Guo Wengui / Miles Guo — bankruptcy case · ORDER · ECF #3995

METADATA

Defendant
Guo Wengui / Miles Guo / Ho Wan Kwok
Court
CTB
Case No.
22-50073
ECF #
3995
Type
ORDER
Filed
2023-08-18

Monthly Fee Statement — In re Ho Wan Kwok (Miles Guo / Guo Wengui), CTB 22-50073 ECF #3995 (filed Aug 18, 2023). Prager Dreifuss AG, Swiss legal counsel to Chapter 11 Trustee Luc A. Despins, requests interim payment of 80% of fees (CHF 51,874.00) and 100% of expenses (CHF 1,296.85) for professional services rendered from December 1 through December 31, 2024.

FULL TEXT

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UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION

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-------------------------------------------------------------- x

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In re: : :

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Chapter 11
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HO WAN KWOK, et al., : :

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Case No. 22-50073 (JAM)
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Debtors.1 : :

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Jointly Administered
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x
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MONTHLY FEE STATEMENT OF PRAGER DREIFUSS AG FOR COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES FOR PERIOD FROM DECEMBER 1, 2024 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2024

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In accordance with the Order Establishing Procedures for Interim Compensation and

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Reimbursement of Expenses for Retained Professionals, dated August 18, 2023 [Docket No.

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2094] (the "Interim Compensation Order"),2 Prager Dreifuss AG ("Prager Dreifuss") hereby

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submits this monthly statement (the "Monthly Fee Statement") seeking compensation for

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services rendered and reimbursement of expenses incurred as Swiss law counsel to Luc A.

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Despins, in his capacity as the chapter 11 trustee (the "Trustee") appointed in the chapter 11 case

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of Ho Wan Kwok, for the period from December 1, 2024 through and including December 31,

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2024 (the "Fee Period"). By this Monthly Fee Statement, Prager Dreifuss respectfully requests

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payment of 80% of all fees and 100% of all expenses actually and necessarily incurred for

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1 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, and Genever Holdings 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).

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2 Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Interim Compensation Order.

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services rendered during the Fee Period, in the amounts of CHF 51,874.00 and CHF 1,296.85, respectively.3

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SERVICES RENDERED AND EXPENSES INCURRED
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1. Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a timekeeper summary that includes the name, hours, rate, and total fees earned for each Prager Dreifuss individual who provided services during the Fee Period.

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2. Attached hereto as Exhibit B is Prager Dreifuss' fee statement for services provided during the Fee Period.

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NOTICE AND OBJECTION PROCEDURES
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3. Notice of this Monthly Fee Statement will be given by email on the Notice Parties: (i) Luc A. Despins, as chapter 11 trustee for the estate of Ho Wan Kwok (lucdespins@paulhastings.com); (ii) Counsel for the Trustee, (x) Paul Hastings LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166 (Attn: G. Alexander Bongartz (alexbongartz@paulhastings.com) and Douglass Barron (douglassbarron@paulhastings.com)) and (y) Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C., 195 Church Street, 13th Floor, New Haven, Connecticut 06510 (Attn: Douglas S. Skalka (dskalka@npmlaw.com) and Patrick R. Linsey (plinsey@npmlaw.com)); (iii) the Office of The United States Trustee, Giaimo Federal Building, 150 Court Street, Room 302, New Haven, Connecticut 06510 (Attn: Holley L. Claiborn (holley.l.claiborn@usdoj.gov)); (iv) counsel for the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, Pullman & Comley, LLC, 850 Main Street, 8th Floor, PO Box 7006, Bridgeport, Connecticut 06601-7006 (Attn: Irve J. Goldman (igoldman@pullcom.com); and (v) counsel for Pacific

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3 In accordance with Prager Dreifuss' retention order [Docket No. 3034], (a) Prager Dreifuss is authorized to charge a flat fee for disbursements in an amount equal to 2% of the total fees charged and (b) Prager Dreifuss is authorized to invoice its fees and expenses in Swiss Francs (CHF) and to have such fees and expenses paid in Swiss Francs (CHF), subject to the terms of the Interim Compensation Order.

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Alliance Asia Opportunity Fund L.P., O'Melveny & Myers LLP, 7 Times Square, New York, New York 10036 (Attn: Peter Friedman (pfriedman@omm.com) and Stuart M. Sarnoff (ssarnoff@omm.com) (collectively, the "Notice Parties").

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4. Objections to this Monthly Fee Statement, if any, must be filed with the Court and served upon (i) Prager Dreifuss (Attn: Daniel Hayek (daniel.hayek@prager-dreifuss.com) and (ii) the Notice Parties by email no later than February 12, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. (prevailing Eastern Time) (the "Objection Deadline"), setting forth the nature of the objection and the specific amount of fees or expenses at issue.

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5. If no objections to this Monthly Fee Statement are filed and received on or before the Objection Deadline, the estate shall promptly pay Prager Dreifuss 80% of the fees and 100% of the expenses identified in this Monthly Fee Statement.

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6. To the extent that an objection to this Monthly Fee Statement is filed and received on or before the Objection Deadline, the estate shall withhold payment of that portion of this Monthly Fee Statement to which the objection is directed and promptly pay the remainder of the fees and expenses in the percentages set forth above. To the extent such an objection is not resolved, it shall be preserved and scheduled for consideration at the next interim fee application hearing.

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Dated: January 22, 2025
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By: /s/ Daniel Hayek
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Daniel Hayek PRAGER DREIFUSS AG Mühlebachstrasse 6 CH-8008 Zürich UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT BRIDGEPORT DIVISION X

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In re: : :

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Chapter 11
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HO WAN KWOK, et al.,1 : :

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Case No. 22-50073 (JAM)
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: Debtors. :

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(Jointly Administered)
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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
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The undersigned hereby certifies that on the date hereof, the foregoing Monthly Fee Statement was electronically filed. In addition, a copy of the Monthly Fee Statement was served by email on the Notice Parties. Parties may access this filing through the Court's CM/ECF system.

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Dated: January 22, 2025 By: /s/ G. Alexander Bongartz

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New York, New York G. Alexander Bongartz (admitted pro hac vice) PAUL HASTINGS LLP 200 Park Avenue New York, New York 10166 (212) 318-6000 alexbongartz@paulhastings.com

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Counsel for the Chapter 11 Trustee
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1 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, and Genever Holdings 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).

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Exhibit A
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Name Hours Rate CHF Amount CHF
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Hayek, Daniel 9.40 750.00 7,050.00 Jany, Oliver 97.75 375.00 36,656.25 Jegher, Gion 13.90 650.00 9,035.00 Meili, Mark 11.90 550.00 6,545.00
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Sangiorgio, Shannon 31.75 175.00 5,556.25

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TOTAL 164.70 64,842.50
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Case 22-50073 Doc 3995 Filed 01/22/25 Entered 01/22/25 16:50:57 Page 6 of 11

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Exhibit B
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Fee Statement
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Paul Hastings LLP Mr. Luc Despins 200 Park Avenue New York NY 10166 United States of America

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January 8, 2025 Invoice no. 201334-25-01
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Fees for services rendered between December 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024 in the matter of Ho Wan Kwok, as per the attached details.

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Total CHF 66'139.35
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VAT 0% export CHF 0.00 CHF 66'139.35
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Disbursements 2% (in lieu of itemized minor disbursements) CHF 1'296.85

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Legal Fees CHF 64'842.50
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Terms of payment
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Terms of payment 30 days net VAT No. CHE-115.724.136 MWST

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Please arrange for payment under reference of the above invoice number to our following account:

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Zürcher Kantonalbank, 8001 Zürich
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IBAN CH67 0070 0114 8037 7648 0
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BIC/SWIFT ZKBKCHZZ80A
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Prager Dreifuss AG ▪ Zürich, Bern, Brüssel ▪ www.prager-dreifuss.com

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Details of invoice no. 201334-25-01
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Invoice period: December 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024

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Legal Fees
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Date Service Name VAT Hours
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01.12.2024 work on draft GJ 0.00% 6.00 02.12.2024 Letter from OJY 0.00% 0.20

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02.12.2024 Draft : OJY 0.00% 7.15
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02.12.2024 rev. letter MMA 0.00% 0.20 02.12.2024 conf HA/GJ/OJY re MMA 0.00% 0.30 02.12.2024 Reading of the SSA 0.00% 0.95 02.12.2024 Research re OJY 0.00% 1.10

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02.12.2024 conf with OJY re draft ; further conf OJY re same GJ 0.00% 2.00 02.12.2024 rev. draft MMA 0.00% 0.50
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03.12.2024 E-Mail Luc and Alex HA 0.00% 0.30 03.12.2024 Research re OJY 0.00% 1.10 03.12.2024 review and revise draft email to Luc Despin regarding

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; conf OJY re same GJ 0.00% 0.80
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04.12.2024 Preparation re Call OJY 0.00% 2.10

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04.12.2024 conf OJY re
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and answer of Luc Despin; internal conference regarding options; call with PD team and Luc and Alex re options GJ 0.00% 2.00 04.12.2024 conf OJY re answer MMA 0.00% 0.20 04.12.2024 email Luc and Alex re answer MMA 0.00% 0.10

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04.12.2024 Memo : re OJY 0.00% 2.80
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04.12.2024 Call with OJY reg. memo on SSA 0.00% 0.25 04.12.2024 Revision of memo reg. SSA 0.00% 2.50 04.12.2024 Call re next steps OJY 0.00% 0.80 04.12.2024 Call with HA, OJY and Luc reg. assets SSA 0.00% 1.05

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04.12.2024 Draft: OJY 0.00% 3.00
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04.12.2024 conf HA/GJ/OJY re strategy and next steps MMA 0.00% 0.50 04.12.2024 Call Luc and Alex re strategy Switzerland MMA 0.00% 0.80 04.12.2024 prep. call reading and with team HA 0.00% 1.00 04.12.2024 Call team Luc and Alex: discuss HA 0.00% 1.00 05.12.2024 Revision of memo reg. SSA 0.00% 2.95

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05.12.2024 Draft: OJY 0.00% 4.30
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05.12.2024 Research reg. SSA 0.00% 2.70

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05.12.2024 Call with Alex Bongrartz OJY 0.00% 0.60 05.12.2024 Reserach: re OJY 0.00% 2.35 05.12.2024 Call with OJY and Alex reg. SSA 0.00% 0.60 05.12.2024 rev. memo re MMA 0.00% 0.70 05.12.2024 rev. memo etc. HA 0.00% 1.30 05.12.2024 conf OJY regarding GJ 0.00% 0.50 06.12.2024 Revision of memo reg. SSA 0.00% 4.00

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06.12.2024 Draft: OJY 0.00% 6.60
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06.12.2024 Research reg. SSA 0.00% 3.00 06.12.2024 Research re OJY 0.00% 2.20 06.12.2024 Call with Alex Bongartz OJY 0.00% 0.60

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06.12.2024 legal research regarding ; conf OJY GJ 0.00% 1.00 09.12.2024 Research: OJY 0.00% 7.60
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09.12.2024 conf HA/GJ/OJY re MMA 0.00% 0.50 09.12.2024 review and comment draft email of OJY re

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;email to HA re same GJ 0.00% 0.80 09.12.2024 rev. draft MMA 0.00% 0.80
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10.12.2024 Research re OJY 0.00% 4.85 10.12.2024 Revision of memo reg. SSA 0.00% 4.40

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10.12.2024 Draft: OJY 0.00% 4.40 10.12.2024 rev. MMA 0.00% 1.70
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10.12.2024 conf OJY re MMA 0.00% 0.20 10.12.2024 rev. options andreview of law HA 0.00% 1.00 10.12.2024 E-Mail to Luc and Alex HA 0.00% 0.50 11.12.2024 Revision of memo req. SSA 0.00% 1.25

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11.12.2024 Research OJY 0.00% 2.40 11.12.2024 Draft OJY 0.00% 3.45 11.12.2024 rev. MMA 0.00% 0.80
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12.12.2024 Revision of memo on SSA 0.00% 0.30 12.12.2024 Draft: alternative Option OJY 0.00% 5.80 12.12.2024 Discussion: re legal options OJY 0.00% 0.50 13.12.2024 Draft: Letter to OJY 0.00% 3.20

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13.12.2024 Research: OJY 0.00% 3.35 13.12.2024 rev. draft MMA 0.00% 0.50
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13.12.2024 Call with HA, MMA, OJY, Luc and Alex SSA 0.00% 0.30 13.12.2024 Meeting with HA, MMA and OJY reg. call with Luc and

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Alex SSA 0.00% 0.50
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13.12.2024 Discussion re call OJY 0.00% 0.50

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10. 12.2024 Call. Te flext Steps UJI U.UU 70 0.40

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13.12.2024 rev, memos HA 0.00% 1.00
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13.12.2024 perpare call with team HA 0.00% 0.50 13.12.2024 Call Luc / Alex HA 0.00% 0.90 13.12.2024 Meeting with HA, MMA, OJY and SSA reg. call with Luc

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and Alex GJ 0.00% 0.50
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13.12.2024 Call with HA, MMA, OJY, SSA, Luc and Alex GJ 0.00% 0.30 13.12.2024 conf HA/GJ/OJY re strategy and legal options Switzerland MMA 0.00% 0.50 13.12.2024 call Luc/Alex re next steps MMA 0.00% 0.50 16.12.2024 Research: re OJY 0.00% 0.35

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16.12.2024 Draft: OJY 0.00% 4.35 16.12.2024 Call: OJY 0.00% 0.40
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16.12.2024 Draft: Email re Comments OJY 0.00% 1.90

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16.12.2024 Call: MMA 0.00% 0.40
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16.12.2024 rev. comments Alex on MMA 0.00% 0.50 17.12.2024 Research reg. SSA 0.00% 6.45 17.12.2024 Review: Transfers from Kwok OJY 0.00% 0.90 17.12.2024 Draft: Answers re Email OJY 0.00% 2.50 17.12.2024 Call with OJY reg. SSA 0.00% 0.55 17.12.2024 rev. letter MMA 0.00% 0.20 17.12.2024 draft email Alex re MMA 0.00% 0.40 17.12.2024 draft email Alex re MMA 0.00% 0.30 17.12.2024 Call: re Email OJY 0.00% 0.30 18.12.2024 Draft: Letter to OJY 0.00% 3.50

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18.12.2024 rev. letter HA 0.00% 1.90 18.12.2024 rev. draft MMA 0.00% 0.40
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19.12.2024 Draft: English Mashine Translation OJY 0.00% 0.90 19.12.2024 Draft: Draft Letter for OJY 0.00% 4.90 20.12.2024 Draft: Fınalızıng Submission OJY 0.00% 3.20

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20 12 2024 rev. draft MMA 0.00% 0.50 20.12.2024 Review: OJY 0.00% 1.90
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20 12 2024 Review: Documents OJY 0.00% 1.30 20.12.2024 conf. HA/OJY re MMA 0.00% 0.40

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Date lext VAT Amount CHF
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08.01.2025 Disbursements 0.00% 1'296.85

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Total excl. VAT 1'296.85
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Provider Hours Rate CHF Amount CHF
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Hayek, Daniel 9.40 750.00 7'050.00 Jany, Oliver 97.75 375.00 36'656.25 Jegher, Gion 13.90 650.00 9'035.00 Meili, Mark 11.90 550.00 6'545.00
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Sangiorgio, Shannon 31.75 175.00 5'556.25

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164.70 393.70 64'842.50

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