[1] The appellant ("Jaya Sudhir") was aggrieved by the refusal of the High Court to consolidate two suits in which he was directly involved - as a defendant in Suit No WA-22NCVC-544-08-2016 ("Suit 544") and as a plaintiff in Suit No: WA-22NCC-165-05-2017 ("Suit 165"). The legal disputes concerned a joint venture company, Nautilus Tug & Towage Sdn Bhd ("the joint venture company") which at the time of its incorporation was for the purpose of undertaking a continuation of a project by another entity, Vale. The joint venture company was owned by Azimuth Marine Sdn Bhd ("Azimuth") and Nautical Supreme Sdn Bhd ("Nautical") with Azimuth holding 80% shares and Nautical, the remaining 20%. This shareholding was provided for in a shareholders agreement dated 15 March 2013. Then on 16 December 2015, Azimuth transferred 10% of its shares in the joint venture company to Jaya Sudhir and the following year, Jaya Sudhir wa