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BGH to Rule Today on Wirecard Shareholder Claims in Insolvency

The outcome could reshape recoveries given a €650 million estate against €15.4 billion in claims.

Overview

  • Germany's top civil court will decide in case IX ZR 127/24 whether harmed shareholders may file damage claims as ordinary insolvency claims.
  • About 50,000 investors have registered roughly €8.5 billion in claims, far exceeding the available insolvency funds of around €650 million.
  • The test case is led by Union Investment, which seeks nearly €10 million over alleged years of false portrayals of Wirecard’s business and finances.
  • An interim ruling by the Munich Higher Regional Court in September 2024 allowed such claims after an earlier dismissal by the Munich Regional Court.
  • Insolvency administrator Michael Jaffé opposes equal ranking for shareholders, arguing creditors who lent money or provided services should be paid first.