Carlyle Investment Management Group, LLC ( 2015 )

IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
CARLYLE INVESTMENT )
MANAGEMENT L.L.C., TC GROUP, )
L.L.C., TCG HOLDINGS, L.L.C., DAVID )
M. RUBENSTEIN, DANIEL A. )
D‟ANIELLO, WILLIAM E. CONWAY, )
JR., JAMES H. HANCE, JOHN C. )
STOMBER, and MICHAEL J. ZUPON, ) C.A. No. 7841-VCP
)
Plaintiffs, )
)
v. )
)
MOONMOUTH COMPANY S.A., PLAZA )
MANAGEMENT OVERSEAS S.A., )
PARBOLD OVERSEAS LTD., LOUIS )
J.K.J. REIJTENBAGH, and STICHTING )
RECOVERY CCC, )
)
Defendants. )
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Date Submitted: May 1, 2015
Date Decided: September 10, 2015
R. Judson Scaggs, Jr., Esq., Shannon E. German, Esq., MORRIS, NICHOLS, ARSHT &
TUNNELL LLP, Wilmington, Delaware; Robert A. Van Kirk, Esq., R. Hackney
Wiegmann, Esq., Nicholas J. Boyle, Esq., Sarah F. Teich, Esq., Brian C. Rabbitt, Esq.,
WILLIAMS & CONNOLLY LLP, Washington, D.C.; Attorneys for Plaintiffs.
Michael F. Bonkowski, Esq., COLE, SCHOTZ, MEISEL, FORMAN & LEONARD,
P.A., Wilmington, Delaware; Alan Kolod, Esq., Mark N. Parry, Esq., Nicholas Brannick,
Esq., Gregory J. Fleesler, Esq., Zaid Shukri, Esq., MOSES & SINGER LLP, New York,
New York; Attorneys for Plaza Management Overseas S.A. and Louis J.K.J. Reijtenbagh.
David L. Finger, Esq., FINGER & SLANINA, LLC, Wilmington, Delaware; Attorneys
for Liquidators of Carlyle Capital Corporation Limited (in Liquidation).
PARSONS, Vice Chancellor.
A group of plaintiffs, comprised of various individuals and entities related to a
private equity fund, filed suit against the defendant and several of his entities seeking
money damages and an injunction due to alleged breaches of various contracts containing
releases and forum selection clauses. The defendants moved to dismiss the complaint in
its entirety on the grounds of lack of personal jurisdiction, lack of subject matter
jurisdiction, and failure to state a claim. In the alternative, the defendants moved to strike
several paragraphs of the complaint as scandalous and impertinent.
After briefing on the motion, I stayed this case pending resolution of the
defendants‟ efforts to remove to federal court. The Third Circuit Court of Appeals later
issued a decision confirming that the removal was improper and that the case properly
had been remanded to this court. That decision bears on the resolution of the defendants‟
motion. For the reasons that follow, the motion to dismiss is granted in part and denied
in part. Additionally, I deny the motion to strike, except for ordering a single footnote
stricken.
I. BACKGROUND1
A. Parties
Non-party Carlyle Capital Corporation, Ltd. (“CCC”) was a limited company
organized under the laws of the Island of Guernsey, Channel Islands in August 2006.
1
The facts are drawn from the allegations in the plaintiffs‟ First Amended Verified
Complaint (the “Complaint”), which are assumed true for purposes of the
defendants‟ motion to dismiss, as well as documents integral to the Complaint.
1
CCC invested primarily in residential mortgage backed securities tied to home mortgages
in the United States. As a result of the 2008 financial crisis, CCC‟s cash reserves were
depleted, and it was in default on various financing agreements as of early March 2008.
Later that month, CCC was placed into liquidation by the Royal Court of Guernsey, and
several liquidators (the “Liquidators”) were appointed to oversee the winding up of CCC.
Plaintiff Carlyle Investment Management, L.L.C. (“CIM”) is a Delaware limited
liability company (“LLC”) with its principal places of business in the District of
Columbia and New York. CIM served as the investment manager of CCC from CCC‟s
inception until it was placed into liquidation. Plaintiff TC Group, L.L.C. (“The Carlyle
Group”) is an affiliate of both CIM and Plaintiff TCG Holdings, L.L.C. (“TCGH”), a
Delaware LLC that functions as a holding company.
Plaintiffs David M. Rubenstein, Daniel A. D‟Aniello, and William E. Conway, Jr.
are co-founders and managing directors of The Carlyle Group. Plaintiffs James H.
Hance, John C. Stomber, and Michael J. Zupon held officer or director positions at CCC.
I refer to CIM, The Carlyle Group, TCGH, Rubenstein, D‟Aniello, Conway, Hance,
Stomber, and Zupon collectively as “Plaintiffs” or simply “Carlyle.”
Defendant Louis J.K.J. Reijtenbagh is a Dutch citizen allegedly residing in Monte
Carlo, Monaco or Hong Kong. Defendants Moonmouth Company S.A. (“Moonmouth”),
Plaza Management Overseas, S.A. (“Plaza”), and Parbold Overseas, Ltd. (“Parbold”) are
companies affiliated with Reijtenbagh. Each is organized under the laws of the British
Virgin Islands. Reijtenbagh owns Plaza and serves as its President and CEO; he is also
the beneficial owner of Moonmouth and Parbold.
2
Defendant Stichting Recovery CCC (“SRCCC”) is an entity incorporated under
Dutch law, with its registered office in The Netherlands.2 SRCCC allegedly was created,
directly or indirectly, by or at the insistence of Reijtenbagh or his affiliates. SRCCC‟s
sole purpose is to represent the interests of CCC‟s stockholders. Together, Reijtenbagh,
Plaza, Parbold, Moonmouth, and SRCCC are referred to as “Defendants.”3
B. Facts
1. Reijtenbagh’s investment in CCC
Shortly after its formation, CCC began raising capital. On or about December 20,
2006, Reijtenbagh caused Plaza to cause Moonmouth to purchase three million Class B
shares of CCC for $60 million (the “Subscription Agreement”).4 In 2007, Reijtenbagh
2
A “stichting” apparently is a special-purpose corporate form used to pursue what
in the U.S. would be a class action. No comparable procedural device seems to
exist under Dutch law, thus necessitating the use of the stichting.
3
SRCCC, Moonmouth, and Parbold are essentially nominal defendants. Each
entity has been dissolved. Moonmouth and Parbold were dissolved in November
2012. Under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, “a dissolved company [cannot]
be sued, and the company can take no legal action whatsoever. . . . Since both
Moonmouth and Parbold ceased to exist under the law of the [British Virgin
Islands] at the time of their dissolution, there is no legal possibility of their legal
liability.” Carlyle Inv. Mgmt., LLC v. Plaza Mgmt. Overseas S.A., 2013 WL
4407685, at *2 (D. Del. Aug. 14, 2013) (remanding this action to this Court).
SRCCC also was dissolved, but the date of that dissolution and the mechanics of
Dutch corporate dissolution are not apparent in the record. Additionally, it does
not seem that SRCCC ever was served. Accordingly, the only remaining actual
defendants are Reijtenbagh and Plaza. The “Defendants” shorthand should be
understood to incorporate this history.
4
Aff. of Michael F. Bonkowski [hereinafter “Bonkowski Aff.”] Ex. 3 [hereinafter
“SA”]. The SA is integral to the Complaint. Compl. ¶ 27. Plaza appears to have
been the sole director of Moonmouth.
3
caused Moonmouth to transfer one million of those shares to Parbold. Only Moonmouth
was a party to the Subscription Agreement. The Subscription Agreement provides that it
is to be “governed, construed and enforced solely under the laws of the State of
Delaware,”5 and it contains the following Delaware forum selection clause (the
“Subscription Agreement FSC”):
The courts of the State of Delaware shall have exclusive
jurisdiction over any action, suit or proceeding with respect to
this Subscription Agreement and the Investor hereby
irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any
objection that it may have, whether now or in the future, to
the laying of venue in, or to the jurisdiction of, any and each
of such courts for the purposes of any such suit, action,
proceeding, or judgment and further waives any claim that
any such suit, action, proceeding or judgment has been
brought in an inconvenient forum, and the Investor hereby
submits to such jurisdiction.6
About a year and a half after CCC was incorporated, the recent financial crisis
struck, and “the U.S. financial markets experienced a sudden and extreme liquidity crisis,
resulting in unprecedented instability in both the valuation of CCC‟s assets and its
financing for those assets.”7 Soon thereafter, CCC was placed into liquidation. In July
2010, the Liquidators filed several actions, in various venues, against CCC‟s former
managers, including some or all of Plaintiffs. At least one such action, in Guernsey,
remains ongoing (the “Guernsey Litigation”). In the Guernsey Litigation, the Liquidators
5
SA, supra note 4, § 7.
6
SA, supra note 4, § 8.
7
Compl. ¶ 31.
4
have asserted, among other things, various breach of fiduciary duty claims and are
seeking more than $1 billion in damages.
2. The Bundora Transfer Agreements
The Complaint alleges that Reijtenbagh encountered a string of setbacks beginning
in early 2009 that caused him serious legal and financial difficulty. According to the
Complaint, Reijtenbagh sought to alleviate his financial situation by liquidating some of
his investments. CCC was not Reijtenbagh‟s only Carlyle investment. Through other
affiliated entities, including Bundora Associates, Inc. (“Bundora”), Reijtenbagh owned
interests in Carlyle Partners V, L.P. (“CPV”) and Carlyle Europe Partners III, L.P. (“CEP
III”). Those interests allegedly could not be transferred without Carlyle‟s consent and
assistance.
In or around August and September 2009, a series of seven transfer agreements
(the “Transfer Agreements”)8 were executed by Bundora, the third-party purchasers, and
various Carlyle affiliates, including CPV and CEP III. Plaza, as Bundora‟s sole director,
signed the Transfer Agreements via Reijtenbagh as its director. Although Plaintiffs have
treated the Transfer Agreements as a unit, the five that transferred Bundora‟s interests in
CPV (the “CPV Transfer Agreements”) are governed by New York law (the “CPV
Transfer Agreements Choice of Law Provisions”),9 and the two that transferred
8
Bonkowski Aff., supra note 4, Exs. 4-10.
9
Bonkowski Aff., supra note 4, Exs. 5 § 14, 6 § 14, 7 § 14, 8 § 14, 10 § 14
[hereinafter, together, the “CPV TA COLPs”].
5
Bundora‟s interests in CEP III (the “CEP III Transfer Agreements”) are governed largely
by English law (the “CEP III Transfer Agreements Choice of Law Provisions”).10 The
CPV Transfer Agreements have forum selection clauses requiring the parties to “submit
to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the State of New York” (the “CPV FSCs”);11 the CEP
III Transfer Agreements include forum selection clauses requiring lawsuits to be brought
only in England, Delaware state court, New York state court, or federal district court in
the Southern District of New York (the “CEP III FSCs” and, together with the CPV
FSCs, the “Transfer Agreements FSCs”).12
More pertinent for present purposes, however, are the releases found in the
Transfer Agreements (the “Releases”). The Complaint, at least, suggests that the
Releases are substantively identical case studies in garbled drafting. The Releases state:
In consideration of the promises and other consideration set
out herein: (a) Assignor [Bundora] and Assignee [third-party
purchaser] on the one hand; and (b) the General Partners and
the Partnership [Carlyle‟s Affiliates] on the other hand
(including in each case, each of their respective predecessors
in interest, successors in interest, present and former
Affiliates and any agents, representatives, officers, directors,
employees, executives, parents, shareholders, partners,
members, principals, subsidiaries and controlled companies,
heirs, executors, administrators, successors, assigns, sister or
10
Bonkowski Aff., supra note 4, Exs. 4 § 16, 9 § 16 [hereinafter, together, the “CEP
III TA COLPs”]. See infra Section II.A.3.a for a more in-depth discussion of the
choice of law provisions in the Transfer Agreements.
11
Bonkowski Aff., supra note 4, Exs. 5 § 14, 6 § 14, 7 § 14, 8 § 14, 10 § 14
(emphasis added).
12
Bonkowski Aff., supra note 4, Exs. 4 § 16, 9 § 16.
6
related companies and partnerships of the foregoing
(collectively, the “Related Parties”)) hereby fully release and
discharge the other and, in each case, the other‟s Related
Parties, from any and all obligations, claims, demands,
damages, liabilities, debts, dues, sums of money, accounts,
reckonings, bonds, bills, specialties, covenants, contracts,
controversies, agreements, promises, variances, trespasses,
judgments, extents and executions whatsoever, of whatever
kind or nature, actions, causes of action or suits at law or in
equity of whatever kind, state or federal, known or unknown,
suspected or unsuspected, whether brought in any federal or
state court, or in any court, arbitration proceeding,
administrative agency, or other forum in the United States or
elsewhere, which any of the releasing parties ever had or now
has, or may have in the future, upon or by reason of any
matter, cause or thing occurring on or prior to the Effective
Date, except as otherwise explicitly provided in this
Agreement.13
Plaintiffs contend that the Releases mean that Defendants, including Reijtenbagh and
Plaza, released all claims against Carlyle, even though only Bundora was a party to the
Transfer Agreements and even though the Releases were executed in connection with a
transfer of investments in CEP III and CPV, rather than in CCC. Defendants deny that
contention and argue that, among the persons and entities affiliated with Reijtenbagh,
only Bundora was bound by the Releases.
3. The Dutch Tolling Letters and SRCCC
Sometime after CCC was placed into liquidation in 2008, Reijtenbagh allegedly
engaged Lipman Karas, an Australian law firm with which he worked previously and to
which he allegedly had provided funding for prior litigation, to analyze potential claims
13
Bonkowski Aff., supra note 4, Exs. 4 § 9, 5 § 10, 6 § 10, 7 § 10, 8 § 10, 9 § 9, 10 §
10.
7
against Carlyle. The result of that retention was the “Lipman Karas Memo,” a copy of
which was provided to representatives of Carlyle. It is unclear whether the Lipman Karas
Memo was prepared before or after the Releases were signed.
The Complaint is silent as to the years 2010 and 2011, though it is possible
SRCCC was formed in one of those years. The next substantive activity occurred in the
summer of 2012. Reijtenbagh or his affiliates retained Lemstra van der Korst, a Dutch
law firm, to prepare letters of some import under Dutch law. The Complaint alleges that
the Dutch statute of limitations (here, Article 3:317 of the Dutch Civil Code) can be
interrupted in certain ways, such as by sending a special letter to such effect.14 In June or
July 2012, the former independent directors of CCC received two such letters: the
Moonmouth Letter and the SRCCC Letter (together, the “Dutch Tolling Letters”).
The Moonmouth Letter15 “recounted the circumstances of Moonmouth‟s $60
million investment in CCC and alleged that Plaintiffs are responsible for CCC‟s failure in
spring 2008.”16 Specifically, the Moonmouth Letter stated: “Moonmouth holds the
Carlyle Entities and the Policymakers liable, each individually as well as jointly, for all
the damage that it has sustained and any and all damage that it sustains in the future in
14
The Complaint and the limited record available on Defendants‟ motion to dismiss
provide little insight on the relevant details of Dutch law. Accordingly, this
description likely is a significant oversimplification.
15
Trans. Aff. of Shannon E. German [hereinafter “German Aff.”] Ex. 18 [hereinafter
“Moonmouth Letter”]. The Moonmouth Letter was sent in Dutch and English.
All citations are to the English version.
16
Compl. ¶ 55.
8
connection with the CCC Shares.”17 The Moonmouth Letter purported to interrupt the
statute of limitations on behalf of “Moonmouth, Plaza Management, Parbold, Mr
Reijtenbagh and any and all persons and/or legal entities affiliated with Mr Reijtenbagh,
in connection with the compensation of damage sustained in connection with the
investment in CCC . . . .”18 Plaintiffs allege that, but for the Moonmouth Letter, the
relevant statute of limitations would have expired on or before July 11, 2012.
The SRCCC Letter19 stated that “SRCCC‟s purpose—in accordance with its
Articles of Association—is representing the interests of all parties (both natural persons
and legal entities) that hold and/or held shares in” CCC.20 That group included Parbold
and Moonmouth. The SRCCC Letter, like the Moonmouth Letter, purported to toll the
statute of limitations on various claims and to hold Plaintiffs responsible for CCC‟s
failure and “for all the damages that the investors sustained and any and all damage that
they will sustain in the future in connection with the CCC Shares.”21
On September 6, 2012, Plaintiffs filed their initial Verified Complaint and
provided a copy to Lemstra van der Korst the next day. Within a week, Defendants‟
Dutch counsel responded by “disclaiming any intent . . . to pursue proceedings against
17
Moonmouth Letter, supra note 15, at 7.
18
Moonmouth Letter, supra note 15, at 8.
19
German Aff., supra note 15, Ex. 19. All citations are to the English version of the
SRCCC Letter.
20
German Aff., supra note 15, at 4.
21
German Aff., supra note 15, at 7.
9
Plaintiffs” and withdrawing the Dutch Tolling Letters.22 Thereafter, Plaintiffs apparently
provided a proposed stipulation to Defendants, which Defendants refused to sign and
which was not quoted in the Complaint. The stipulation allegedly would have confirmed
that: (a) the Dutch Tolling Letters no longer had any effect; (b) the statute of limitations
had run on Defendants‟ claims; and (c) Defendants would take no action in pursuit of
their claims outside of Delaware. Defendants characterize the proposed stipulation as
essentially a trap and contend that it greatly exceeded the scope of the forum selection
clauses at issue in this action.
4. The Guernsey Litigation
As of the date of this Memorandum Opinion, the Guernsey Litigation remains
pending. The Liquidators pursuing that action needed litigation funding. The Complaint
alleges that Reijtenbagh has a history of providing litigation funding, that Lipman Karas
is counsel to the Liquidators, and that the claims being pursued in the Guernsey
Litigation are substantially similar to the claims outlined in the Lipman Karas Memo.
Based on these facts, Plaintiffs allege that Reijtenbagh, directly or indirectly, is financing
the Guernsey Litigation and, as a result, is violating the Releases.
C. The Federal Removal Proceedings
Plaintiffs amended and filed the Complaint on October 23, 2012. Plaza removed
the case to federal court on December 18, 2012. Plaintiffs moved to remand on January
17, 2013. On August 14, 2013, the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware
22
Compl. ¶ 67.
10
remanded the case back to this Court on the grounds that: (1) the Subscription Agreement
FSC required all claims to be brought in the Delaware courts; and (2) Reijtenbagh,
Parbold, and Plaza, although not parties to the agreement, were bound by that clause by
virtue of being closely related to the Subscription Agreement.23 Plaza appealed.
On February 25, 2015, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed
the District Court‟s ruling (the “Third Circuit Decision”).24 The Third Circuit analyzed
the Subscription Agreement FSC and concluded that it was valid and that Plaza, Parbold,
and Reijtenbagh were closely related to the agreement and therefore bound by the forum
selection clause. The Court also rejected Defendants‟ argument that Plaintiffs lacked
standing to enforce the Subscription Agreement FSC.
As an independent alternative holding, the Third Circuit determined that the
Transfer Agreements FSCs also required this litigation to proceed in Delaware state
court. According to the Third Circuit, all Defendants are bound by that clause because
they are affiliates of signatory Bundora. Implicit in that holding as to the Transfer
Agreements is a finding that Plaintiffs also have standing to enforce the Transfer
Agreement. Finally, the Court of Appeals rejected Defendants‟ argument that Plaintiffs
were estopped from enforcing the forum selection clause in the Subscription Agreement
23
Carlyle Inv. Mgmt., LLC v. Plaza Mgmt. Overseas S.A., 2013 WL 4407685, at *2
(D. Del. Aug. 14, 2013).
24
Carlyle Inv. Mgmt., LLC v. Plaza Mgmt. Overseas S.A., 779 F.3d 214 (3d Cir.
2015).
11
because, according to Defendants, they had pled that the Releases negated the
Subscription Agreement and, hence, its forum selection clause.
D. Procedural History
Although this case remains at the pleadings stage, it has a long and tortured
history, as exemplified by the fact that this Court alone now has issued three written
opinions in it. After Plaza attempted unsuccessfully to remove the case and during the
pendency of its appeal of the remand, Defendants argued simultaneously for a stay of this
action and moved to dismiss or, in the alternative, to strike portions of the Complaint in
this Court. After the parties briefed the motions to stay, dismiss, and strike, Defendants
submitted a letter identifying additional cases supporting their position that were not
mentioned during their initial briefing.25 Predictably, this triggered a new round of
submissions.
I heard argument on the motions on May 6, 2014 (the “Argument”), at which time
I stayed this action pending resolution of the appeal to the Third Circuit. I allowed
discovery to proceed, however, solely on the issue of personal jurisdiction. Defendants
then moved for a protective order and for reconsideration. On August 21, 2014, I issued
a letter opinion denying those motions.26
25
In their Opening Brief, Defendants already had cited sixty-five cases.
26
Carlyle Inv. Mgmt., LLC v. Moonmouth Co., S.A., 2014 WL 4104702 (Del. Ch.
Aug. 21, 2014).
12
Although the lion‟s share of this case was stayed at the time, the Guernsey
Liquidators almost immediately moved to intervene and filed yet another motion for a
protective order. After lengthy briefing on that motion, I heard argument on it and
rendered partial rulings, which were followed by still further briefing. On February 24,
2015, I issued a Memorandum Opinion resolving most of the remaining issues raised by
the Guernsey Liquidators‟ motions.27
The next day, the Third Circuit issued its decision affirming the District Court‟s
remand order. As a consequence, Defendants‟ pending, fully briefed and argued motion
to dismiss reappeared on this Court‟s radar. The parties filed supplemental briefs as to
the effects of the Third Circuit Decision on the motion to dismiss, which arguably were
significant. I then took the matter under advisement and determined to proceed without
further argument.
II. ANALYSIS
A. Motion to Dismiss
1. Standard of review
Pursuant to Court of Chancery Rule 12(b)(6), this Court may grant a motion to
dismiss for failure to state a claim if a complaint does not assert sufficient facts that, if
proven, would entitle the plaintiff to relief. “[T]he governing pleading standard in
27
Carlyle Inv. Mgmt., LLC v. Moonmouth Co., S.A., 2015 WL 778846 (Del. Ch. Feb.
24, 2015).
13
Delaware to survive a motion to dismiss is reasonable „conceivability.‟” 28 That is, when
considering such a motion, a court must “accept all well-pleaded factual allegations in the
Complaint as true . . . , draw all reasonable inferences in favor of the plaintiff, and deny
the motion unless the plaintiff could not recover under any reasonably conceivable set of
circumstances susceptible of proof.”29 This reasonable “conceivability” standard asks
whether there is a “possibility” of recovery.30 The court, however, need not “accept
conclusory allegations unsupported by specific facts or . . . draw unreasonable inferences
in favor of the non-moving party.”31 Moreover, failure to plead an element of a claim
precludes entitlement to relief, and, therefore, is grounds to dismiss that claim.32
Generally, the court will consider only the pleadings on a motion to dismiss under
Rule 12(b)(6). “A judge may consider documents outside of the pleadings only when: (1)
the document is integral to a plaintiff‟s claim and incorporated in the complaint or (2) the
document is not being relied upon to prove the truth of its contents.”33
28
Cent. Mortg. Co. v. Morgan Stanley Mortg. Capital Hldgs. LLC, 27 A.3d 531, 537
(Del. 2011) (footnote omitted).
29
Id. at 536 (citing Savor, Inc. v. FMR Corp., 812 A.2d 894, 896-97 (Del. 2002)).
30
Id. at 537 & n.13.
31
Price v. E.I. duPont de Nemours & Co., Inc., 26 A.3d 162, 166 (Del. 2011) (citing
Clinton v. Enter. Rent-A-Car Co., 977 A.2d 892, 895 (Del. 2009)).
32
Crescent/Mach I P’rs, L.P. v. Turner, 846 A.2d 963, 972 (Del. Ch. 2000) (Steele,
V.C., by designation).
33
Allen v. Encore Energy P’rs, 72 A.3d 93, 96 n.2 (Del. 2013).
14
2. Law of the case versus collateral estoppel
a. Distinction between the doctrines
Defendants‟ efforts to remove this case to federal court resulted in the Third
Circuit Decision. Defendants argue that the law of the case doctrine should guide this
Court‟s treatment of the effect of that decision; Plaintiffs assert that collateral estoppel
governs. Although similarities exist between the law of the case doctrine and collateral
estoppel, there are some important distinctions. I conclude that the Third Circuit
Decision is entitled to collateral estoppel effect in this action.
“The law of the case doctrine, like the stare decisis doctrine, is founded on the
principle of stability and respect for court processes and precedent.”34 “The law of the
case is established when a specific legal principle is applied to an issue presented by facts
which remain constant throughout litigation.”35 In practical terms, the doctrine appears
most often when a trial court is required to give effect to law established in a case after it
has been appealed and the appellate court has ruled on the relevant issues.36 The doctrine
also applies to decisions rendered by a court that arise again later in the same court, in the
same proceedings—i.e., a ruling at the summary judgment stage that also applies at the
post-trial stage.37 In more simplified terms, the law of the case doctrine operates as a
34
Gannett Co. v. Kanaga, 750 A.2d 1174, 1181 (Del. 2000).
35
Hoskins v. State, 102 A.3d 724, 729 (Del. 2014) (quoting Kenton v. Kenton, 571
A.2d 778, 784 (Del. 1990)) (internal quotations omitted).
36
See Motorola Inc. v. Amkor Tech., Inc., 958 A.2d 852, 860-61 (Del. 2008).
37
Taylor v. Jones, 2006 WL 1510437, at *5-6 (Del. Ch. May 26, 2006).
15
form of intra-litigation stare decisis. But, like stare decisis, the “law of the case doctrine
is neither inflexible nor an absolute bar to reconsideration of a prior decision that is
„clearly wrong, produces an injustice, or should be revisited because of changed
circumstances.‟”38
Collateral estoppel, on the other hand, which is “also known as issue preclusion,
prevents a party who litigated an issue in one forum from later relitigating that issue in
another forum.”39 Under Delaware law, “the „preclusive effect of a foreign judgment is
measured by [the] standards of the rendering forum.‟”40 Accordingly, in this instance, the
law of the Third Circuit controls. In the Third Circuit, “[i]ssue preclusion applies when
„(1) the issue sought to be precluded [is] the same as that involved in the prior action; (2)
that issue [was] actually litigated; (3) it [was] determined by a final and valid judgment;
and (4) the determination [was] essential to the prior judgment.‟” 41 While there are
exceptions to the law of the case doctrine, “collateral estoppel is considered an absolute
bar to relitigation of an issue.”42 Another distinction is that the law of the case doctrine
38
Advanced Litig., LLC v. Herzka, 2006 WL 2338044, at *5 (Del. Ch. Aug. 10,
2006) (quoting Hamilton v. State, 831 A.2d 881, 887 (Del. 2003)).
39
Yucaipa Am. Alliance Fund I, LP v. SBDRE LLC, 2014 WL 5509787, at *11 (Del.
Ch. Oct. 31, 2014).
40
Acierno v. New Castle Cty., 679 A.2d 455, 459 (Del. 1996) (quoting Columbia
Cas. Co. v. Playtex F.P., Inc., 584 A.2d 1214, 1217 (Del. 1991)).
41
In re Graham, 973 F.2d 1089, 1097 (3d Cir. 1992) (quoting In re Braen, 900 F.2d
621, 628-29 n.5 (3d Cir. 1990)). See also Leyse v. Bank of Am., Nat’l Ass’n, 538
Fed. App‟x 156, 158-59 (3d Cir. 2013) (identical statement of the standard).
42
Izquierdo v. Sills, 2004 WL 2290811, at *4 n.28 (Del. Ch. June 29, 2004).
16
applies only to questions of law.43 Collateral estoppel generally is thought of as applying
to questions of fact,44 but under federal law, at least, collateral estoppel also bars
relitigation of legal issues.45
In most cases, distinctions between collateral estoppel and the law of the case
doctrine are immaterial. Indeed, in the one instance, of which I am aware, that this Court
addressed which doctrine applies to a federal remand order, the Court did not need to
dilate upon those distinctions. Instead, the Court considered “the determinations of the
federal court, as to those issues also before this Court, binding as a general matter of
estoppel.”46 Here, as discussed in Section II.A.3.b infra, Defendants have contended that
at least one of the Third Circuit‟s determinations was clearly erroneous in an attempt to
satisfy an exception to the law of the case doctrine. Defendants have not argued that
there is such an exception to collateral estoppel.
Based on the circumstances of this case, I conclude that the doctrine of collateral
estoppel should guide my analysis of the effect of the Third Circuit Decision. The law of
43
Id.
44
See Betts v. Townsends, Inc., 765 A.2d 531, 534 (Del. 2000) (“Essentially, res
judicata bars a court or administrative agency from reconsidering conclusions of
law previously adjudicated while collateral estoppel bars relitigation of issues of
fact previously adjudicated.”).
45
See United States v. Stauffer Chem. Co., 464 U.S. 165, 170-71 (1984) (“As
commonly explained, the doctrine of collateral estoppel can apply to preclude
relitigation of both issues of law and issues of fact if those issues were
conclusively determined in a prior action.”).
46
Izquierdo, 2004 WL 2290811, at *4 n.28.
17
the case doctrine, by its terms, contemplates one continuous action within the same court
system. Both the rulings I issue and the rulings issued on appeal by the Delaware
Supreme Court would be binding as law of the case. Analogizing the law of the case
doctrine to stare decisis makes sense within this setting: the rulings of the Supreme Court
are controlling precedent in Delaware, but, in the course of the same case, the Supreme
Court later could modify or clarify its previous ruling. In theory, a litigant could appeal,
lose, appeal again, and the Supreme Court could change course. That possibility simply
does not exist with respect to the Third Circuit Decision. Defendants could have
appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, but they cannot now appeal back to the District of
Delaware or the Third Circuit.
These facts point to a related issue: the federal proceedings, although part of this
case, were essentially a completely separate action. Those proceedings concerned the
same parties litigating whether Defendants could remove this case to federal court, an
issue governed by federal law. In the course of the proceedings, the Third Circuit made
final and binding rulings of law and fact, some of which are relevant to this litigation.
This scenario readily falls within the contours of collateral estoppel: the parties litigated a
different question in another set of courts, but now seek to litigate some of the same
underlying issues in this Court. Therefore, I view the federal court proceedings as a
separate action and analyze the Third Circuit Decision in terms of collateral estoppel.
18
b. Collaterally estopped arguments
As to several issues in dispute in relation to Defendants‟ motion to dismiss, the
Third Circuit Decision readily satisfies all of the conditions for collateral estoppel.47 That
is, as to the issues discussed below, I find that they: (1) are the same in both cases; (2)
were actually litigated; (3) were determined by a final and valid judgment; and (4) were
essential to that judgment.
First, the Third Circuit held that Plaintiffs could enforce the Subscription
Agreement. Second, the Third Circuit held that Plaintiffs were not judicially estopped
from enforcing the Subscription Agreement. Third, the Third Circuit concluded that: (i)
Defendants were closely related to the Subscription Agreement FSC, which the court
otherwise found valid; and (ii) therefore, that clause could be enforced against them. As
such, because the Subscription Agreement FSC states that the “courts of the State of
Delaware shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any action, suit or proceeding with
respect to this Subscription Agreement,”48 the Third Circuit concluded that jurisdiction in
this Court is proper.
The Subscription Agreement FSC further provides, among other things, that “the
Investor hereby submits to such jurisdiction [i.e., in the state courts of Delaware].”49
Accordingly, because Defendants are collaterally estopped from arguing that the
47
One issue relating to the Transfer Agreements is less clear; I address that question
in Section II.A.3.b infra.
48
SA, supra note 4, § 8.
49
SA, supra note 4, § 8.
19
Subscription Agreement FSC does not apply to them, Defendants‟ motion to dismiss for
lack of personal jurisdiction is denied.
3. Count I: Breach of the Releases
Defendants move to dismiss Count I of the Complaint on the grounds that it fails
to state a claim for which relief can be granted. The interpretation of a contract is a
question of law.50 “[D]efendants are not entitled to dismissal under Rule 12(b)(6) unless
the interpretation of the contract on which their theory of the case rests is the „only
reasonable construction as a matter of law.‟”51 If there is more than one reasonable
construction of contractual language, then the contract is ambiguous.52 Contractual
language, however, “is not ambiguous simply because the parties disagree on its
meaning.”53 Instead, the court will apply standard principles and canons of construction
in construing the contract.
50
See, e.g., Seidensticker v. Gasparilla Inn, Inc., 2007 WL 4054473, at *2 (Del. Ch.
Nov. 8, 2007) (citing HIFN, Inc. v. Intel Corp., 2007 WL 1309376, at *9 (Del. Ch.
May 2, 2007)); see also AHS N.M. Hldgs., Inc. v. Healthsource, Inc., 2007 WL
431051, at *3 (Del. Ch. Feb. 2, 2007) (“Under general principles of contract law,
interpretation of contractual language is purely a question of law.”).
51
Kahn v. Portnoy, 2008 WL 5197164, at *3 (Del. Ch. Dec. 11, 2008) (quoting
VLIW Tech., LLC v. Hewlett-Packard Co., 840 A.2d 606, 615 (Del. 2003)).
52
VLIW Tech., 840 A.2d at 615 (“Ambiguity exists „when the provisions in
controversy are reasonably or fairly susceptible of different interpretations.‟”
(quoting Vanderbilt Income & Growth Assocs. v. Arvida/JMB Managers, Inc., 691
A.2d 609, 613 (Del. 1996))).
53
E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Inc. v. Allstate Ins. Co., 693 A.2d 1059, 1061
(Del. 1997).
20
Plaintiffs contend that the Third Circuit Decision undercuts several of Defendants‟
arguments. For their part, Defendants deny that they are bound by the Releases and
contend that even if they were, no breach of the Releases has been pled. I address these
issues in turn after first exploring a choice of law question.
a. Choice of law
As an initial matter, I note that the parties appear to have sidestepped a lurking
choice of law question in arguing the motion to dismiss. The CPV Transfer Agreements
are governed entirely by New York law.54 The CEP III Transfer Agreements, on the
other hand, are governed by split choice of law clauses that read as follows:
This Agreement and the rights of the parties under this
Agreement and the Partnership Agreement are governed by,
and shall be construed in accordance with, English law,
except that the term “gross negligence” as referred to in the
Partnership Agreement shall have the meaning given to it
under, and be governed and construed and interpreted in
accordance with, the laws of the State of New York in the
United States.55
The Releases in the CEP III Transfer Agreements do not contain, among their many
words, the term “gross negligence.” That term also does not appear in the briefing on the
motion to dismiss. For purposes of Defendants‟ motion, therefore, I assume those
Releases are governed by English law.
54
CPV TA COLPs, supra note 9.
55
CEP III TA COLPs, supra note 10.
21
This Court is not expert in English law, and the parties failed to make any effort to
explain English law on this subject or to cite any English cases.56 Instead, they assumed
New York law, which governs the CPV Transfer Agreements, applies. In these
circumstances, I assume for purposes of Defendants‟ motion to dismiss that there are no
material differences between New York and English law regarding the issues presented
by that motion,57 and I interpret the Releases under New York law.
b. Is the Third Circuit Decision determinative on whether the Releases were
breached?
The Third Circuit held, in the alternative, that Defendants are bound by the CEP
III FSCs (the “Alternative Ruling”). This implies that Plaintiffs have standing to enforce
56
Defendants did cite one New York Supreme Court decision as supporting their
position under English law: MBIA Ins. Corp. v. Royal Bank of Can., 2010 WL
3294302 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. Aug. 19, 2010). That court relied on expert affidavits on
English law. Id. at *24 (“Accordingly, for purposes of this decision, the Court
must accept that, under English law, there are no circumstances under which a
non-party to a contract may be held liable for its breach and, therefore, if English
law applies, there is no basis to hold RBCCMC and RBC Europe liable on the
relevant contracts.”). Ultimately, however, it does not appear that the New York
Supreme Court addressed the substance of English law because it found that the
allegations in the complaint “are simply insufficient to plead a breach of contract
claim as against these non-parties.” Id. (citing a New York case).
57
See Ashall Homes Ltd. v. ROK Entm’t Gp. Inc., 992 A.2d 1239, 1245-46 (Del. Ch.
2010) (“Here, the agreements clearly chose English law to govern the parties‟
relationship . . . . It is telling, however, that neither party has cited to English
law—the law for which they bargained—in its briefing on this motion to any
material degree. That illustrates the basic problem with adjudicating this dispute
in Delaware: this court does not have—and cannot pretend to have—the same
knowledge of English law or even access to English sources as the courts of
England. In deference to the English courts, for which this court has great respect,
and because the parties have not cited to English law to an appreciable extent, the
analysis will proceed under Delaware law.”) (footnotes omitted).
22
the Transfer Agreements. I conclude that this holding is entitled to collateral estoppel
effect here. Defendants contend that the Alternative Ruling was merely dicta and, in any
event, was clearly erroneous under Delaware law.
The Alternative Ruling was not dicta. The Third Circuit Decision indicates that it
is an independent alternative holding.58 Coincidentally, I recently addressed the issue of
the collateral estoppel effect of alternative holdings under Third Circuit law and
determined that they are entitled to preclusive effect.59
In addition, I conclude for two independent reasons that I need not address
Defendants‟ further argument that the Alternative Ruling was clearly erroneous. First, I
have determined that collateral estoppel, not the law of the case doctrine, governs this
question. Thus, even if the Alternative Ruling was clearly erroneous under Delaware
law, it still would be entitled to preclusive effect on the issue decided.
Second, I disagree with Plaintiffs‟ assertion that the Alternative Ruling
necessitates a finding that the Releases bind Defendants. According to Plaintiffs, the
Third Circuit Decision held that the plain language of the CEP III FSCs binds Bundora‟s
affiliates, including Plaza and Reijtenbagh. Plaintiffs ask me to extrapolate from that
58
Carlyle Inv. Mgmt., 779 F.3d at 220-21 (“Carlyle argues that we could also affirm
the District Court‟s remand on the alternative ground that one of the agreements
containing a release that Carlyle seeks to enforce also contains an enforceable
forum selection clause. We agree.”).
59
Yucaipa Am. Alliance Fund I, LP, 2014 WL 5509787, at *12 n.52 (“[T]he Third
Circuit recently took a side in the circuit split over the preclusive effect of
alternative judgments . . . [and] came down firmly on the side of giving preclusive
effect to . . . [alternative] holdings.”).
23
holding and conclude that because the Third Circuit held that the CEP III Transfer
Agreements could bind Bundora‟s affiliates via the CEP III FSCs, the Transfer
Agreements also could bind Plaza and Reijtenbagh via the Releases. The elements of
collateral estoppel, however, are not satisfied with respect to the latter proposition.
Collateral estoppel requires that an issue be “actually litigated.” While I have no
doubt that Defendants actually litigated whether the Transfer Agreements allowed
removal to federal court, the issue of the Releases was not litigated. As noted, the
Releases are governed by New York and English law. The alternative holding section of
the Third Circuit‟s opinion cited only two Third Circuit cases relevant to whether the
removal standard was satisfied. No cases were cited from New York, England, or even
Delaware. While I consider the personal jurisdiction issue here to have been resolved by
the Third Circuit Decision, the elements of collateral estoppel do not go so far as to allow
me to conclude that, because the Third Circuit held that the CEP III FSCs precluded
removal under 28 U.S.C. § 1441(a)—the federal removal statute—the Releases also bind
Plaza and Reijtenbagh. That issue was not actually litigated.
c. Are Defendants bound by the Releases?
For Defendants to succeed on their Rule 12(b)(6) motion, they must show that
their interpretation of the Releases is the only reasonable interpretation. Defendants
argue that the Releases—which their counsel described at the Argument as “extremely
poorly worded releases, poorly constructed releases”60—are unambiguous and do not
60
Arg. Tr. 66.
24
bind nonsignatories Plaza and Reijtenbagh. Plaintiffs contend that the Releases
unambiguously do bind Defendants or, at a minimum, that the Releases are ambiguous.
For the reasons that follow, I conclude that Defendants‟ construction is not the only
reasonable one and therefore the Releases are ambiguous.
At the outset, I reject Defendants‟ argument that they cannot be bound under any
circumstances because they were non-parties to the contract.61 Plaintiffs are not, as
Defendants contend, attempting to hold Reijtenbagh and Plaza liable because they signed
the agreement as Bundora‟s representatives. Plaintiffs‟ argument, properly understood, is
that Defendants are bound because Bundora agreed to release its Related Parties‟ claims
and that Bundora had the actual or apparent authority to do so. I return to this point infra.
First, however, I address Defendants‟ textual argument.
The relevant portion of the Releases states:
In consideration of the promises and other consideration set
out herein: (a) Assignor [Bundora] and Assignee [third-party
purchaser] on the one hand; and (b) the General Partners and
the Partnership [Carlyle] on the other hand (including in each
case, [a long list of related individuals or entities]
(collectively, the “Related Parties”)) hereby fully release and
discharge the other and, in each case, the other‟s Related
Parties . . . .
61
With respect to this broad assertion, I do consider the Third Circuit Decision to be
entitled to collateral estoppel effect. Specifically, the Third Circuit‟s holding that
Reijtenbagh and Plaza were bound by the CEP III FSCs even though they were not
signatories is binding in this action. Carlyle Inv. Mgmt., 779 F.3d at 220-21. The
Third Circuit Decision in this regard, however, dealt only with forum selection
clauses.
25
Defendants argue that reading this language so as to release Bundora‟s affiliates‟ claims
against Carlyle would violate three separate canons of contract interpretation: (1) the “last
antecedent rule”; (2) a heretofore unnamed doctrine about semicolons; and (3) the rule
against surplusage. I address these contentions in turn.
The crux of the disagreement concerns who is bound by the phrase “hereby fully
release and discharge the other and, in each case, the other‟s Related Parties.”
Defendants argue that the Releases state that Bundora and its purchaser [A] “on the one
hand” and Carlyle‟s Affiliates [B] “on the other hand,” including Related Parties [C],62
release each other [A and B release each other; A and B‟s C release each other] and, “in
each case, the other‟s Related Parties” [B and B‟s C release A‟s C]. Under this view,
Bundora released its claims against Carlyle‟s Affiliates and their Related Parties and
received releases from Carlyle‟s Affiliates and their Related Parties and Bundora‟s
Related Parties received—but did not give—releases from Carlyle‟s Affiliates and their
Related Parties. This interpretation holds that Bundora and its Related Parties, including
Plaza and Reijtenbagh, received releases of greater scope than they granted. Plaintiffs
instead argue that the Releases were mutual in nature and work like this: Bundora and its
Related Parties release Carlyle‟s Affiliates and their Related Parties [A and A‟s C release
62
Because of the parties‟ fairly complicated arguments, I use this [A], [B], and [C]
construction in an attempt to explain those arguments more easily. [A] means “(a)
Assignor [Bundora] and Assignee [third-party purchaser].” [B] means “(b) the
General Partners and the Partnership [collectively, Carlyle‟s Affiliates].” [C]
means the entire parenthetical “(including in each case, [a long list of related
individuals or entities] (collectively, the “Related Parties”)).”
26
B and B‟s C] and Carlyle‟s Affiliates and their Related Parties release Bundora and its
Related Parties [B and B‟s C release A and A‟s C].
Defendants support their interpretation first by invoking the “last antecedent rule”
to argue that the “Related Parties” parenthetical applies only to [B], Carlyle‟s Affiliates,
and not to [A], Bundora. According to Defendants, “[u]nder the „rule of the last
antecedent, . . . a limiting clause or phrase . . . should ordinarily be read as modifying
only the noun or phrase that it immediately follows.‟”63 Thus, under this rule of
construction, “the series „A or B with respect to C‟ contains two items: (1) „A‟ and (2) „B
with respect to C.‟”64 Although, for the reasons stated supra, New York law guides this
inquiry, Defendants have not identified any clear New York precedent on the
applicability of the last antecedent rule. Instead, Defendants cited a Second Circuit
decision, Enron Creditors Recovery Corp. v. Alfa, S.A.B. de C.V., which interprets the
federal bankruptcy statute, and a Third Circuit opinion, Stepnowski v. C.I.R. Stepnowski
further identifies a “rule of grammar” under which “the series „A or B, with respect to C‟
contains these two items: (1) „A with respect to C‟ and (2) „B with respect to C.‟”65
63
Enron Creditors Recovery Corp. v. Alfa, S.A.B. de C.V., 651 F.3d 329, 335 (2d
Cir. 2011) (quoting Barnhart v. Thomas, 540 U.S. 20, 26 (2003)) (ellipses in
original).
64
Stepnowski v. C.I.R., 456 F.3d 320, 324 n.7 (3d Cir. 2006).
65
Id. The “on the one hand; and . . . on the other hand” structure of the Releases
does not fit exactly within either formulation described in Stepnowski. In my
view, that structure provides more support for Plaintiffs‟ construction than
Defendants‟.
27
Defendants argue that the fact that [A] and [B] are separated by a semicolon, not a
comma, strengthens their case for applying the last antecedent rule. Digging deep into
the well of precedent, but apparently finding no New York law, Defendants rely chiefly
on a United States Customs Court case from 1953 in which that court interpreted a clause
similar to the one here and held: “[The paragraph] contains two distinct clauses separated
by a semicolon. The parenthetical matter is placed at the end of the second clause and is
not separated from it by any punctuation other than the parentheses. It is clear, therefore,
that the parenthetical matter refers only to the second clause.”66 Again, Defendants rely
mainly on several cases outside of New York to support their position.67 Furthermore,
the cited New York cases are not as clearly on point as Defendants‟ parentheticals would
suggest. It is true that, under New York law, “punctuation and grammatical construction
are reliable signposts.”68 The language of a contract, however, must be read as a whole
and “may disclose an intention which would be thwarted by a strict grammatical
construction,” in which case courts should “refuse to follow a signpost when it appears
66
Hirschberg v. United States, 30 Cust. Ct. 104, 107 (Cust. Ct. Mar. 5, 1953).
67
Wilm. Sav. Fund Soc’y, FSB v. Chillibilly’s, Inc., 2005 WL 1654028, at *1 (Del.
Super. June 10) (interpreting the semicolon in Superior Court Rule 6(b)), aff’d,
886 A.2d 1279 (Del. 2005) (TABLE); McLeod v. Nagle, 48 F.2d 189, 191 (9th
Cir. 1931) (“The semicolon effectually isolates the opening clause and its
dependent phrase from the other and subsequent clauses.”).
68
Wirth & Hamid Fair Booking Inc. v. Wirth, 192 N.E. 297, 299 (N.Y. 1934). See
also Amusement Consultants v. Hartford Life Ins. Co., 625 N.Y.S.2d 901, 903,
214 A.D.2d 442, 443 (N.Y. App. Div. 1995) (quoting Wirth & Hamid, 192 N.E. at
299).
28
that it points in the wrong direction.”69 Indeed, it appears that under New York law, “in a
contract containing punctuation marks, the words and not the punctuation guide us in its
interpretation,” and “[p]unctuation is always subordinate to the text and is never allowed
to control its meaning.”70 As such, there is no hard-and-fast “semicolon doctrine” under
New York law.71
Finally, Defendants rely on the principle that all terms of a contract are to be given
effect whenever possible, and that surplusage is to be avoided. Defendants argue that, if
clause [C] applied to both clauses [A] and [B], then the phrase “and, in each case, the
other‟s Related Parties” would be superfluous because each of the Related Parties already
would be included in the portion of the Releases stating “hereby fully release and
discharge the other,” i.e., [A] and [B] each definitionally would include [C]. Under
Defendants‟ contrary, but rather strained, interpretation, the phrase “and, in each case, the
other‟s Related Parties” purportedly is not superfluous because it means that Bundora‟s
69
Wirth & Hamid, 192 N.E. at 299.
70
Banco Espirito Santo, S.A. v. Concessionaria Do Rodoanel Oeste S.A., 100 A.D.
3d 100, 108, 951 N.Y.S.2d 19, 26 (N.Y. App. Div. 2012).
71
Relying on other non-New York cases, Defendants contend that the combination
of the last antecedent rule and the semicolon doctrine significantly strengthens
their interpretation, and that the drafters of the Releases “unquestionably
interpreted” the Releases as Defendants contend. Nat’l Sur. Corp. v. Midland
Bank, 551 F.2d 21, 34 (3d Cir. 1977) (“Had the modifying phrase been intended to
relate to more than its last antecedent, a comma could have been used to set off the
modifier from the entire series.”); Tidal Oil Co. v. Roelfs, 187 P. 486, 487 (Okla.
1920) (“[I]f the parties intended the restrictive clause to apply to both antecedents,
they undoubtedly would have set it off by a comma.”).
29
and the purchaser‟s Related Parties are receiving releases that they are not granting
reciprocally.
Even assuming Defendants‟ interpretation is reasonable, I find that it is not the
only reasonable interpretation. In fact, Plaintiffs‟ contrary interpretation is at least as
strong because it begins with the actual text of the Releases and then moves to canons of
construction to confirm that reading. Plaintiffs‟ interpretation also more closely aligns
with the New York cases cited by the parties.
Plaintiffs focus on the phrase “in each case” in the Releases. The Releases take
four entities and break them into two groups. Clause [A] refers to “Assignor [Bundora]
and Assignee [third-party purchaser] on the one hand” and Clause [B] refers to “the
General Partners and the Partnership [collectively, Carlyle‟s Affiliates] on the other
hand.” The parenthetical then begins “including in each case . . .” the other‟s Related
Parties [C]. There are two possible readings of “in each case.” The first, Defendants‟,
posits that the phrase “in each case” must be read to refer to the cases of “the General
Partners” and “the Partnership.” That interpretation is questionable. Plaintiffs‟ proposed
construction instead reads “in each case” to refer to [A] (Bundora and the purchaser) on
the one hand and [B] (the Partnership and the General Partners) on the other hand.
Plaintiffs contend that their interpretation of “in each case” is more reasonable than
Defendants‟ reading because Plaintiffs‟ version comports with the two-sided structure
used to define the parties to the Releases.
Two facts bolster Plaintiffs‟ reading. First, the releasing language—“hereby fully
release and discharge the other and, in each case, the other‟s Related Parties”—treats
30
“other” as singular. This is because the four parties—Bundora, the purchaser,
Partnership, and General Partners—have been defined into two groups, [A] and [B], with
each having one “other”—i.e., Bundora and the purchaser, together, are the “other” for
the Partnership and the General Partners, together, and vice versa. Second, the phrase “in
each case” appears again later in the Releases. As a general rule of construction, courts
“may presume that the same words used in different parts of a writing have the same
meaning.”72 Under Plaintiffs‟ interpretation, “in each case” means the same thing both
times it is used: [A] and [B]. By contrast, Defendants‟ interpretation requires interpreting
“in each case” the first time to mean the Partnership and the General Partners and the
second time to mean Bundora and the purchaser on the one hand and the Partnership and
the General Partners on the other hand. In sum, Plaintiffs argue that the last antecedent
rule does not apply, and that the semicolon should be given little or no weight, because
the text of the Releases indicates that the parties had a contrary intention.
Plaintiffs‟ interpretation, however, arguably creates a surplusage problem. If both
[A] and [B] include [C], the Related Parties, then it arguably should have been sufficient
to “release and discharge the other.” Plaintiffs contend that the phrase “and, in each case,
the other‟s Related Parties” is not superfluous because “Related Parties” is a separately
defined term, and a release of “the other” only would involve [A] and [B] mutually
releasing each other. Thus, according to Plaintiffs, the clause “in each case, the other‟s
72
Finest Invs. v. Sec. Trust Co. of Rochester, 468 N.Y.S.2d 256, 258 (App. Div.
1983), aff’d, 462 N.E.2d 897 (N.Y. 1984) (TABLE).
31
Related Parties” is required. This reading is questionable. The parenthetical may create a
new defined term, but it is unclear why. The parenthetical begins “(including in each
case . . .” which textually appears to be defining “each case” ([A] and [B]) as including
the list of entities comprising the Related Parties ([C]) of those entities. Plaintiffs aver
that the “in each case, the other‟s Related Parties” language clarifies that Related Parties
in fact are being released—i.e., that clause eliminates a potential ambiguity as to whether
Related Parties were both granting releases and being released. That argument may
ultimately prevail, but the language of the Releases is not clear. Based on the
countervailing problems with Defendants‟ interpretation, however—namely the excessive
reliance on the last antecedent rule and the semicolon when the text seemingly points in
the opposite direction—I do not find the potential surplusage problem with Plaintiffs‟
reading so serious as to render their interpretation unreasonable.
Because there are at least two reasonable interpretations—albeit two
interpretations that each suffer from various shortcomings—I conclude that the Releases
are ambiguous and that dismissal on the basis of Defendants‟ proffered construction is
not appropriate. Accordingly, at this procedural stage and for purposes of this
Memorandum Opinion, I conclude that the Releases conceivably could textually bind
Bundora‟s Related Parties, including both Plaza and Reijtenbagh.
Defendants further argue that even if the plain text of the Releases purports to bind
Bundora‟s Related Parties, Count I should be dismissed because non-parties to the
32
contract cannot be bound.73 Most of Defendants‟ argument on this issue simply
misconstrues Plaintiffs‟ argument. Defendants contend that directors are not liable under
a corporation‟s contract simply because they are directors. But, this is beside the point.
Instead, Plaintiffs‟ primary argument is that Reijtenbagh and Plaza are bound by
the Releases under principles of agency.74 This argument posits that Bundora released its
Related Parties‟ claims and that Bundora had either actual or apparent authority to do so
because those Related Parties (Plaza and Reijtenbagh) read the Transfer Agreements,
including the Releases, and signed them (Reijtenbagh signed as a director of Plaza, which
was Bundora‟s sole director). Defendants‟ argument that Bundora was not acting as a
direct agent eventually may be proven true, but it ignores the apparent authority problem.
I have concluded that the Releases conceivably could be interpreted as releasing
Bundora‟s Related Parties‟ claims. That Plaza, as Bundora‟s director, executed the
Transfer Agreement and that Reijtenbagh, as Plaza‟s director, signed the Transfer
Agreements supports an agency theory.75 Whether Bundora had the authority to release
73
As noted previously, the Third Circuit Decision preclusively rejected this
argument as it applies to the forum selection clauses.
74
See Pls.‟ Answering Br. 21-23. Plaintiffs‟ argument that Reijtenbagh and Plaza
“manifested an intent to be bound” under the Releases is similar to this agency
issue and depends on disputed facts.
75
Defendants argue that the Complaint does not plead an agency theory. I disagree.
The Complaint explicitly pleads that “Reijtenbagh caused Bundora to execute” the
Transfer Agreements, Compl. ¶ 47, and that “by agreeing to and executing the
Transfer Agreements and Releases for valuable consideration, the Reijtenbagh
Defendants released any and all claims they had or may have had against
33
Reijtenbagh‟s and Plaza‟s claims cannot be resolved on a motion to dismiss because the
Complaint pleads facts that make such a finding reasonably conceivable.
For the foregoing reasons, I conclude that the Releases could have released all of
Reijtenbagh‟s and Plaza‟s claims against Carlyle and that it is reasonably conceivable
that Bundora had the authority to execute such a release or that Reijtenbagh and Plaza
otherwise were bound by it.
d. Has a breach of the Releases been pled?
Defendants argue that, even if they are bound by the Releases and had released all
of their claims against Carlyle, no breach of the Releases has been pled. Although the
briefing focused primarily on the alleged funding of the Guernsey Litigation, the Dutch
Tolling Letters and the formation of SRCCC are also at issue.
The Releases broadly released:
any and all obligations, claims, demands, damages, liabilities,
debts, dues, sums of money, accounts, reckonings, bonds,
bills, specialties, covenants, contracts, controversies,
agreements, promises, variances, trespasses, judgments,
extents and executions whatsoever, of whatever kind or
nature, actions, causes of action or suits at law or in equity of
whatever kind, state or federal, known or unknown, suspected
or unsuspected, whether brought in any federal or state court,
or in any court, arbitration proceeding, administrative agency,
or other forum in the United States or elsewhere, which any
of the releasing parties ever had or now has, or may have in
the future, upon or by reason of any matter, cause or thing
occurring on or prior to the Effective Date.
Plaintiffs.” Id. ¶ 50. The standard in Delaware is notice pleading. Cent. Mortg.
Co. v. Morgan Stanley Mortg. Capital Hldgs. LLC, 27 A.3d 531, 536 (Del. 2011).
34
Defendants argue that none of the alleged breaches—the Dutch Tolling Letters, the
formation of SRCCC, or the alleged funding of the Guernsey Litigation—falls within the
ambit of the Releases. At this procedural stage, Plaintiffs only need to plead facts under
which it is reasonably conceivable that the Releases have been violated. I conclude that
such facts have been pled.
Defendants‟ main contention is that there is a fundamental distinction between a
release and a covenant not to sue. According to Defendants, a release provides only an
affirmative defense in a suit.76 Thus, Defendants maintain that “assertion of a released
claim would not give rise to or imply a right to damages.”77 I find this argument
unpersuasive. The Releases are contracts; breaching those contracts by asserting a
released claim conceivably could give rise to a cause of action for damages, including,
for example, attorneys‟ fees and costs that Plaintiffs otherwise would not have incurred if
Defendants had complied with the Releases.
Aside from the funding of the Guernsey Litigation, both SRCCC‟s formation and
the Dutch Tolling Letters conceivably could state a claim for breach of the Releases.
This Court is not expert in Dutch law. The Complaint pleads that SRCCC is a special
purpose entity created for the sole purpose of pursuing claims on behalf of CCC‟s
stockholders, including Defendants. Similarly, the Dutch Tolling Letters allegedly had
76
Defendants cite only a Seventh Circuit case for this proposition, Isbell v. Allstate
Ins. Co., 418 F.3d 788 (7th Cir. 2005).
77
Defs.‟ Reply Br. 11.
35
the legal effect of tolling (or, at least, attempting to toll) the statute of limitations for
Moonmouth‟s and SRCCC‟s claims, an action to which Plaintiffs claim they were forced
to respond. The import of Defendants‟ actions under Dutch law is unclear from the
present record. As a result, I cannot say with confidence that it is not reasonably
conceivable that these actions could constitute a breach of the Releases.78
The Guernsey Litigation presents a more complex issue. The Complaint alleges
that Reijtenbagh is funding the Liquidators. Defendants argue that, even if true, such
financing does not amount to a breach of the Releases because the claims asserted by the
Liquidators are fiduciary duty claims that belong to CCC rather than Reijtenbagh.79
Assuming this is true,80 dismissal still would not be appropriate. I also assume, without
deciding, that there theoretically may be circumstances in which the Releases would not
bar Defendants from participating in any eventual recovery that may result from the
Guernsey Litigation. Instead, I focus on Reijtenbagh‟s alleged financial support of the
Guernsey Litigation. First, a factual dispute exists as to whether, and to what degree,
78
If, because of the Releases, neither Reijtenbagh nor Plaza had a right to assert any
claims relating to CCC, it is reasonably conceivable that it was a breach of the
Releases for them to undertake efforts to toll the statute of limitations for such
claims to preserve their ability, directly or indirectly, to assert those claims at a
later date.
79
See Prod. Res. Gp., L.L.C. v. NCT Gp., Inc., 863 A.2d 772, 776 (Del. Ch. 2004)
(“At all times, claims of this kind belong to the corporation itself . . . .”).
80
At this preliminary stage, there is nothing in the record, to the Court‟s knowledge,
that indicates there are material distinctions between Delaware and Guernsey law
on this issue.
36
Reijtenbagh is financing the Liquidators. Second, it is unknown whether Reijtenbagh is
providing non-monetary support for the Guernsey Litigation.
In any event, based on the allegations in the Complaint, Plaintiffs conceivably
could prove that Reijtenbagh provided sufficient financing or other support for the
Guernsey Litigation such that the Liquidators could not have proceeded without his
assistance. Such factual disputes cannot be resolved on a motion to dismiss. Plaintiffs
effectively argue that Reijtenbagh is breaching the Releases by attempting to do
indirectly (recover through the Guernsey Litigation, which appears to be proceeding on
what would amount to a derivative or class basis under Delaware or New York law) what
he could not do directly (sue Carlyle based on his investment in CCC). There is some
precedent in Delaware, at least, for Plaintiffs‟ position.81 Thus, I cannot say as a matter
of law that the alleged funding of the Guernsey Litigation is not a breach of the Releases.
4. Counts II and III: Breach of the Forum Selection Clauses
Counts II and III seek a declaratory judgment that the Subscription Agreement
FSC is valid, binding, and enforceable and that any claims Defendants may have arising
from Reijtenbagh‟s investment in CCC must be brought in Delaware. Those Counts
further request injunctive relief enforcing the Releases and enjoining Defendants from
bringing claims relating to CCC anywhere other than Delaware.
81
Cf. Orloff v. Shulman, 2005 WL 5750635, at *8 (Del. Ch. Nov. 23, 2005) (holding
that res judicata prevented stockholders from bringing derivative claims based on
the same factual basis as previously dismissed individual claims).
37
a. Standard of review
Delaware Courts are authorized, in certain situations, to hear actions for a
declaratory judgment,82 but there must be an “actual controversy” between the parties. A
motion to dismiss for lack of a case or controversy goes to this Court‟s jurisdiction and is
examined under Court of Chancery Rule 12(b)(1). The Court will not issue hypothetical
or advisory opinions.83 There are four requirements for pleading the existence of an
“actual controversy”:
(1) It must be a controversy involving the rights or other legal
relations of the party seeking declaratory relief; (2) it must be
a controversy in which the claim of right or other legal interest
is asserted against one who has an interest in contesting the
claim; (3) the controversy must be between parties whose
interests are real and adverse; [and] (4) the issue involved in
the controversy must be ripe for judicial determination.84
“In evaluating the justiciability of a declaratory judgment claim, a court must determine
whether „the facts alleged, under all the circumstances, show that there is a substantial
controversy . . . of sufficient immediacy and reality to warrant the issuance of a
82
10 Del. C. § 6501.
83
Stroud v. Milliken Enters., Inc., 552 A.2d 476, 479 (Del. 1989).
84
XI Specialty Ins. Co. v. WMI Liquid. Trust, 93 A.3d 1208, 1217 (Del. 2014)
(quoting Stroud, 552 A.2d at 479-80).
38
declaratory judgment.‟”85 In determining whether a case is ripe, “Courts must make a
„practical judgment.‟”86
b. Count III is moot
Count III consists of a vestigial portion of the Complaint. It relates to SRCCC.
Plaintiffs essentially have abandoned this portion of the Complaint, presumably based on
the fact that SRCCC was dissolved. Neither party addressed Count III in the briefing and
both sides seem to have operated under the assumption that Counts I and II comprise the
entirety of the case. Therefore, I conclude that Count III is moot and dismiss it without
prejudice.
c. The Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over Count II
This case raises a question regarding the point in time at which the Court must
determine whether an “actual controversy” exists, either: (1) when the Complaint was
filed; or (2) when the Court rules on the matter. In many instances, the temporal gap
between those events will be short, and the ongoing lawsuit itself could shape a litigant‟s
behavior. Here, because of the stay during the removal proceedings, the gap is
significant. Plaintiffs filed the Complaint on October 23, 2012. Defendants moved to
dismiss on December 11, 2013. The Third Circuit affirmed the remand of this case to
this Court on February 25, 2015. Today is September 10, 2015. Count II asserts that
85
Energy P’rs, Ltd. v. Stone Energy Corp., 2006 WL 2947483, at *6 (Del. Ch. Oct.
11, 2006) (ellipses in original) (quoting Step-Saver Data Sys., Inc. v. Wyse Tech.,
912 F.2d 643, 647 (3d Cir. 1990)).
86
Id. at *7.
39
Defendants imminently will violate the Subscription Agreement FSC. The question for
resolution is whether that alleged violation is “of sufficient immediacy and reality to
warrant the issuance of a declaratory judgment.”87 I conclude that it is not.
Even if I analyzed the situation as of the filing of the Complaint, Plaintiffs‟
showing is weak. The Complaint contains no allegation that a lawsuit actually was filed
by Defendants outside of Delaware. The Complaint instead focuses on the following: (1)
SRCCC‟s formation; and (2) the Dutch Tolling Letters. I disposed of the claim relating
to SRCCC in connection with Count III above. This leaves the Dutch Tolling Letters.
Although Plaintiffs rely heavily on these letters as evidence of an imminent lawsuit,
Plaintiffs themselves pled that the letters were withdrawn.88 The only other evidence that
arguably supports Plaintiffs‟ lawsuit theory is the Lipman Karas Memo. But, the
Complaint pleads that “Reijtenbagh subsequently indicated he did not intend to pursue
his claims at that time, and no complaint was ever filed.”89 In two key instances, then,
Plaintiffs‟ own allegations weigh against the existence of an actual controversy. Finally,
Plaintiffs suggest that a controversy exists because Defendants would not sign Plaintiffs‟
proposed stipulation. I accord minimal weight to that argument, however. Defendants
have made at least a colorable showing that the requested stipulation was broader than the
87
Energy P’rs, Ltd., 2006 WL 2947483, at *6.
88
Compl. ¶ 67 (“Lemstra van der Korst responded by disclaiming any intent by
Defendants to pursue proceedings against Plaintiffs and abruptly withdrew the
Moonmouth and SRCCC Letters.”).
89
Id. ¶ 37.
40
forum selection clauses and that it would have granted Plaintiffs more than they legally
were entitled to under either the Subscription Agreement or the Transfer Agreements.
Conducting the analysis as of a later time only solidifies my conclusion that there
is no actual controversy. Both Moonmouth and Parbold—the only entities that actually
held CCC shares—have been dissolved.90 The Dutch Tolling Letters have been
withdrawn. After Defendants moved to dismiss on December 11, 2013, Plaintiffs had the
option of amending the Complaint or opposing the motion.91 Plaintiffs stood on their
Complaint. Since that time, Plaintiffs have not alleged any additional facts that would
support a reasonable inference that an imminent threat exists of a violation of the
Subscription Agreement FSC.
Because Delaware law counsels that the Court should use its practical judgment in
concluding whether a controversy is ripe, I find it appropriate to consider the events, or
absence of events, that have occurred since Plaintiffs filed their Complaint. Having done
that and for the reasons just explained, I conclude that no actual controversy underlies
Count II. Accordingly, this Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over that Count, and I
dismiss it without prejudice.
90
Plaintiffs speculate that these entities may be resurrected under the laws of the
British Virgin Islands. But, there is no allegation that they have been, and
conjecture is insufficient to show the sort of immediate, actual controversy that is
required for this Court to issue a declaratory judgment.
91
Ct. Ch. R. 15(aaa).
41
d. The Third Circuit Decision effectively mooted Count II
The Third Circuit Decision not only supports my conclusion that Count II does not
allege an actual controversy, but also moots at least part of Count II. The Complaint
seeks the entry of a declaratory judgment that the Subscription Agreement FSC is
binding, valid, and enforceable. The injunctive relief requested essentially asks that I
restate the Subscription Agreement FSC and order Defendants not to violate it.
The Third Circuit Decision effectively mooted the requested declaratory relief
holding that Defendants are bound by the Subscription Agreement FSC and by the CEP
III FSCs, as well. Thus, the declaratory judgment portion of the Complaint is moot.
This leaves the request for injunctive relief. “A claim for injunctive relief must be
supported by the allegation of facts that „create a reasonable apprehension of
wrongdoing.‟”92 Above, I concluded that Plaintiffs have not alleged sufficient facts to
support a finding that a real and immediate actual controversy exists with respect to the
Subscription Agreement FSC. That conclusion is reinforced by the Third Circuit
Decision. Now, Plaintiffs must convince me not only that Defendants threatened
imminently to breach the forum selection clause—a showing Plaintiffs failed to make—
but also that Defendants are likely to breach the Subscription Agreement FSC despite the
preclusive Third Circuit Decision, holding that they are bound by that clause. No facts
have been alleged that would support such a conclusion. Rather, because “[t]his court
92
State ex rel. Brady v. Pettinaro Enters., 870 A.2d 513, 536 (Del. Ch. 2005)
(quoting McMahon v. New Castle Assocs., 532 A.2d 601, 606 (Del. Ch. 1987)).
42
cannot permit its jurisdiction to be invoked simply on the basis of unsubstantiated fear
that a legal duty may be breached in an uncertain future,”93 I find that there is no
reasonable apprehension of wrongdoing here and grant Defendants‟ motion to dismiss
Count II.
B. Motion to Strike
Because I have not dismissed the entire Complaint, I also must consider
Defendants‟ motion to strike. Defendants have moved to strike paragraphs 34-44 and 73-
82 of the Complaint under Rule 12(f).
1. Standard of review
Pursuant to Rule 12(f), “the Court may order stricken from any pleading any
insufficient defense or any redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous matter.”94
Motions to strike focus on the form of the pleading rather than its substance.95 These
motions are disfavored, and are “granted sparingly and only when clearly warranted with
all doubt being resolved in the nonmoving party‟s favor.”96 Stated affirmatively, a
motion to strike is granted if the challenged averments are: (1) not relevant to an issue in
the case; and (2) unduly prejudicial.97
93
Id.
94
Ct. Ch. R. 12(f).
95
Salem Church Assocs. v. New Castle Cty., 2004 WL 1087341, at *2 (Del. Ch. May
6, 2004).
96
Id.
97
Id.
43
According to Defendants, the paragraphs they seek to have stricken “are offensive
and calculated to prejudice the Court against Defendants.”98 Defendants‟ solution to the
risk of such prejudice, apparently, is to demand that the Court sift through briefing on the
offending paragraphs and then independently analyze those very paragraphs to see if they
qualify as “immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous matter.”
2. Analysis
Paragraphs 34-44 and 73-82 are at issue. Paragraphs 34-37 allege that
Reijtenbagh investigated potential claims against Carlyle and that he previously had
funded a Lipman Karas lawsuit against another company. The motion to strike these
paragraphs is frivolous. That Reijtenbagh previously funded litigation provides support
for the allegations that he currently is funding litigation regarding various Carlyle
entities. An inference to that effect is strengthened by his association with the same
Australian law firm, Lipman Karas, in both instances. The Lipman Karas Memo also
supports Plaintiffs‟ claim that Defendants were attempting to bring claims outside of
Delaware.
For the same reasons, I deny the motion to strike Paragraphs 73-82. Defendants
understandably take umbrage at the allegation that Reijtenbagh is funding the Guernsey
Litigation because he is “[u]nable or unwilling to pursue claims in his own name given
his status as a fugitive from the Belgian tax authorities.” 99 That allegation, however, is
98
Defs.‟ Opening Br. 28.
99
Compl. ¶ 73.
44
not wholly irrelevant. It provides an explanation, when combined with the Releases, as
to why Reijtenbagh would pursue his claims secretly. The other allegations in paragraphs
74-82 support the claim that Reijtenbagh is funding the Guernsey Litigation by
emphasizing that: (1) Lipman Karas is closely associated with Reijtenbagh; (2) the
asserted claims track the Lipman Karas Memo; and (3) the press widely has publicized
Reijtenbagh‟s litigation funding activities in Australia, where Lipman Karas is
headquartered.
This leaves paragraphs 38-44. These paragraphs, some of which are quite long,
detail Reijtenbagh‟s financial difficulties in 2009, including, among other financial
misfortunes, a sizeable adverse judgment by the Belgian tax authorities and the seizure by
creditors of several works of rare art previously pledged as collateral. Although less clear
than the other paragraphs, I also find these paragraphs relevant, if only barely so. They
explain, in a non-conclusory manner, how Reijtenbagh fell into financial difficulty.
Those alleged money troubles provide an explanation for why Reijtenbagh would agree
to the expansive Releases that Plaintiffs allege he did.100 Because doubts are resolved
against the movant on a motion to strike, I deny Defendants‟ motion with respect to these
paragraphs, subject to one exception. I grant the motion to strike with respect to footnote
1 referenced in paragraph 44. That footnote adds nothing of substance to the Complaint‟s
100
Because I have found the Releases ambiguous, these background facts regarding
the negotiation of the Releases may be admissible to resolve the ambiguity.
Reijtenbagh‟s financial hardship coupled with the need to get Carlyle‟s permission
to transfer Bundora‟s membership interests creates a negotiating dynamic that
arguably favors Plaintiffs‟ interpretation of the Releases.
45
narrative and borders on scandalous. Because I find footnote 1 immaterial, impertinent,
and unduly prejudicial, I order it stricken under Rule 12(f).
III. CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, Defendants‟ motion to dismiss is granted in part and
denied in part. Specifically, Counts II and III are dismissed without prejudice. I deny the
motion as to Count I. Additionally, I deny Defendants‟ motion to strike, except to order
that footnote 1 be stricken.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
46