The Family (Holdings) Limited & Ors v Oussama Ammar & Anor

Facts

The claimants are a group of associated entities set up in several jurisdictions to invest in start-up enterprises. Mr Ammar helped to found the group and was for several years a director of the first and seventh claimants. The claimants alleged that he had used his position to misappropriate investors' funds, to cause the claimants to buy shares from Fabuleo, his Hong Kong company, at inflated prices, and to buy shares in a target company in secret. Proceedings were commenced on 6 July 2022. HHJ Pelling KC granted an interim freezing order on 29 June 2023, and it was followed by further orders in July 2023, December 2023, March 2024 and April 2024. Together these imposed worldwide freezing relief, disclosure obligations and notice requirements relating to a Mercury Bank account held in the name of Daedalium LLC. The defendants failed to comply with an unless order, and the claimants obtained judgment on 12 July 2024. On 3 March 2025 David Elvin KC assessed the sum due at £6,488,497.92. The claimants' contempt application, first sealed on 2 February 2024, was re-amended with the permission of HHJ Pearce in June 2025. On 11 November 2025 Rosalind Phelps KC gave permission under CPR 81.3(5)(b) to pursue the false statement allegations and required Mr Ammar to attend in person. Mr Ammar lives in Dubai. He instructed solicitors on the eve of trial and was granted a short adjournment. The trial took place on 30 and 31 July 2026 in his absence. The claimants did not pursue committal against Fabuleo.