Serious Fraud Office v King

At the request of the South African authorities, the Serious Fraud Office, on an ex parte without notice application, obtained a restraint order against the defendant which purported to freeze his property worldwide and require disclosure of all his assets. Louis Mably acted for the defendant at first instance, and then in the Court of Appeal and the House of Lords. The worldwide scope of the order was successfully challenged, the appellate courts holding that the applicable legislation did not confer on the English courts power to restrain property outside the jurisdiction.