Float Capital Limited, Re

Facts

Float Capital Limited was in creditors' voluntary liquidation, with Mr Bouchier and Mr Woodthorpe appointed as joint liquidators. On 24 July 2026 Chief ICC Judge Briggs handed down a judgment, [2026] EWHC 1891 (Ch), and made two orders concerning their remuneration. The Bouchier Order fixed Mr Bouchier's remuneration on a time-costs basis and directed that his fee estimate of £362,986.50 for the period 23 August 2024 to 22 August 2029 stand as his fees estimate for the purposes of rule 18.30 of the Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016. The Woodthorpe Order increased and approved Mr Woodthorpe's remuneration by reference to his fee estimate of £1,272,872 for the period 23 August 2024 to 31 December 2028, pursuant to rules 18.24(b) and 18.28 of the Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016, the judge having favoured a purposive reading of those provisions over a narrower construction, with section 112 of the Insolvency Act 1986 invoked in the alternative without full argument. The judge had noted that no authority covered the point. Shortly afterwards the court became aware of the Court of Appeal's decision in Frost v The Good Box Co Labs Limited, adopting a narrow reading of the same rules. On 31 July 2026 the judge invited submissions from the Applicants, represented by Simon Passfield KC, who responded in writing on 3 August 2026, prompting this review.