A court may grant leave to amend pleadings at a late stage of hearing to introduce a claim for appointment of a receiver to sell shares en bloc as alternative relief in oppression proceedings, where the amendment provides a less destructive alternative to winding up a viable company and prejudice to affected parties can be mitigated by case management directions. The recent recognition in Lanmar that such relief is available under Australian law may itself justify the lateness of the amendment. Parties affected by the proposed relief (as shareholders whose shares would be sold) are necessary parties and must be joined.
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