Grainful Holding Limited v Igor Mineev (On Contempt and Committal)

Facts

The claimant, Grainful Holding Limited, obtained an order under section 66 of the Arbitration Act 1996 for the enforcement of an arbitration award against the defendant, Mr Igor Mineev, and in aid of that enforcement Henshaw J made a disclosure order on 22 October 2024 requiring Mr Mineev to give detailed disclosure of his bank accounts, debts, income and outgoings, business trips, financial statements, his interest in his corporate vehicle Minstep Limited, and the steps taken to obtain documents not in his possession. The claimant issued a contempt application on 12 March 2025 alleging contempt in two categories. That application was heard on 26 November 2025; Mr Mineev did not attend in person but was permitted to appear remotely and made oral submissions. By judgment handed down on 19 December 2025 the judge found Mr Mineev in contempt, and continuing in contempt, for failure to comply with paragraphs 1, 3 and 4 of the disclosure order, while rejecting the other alleged breach. The order of 19 December 2025 gave directions for a sanction hearing and required Mr Mineev to attend that hearing in person. Days before the hearing he sought permission to attend remotely, citing financial constraints, a relative's medical circumstances and personal safety concerns; that request was refused on 4 February 2026, and he did not attend.