{"id":"court_ctb_1183_0","court":"CTB","case_no":"22-50073","doc_number":1183,"sub_number":0,"doc_type":"ORDER","filed_date":null,"title":"UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION | -------------------------------------------","summary_zh":null,"summary_en":null,"body_en":"# **UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION**\n\n| ------------------------------------------------------ | x           |                         |\n|--------------------------------------------------------|-------------|-------------------------|\n| In re:                                                 | :<br>:      | Chapter 11              |\n| HO WAN KWOK, et al.,                                   | :<br>:      | Case No. 22-50073 (JAM) |\n| Debtors.1                                              | :<br>:<br>: | Jointly Administered    |\n| ------------------------------------------------------ | x           |                         |\n\n# **APPLICATION OF CHAPTER 11 TRUSTEE FOR ENTRY OF ORDER, PURSUANT TO BANKRUPTCY CODE SECTIONS 327, 328, AND 330, BANKRUPTCY RULES 2014 AND 2016, AND LOCAL BANKRUPTCY RULES 2014-1 AND 2016-1, AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING RETENTION AND EMPLOYMENT OF PAUL WRIGHT AS BARRISTER IN UNITED KINGDOM**\n\nMr. Luc A. Despins, in his capacity as the Chapter 11 Trustee (the \"Chapter 11 Trustee\") appointed in the above-captioned chapter 11 case (the \"Chapter 11 Case\") of Ho Wan Kwok (the \"Debtor\"), pursuant to sections 327, 328, and 330 of Title 11 of the United States Code (the \"Bankruptcy Code\"), Rules 2014 and 2016 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (the \"Bankruptcy Rules\"), and Rules 2014-1 and 2016-1 of the Local Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (the \"Local Bankruptcy Rules\") for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut (the \"Court\"), respectfully requests (the \"Application\") that the Court authorize his employment of Paul Wright as barrister in the United Kingdom. In support of this Application, the Chapter 11 Trustee states the following:\n\n# **RELIEF REQUESTED**\n\n<sup>1</sup> The Debtors in these chapter 11 cases are Ho Wan Kwok (also known as Guo Wengui, Miles Guo, and Miles Kwok, as well as numerous other aliases) (last four digits of tax identification number: 9595), Genever Holdings LLC (last four digits of tax identification number: 8202) and Genever Holdings Corporation. The mailing address for the Trustee, Genever Holdings LLC, the Genever HGoldings Corporation is Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 c/o Luc A. Despins, as Trustee for the Estate of Ho Wan Kwok (solely for purposes of notices and communications).\n\n1. By this Application, the Chapter 11 Trustee seeks entry of an order, substantially in the form of the proposed order filed herewith (the \"Proposed Order\"), authorizing and approving the retention and employment of Paul Wright (\"Mr. Wright\") as the Chapter 11 Trustee's barrister in the United Kingdom, effective as of November 1, 2022.\n\n2. In support of this Application, the Chapter 11 Trustee submits the *Declaration of Paul Wright in Support of Application of Chapter 11 Trustee for Entry of Order, Pursuant to Bankruptcy Code Sections 327, 328, and 330, Bankruptcy Rules 2014 and 2016, and Local Bankruptcy Rules 2014-1 and 2016-1, Authorizing and Approving Retention and Employment of Paul Wright as Barrister* (the \"Wright Declaration\"), attached as **Exhibit A**, which is incorporated herein by reference.\n\n## **JURISDICTION, VENUE, AND STATUTORY BASES**\n\n3. The Court has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 and 1334 and the *Standing Order of Reference* from the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut (as amended). This is a core proceeding within the meaning of 28 U.S.C. § 157(b).\n\n4. Venue in this District is proper pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1408 and 1409.\n\n5. The statutory bases for the relief requested herein are sections 327(a), 328(a), and 330 of the Bankruptcy Code, and, to the extent applicable, Bankruptcy Rules 2014 and 2016, and Local Bankruptcy Rules 2014-1 and 2016-1.\n\n## **BACKGROUND**\n\n6. On February 15, 2022 (the \"Petition Date\"), the Debtor filed with the Court a voluntary petition for relief under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.\n\n7. On March 21, 2022, the United States Trustee appointed an Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors (the \"Committee\") in the Debtor's Chapter 11 Case.\n\n2\n\n8. On June 15, 2022, the Court entered a memorandum of decision and order [Docket No. 465] (the \"Trustee Order\") directing the United States Trustee to appoint a chapter 11 trustee in the Chapter 11 Case. Pursuant to the Trustee Order, the United States Trustee selected Luc A. Despins as the Chapter 11 Trustee [Docket No. 514].\n\n9. On July 8, 2022, the Court entered an order granting the appointment of Luc A. Despins as the Chapter 11 Trustee in the Chapter 11 Case [Docket No. 523].\n\n## **PAUL WRIGHT'S QUALIFICATIONS**\n\n10. Paul Wright is a self-employed barrister and a member of 9 Stone Buildings Barristers' Chambers, Lincoln's Inn, London WC2A 3NN, United Kingdom. Mr. Wright received his undergraduate degree in law (LLB) from the University of Warwick in 2012, completed his Bar Professional Training Course in 2014, and was called to the bar in August of that year. Prior to undertaking pupillage, Mr. Wright worked in the restructuring and insolvency department of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP between September 2014 and December 2016. Between December 2016 and September 2017, Mr Wright worked in the legal department of a shipping company, Navig8 Ltd. He successfully undertook pupillage at 9 Stone Buildings between October 2017 and September 2018, before joining 9 Stone Buildings as a member in October 2018. During his first year of practice, Mr Wright was seconded to the restructuring and insolvency team at Fieldfisher LLP in London and since has developed a broad commercial and chancery practice, with a particular focus on insolvency matters.\n\n11. The Chapter 11 Trustee selected Mr. Wright as his barrister based on Mr. Wright's familiarity with insolvency matters as well as the fact that the Chapter 11 Trustee required the services of a barrister in connection with the hearing on the Chapter 11 Trustee's request for\n\nrecognition in the United Kingdom as well as with respect to potential future hearings. Representation by a barrister is required in such hearings in the United Kingdom.\n\n## **THE ANTICIPATED SERVICES**\n\n12. The Chapter 11 Trustee anticipates that Mr. Wright will represent him in court hearings in the United Kingdom. Due to the highly specialized nature of a barrister's role, there will be no unnecessary duplication of services or related issues arising from Mr. Wright's retention.\n\n## **COMPENSATION OF MR. WRIGHT**\n\n13. Mr. Wright will not seek payment from the chapter 11 estate directly, but will seek payment from Paul Hastings; however, Mr. Wright understands that, as a matter of U.S. bankruptcy law, this arrangement may be viewed as if he were charging the chapter 11 estate for his legal services because Paul Hastings will seek reimbursement of such expenses from the estate. Accordingly, Mr. Wright will file an application for compensation of professional services rendered and for reimbursement of expenses incurred with respect to recognition of the Chapter 11 Case as a foreign main proceeding in the United Kingdom, and related matters (the \"Engagement\") pursuant to sections 330 and 331 of the Bankruptcy Code, Bankruptcy Rule 2016, Local Bankruptcy Rule 2016-1, and any other applicable rules and orders with respect to this Chapter 11 Case.\n\n14. In this matter, Mr. Wright's fee is charged as a fixed sum agreed on an ad hoc basis for the particular scope of work in respect of which my services are required, which amount corresponds to £3,000 for services in connection with the hearing on the recognition of the Chapter 11 Trustee in the United Kingdom. By comparison, were Mr. Wright to be charging an hourly rate, it (in sterling) would be £200.\n\n4\n\n15. Mr. Wright may also bill for any out-of-pocket expenses made on behalf of the Chapter 11 Trustee, including photocopying, filing fees and international couriers.\n\n## **MR WRIGHT IS DISINTERESTED**\n\n16. To the best of the Chapter 11 Trustee's knowledge in reliance upon the Wright Declaration, and except as disclosed therein, Mr. Wright does not have any relationships with the Debtor, its creditors, or any other party-in-interest, their respective attorneys and accountants, the United States Trustee, or any person employed in the Office of the United States Trustee.\n\n17. More specifically, upon such basis, the Chapter 11 Trustee believes that: (a) Mr. Wright has no connection with the Debtor, his creditors, the U.S. Trustee, any person employed in the office of the U.S. Trustee, or any other party with an actual or potential interest in the Chapter 11 Case or their respective attorneys or accountants; and (b) Mr. Wright (i) is not a creditor, equity security holder, or insider of the Debtor or his affiliates, (ii) has not been, within two years before the Petition Date, a director, officer, or employee of the Debtor or his affiliates, and (iii) has not had any interest materially adverse to the interests of the Debtor's estate or any class of creditors or equity security holders by reason of any direct or indirect relationship to, connection with, or interest in the Debtor, or for any other reason. Therefore, the Chapter 11 Trustee believes that Mr. Wright is a \"disinterested person\" within the meaning of section 101(14) of the Bankruptcy Code, as modified by section 1107(b).\n\n18. Based on the Wright Declaration, the Chapter 11 Trustee believes that Mr. Wright does not represent any adverse interest to unsecured creditors in connection with the Chapter 11 Case.\n\n## **BASIS FOR THE RELIEF REQUESTED, NOTICE, AND NO PRIOR REQUEST FOR RELIEF REQUESTED HEREBY**\n\n19. The Chapter 11 Trustee requests to retain and employ Mr. Wright as his barrister in the United Kingdom pursuant to section 327(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, which provides that a trustee, subject to the approval of the Court, may employ professional persons \"that do not hold or represent an interest adverse to the estate, and that are disinterested persons, to represent or assist the trustee in carrying out the trustee's duties under this title.\"\n\n20. Under section 328(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, with bankruptcy court approval, a trustee may employ professional persons under section 327(a) of the Bankruptcy Code \"on any reasonable terms and conditions of employment, including on a retainer, on an hourly basis, on a fixed or percentage fee basis, or on a contingent fee basis.\" 11 U.S.C. § 328(a).\n\n21. Bankruptcy Rule 2014(a) provides that an application for retention include:\n\nspecific facts showing the necessity for the employment, the name of the [firm] to be employed, the reasons for the selection, the professional services to be rendered, any proposed arrangement for compensation, and, to the best of the applicant's knowledge, all of the [firm's] connections with the debtor, creditors, any other party in interest, their respective attorneys and accountants, the United States trustee.\n\n22. The Chapter 11 Trustee requires the services of a barrister in the United Kingdom to exercise his responsibilities. Mr. Wright will endeavor to avoid the duplication of efforts and provide services as efficiently as possible.\n\n23. Accordingly, the employment of Mr. Wright as the Chapter 11 Trustee's barrister, upon the terms set forth herein and in the Proposed Order, is reasonable and in the best interest of the Debtor's estate.\n\n24. The Chapter 11 Trustee submits that Mr. Wright's rates are reasonable,\n\ncomparable to rates for non-bankruptcy engagements, and within the range of rates charged by comparably skilled professionals who offer the same services.\n\n25. Local Bankruptcy Rule 2014-1 provides that if \"an application to employ a professional is filed within thirty (30) days after the commencement of services provided by that professional, the application shall be deemed contemporaneously filed unless the Court orders otherwise.\" Accordingly, the Chapter 11 Trustee requests authority to retain and employ Mr. Wright effective November 1, 2022, which was the date that Mr. Wright began providing services to the Chapter 11 Trustee.\n\n26. Notice of this Application has been given to the United States Trustee, the Debtor, the Committee, and, by electronic filing utilizing the Court's electronic filing (\"CM/ECF\") system, to all appearing parties who utilize the CM/ECF system.\n\n27. No previous application for the relief requested herein has been made to this or any other Court.\n\n## **CONCLUSION**\n\nWHEREFORE, for the foregoing reasons, Luc A. Despins, the Chapter 11 Trustee, requests that the Court enter an Order, substantially in the form of the Proposed Order filed herewith, granting the Application, and authorizing the Chapter 11 Trustee's employment of Mr. Wright as barrister, and order such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.\n\nDated: December 1, 2022 Chapter 11 Trustee in Chapter 11 Case of Ho Wan Kwok\n\n> */s/ Luc A. Despins* Luc A. Despins","body_zh":"美国破产法院 康涅狄格区 布里奇波特分庭\n\n------------------------------------------------------ x\n\n关于： :\n: 第11章\nHO WAN KWOK（郭文贵）等人， :\n: 案件编号：22-50073 (JAM)\n债务人。1 :\n:\n: 联合审理\n------------------------------------------------------ x\n第11章受托人依据《破产法典》第327条、第328条和第330条、《破产规则》第2014条和第2016条以及《地方破产规则》第2014-1条和第2016-1条请求作出裁定批准聘用PAUL WRIGHT为英国出庭律师的申请书\n\nLuc A. Despins先生作为在上述郭文贵（以下简称“债务人”）的第11章案件（以下简称“第11章案件”）中获任命的第11章受托人（以下简称“第11章受托人”），依据《美国法典》第11篇（以下简称“《破产法典》”）第327条、第328条和第330条、《联邦破产程序规则》（以下简称“《破产规则》”）第2014条和第2016条以及United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut（美国康涅狄格区破产法院，以下简称“本法院”）的《地方破产程序规则》（以下简称“《地方破产规则》”）第2014-1条和第2016-1条，谨此提出请求（以下简称“本申请”），请求本法院授权其聘用Paul Wright为英国出庭律师。为支持本申请，第11章受托人陈述如下：\n请求的救济\n\n1 这些第11章案件中的债务人为Ho Wan Kwok（郭文贵，亦称Guo Wengui、Miles Guo和Miles Kwok，以及诸多其他化名）（纳税人识别号后四位：9595）、Genever Holdings LLC（纳税人识别号后四位：8202）以及Genever Holdings Corporation。受托人、Genever Holdings LLC、Genever Holdings Corporation的邮寄地址为Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 c/o Luc A. Despins, as Trustee for the Estate of Ho Wan Kwok（仅用于送达通知和联络之目的）。\n\n1. 第11章受托人通过本申请请求作出实质上采用随附提交的拟议裁定（以下简称“《拟议裁定》”）形式的裁定，授权并批准聘用Paul Wright（以下简称“Wright先生”）担任第11章受托人的英国出庭律师，自2022年11月1日起生效。\n\n2. 为支持本申请，第11章受托人提交了附于附件A中并纳入本申请作为引用的《Paul Wright支持第11章受托人依据〈破产法典〉第327条、第328条和第330条、〈破产规则〉第2014条和第2016条以及〈地方破产规则〉第2014-1条和第2016-1条请求作出裁定批准聘用Paul Wright为出庭律师的申请书的声明》（以下简称“《Wright声明》”）。\n管辖权、审判地和法律依据\n\n3. 根据《美国法典》第28篇第157条和第1334条以及United States District Court for the District of Connecticut（美国康涅狄格区联邦地区法院）的常设移送裁定（经修订），本法院对本事项具有管辖权。根据《美国法典》第28篇第157(b)条的含义，本案属于核心诉讼程序。\n\n4. 根据《美国法典》第28篇第1408条和第1409条，本司法管辖区审判地正当。\n\n5. 本文所请求救济的法律依据为《破产法典》第327(a)条、第328(a)条和第330条，以及在适用范围内的《破产规则》第2014条和第2016条，以及《地方破产规则》第2014-1条和第2016-1条。\n背景\n\n6. 2022年2月15日（以下简称“申请日”），债务人向本法院提交了依据《破产法典》第11章寻求救济的自愿破产申请。\n\n7. 2022年3月21日，United States Trustee（美国受托人）在债务人的第11章案件中任命了Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors（无担保债权人官方委员会，以下简称“委员会”）。\n8. 2022年6月15日，本法院作出一项判决备忘录和裁定［案卷号 465］（以下简称“《受托人裁定》”），指示美国受托人在该第11章案件中任命一名第11章受托人。依据《受托人裁定》，美国受托人选任Luc A. Despins为第11章受托人［案卷号 514］。\n\n9. 2022年7月8日，本法院作出裁定，准予任命Luc A. Despins为该第11章案件中的第11章受托人［案卷号 523］。\nPAUL WRIGHT的执业资质\n\n10. Paul Wright是一名自雇出庭律师，系位于英国伦敦Lincoln's Inn, London WC2A 3NN的9 Stone Buildings Barristers' Chambers的成员。Wright先生于2012年获得University of Warwick（华威大学）的法学学士学位（LLB），于2014年完成出庭律师职业培训课程，并于同年8月取得出庭律师执业资格。在开始见习（pupillage）之前，Wright先生于2014年9月至2016年12月期间在Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP（富而德律师事务所）的重组与破产部门工作。2016年12月至2017年9月期间，Wright先生在一家航运公司Navig8 Ltd的法务部门工作。他在2017年10月至2018年9月期间在9 Stone Buildings顺利完成了见习，后于2018年10月作为成员加入9 Stone Buildings。在执业的第一年，Wright先生被借调至Fieldfisher LLP伦敦办公室的重组与破产团队，此后拓展了广泛的商事及衡平法（chancery）执业领域，尤其侧重于破产清算事务。\n\n11. 第11章受托人选择Wright先生担任其出庭律师，是基于Wright先生对破产事务的熟悉，以及第11章受托人就其在英国申请承认的听证会以及未来潜在的听证会需要出庭律师的服务。在英国的此类听证会中必须由出庭律师代理。\n预期提供的服务\n\n12. 第11章受托人预计Wright先生将在英国的法庭听证会中代表他出庭。由于出庭律师职责的高度专业性，聘用Wright先生不会产生不必要的重复服务或相关问题。\nWRIGHT先生的报酬\n\n13. Wright先生不会直接向第11章破产财团寻求付款，而是向Paul Hastings（普衡律师事务所）寻求付款；然而，Wright先生理解，根据美国破产法，该安排可能被视为如同其就其法律服务向第11章破产财团收费，因为普衡律师事务所将向破产财团就此类费用申请报销。因此，Wright先生将依据《破产法典》第330条和第331条、《破产规则》第2016条、《地方破产规则》第2016-1条以及关于该第11章案件的任何其他适用规则和裁定，就与在英国将第11章案件承认为外国主要程序及相关事项（以下简称“聘用事项”）所提供的专业服务申请报酬及所发生费用的报销。\n\n14. 在本事项中，Wright先生的费用是按特定工作范围经临时协商一致的固定金额收取的，就此需要其提供服务，该金额对应为就第11章受托人在英国的承认听证会提供服务的3,000英镑。相比之下，如果Wright先生按小时费率收费，其费率（以英镑计）将为每小时200英镑。\n15. Wright先生亦可就代表第11章受托人发生的任何垫付费用开具账单，包括复印费、立案费和国际快递费。\nWRIGHT先生为无利害关系人\n\n16. 依据《Wright声明》，据第11章受托人所知，除其中披露者外，Wright先生与债务人、其债权人或任何其他利害关系方、其各自的律师和会计师、美国受托人或美国受托人办公室雇用的任何人员均无任何关系。\n\n17. 更具体而言，在此基础上，第11章受托人认为：(a) Wright先生与债务人、其债权人、美国受托人、美国受托人办公室雇用的任何人员，或在该第11章案件中拥有实际或潜在利益的任何其他方或其各自的律师或会计师均无任何关联；且 (b) Wright先生 (i) 不是债务人或其关联方的债权人、股权证券持有人或内部人，(ii) 在申请日之前的两年内不是债务人或其关联方的董事、高级职员或雇员，以及 (iii) 未曾因与债务人的任何直接或间接关系、联系或利益，或因任何其他原因，而拥有任何重大不利于债务人破产财团或任何类别债权人或股权证券持有人利益的利益。因此，第11章受托人认为，根据经第1107(b)条修正的《破产法典》第101(14)条的含义，Wright先生属于“无利害关系人”。\n\n18. 根据《Wright声明》，第11章受托人认为，Wright先生在与第11章案件有关的事务中并未代表任何与无担保债权人相冲突的利益。\n请求救济的依据、通知及此前未就本文请求救济提出过申请\n\n19. 第11章受托人依据《破产法典》第327(a)条请求聘用Wright先生担任其在英国的出庭律师，该条规定受托人经本法院批准，可以聘用“未持有或代表与破产财团相冲突的利益，且属于无利害关系人的专业人员，以代表或协助受托人履行其在本篇项下的职责”。\n\n20. 根据《破产法典》第328(a)条，经破产法院批准，受托人可根据《破产法典》第327(a)条“按任何合理的聘用条款和条件聘用专业人员，包括按预付定金方式、按小时费率方式、按固定或提成费率方式，或按风险代理费方式”。11 U.S.C. § 328(a)。\n\n21. 《破产规则》第2014(a)条规定，聘用申请须包括：\n\n说明聘用必要性的具体事实、拟聘用［事务所］的名称、选择理由、拟提供的专业服务、任何拟议的报酬安排，以及据申请人所知，该［事务所］与债务人、债权人、任何其他利害关系方、其各自的律师和会计师、美国受托人的全部关联关系。\n\n22. 第11章受托人需要英国出庭律师的服务以履行其职责。Wright先生将尽力避免重复劳动，并尽可能高效地提供服务。\n\n23. 因此，按照本文及《拟议裁定》中所载条款聘用Wright先生担任第11章受托人的出庭律师是合理的，且符合债务人破产财团的最大利益。\n\n24. 第11章受托人主张，Wright先生的收费费率是合理的，与非破产聘用事项的费率相当，并处于提供相同服务的同等技能专业人员所收取的费率范围之内。\n\n25. 《地方破产规则》第2014-1条规定，如果“聘用专业人员的申请在该专业人员开始提供服务后三十（30）天内提交，则除本法院另有命令外，该申请应视为同时提交”。因此，第11章受托人请求授权自2022年11月1日（即Wright先生开始向第11章受托人提供服务的日期）起生效聘用Wright先生。\n\n26. 本申请的通知已送达美国受托人、债务人、委员会，并通过利用本法院电子立案（“CM/ECF”）系统的电子立案方式送达至所有利用CM/ECF系统出庭的当事方。\n\n27. 此前未曾就本申请所请求之救济向本法院或任何其他法院提出过申请。\n\n结论\n\n综上所述，基于前述理由，Chapter 11（第11章）受托人 Luc A. Despins（卢克·A·德斯平斯）请求法院作出一项裁定（其实质形式如随附提交之《拟定裁定》所示），准予该《申请》，并授权第11章受托人聘请 Mr. Wright（赖特先生）担任出庭律师，并裁定法院认为公正且适当的该等其他及进一步救济。\n\n日期：December 1, 2022\nHo Wan Kwok（郭文贵）第11章破产案件中的第11章受托人\n\n/s/ Luc A. Despins\nLuc A. Despins","key_entities":["Despins","Kwok","Ho Wan Kwok","Paul Hastings","Guo","CIPA","Miles Guo","Je"],"ecf_references":[],"word_count":2029,"status":"published","published_at":null,"created_at":null,"updated_at":"2026-08-23 13:05:08"}