Sierra Leone Telecommunications Co. Ltd v. Barclays Bank plc

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

Governments — Recognition — Change of government following coup d’état — Criteria for determining whether organizers of coup now the government — Constitutional status — Degree, nature and stability of control over the territory of the State — Dealings between United Kingdom Government and new regime — Extent of international recognition of regime — Board of directors of company appointed by government of foreign State — Company possessing bank account with London bank — Directors appointed as signatories for bank account — New regime purporting to dismiss directors and appoint replacements — New directors giving fresh instructions to bank — Whether bank obliged to honour instructions from original board of directors or newly appointed board of directorsRecognition — Governments — United Kingdom policy on recognition — 1980 statement — Coups d’état — Letters from Foreign and Commonwealth Office indicating attitude of 467United Kingdom Government towards new regime — Approach to be taken by courts — The law of England