Prince Jefri Bolkiah v KPMG
Prince Jefri Bolkiah v KPMG
- 1999
- Weekly Law Reports [1999] 2 WLR 215-229(8) .
HL 18 December 1998. The defendents (KPMG) were retained by the plaintiff (PJB) to act as forensic accountants in 1996 when PJB was involved in major litigation relating to his financial affairs. At that time KPMG had access to confidential information relating to PJB`s assets. The litigation was settled in March 1998 after which KPMG undertook no further work for PJB. In June 1998 the Government of Brunei launched an investigation into an agency of which PJB had been chairman. The agency retained KPMG to investigate the location of certain assets which it was suggested had been used by PJB for his own benefit. KPMG took steps to protect PJB`s confidentiality, however PJB commenced an action for breach of confidence and sought an injunction restraining KPMG from acting for the agency. "Held", appeal allowed and the injunction would be granted, due to the ad hoc nature of arrangements made by KPMG to protect PJB`s confidentiality.
CHINESE WALLS
CONFIDENTIALITY
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
FORENSIC ACCOUNTANTS
PRINCE JEFRI BOLKIAH V KPMG
HL 18 December 1998. The defendents (KPMG) were retained by the plaintiff (PJB) to act as forensic accountants in 1996 when PJB was involved in major litigation relating to his financial affairs. At that time KPMG had access to confidential information relating to PJB`s assets. The litigation was settled in March 1998 after which KPMG undertook no further work for PJB. In June 1998 the Government of Brunei launched an investigation into an agency of which PJB had been chairman. The agency retained KPMG to investigate the location of certain assets which it was suggested had been used by PJB for his own benefit. KPMG took steps to protect PJB`s confidentiality, however PJB commenced an action for breach of confidence and sought an injunction restraining KPMG from acting for the agency. "Held", appeal allowed and the injunction would be granted, due to the ad hoc nature of arrangements made by KPMG to protect PJB`s confidentiality.
CHINESE WALLS
CONFIDENTIALITY
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
FORENSIC ACCOUNTANTS
PRINCE JEFRI BOLKIAH V KPMG