Metropolitan Life Assurance Co of New Zealand Ltd v Essere Print Ltd - [1991] 2 NZLR 197

Property law — Lease — Landlord's power to distrain chattels for arrears of rental — Chattels subject to fixed charge granted to third party — Whether chattels of the tenant or person in possession within meaning of the Distress and Replevin Act 1908 and subject to distraint by landlord — Whether distraint available only when legal and equitable title vested in tenant or person in possession — Distress and Replevin Act 1908, ss 3(1) and 4 - Chattels Transfer Act 1924, s 2.

Company law — Debenture — Debenture creating fixed charge over chattels — Effect of debenture to grant legal title to chattels to debenture holder — Whether chattels remain chattels of tenant or person in possession — Whether chattels may be distrained upon by landlord — Distress and Replevin Act 1908, s 3(1).