasonable portion of their investments when his policies (the continuation of the DT’s policies), would have been directly responsible for the current state of such assets.
He appears to have washed his and his Government’s hands of any culpability in this while trying to blame the current external environment. Sounds like a familiar DLP strategy, doesn’t it?
As Observing suggested “God don’t like ugly” and perhaps the channel that might evidence this could be opened after the coming elections if OSA wins and is true to his promise to vigorously pursue the CLICO principals which just might include a few politicians quick or dead.
While I am certainly not a lawyer, I believe there are special circumstances when a company is accepting deposits from the public – as in a Bank or other financial intermediary, A Pension Fund and under the Insurance Act as well.
In addition there may be additional areas to explore under the concept of securities law/regulation. In this area, the public pronouncements by various Government officials would have influenced people’s decisions because these are persons in a special class who are presumed o be giving advice – lawyers, economists, CEO’s etc.
In the USA for example, regulators, public officials and company officials would have to be very careful what they say IF it could be seen as statements that are likely to distort the markets and/or provide “incorrect” information.
I think the entire matter requires some legal actions brought to force the judiciary to consider and pass judgement on the various matters.
Even though CLICO was a private company, it was collecting funds (some might say taking deposits without the requisite licence under the Financial Intermediaries Act) and premiums for its various insurance products.
The fact that it was regulated by a Government agency and then key Government Officials would have issued statements describing the entity as safe, says to me, the Government is very liable. These three officials are key:
– David Thompson in his capacity as Prime Minister in the presence of all the key advisers indicated CLICO’s safety and soundness;
– Leroy Parris in his Capacity as Board Chairman went on TV to indicate there was no connection between CLICO Trinidad and CLICO Barbados. It is presumed that he is in a position to know and therefore even if he made the statement in ignorence – he establishes some liability. Again he did not make the statement to CLICO Shareholders or in the Boardroom to Directors, his statement was directed to the entire populace. Again in my view if he wanted to talk only to the shareholders, he could have done so directly through a circular. His public statements establish the PUBLIC nature of these businesses.
-Thirdly the Central Bank Governor – in the case of Dr. Marion Williams, was present when the PM made his statement and any reasonable person would conclude that she concurred with the PM’s statement of safety and soundness. But even when the Governors changed, Dr. Worrell who, since the Central bank does not regulate CLICO, could have remained silent, made a comment in terms of Policy-holders getting back at least their principle.
I would also argue that Directors owe a duty of care to the company and in the case of an insurance company that also manages PENSIONS, I would submit that the fiduciary responsibililty is actually to the Policy-Holder from whom they have taken money and entered into a contract.
In fact the fiduciary relationship would seem to be established because usually we give the agent or company money in trust before an insurance contract is issued and indeed if the policy is not issued, we might be refunded this money which was in trust and therefore not theirs.
In that regard CLICO’s Directors, Company Officers (CEO, COO, CFO etc) and indeed their licenced AGENTS owed a fiduciary responsibility to the Policy-holder as follows:
1. Utmost Care- The agent/Director/Officer is bound to the higher standard of a professional in the field which extends the standard of duty to investigate within the means of the profession, to ensure the maximum protection and information be provided the policy-holder.
2. Integrity- Defined as the soundness of moral principle and character. It means the agent/Officer/Director must act with fidelity and honesty.
3. “Honesty and Duty of Full Disclosure” of all material facts, either known, within the knowledge of or reasonably discoverable by the agent/Director/Official which could influence in any way the policy-holder’s decisions, actions or willingness to enter into a transaction.
4. Loyalty- An obligation to refrain from acquiring any interest adverse to that of a policy-holder without full and complete disclosure of all material facts and obtaining the policy-holders’ informed consent. This precludes the agent/Directors/Officers from personally benefitting from secret profits etc. (Or buying lotto tickets with the PENSION funds – and keeping the winnings personally)
5. Duty of Good Faith- includes total truthfulness, absolute integrity and total fidelity to the policy holder’s interest. The duty of good faith prohibits any advantage over the policy-holder obtained by the slightest MISREPRESENTATION, CONCEALMENT, THREAT, or ADVERSE PRESSURE of any kind.
So while I understand the arguments being advanced in respect of the Companies Act and the standing of BIPA, I think the special circumstances of this require strong legal action against at least the following:
CLICO Directors
CLICO Corporate Officers – CEO. COO, CFO etc
FSC / Supervisor of Insurance
Minister of Finance
Prime Minister’s Office
Auditors – PWC
The CLICO Directors and other officials should have Director Liability Insurance (hopefully not with CLICO) so even the question of a failed lawsuit, where the courts are asked to award costs for Directors should not really arise because the Directors should not be required to personally pay for their own legal defence and therefore ought not to profit from it.
I have watched this situation unfold from reasonably close to the action and I am horrified that it has been allowed to drag on in the way that it has. There is little doubt in my mind that CLICO’s EFPA business segment was an elaborate Ponzi Scheme where the relatively young and attractive CLICO Agents were highly incentivised to meet higher and higher targets every year in order to meet prior-year liabilities through current premium revenue. This ponzi scheme was disguised amidst legitimate insurance operations in a way that made it difficult to detect.
The use of real Estate and other long-term investments as a primary investment tool and the relatively small short-term liquid assets is the clue that it was a ponzi because the returns on real-estate are long-term in nature and often not easily realiseable. They are however unlisted and therefore can be valued by a Board at whatever the Auditors will allow.
Salaries, bonuses and perks bore no resemblance to the responsibilities of the job nor the profitability of the various companies and are another clue as to the ponzi nature of the scheme. The salaries and incentives for Staff/management/Agents were really a scheme devised to always ensure their acquiescence as targets became more and more challenging – to the point where these young female agents would happily sleep with a client if he was going to make a substantial EFPA “investment”.
I look forward to further discussion on this matter especially from the legally trained.
@ watching and waiting. I agree with you in,almost entirely, what you have put forwaqrd. the only argument I might with a small portion of your representation is the connection between CLICO (Barbados) and CLICO(trinidad) Parris was right they are not connected :accirding to the organizational chart. The connection is with CL financial, and that is who the action, or lawsuits should be directed toward. I am also glad to see your linkage with a ponzi scheme. Some years ago when I pointed out to a senior operative in another large insurance copany that their operations were nothing but a large ponzi scheme I was; as they say colloquially, ‘laughed to scorn:. I am glad that I am now vindicated. I agree with the logic you use with regard to who should be pursued legally, but I think there has to be clarity with regard to English Law and American Law and what is covered. There has to be legal action taken. How it will be pursued, the areas it would cover, and the reedies sought and obtaained will keep this case, or cases, before the law courts for a very long time. ther is no doubt precedents will be set, as they should. Alvin Cummins
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@Alvin
To your quote above, this has been BU’s position for a while now. It will have to be tested in the courts and those with deep pockets will be the ‘winners’. Does BIPA have deep pockets? There move was a political tactic to scare but may lack substance in the long run. Note who benefit here, Alair Shepherd (BIPA), Adrian King (FSC) and Tariq Khan of the Inn Chambers stable.
@ Alvin Cummins
Actually you are perfectly correct with respect to the CL Financial / CLICO relationship. The truth is that the entire structure must have been created to deceive, even though others will say it was to create tax efficiency. I have tended to just lump everything together as ultimately I believe the corporate veil can also be pierced by a good lawyer as I suspect that the necessary corporate records which would effectively shield the group were mostly shabbily done based evidence of shabby record-keeping in other areas of the group. Once the veil is pierced I also believe it will be shown that the companies were shams established to do the bidding of Duprey and a select group including Parris. I also believe minutes of meetings will establish that because of the arrogance displayed by the key individuals and the extent to which they purchased immunity everywhere by buying governments. This close relationship between Panday/Duprey and Parris / thompson was duplicated by Parris in key markets like St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Dominica etc.
And also agreed with the differences between the American and English systems. I would give way there as well. I am probably mixing the two but as I understand it, much of the litigation will likely have more to do with common law issues like fiduciary responsibility and duty of care which would I think open the door to precedents from both jurisdictions as I believe the US system’s common law derived from English Common law – but I would concede that ground in the face of evidence to the contrary.
I also agree with you that a number of precedents will be established and are mostly needed to ensure that the post-CLICO environment is better, more secure and safe and that the valuable lessons do not escape us.
I strongly believe that Parris will have a lot to answer for as he was a Director of CL Financial and therefore cannot plead innocence or ignorance because he was in a position of privilege.
I would suggest that the most likely way of taking the CLICO matter further, is to bring a civil suit vs Government / Office of Supervisor of Insurance, for negligence in conduct of supervision of said entity. i.e. it has been alleged that financial statements had not been filed for some time, if true, why was this omission allowed. The financial statements are testament to the solvency or lack thereof of the entity.
This would be exacerbated if there were no financial statements lodged at the time that CLICO was offering the ridiculous product, thereby making it difficult on the part of the Supervisor to justify solvency and issuing of license, and difficult on the part of investor to assess state of company.
This breach is merely a matter of fact, in that there is a legal requirement for statements to be filed, hence it may be that such breach is de facto negligence on part of both company and Office of Supervisor if it is allowed to continue without filing such statements.
This would obviously have to be decided by a Court at its……leisure.
I make no claim either way and no charges.
That said, I would disagree with the directors not owing ‘
investors’ any duty of care.
Despite reference to previous case, the reality is that if it can be shown that the directors could have been aware, at the time of issuance of the investments, that the company’s solvency was in question and therefore should not have been operating (under the insurance act) then surely it would mean that they acted recklessly, and outside of the law.
As such, the burden of duty of care may not come under company law, but derive under common law. and acts or omissions thereof be assessed as negligent, should these impimge on the rights or financial status of others.
As an example, supposing you as a director of a company, to make more money, tell your drivers to drive as fast as possible to double deliveries each day.
Someone is hit by your delivery truck. Whi is liable?
The driver for listening to you? Yes, That is the law is he was speeding.
But can one not sue under common law, despite the driver acting for the company, which is liable, the act of delivery and speeding is not ultra vires,
Further, you as a director in encouraging the driver to speed and break the law, resulting in injury, are not absolved bacuase the company tell he to speed, not me’. No, you did. You are also liable under common law and negligence of duty of care to your neighbour on the Pie Corner bus..
Wrong?
You are not only wrong, you are also clearly a lunatic as your name suggest.
….after a careful review of how things are done ’bout here, including the systematic BU analysis of our retarded courts, crooked and semi literate “learned” lawyers/politicians and our useless, but expensive, education system…..
How the hell can you expect that such a sound and reasoned approach as you have articulated can be acceptable in Barbados?
Who in their right minds would apportion any responsibility to the DIRECTORS of this PONZI scheme, who sat in their fancy BOARDROOM, collecting fees, enjoying the prestige of “running things”, signing off on policy, …..and generally acting as front men for a man who otherwise would match the profile of a village showoff….(one Green Verbs LP.)
….apparently only you….and Bushie.
Sorry skippa…..you got to be just a lunatic.
…we better hush we mouths too ….otherwise Amused and Legalese will find some kind of perverted reasoning to explain how it is that you and Bushie are the ones responsible for the whole CLICO mess
…..and before you can cash a policy, the Guyanese DPP will have our behinds up Dodds on remand for the next 10 years.
Bushie suggest that we join up with BU David and Miller the nooksie and blame the woman in charge of the policy holders group for the whole thing….. 🙂