JAMES ADRIAN WATSON AGAINST GRAHAM EDWARD FLETCHER AND OTHERS [2023] ScotCS CSOH

Pursuer: Lindsay KC; Thorntons Law LLP

First Defender: McKinlay; Lindsays LLP

Second Defender: Brown; Drummond Miller LLP

Third, Fourth and Sixth Defender: A Garioch, (sol adv); Gilson Gray LLP

Fifth Defender: Sanders; Levy & McRae

6 December 2023

Introduction

[1]

This action concerns a dispute, which I heard at debate, about the development of

property in Portpatrick. Each of the defenders sought to challenge aspects of the pursuer's

case.

[2]

The factual background to the dispute is both complex and contentious. However,

for present purposes, it may be summarised as follows.

[3]

The pursuer sues as the assignee of a company, now in administration, Croftshore

Limited. Croftshore is the heritable proprietor of an area of land at Heugh Road,

Portpatrick. That land had been acquired by Croftshore for the purposes of residential

development. The development was initially undertaken for Croftshore by the first

defender.

[4]

The directors of Croftshore were the pursuer, the first defender and a third

individual, Dermot Shilton. Croftshore is a wholly owned subsidiary of Portpatrick

Holdings Limited ("Holdings"). Holdings is also now in administration. At the relevant

time, the issued share capital in Holdings was held as follows: 10% by the pursuer; 10% by

the pursuer's wife; 40% by the first defender; and 40% by Mr Shilton.

[5]

In or about 2006, two plots of ground which were situated to the west of the area of

land owned by Croftshore were acquired by Portpatrick Holidays LLP ("Holidays"). The

members of Holidays were the first defender; Susan Leslie Fletcher (the first defender's

former wife); and Dermot Shilton. Holidays then began to develop its site. However, on

24 April 2013, Holidays was placed in administration.

[6]

Following Holidays' entry into administration, there were discussions between

Mr Shilton and the first defender, on the one hand, and the joint administrators of Holidays,

on the other, in relation to the possible purchase of the Holidays site. At this time, the

directors of Croftshore sought to obtain funding for this purchase. Two of Croftshore's

directors, the pursuer and Mr Shilton, also sought to resolve a drainage issue which affected

both Croftshore's site and the Holidays site. Resolution of this issue involved entering into

negotiations for the grant of a servitude with a third party, Major Orr Ewing, who owned

land adjacent to the Croftshore and Holidays sites.

[7]

Ultimately, the discussions with the administrator of Holidays did not result in an

agreement between the administrators and Croftshore for the purchase of the Holidays site.

Instead, in December 2013, the joint administrators of Holidays concluded missives for the

sale of the Holidays site with the sixth defender. At that time, the second defender was the

sole director and shareholder of the sixth defender.

The pursuer's case

[8]

In the present action, the pursuer avers that settlement of the transaction between the

joint administrators of Holidays and the sixth defender took place on 30 September 2014

when title to the Holidays site was conveyed to the sixth defender. The pursuer also avers

that the third, fourth and fifth defenders provided financial assistance to the sixth defender

to enable it to purchase the Holidays site.

[9]

The pursuer goes on to aver that the first defender, together with the third, fourth

and fifth defenders, devised and put into execution a scheme whereby the sixth defender

would acquire ownership of the Holidays site to the exclusion of Croftshore and the profits

would be shared by them. The pursuer's case is also that the first and second defenders

procured the sixth defender to enter into and conclude negotiations with Major Orr Ewing

in respect of the servitude in competition with Croftshore.

[10]

According to the pursuer, by June 2014, matters had come to a head between the

parties. The pursuer and Mr Shilton met with the first, third, fourth and fifth defenders.

(The second defender had ceased to be a director of the sixth defender on 4 March 2014. At

that time, the third defender became the sole director and shareholder of the sixth defender

in place of the second defender.) At the meeting, the pursuer set out his position that the

first defender was acting in breach of his fiduciary duties to Croftshore. According to the

pursuer, the defenders present declined to desist with progressing the first defender's

scheme.

[11]

By May 2015, a draft summons at the instance of Croftshore against the first, third,

fourth and fifth defenders had been intimated to those defenders. In response, the pursuer

avers that the first defender threatened to stop working for Croftshore in its development.

The first defender and Croftshore were unable to reach agreement. On 6 July 2015, the first

defender ceased work for Croftshore. Croftshore sought to find an alternative contractor

and site supervisor. However, the pursuer avers that the first defender failed both to return

to site and to co-operate with Croftshore's alternative contractor and site supervisors.

Eventually, on 26 August 2015, Croftshore entered administration.

[12]

Accordingly, in the present action, the pursuer seeks damages from all of the

defenders. In the case of the first defender, the pursuer's action proceeds on the basis of an

alleged breach of the first defender's fiduciary duties as a director of Croftshore. In the case

of the second to sixth defenders, the pursuer bases his claim on the principle of dishonest

assistance by those defenders of the first defender. The pursuer quantifies his damages on

the basis of the profits that Croftshore would have made had it had the opportunity of

developing the Holidays site.

[13]

As an alternative, the pursuer seeks an accounting of profits that the pursuer claims

the first defender made through the development of the Holidays site.

[14]

Separately, the pursuer also seeks to recover as damages from the first defender the

costs associated with Croftshore's entry into administration in August 2015. That claim

proceeds on the basis that Croftshore's entry into administration was caused by the first

defender's actions, in breach of his fiduciary duties, in walking off the Croftshore

development site and in failing to co-operate with the handover to a new contractor and a

new site supervisor.

[15]

It is also necessary to mention that the pursuer and the first defender are also parties

to a related action in which I heard a debate immediately after the present case. That

case (A338/18), arises out of the same circumstances as the present case. However, in that

case the pursuer sues the first defender as the assignee of Holdings. My Opinion in the

related action has been issued concurrently with this one.

The first defender's arguments

[16]

Counsel for the first defender challenged the relevancy of the pursuer's pleadings in

support of both the pursuer's claim for damages arising from the first defender's alleged

breach of fiduciary duty in respect of the acquisition and development of the Holidays site

(the pursuer's first conclusion); and the pursuer's claim for damages arising from

Croftshore's entry into administration (the pursuer's second conclusion).

[17]

The first defender did not seek dismissal of the pursuer's action as whole so far as

directed against him because he accepted that, following an amendment which I allowed at

the outset of the hearing, the pursuer had pled a relevant case seeking an accounting from

the first defender on the basis of alleged breaches of fiduciary duty. The first defender

disputed that the pursuer had any entitlement to this remedy but accepted that resolution of

this dispute would require evidence.

The Holidays site claims

The defenders' arguments

[18]

The starting point for the first defender's attack on the pursuer's pleadings was

recognition of the fact that, in order to succeed in his claim, the pursuer required to

demonstrate that, but for the alleged breaches, Croftshore could have successfully pursued

the opportunity represented by the Holidays site. This was clear from the way in which the

pursuer quantified the damages he sought. These were based on the profits that the pursuer

asserted could have been made by Croftshore from the development of the Holidays site.

[19]

Counsel for all of the other defenders adopted and developed this argument.

[20]

The short point was that the pursuer had failed to aver that Croftshore would have

been in a position to purchase the Holidays site. In particular, counsel for the first defender

focussed on the fact that the pursuer had failed relevantly to set out the basis upon which

Croftshore would have been able to fund the purchase of the Holidays site. In Article 3 of

condescendence, the pursuer appeared to accept that Croftshore would have required to

obtain both external funding and contributions from the directors and/or shareholders of

Croftshore. The directors of Croftshore included the first defender. The first defender was

also one of the shareholders in Croftshore's parent company Holdings. However, the

pursuer simply did not offer to prove either that those directors and/or shareholders would

have made such a contribution or that they would have been under an obligation to make

such a contribution. The pursuer had made no averments explaining where the necessary

funds were to come from.

[21]

It was contended that the high point for the pursuer was what counsel for the first

defender characterised as his "carefully worded" averments that none of the directors

would have refused to make such personal financial contributions and that the first defender

would have been in a position to contribute financially to the purchase of the Holidays site

as he was able to contribute to the funding of the site by the sixth defender. The pursuer

had not set out a basis from which he was entitled to seek to infer that, but for the first

defender's breach of fiduciary duty and the dishonest assistance of the other defenders, it

was more probable than not that Croftshore would have been able to obtain the necessary

funding to purchase the Croftshore site.

The pursuer's response

[22]

Counsel for the pursuer's starting point was to draw attention to the fact that this

part of his case was pled on the basis that Croftshore had lost the chance to develop

Holidays site. This was clear from the pursuer's averments in Article 10. The issue of

potential funding for that acquisition was one of the factors which, after proof, would have

to be considered in assessing the question of whether, as a result of the actions of the

defenders, Croftshore had lost the chance of developing the Holidays site.

[23]

Viewed against that background, counsel for the pursuer submitted that his

averments in respect of causation were relevant and a proof before answer should be

allowed. In Article 3, the pursuer had set out the factual basis upon which the "more

probable than not" averment was made:

Croftshore was not balance sheet insolvent;

Croftshore had the support of its bankers. Its directors had discussed the broad

terms of a funding offer with its banker and those discussions were positive in tone.

At no time had the bank ever advised that it would not fund Croftshore's purchase

but it had advised that it would require a percentage of the purchase price to be paid

by Croftshore's directors/shareholders;

The directors of Croftshore had discussed the possibility of each director making a

personal contribution and none of the directors had refused to make such

contribution. The directors of Croftshore had a good relationship at that time; and

based on the first defender's contribution to the purchase of the Holidays site by the

sixth defender, he would have been in a position to contribute to the purchase by

Croftshore. In this regard, counsel for the pursuer highlighted that on the pursuer's

case, the first defender would have been left with the choice of either funding

Croftshore's acquisition or abandoning the opportunity.

Counsel for the pursuer emphasised that in this case, the pursuer averred that the

diversion from Croftshore of the opportunity represented by the Holidays site had

occurred at a relatively early stage and this restricted the factual circumstances about

which the pursuer could make averment.

[24]

Counsel for the pursuer also drew attention to the averments made in respect of the

quantification of damages in Article 10. The pursuer incorporated a Schedule of Losses and

expert report (6/47 and 6/48 respectively) detailing how the sum claimed as a loss of profit

had been calculated. This calculation disclosed, among other things, the pursuer's position

in respect of: the anticipated cost of the Holidays site; the breakdown of that sum as

between bank funding and funding from the directors of Croftshore; and the anticipated

cost of finance.

[25]

This was the factual basis upon which the pursuer averred that but for the first

defender's breach of fiduciary duty and the dishonest assistance of the other defenders, it

was more probable than not that Croftshore would have been able to obtain the necessary

funding to purchase the Croftshore site.

Decision

[26]

I am satisfied that the pursuer's averments of causation made in support of his claim

for a loss of profit arising from the acquisition of the Holidays site are relevant and ought to

be admitted to probation.

[27]

Based on what the pursuer has averred in Articles 3 and 10, I do not consider that it

can be said that were the pursuer to prove all of his averments at proof, he could not

establish causation. I do not consider that the criticisms made by the first defender take

adequate account of the fact that this part of the pursuer's case proceeds on the basis that, as

a result of the actions of the defenders, Croftshore lost the chance to develop the Holidays

site and that the diversion of this opportunity occurred at a relatively early stage. I accept

the submission made on behalf of the pursuer that, when one considers the factual

averments made as a whole (summarised at [23] above), the pursuer has set out a basis from

which the inference can be drawn that it was more probable than not that Croftshore would

have been able to obtain the necessary funding to enable it to purchase the Holidays site. In

other words, the pursuer has relevantly set out a basis upon which it could be inferred that it

was more probable than not that Croftshore would have obtained the necessary funding

from its bankers with relevant contribution being made by Croftshore's directors (who were

also the shareholders of Holdings).

[28]

Furthermore, I consider that when the pursuer's averments, including the Schedule

of Losses and expert report (6/47 and 6/48 respectively), are considered as a whole, the

pursuer has given fair notice of his case in respect of the acquisition of the Holidays site and

the funding of that acquisition.

The claim for administration costs

The first defender's arguments

[29]

Counsel for the first defender highlighted that the pursuer's claim for the costs which

Croftshore incurred by entering administration focussed on the actions of the first defender

in his capacity as a contractor engaged by Croftshore. The pursuer averred that the first

defender had breached his fiduciary duties by walking off the Croftshore development site

and failing to co-operate with the handover to a new contractor and a new site supervisor.

[30]

The parties were in agreement that at the critical time for this part of the pursuer's

case, the first defender was wearing two hats he was both a director of Croftshore and, at

the same time, he was a contractor working for Croftshore on its development. Counsel for

the first defender submitted that this dual role was not, in itself, controversial. There was no

suggestion that a director was precluded from having a contractual relationship with the

company of which he or she was director (see, for example, Gloag and Henderson: The Law of

Scotland (15th Edition) at paragraph 46.03)

[31]

However, the first defender's criticism was that the pursuer's case conflated the two

roles that the first defender was fulfilling. The pursuer was seeking to impose duties on the

first defender which arose as a result of his role as director in respect of the actions he took

as a contractor. This imposition had no relevant legal basis. Furthermore, it confused

matters. Insofar as Croftshore wished to claim in relation to the actions of the first defender

as contractor, those claims should be founded on the terms upon which the first defender

had been engaged by Croftshore. In relation to his actions as a contractor, the first defender

could not, it was contended, be in breach of his fiduciary duties unless he was also in breach

of the terms of his engagement. In that regard, it was submitted that it was telling that the

pursuer made no case in respect of the underlying contract.

[32]

In advancing this submission, counsel for the first defender acknowledged that

neither he nor senior counsel for the pursuer had identified any authority directly on this

issue. Counsel for the first defender recognised that there were authorities which related to

directors earning secret profits. He accepted that those authorities supported the

proposition that the fact that a director was acting otherwise than a director in making a

secret profit was no answer to a claim by the company to recover those profits (see, for

example, Item Software (UK) Limited v Fassihi [2005] ICR 450 at paragraph 38). However,

those authorities fell to be distinguished because, in that situation, the obligation to account

for secret profits arose from the director's fiduciary duties rather than from the other

capacity in which the director was working. Whereas, in the present case, the first

defender's obligations in relation to the works he was carrying out for Croftshore arose, not

from his capacity as director, but from his engagement, as a contractor, by Croftshore.

Counsel accepted that there could be cases in which there was an overlap in the duties that

applied to a director acting in different capacities but this was not one of them.

[33]

Counsel highlighted that the first defender also advanced this argument in the

related action brought by the pursuer as assignee of Holdings (A338/18).

The pursuer's response

[34]

Senior counsel for the pursuer submitted that the fallacy in the first defender's

argument was to assume that the duties imposed by each of the two roles he was fulfilling at

the critical time director and contractor - could not apply at the same time. In other words,

the fact that the first defender was engaged as a contractor by Croftshore did not somehow

relieve him of his fiduciary duties. He also highlighted the fact that the pursuer's case was

not based on a normal contractual dispute. According to the pursuer, the first defender had

sought to force Croftshore to withdraw the draft summons and, when he had been

unsuccessful, he had walked off the Croftshore development site. Thereafter, the first

defender had refused either to return to work or to co-operate with the new contractor and

supervisor in the knowledge that these actions would place Croftshore in financial

difficulties. These were not normal business decisions. If the first defender wished to

contend that his actions were somehow justified by the terms of his engagement, that was a

matter for him to raise.

[35]

Counsel for the pursuer submitted that his position was supported by those

authorities which made clear that a director's duties to account for secret profits applied

whether or not the opportunity arose while the director was acting in his or her capacity as a

director (see Item Software as above at [32] and Commonwealth Oil and Gas Co Limited v

Baxter 2010 SC 156 at paragraph 79). This line of authority supported the pursuer's position

that a director's fiduciary duties continued to apply to him even when he was acting

otherwise than as a director.

Decision

[36]

I do not accept the first defender's argument. I consider that the pursuer has averred

a relevant case in respect of this part of his claim.

[37]

The flaw in the first defender's approach is that highlighted by senior counsel for the

pursuer. The fact that, at the material time, the first defender was acting as a contractor

rather than directly in his capacity as a director does not mean that his directorial duties no

longer applied to him.

[38]

The pursuer's case is that through his actions of walking off site and refusing to co-

operate, the first defender was breaching his duty "to act in the way he considered in good

faith would be most likely to promote the success of Croftshore for the benefit of its

members as a whole" (see Article 10). Contrary to the submission of the first defender, the

duty upon which the pursuer founds is therefore one which arises from the fact that the first

defender was, at the material time, a director of Croftshore. On the pursuer's case, it

continues to apply to him notwithstanding he is also engaged as a contractor by Croftshore.

[39]

This approach is consistent with the line of authorities which were referred to in

argument relating to a director's duty to account for secret profits (Item Software as above

at [32] and Commonwealth Oil and Gas as above at [35]). For the reasons I have given in the

last paragraph, I do not consider that these authorities can be distinguished from the case

the pursuer avers as counsel for the first defender sought to do.

The second defender's arguments

[40]

The second defender challenged the relevancy of the case against him which was

pled on the basis that he had dishonestly assisted the first defender in his breaches of

fiduciary duty.

[41]

Counsel for the second defender accepted that Scots law recognised, as a matter of

principle, a remedy for dishonest assistance in the commission of a breach of a fiduciary

duty (see Ted Jacob Engineering Group Incorporated v Robert Matthew, Johnson-Marshall and

Partners 2014 SC 579 at paragraph 100; MacAdam v Grandison [2008] CSOH 53 at

paragraph 37).

[42]

However, counsel for the second defender submitted that the pursuer had failed in

two respects to set out a relevant case.

Dishonest assistance

[43]

The second defender's first argument was that the pursuer had failed properly to

aver a relevant case of dishonesty on the part of the second defender. Counsel submitted

that the test for dishonesty in this context could be derived from English authority. The

starting point was what was said by Lord Nicholls of Birkenhead in Royal Brunei Airlines v

Tan [1995] 2 AC 378 at page 389, B to G:

"Before considering this issue further it will be helpful to define the terms being used

by looking more closely at what dishonesty means in this context. Whatever may be

the position in some criminal or other contexts (see, for instance, Reg. v Ghosh

[1982] QB 1053), in the context of the accessory liability principle acting dishonestly, or

with a lack of probity, which is synonymous, means simply not acting as an honest

person would in the circumstances. This is an objective standard. At first sight this

may seem surprising. Honesty has a connotation of subjectivity, as distinct from the

objectivity of negligence. Honesty, indeed, does have a strong subjective element in

that it is a description of a type of conduct assessed in the light of what a person

actually knew at the time, as distinct from what a reasonable person would have

known or appreciated. Further, honesty and its counterpart dishonesty are mostly

concerned with advertent conduct, not inadvertent conduct. Carelessness is not

dishonesty. Thus for the most part dishonesty is to be equated with conscious

impropriety. However, these subjective characteristics of honesty do not mean that

individuals are free to set their own standards of honesty in particular circumstances.

The standard of what constitutes honest conduct is not subjective. Honesty is not an

optional scale, with higher or lower values according to the moral standards of each

individual. If a person knowingly appropriates another's property, he will not

escape a finding of dishonesty simply because he sees nothing wrong in such

behaviour.

In most situations there is little difficulty in identifying how an honest person would

behave. Honest people do not intentionally deceive others to their detriment.

Honest people do not knowingly take others' property. Unless there is a very good

and compelling reason, an honest person does not participate in a transaction if he

knows it involves a misapplication of trust assets to the detriment of the

beneficiaries. Nor does an honest person in such a case deliberately close his eyes

and ears, or deliberately not ask questions, lest he learn something he would rather

not know, and then proceed regardless."

[44]

In this regard, counsel drew particular attention to Satnam v Dunlop Heywood

Limited [1999] 3 All ER 652. In that case, the Court of Appeal had made clear that mere

knowledge of a breach of fiduciary duty was not sufficient to render liable a person who

was not himself subject to a fiduciary duty (see Satnam at page 671).

[45]

Counsel for the second defender recognised that consideration of the issue of

dishonesty would require the ascertainment of all relevant circumstances (see Group Seven

Limited v Nasir [2020] Ch 129 at paragraph 61), but this did not relieve the pursuer of the

normal rules of pleading. For there to be proof, there had to be averment. Furthermore,

counsel drew attention to the well-known rule in respect of pleading fraud or dishonesty

that the defender is entitled to know with precision and certainty the allegations being

directed against him (Royal Bank of Scotland plc v Holmes 1999 SLT 563).

[46]

Against this background, counsel for the second defender submitted that it was

striking how little was averred by the pursuer in respect of the second defender's conduct.

It was common ground that the second defender was the sixth defender's sole director and

shareholder from shortly after incorporation in early 2013 until he resigned and transferred

his shares on 4 March 2014. It was also common ground that the sixth defender was

incorporated as a vehicle for the purpose of acquiring the Holidays site. From this starting

point, the pursuer appeared to focus on two activities in particular. First, during the period

of the second defender's directorship, the sixth defender had concluded missives for the

acquisition of the Holidays site. Second, again under his directorship, the sixth defender

had opened negotiations for the acquisition of a servitude for the Holidays site with

Major Orr Ewing.

[47]

Counsel for the second defender submitted that what was averred by the pursuer

did not satisfy the legal test for dishonesty as set out in the authorities. In relation to the

acquisition of the Holidays site, there was no suggestion that this was per se dishonest. For

example, there was no suggestion that Croftshore had a right of exclusivity in respect of the

site. Furthermore, although it was alleged that the second defender had "actively

concealed" the involvement of the first defender from Croftshore, there was no averment

that the second defender had a duty to disclose this information. There was also no

averment that the second defender had positively represented that the first defender had no

involvement. In relation to the negotiations for the servitude, this occurred at a time when,

on the pursuer's pleadings, it was known that the sixth defender had concluded missives.

Again, there was nothing inherently dishonest in what the pursuer averred the second

defender had done.

[48]

The pursuer's case rested on the fact that it was alleged that the second defender

knew that the first defender was involved with Croftshore and that Croftshore might have

an interest. But the fact that the first defender was, as counsel put it, "riding two horses" did

not come close to the threshold of dishonesty. Accepting the pursuer's case would have the

effect of essentially imposing the fiduciary's duties on the assistant. Counsel for the second

defender argued that there was nothing in the pursuer's averments that went beyond what

he described as "sharp-elbowed competition". The pursuer's case could not be

distinguished from Satnam (above at [44]) in which it had been made clear that the mere

knowledge of the breach of fiduciary duty by the assistant was not sufficient: there required

to be a finding of dishonesty on their part.

Causation

[49]

The second argument advanced on behalf of the second defender related to pursuer's

averments of causation.

[50]

The point being made by the second defender was separate from his adoption of the

causation arguments advanced on behalf of the first defender (see above at [21]). The

argument advanced on behalf of the second defender was that the pursuer had failed to

relevantly aver that the actions of the second defender had caused the losses which the

pursuer now claimed.

[51]

Counsel for the second defender recognised that the relevant test of causation in

claims of dishonest assistance was not straight-forward. There was no direct Scots law

authority on the point. Furthermore, the question appeared presently unresolved in English

law. Counsel referred to two apparently conflicting Court of Appeal cases on the point:

Novoship (UK) Limited v Mikhaylyuk [2015] QB 499 at paragraphs 94 to 107 and Group Seven

(see above at [45]) at paragraph 110. Counsel submitted that resolution of this issue might

itself turn on the way in which remedies for dishonest assistance are characterised and the

precise legal bases for those remedies. This was because it was submitted that different

considerations might fall to be applied to the issue of causation depending on whether the

remedy was characterised as deriving from the law of trusts or, alternatively, from the law

of delict (see the analysis of Lord Reed in Commonwealth Oil and Gas v Baxter

[2007] CSOH 198 at paragraph 197). However, he submitted that, as what was sought was

reparation (see the pursuer's first plea in law) the appropriate test was that common law

rules of causation should apply. In other words, that the pursuer had to aver that the

second defender's actions were a material cause of Croftshore's loss.

[52]

In the event, it proved unnecessary for counsel for the second defender to develop

these submissions further because, at this point, senior counsel for the pursuer helpfully

clarified that he accepted that, as the remedy the pursuer sought against the second

defender was a delictual one, the pursuer required to aver that the second defender's

dishonest assistance had caused or materially contributed to the causing of Croftshore's loss.

[53]

On this basis, counsel for the second defender submitted that the pursuer had failed

to aver a relevant case in respect of causation. As he had highlighted in the arguments he

had advanced in respect of the issue of dishonest assistance, the actions of the second

defender upon which the pursuer relied did not demonstrate a material causal effect. There

was nothing that it was said that the second defender had carried out which could not have

been done by others. His role, it was said, was essentially an administrative one.

Furthermore, on the pursuer's own averments, the second defender had ceased to be

involved on 4 March 2014 and the transaction had continued in his absence.

The pursuer's response

[54]

Senior counsel for the pursuer began by making clear that he took no issue with the

second defender in relation to the submissions made on the law. He submitted that, in the

circumstances, in order to resolve the dispute between the parties, there was no need for the

court authoritatively to determine as a matter of Scots law the legal basis of the remedy for

dishonest assistance. His position was, in short, that the pursuer sought a delictual remedy

against the second defender and, as such, the normal common law rules of delictual

causation applied. As such, he entirely accepted that it was necessary for the pursuer to

aver that there was a causal connection between the acts of dishonest assistance and the loss

that Croftshore had incurred.

[55]

He also took no issue with the submissions made by the second defender on the test

for dishonest conduct. He emphasised that, based on the test set out by Lord Nicholls in

Royal Brunei (see above at [43]) was broader than criminal conduct or that which established

a civil wrong.

[56]

Against that background, senior counsel submitted that the pursuer had set out a

relevant case against the second defender. Senior counsel drew attention to two elements.

First, the pursuer averred that the second defender knew from the outset that the first

defender was a director of Croftshore; that Croftshore was seeking to purchase the Holidays

site; and that he was being contacted in order to assist in obtaining funding for that purpose

(see Article 3 of condescendence). Second, thereafter and despite that knowledge, the

second defender proceeded to assist the first defender in his scheme to acquire and develop

the Holidays site without Croftshore being involved. In particular, the pursuer averred that

the second defender acted, through the sixth defender, as the first defender's "front man".

In this regard, the pursuer averred that the second defender had actively presented both

himself and the sixth defender as having no connection with the first defender. This

description of the role he played came from an email from the second defender to the first

defender on 12 February 2014, at the end of his period of involvement (see Article 4 of

condescendence). The pursuer had averred that, in fulfilling that role, the second defender

had: concluded missives for the purchase of the Holidays site; he had assisted in obtaining

funding for the first defender; and he had conducted negotiations for the acquisition of the

servitude (see Articles 4, 6, 7 and 8).

[57]

Based on these averments, senior counsel submitted that a relevant case had been

pled by the pursuer both in respect of dishonesty and on the separate question of causation

raised by the second defender. On the issue of causation, the pursuer had averred that the

second defender had achieved significant milestones in advancing the first defender's

scheme. These averments had to be seen in the context of the pursuer's case against the

second defender which was based on establishing that he was jointly and severally liable

along with the other defenders.

Decision

[58]

Based upon the authorities to which I was referred, there is no doubt that Scots law

recognises a remedy for dishonest assistance in the commission of a breach of a fiduciary

duty (see Ted Jacob and MacAdam as above at [41]).

[59]

That notwithstanding, there would appear to be a degree of uncertainty both as to

the precise legal basis for that remedy and, as a result, the way in which that remedy is to be

characterised. The questions posed by Lord Reed in Commonwealth Oil and Gas (as above

at [51]) remain unresolved. However, in light of the way in which the argument was

developed before me (see [51] and [52] above) and the conclusions I have reached, I do not

need to resolve these complex and thorny problems.

[60]

In short, I consider that the pursuer has pled a relevant case against the second

defender.

[61]

On the first issue raised by the second defender, namely whether what the pursuer

averred the second defender had done amounted to dishonest assistance, I consider that the

flaw in the second defender's argument is to focus too much on the individual actions

averred and to ignore what is pled as to the context of those actions.

[62]

I do not consider that the authorities require that each of the actions taken in

assistance of one who is acting in breach of his fiduciary duties are per se dishonest. Rather,

what is required is that once all of the relevant facts are ascertained, it can be concluded that

the assistant's conduct is as whole dishonest. The authorities make clear that the test for

dishonesty has two stages. First, the subjective knowledge and state of mind of the assistant

is to be considered. Second, that state of mind along with all the other relevant facts

including the actions of the assistant, is to be considered objectively. The application of this

test is described as being a "jury question" (see Group Seven, as at [45], at paragraph 58).

[63]

Viewed from this perspective, I consider that the pursuer has averred a relevant case

of dishonesty against the second defender. The pursuer's case is that the second defender

had actual knowledge of the first defender's breach of fiduciary duty and actively assisted

him in that breach by effectively acting as his representative his "front man" in the

conclusion of missives; the initial discussions in relation to the acquisition of the servitude;

and in obtaining funding. To paraphrase Lord Nicholls in Royal Brunei (see above at [43]):

honest people do not intentionally deceive others to their detriment by actively creating a

false impression. Furthermore, unless there is a very good and compelling reason, an honest

person does not actively assist another to effect a transaction if he knows that the transaction

is being carried out in breach of that person's fiduciary duties.

[64]

To this extent, I consider that the facts of the pursuer's case, if proved, can easily be

distinguished from the facts of Satnam (above at [44]) which was relied upon by the second

defender. Satnam concerned a claim by a property development company against Dunlop

Heywood & Co, a firm of surveyors, and Morbaine, a rival property development company.

For present purposes, the facts of the case were that Satnam had an interest in a particular

development site. Following Satnam's entry into administrative receivership, Dunlop

Heywood advised Morbaine of: Satnam's receivership; Satnam's interest in the

development site; and, that the planning authorities were well disposed towards the

development. This was done without Satnam's knowledge. Morbaine subsequently

acquired the site. Against this background, the Court of Appeal rejected Satnam's claim

against Morbaine on the basis that mere knowledge of a breach of fiduciary duty was not

sufficient to render liable a person who was not himself subject to a fiduciary duty (at

page 671).

[65]

The critical difference between the facts of Satnam and the pursuer's averments is

that in Satnam there was no finding that Morbaine had participated in the breaches of duty

by Dunlop Heywood (at page 669). The case against Morbaine was perilled solely on its

knowledge of the fact that Dunlop Heywood had acted in breach of duty. In the absence of

Morbaine owing Satnam any fiduciary duty, the English Court of Appeal held that

knowledge was not sufficient. However, in the present case, the pursuer avers that the

second defender actively assisted the first defender in effecting his breaches of duty.

[66]

In light of my conclusion in respect of the first argument, I can deal with the issue of

causation more briefly.

[67]

As to the question of the relevant test for causation, as I have noted above (at [56]),

senior counsel for the pursuer conceded that the pursuer required to aver that the second

defender's dishonest assistance had caused or materially contributed to causing Croftshore's

loss. As the pursuer was not relying on the different test for causation set out by the English

Court of Appeal in Group Seven (see above at [51]), I do not need to resolve the question of

whether such a test properly forms part of Scots law. However, I am satisfied that senior

counsel's concession was properly made. Given the derivative nature of the claim against

the second defender, which depends upon establishing a breach of fiduciary duty by the

first defender, I do not consider that the test of causation for establishing accessory liability

against the second defender should be less strict than that which applies to establishing

primary liability against the first defender (see Kidd v Paull and Williamsons LLP 2018 SC 193

at paragraph 46).

[68]

Applying this test, I consider that the pursuer has averred a relevant basis on which

it could be said that the second defender had materially contributed to causing Croftshore's

loss through the role played in implementing what the pursuer characterises as the scheme

for purchasing and developing the Holidays site. In particular, I consider that the pursuer's

averments in respect of the role played by the second defender, through the sixth defender,

in concluding missives for the purchase of the Holidays site (Article 4); and in initiating

negotiations in respect of the servitude (Article 6) are relevant for inquiry.

The third, fourth and sixth defender's arguments

[69]

The argument advanced on behalf of the third, fourth and sixth defenders was

essentially the same as that advanced on behalf of the second defender. The solicitor

advocate for these defenders took no issue with the law as it had been set out on behalf of

the second defender. His contention was that the pursuer had not averred a relevant case of

dishonest assistance by these defenders and, in particular, the third and fourth defenders.

[70]

The solicitor advocate began by criticising the reference in the pursuer's averments to

a "scheme" whereby the first to fifth defenders would acquire ownership of the Holidays

site to the exclusion of Croftshore (Article 3). The pursuer had not provided proper notice of

what was said to underpin or constitute this "scheme". It was accepted that the pursuer had

averred that the third and fourth defenders attended meetings with the pursuer and

Mr Shilton. But no notice was given of exactly how and when this scheme was created. In

particular, there was no explanation of how Croftshore was to be "excluded". There were

averments in Article 4 detailing steps taken by the third defender in relation to providing

financial assistance to the first defender. Article 4 also contained averments that the third

defender was the second defender's successor as "front person" from 4 March 2014.

Article 6 contained averments in respect of the acquisition of the servitude. However, the

actions founded upon by the pursuer were not in themselves dishonest.

[71]

Pausing at this point, it was submitted that, properly construed, the pursuer's

averments could not be said to go further than being an offer to prove that the third and

fourth defender knew from the first defender that the Holidays site was for sale; that

Croftshore was also interested; and that the third and fourth defenders had also pursued

that opportunity. This did not amount to dishonesty in terms of the case law. The third and

fourth defenders were in the same position as the rival property development company in

Satnam (see above at [64]).

[72]

It was accepted that in Article 7, the pursuer made averments concerning the

meeting between the parties on 10 June 2014. This was the meeting at which, according to

the pursuer, the third, fourth and fifth defenders had been confronted by the pursuer and

informed that the first defender was acting in breach of his fiduciary duties. However, these

averments did not assist the pursuer because by this time, June 2014, the sixth defender had

already concluded missives (in December 2013) and was in control of the transaction.

Properly understood, it was not a case of the first defender being assisted by the other

defenders. The pursuer, it was submitted, had things back to front. The first defender was

assisting the sixth defender.

[73]

Finally, in relation to the sixth defender, it was accepted that in order to dismiss the

case against it, I would require to accept the submissions advanced for both the second

defender and the third and fourth defenders.

The pursuer's response

[74]

Senior counsel rejected the criticism of the averments setting out the "scheme" in

Article 3 of condescendence. First, he noted that the criticism being made only concerned

the lack of specification of those averments as opposed to the existence of the scheme itself.

In other words, the dispute between the parties was not about whether the first defender

had brought the Holidays site opportunity to the other defenders which had then been

collectively pursued by them through the sixth defender. The dispute was whether the

actions of the defenders in pursuing that opportunity were dishonest.

[75]

Second, and in any event, those criticisms were unfounded. Senior counsel focussed

on the averments of the meeting on 10 June 2014 in Article 7. The critical averments were as

follows:

"On 10th June, 2014 the pursuer and Mr Shilton met with the first, third, fourth and

fifth defenders at Middlethorpe, North Yorkshire. At this meeting the pursuer

informed the third, fourth and fifth defenders, inter alia, that: (i) it had previously

been agreed by all of the directors of Croftshore, including the first defender, that

Croftshore would purchase the Holidays site and that Croftshore would obtain the

necessary servitude rights from Major Orr-Ewing; and (ii) the first defender was

breaching the fiduciary duties he owed to Croftshore by attempting to divert the

opportunities to purchase the Holidays site and to obtain the necessary servitude

away from Croftshore and to the sixth defender. The third, fourth and fifth

defenders were under no legal obligation to assist the first defender. The pursuer

asked the third, fourth and fifth defenders to stop assisting the first defender in his

breaches of the fiduciary duties he owed to Croftshore. In particular, the pursuer

asked them to stop providing the first defender with funding. They refused to do so

and, thereafter, continued to assist the first defender with his scheme for the sixth

defender to purchase and develop the Holidays site and to acquire the necessary

servitude from Major Orr-Ewing, all to the exclusion of Croftshore. Without such

assistance, the first defender would not have been able to complete this scheme.

Accordingly, if the third, fourth and fifth defenders had complied with the pursuer's

instructions and had stopped providing the first defender with funding and other

assistance, the first defender would not have been able to divert the opportunity to

purchase the Holidays site away from Croftshore."

[76]

Senior counsel submitted that these averments put beyond doubt that as from the

meeting, on the pursuer's case the third, fourth and fifth defenders had actual knowledge of

the fact that they were assisting the first defender in breaching his fiduciary duties. At this

point, the scheme could still have been aborted. The completion of the Holidays site

transaction did not occur until 30 September 2014. From the date of this meeting, the third,

fourth and fifth defenders had continued to assist the first defender. It was this assistance

which distinguished the pursuer's case from the facts of Satnam.

[77]

The pursuer's case against these defenders prior to the meeting on 10 June 2014 was

based on them having "blind-eye knowledge". This was a reference to what Nelson was

supposed to have done at the battle of Copenhagen. It was explained by the Court of

Appeal in Group Seven (above at [45]):

"59.

The discussions of knowledge by Lord Hoffmann and Lord Millett in

Twinsectra [2002] 2 AC 164 indicate that knowledge of a fact may be imputed to a

person if he turns a blind eye to it, [...] or if in legal parlance he deliberately abstains

from inquiry in order to avoid certain knowledge of what he already suspects to be

the case. It is convenient to use the expression `blind-eye knowledge' to denote

imputed knowledge of this type. In the context of dishonest assistance for breach of

trust or fiduciary duty, it was common ground before us, and we consider it correct

in principle, to equate blind-eye knowledge with actual knowledge for the purposes

of the first stage of the test laid down in [Royal Brunei] and endorsed in Barlow Clowes

[...] and Ivey. It is important, however, to understand the limits of the doctrine. It is

not enough that the defendant merely suspects something to be the case, or that he

negligently refrains from making further inquiries. As the House of Lords made

clear in Manifest Shipping Co Ltd v Uni-Polaris Insurance Co Ltd (The Star Sea) [...] the

imputation of blind-eye knowledge requires two conditions to be satisfied. The first

is the existence of a suspicion that certain facts may exist, and the second is a

conscious decision to refrain from taking any step to confirm their existence [...].

The judgments also make it clear that the existence of the suspicion is to be judged

subjectively by reference to the beliefs of the relevant person, and that the decision to

avoid obtaining confirmation must be deliberate."

[78]

Finally, in relation to the sixth defender, senior counsel submitted that the attempt to

argue that these defenders were assisting the sixth defender rather than the first defender

did not work. The pursuer's case, as clearly averred in Article 3, was that in assisting the

sixth defender, the other defenders were assisting the first defender. The pursuer's

averment was that profits generated from the development of the Holidays site were to be

shared by them. This included the first defender who had diverted the opportunity away

from Croftshore.

Reply

[79]

In a brief reply, the solicitor advocate for the third, fourth and sixth defenders

challenged the pursuer's description of the case against these defenders. When the

pleadings were considered, the pursuer had not set out a proper basis upon which blind-eye

knowledge could be imputed to these defenders prior to the meeting in June 2014. In

particular, the pursuer had not set out the circumstances which were said to give rise to

suspicion on the part of the third and fourth defenders.

[80]

Furthermore, in relation to the pursuer's case post June 2014, it was submitted that, if

the pursuer did not have a relevant case for the earlier period, then the actions of the third

and fourth defenders thereafter could not properly be characterised as dishonest. If the

third and fourth defenders had clean hands up until the meeting on June 2014, then, as the

third defender through the sixth defender was controlling the deal, how could simply

proceeding be characterised as dishonest?

Decision

[81]

I am satisfied that the pursuer has set out a relevant case against the third, fourth and

sixth defenders.

[82]

I have reached this conclusion primarily on the basis of the averments which the

pursuer makes in respect of the meeting in June 2014 in Article 7 of condescendence (see

paragraph [75] above). I consider that these averments do set out a relevant case of

dishonesty. From the date of the meeting in June 2014, on the pursuer's averments, the third

and fourth defenders, acting through the sixth defender, were actively assisting the first

defender in breaching his fiduciary duties. Again, paraphrasing Lord Nicholls in Royal

Brunei (above at [43]) I do not consider that an honest person would, in the absence of a very

good and compelling reason, continue actively to assist another in effecting a transaction if

he knew that the transaction were being carried out in breach of that person's fiduciary

duties.

[83]

In relation to the period prior to the meeting in June 2014, I consider that there is

some force in the first argument advanced on behalf of the third and fourth defenders in

reply (see [79] above). It does not seem to me that the pursuer has clearly set out a basis for

properly imputing "blind-eye knowledge" to the third and fourth defenders in this period

prior to June 2014. As Lord Scott said in Manifest Shipping Co Limited v Uni-Polaris Insurance

Co Ltd (The Star Sea) [2003] 1 AC 469 at paragraph 116 (which, in turn, was quoted by the

Court of Appeal in Group Seven (above) at paragraph 60):

"In my opinion, in order for there to be blind-eye knowledge, the suspicion must be

firmly grounded and targeted on specific facts. The deliberate decision must be a

decision to avoid obtaining confirmation of facts in whose existence the individual

has good reason to believe. To allow blind-eye knowledge to be constituted by a

decision not to enquire into an untargeted or speculative suspicion would be to allow

negligence, albeit gross, to be the basis of a finding of privity."

Applying this approach to the pursuer's pleadings, it is not clear to me how the averments

of actual knowledge on the part of the third and fourth defenders "at all material times" in

Article 8 of condescendence are consistent with a case of blind eye knowledge prior to

June 2014. A similar point can be made in respect of the pursuer's averments in Article 3 of

condescendence concerning the devising and execution of the scheme "Thereafter" and the

fourth defender's role therein. Accordingly, I do not consider that it can be said that the

pursuer's case of blind-eye knowledge against the third and fourth defenders in the period

prior to the meeting in June 2014 has been grounded and targeted on specific facts.

[84]

However, despite that, I do not consider that the pursuer's averments directed

against the third and fourth defenders prior to the meeting in June 2014 can be said to be

irrelevant at this stage. That is because the pursuer's averments as to the third and fourth

defender's knowledge during this period and the evidence led in proof thereof cannot be

said, at this stage, to be irrelevant to the question of whether those defenders acted

dishonestly. As I have set out above in respect of the second defender, the first stage in the

test for dishonesty is to ascertain all the relevant facts as to the knowledge of the defenders

even if that falls short of "blind-eye" knowledge (see Group Seven (above) at paragraph 61).

[85]

It is also essentially for this reason that I reject the second argument advanced in

reply on behalf of the third and fourth defenders (see [80] above). That argument proceeds

on the basis that, in the absence of a case based on blind-eye knowledge, the third and fourth

defenders were approaching the meeting on 10 June 2014 with "clean hands". In short, I do

not consider that I can reach a conclusion on that point without hearing evidence and,

thereafter, applying the two stage test for dishonesty developed in the case law (see [62]

above).

[86]

Finally, in relation to the case against the sixth defender, as it was accepted that this

was dependent on my conclusions on the arguments advanced by the second, third and

fourth defenders, I will also allow this case to proceed to proof.

The fifth defender's argument

[87]

The position of the fifth defender was again, essentially, to adopt the analysis of the

second defender and, by applying it to the case against him, to argue that the pursuer had

not averred a relevant case.

[88]

Counsel for the fifth defender adopted the criticisms made by the solicitor advocate

for the third, fourth and sixth defenders of the pursuer's averments of a "scheme". The

pursuer could not simply assert that there was a scheme. The pursuer required to set out

what the scheme consisted of and, in particular, in relation to the fifth defender both his

subjective knowledge or belief and that his conduct was objectively dishonest in light of that

knowledge or belief.

[89]

Counsel submitted that when one considered the pursuer's averments in relation to

the fifth defender in light of that requirement, they fell short. Although the pursuer made

averments in relation to the fifth defender's involvement in providing financial assistance to

the sixth defender through various property transactions in Article 4, these averments gave

no fair notice as to why the fifth defender's conduct was "dishonest". Counsel made the

same submission in respect of the averments made in Article 7 concerning the fifth

defender's involvement in the negotiations with Major Orr Ewing. In the absence of these

underlying factual averments, counsel submitted that there was no proper basis for the case

of dishonest assistance made against the fifth defender in Article 8.

The pursuer's response

[90]

As a starting point, senior counsel for the pursuer again referred to the averments

made in Article 7 concerning the meeting on 10 June 2014 in Article 7 (see [75] above).

Everything that he had submitted in respect of that meeting in relation to the third, fourth

and sixth defenders was equally applicable to the fifth defender who was also present at that

meeting.

[91]

However, senior counsel also drew my attention to averments made in Article 3

concerning an email from the first defender to the fifth defender dated 6 May 2013. The

averments are as follows:

"In an email to the fifth defender dated 6th May, 2013 he [the first defender] stated

that should the fifth defender join with the first defender in becoming a `private

investor' the benefits would include avoiding any profit from the development site

having to be shared with the pursuer to the extent of 20% and Dermot Shilton to the

extent of 40% (those being the proportions, in percentage terms, of the respective

shareholdings of Mr Watson and his wife, and Dermot Shilton, in Croftshore's parent

company, Holdings)."

[92]

On the basis of these averments, senior counsel submitted that the pursuer's case

against the fifth defender was stronger than the case against the third, fourth and sixth

defenders. As regards the fifth defender, the pursuer offered to prove that he had actual

knowledge of the intention to divert the opportunity presented by the Holidays site away

from Croftshore at the very outset.

[93]

Against this background of the fifth defender's knowledge, senior counsel submitted

that the pursuer had relevantly averred a case of dishonest assistance against the fifth

defender when considered what the pursuer averred the fifth defender had done to assist

the first defender. He drew particular attention to the averments made in respect of the

steps taken by the fifth defender in providing finance to the sixth defender in Article 4.

Decision

[94]

I am satisfied that the pursuer has averred a relevant case against the fifth defender.

[95]

In summary, the pursuer avers that the fifth defender was aware of the first

defender's intention to divert the opportunity represented by the Holidays site away from

Croftshore. As was pointed out by senior counsel, the pursuer sets out a basis for fifth

defender's knowledge both in the averments concerning the email dated 6 May 2013 (in

Article 3) and in respect of the meeting on 10 June 2014 (in Article 7). Against this

background, the pursuer further avers what the fifth defender was said to have done to

assist the first defender in effecting the transaction to acquire and develop the Holidays site.

This involved, in particular, the steps taken in relation to obtaining the financing for that

acquisition.

[96]

As such, I do not consider that were the pursuer to prove all of his averments at

proof, it can be said that his case against the fifth defender would necessarily fail. I do not

consider that the pursuer's averments against the fifth defender would, if proved,

necessarily be incapable of establishing dishonesty by application of the two stage test for

dishonesty (see [62] and [63] above). As I have concluded in relation to the second

defender's arguments, unless there is a very good and compelling reason, an honest person

does not actively assist another to effect a transaction if he knows that the transaction is

being carried out in breach of that person's fiduciary duties.

Disposal

[97]

For the reasons I have set out above, I consider that the pursuer's case, as amended,

is relevant for probation. Accordingly, I will refuse the motions made on behalf of each of

the defenders.

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You are here: BAILII >> Databases >> Scottish Court of Session Decisions >> JAMES ADRIAN WATSON AGAINST GRAHAM EDWARD FLETCHER AND OTHERS [2023] ScotCS CSOH_87 (06 December 2023) URL: http://www.bailii.org/scot/cases/ScotCS/2023/2023_CSOH_87.html Cite as: [2023] CSOH 87, [2023] ScotCS CSOH_87

Scottish Court of Session Decisions