Litigation

Court of Chancery Explains Limitations for Receiver Litigation

By Morris James LLP

In the Matter of Texas Eastern Overseas Inc., C.A. 4326-VCN (November 30, 2009)

This decision answers the question of whether it is possible to have a receiver appointed for a dissolved Delaware corporation more than 3 years after it is dissolved. Section 278 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides for a 3 year statute of limitations for litigation against a dissolved Delaware corporation. However, when the petition to appoint a receiver seeks to get at assets still held by the dissolved corporation (in this case an insurance policy), the Court ruled that the petition may proceed. The theory is that the persons protected by Section 278, such as its stockholders, will not be affected by the appointment of a receiver who is only seeking assets still held by the entity and that they would not receive anyway.

Full post as published by Delaware Business Litigation Report on November 30, 2009 (boomark / email).