When an online bank stops functioning as expected, account holders can face an immediate problem: credit cards issued by the online bank suddenly will no longer allow transactions, money shown in an account may no longer be available to meet business commitments. The ePassporte matter brought this issue into focus for users of an international online payment platform.
ZL Attorneys at Law reports that its work in the ePassporte matter helped secure the release of many millions of US dollars for hundreds of clients, located all over the world. ZL Attorneys at Law was able to retrieve approximately 95% of the balance held in the accounts of the account holders.
This experience forms part of the firm’s work assisting clients with financial disputes, recovery of funds and matters involving more than one jurisdiction.
An international payment dispute
The disruption to ePassporte’s services in 2010 affected access to payment facilities and prompted account holders to seek the return of funds. An important distinction existed between balances associated with payment cards and funds held in e-wallet accounts. Those different arrangements meant that account holders could face different routes to obtaining their money.
That distinction also matters when describing the outcome. The recovery reported by ZL Attorneys concerns the clients it assisted. It should not be confused with the separate restoration of card access or treated as a statement that every ePassporte account holder recovered all outstanding funds.
Keeping the focus on funds released
For a client pursuing recovery, the practical objective is access to money. A demand, an agreement or a favourable decision may advance a matter, but each must be assessed against what happens next: whether funds are actually released and whether further steps remain necessary.
The ePassporte work adds to ZL Attorneys’ experience in matters where clients need assistance beyond a routine payment request. In cross-border financial disputes, identifying the relevant parties, understanding the account arrangements and assessing the available procedures are important foundations for a realistic recovery strategy.
Support for businesses and international counsel
ZL Attorneys assists businesses and overseas law firms with commercial disputes, creditor claims, asset-related proceedings and enforcement. Its approach is commercially minded, with attention to the client’s objective, the supporting documents and the practical prospects of obtaining a result.
Managing Partner Daniel D. Zahavi has practised law since 1996 and established ZL Attorneys in Curaçao in 2003. The firm provides local legal assistance in the Dutch Caribbean and Suriname, coordinating with overseas counsel where a matter requires advice in other jurisdictions.
If your business or client is facing restricted access to funds or a cross-border commercial dispute, ZL Attorneys welcomes an introductory discussion about the circumstances and the assistance required.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Recovery depends on the facts, available assets and applicable law. This article describes historical experience and is not advice on an individual claim.
Contact ZL AttorneysCase summaries provide general information. Results depend on the facts, evidence and procedural position of each matter. Past outcomes do not guarantee results.
All notable cases