Contingencies	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Contingencies [Abstract]
Contingencies	28.Contingencies Costs contingent on consummation of IronPlanet acquisition On August 29, 2016, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which it agreed to acquire IronPlanet (the “Merger”). Under the terms of Merger Agreement, the Company will acquire 100% of the equity of IronPlanet for approximately $740,000,000 in cash plus the assumption of unvested equity interests in IronPlanet, subject to adjustment, which brings the total transaction value to approximately $758,500,000. The Merger is subject to customary conditions, including (i) the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, as well as the obtaining of certain foreign antitrust clearances, and (ii) the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States having provided written notice to the effect that review of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement has been concluded and has terminated all action under the Section 721 of the Defence Production Act of 1950, as amended. Debt issue costs In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, the Company obtained the Commitment Letter, dated August 29, 2016, from GS Bank pursuant to which GS Bank committed to providing the Facilities (discussed in note 24). Consideration for GS Bank’s services in this regard include one-time fees totalling $13,750,000 that are contingent upon consummation of the Merger. These debt issue costs have not been recognized at December 31, 2016. Advisory costs The Company has entered into various contractual arrangements with Goldman, Sachs & Co. and GS Bank (together, “Goldman Sachs”) whereby Goldman Sachs has provided financial structuring and acquisition advisory services in relation to the Company’s agreement to acquire IronPlanet. Consideration for Goldman Sach’s services in this regard, for which the maximum amount payable by the Company at December 31, 2016 is $8,625,000, is contingent upon consummation of the Merger. These advisory costs have not been recognized at December 31, 2016. They will be expensed as acquisition-related costs when they are recognized. Legal and other claims The Company is subject to legal and other claims that arise in the ordinary course of its business. The Company does not believe that the results of these claims will have a material effect on the Company’s balance sheet or income statement. Guarantee contracts In the normal course of business, the Company will in certain situations guarantee to a consignor a minimum level of proceeds in connection with the sale at auction of that consignor’s equipment. 28. Contingencies (continued) Guarantee contracts (continued) At December 31, 2016 there was $3,813,000 of industrial assets guaranteed under contract, of which 100% is expected to be sold prior to the end of March 2017 (December 31, 2015: $25,267,000 of which 100% sold prior to the end of May 2016). At December 31, 2016 there was $11,415,000 of agricultural assets guaranteed under contract, of which 100% is expected to be sold prior to the end of July 2017 (December 31, 2015: $30,509,000 of which 100% sold prior to the end of August 2016). The outstanding guarantee amounts are undiscounted and before estimated proceeds from sale at auction.

28.Contingencies

Costs contingent on consummation of IronPlanet acquisition

On August 29, 2016, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which it agreed to acquire IronPlanet (the “Merger”). Under the terms of Merger Agreement, the Company will acquire 100% of the equity of IronPlanet for approximately $740,000,000 in cash plus the assumption of unvested equity interests in IronPlanet, subject to adjustment, which brings the total transaction value to approximately $758,500,000. The Merger is subject to customary conditions, including (i) the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, as well as the obtaining of certain foreign antitrust

clearances, and (ii) the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States having provided written notice to the effect that review of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement has been concluded and has terminated all action under the Section 721 of the Defence Production Act of 1950, as amended.

Debt issue costs

In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, the Company obtained the Commitment Letter, dated August 29, 2016, from GS Bank pursuant to which GS Bank committed to providing the Facilities (discussed in note 24). Consideration for GS Bank’s services in this regard include one-time fees totalling $13,750,000 that are contingent upon consummation of the Merger. These debt issue costs have not been recognized at December 31, 2016.

Advisory costs

The Company has entered into various contractual arrangements with Goldman, Sachs & Co. and GS Bank (together, “Goldman Sachs”) whereby Goldman Sachs has provided financial structuring and acquisition advisory services in relation to the Company’s agreement to acquire IronPlanet. Consideration for Goldman Sach’s services in this regard, for which the maximum amount payable by the Company at December 31, 2016 is $8,625,000, is contingent upon consummation of the Merger. These advisory costs have not been recognized at December 31, 2016. They will be expensed as acquisition-related costs when they are recognized.

Legal and other claims

The Company is subject to legal and other claims that arise in the ordinary course of its business. The Company does not believe that the results of these claims will have a material effect on the Company’s balance sheet or income statement.

Guarantee contracts

In the normal course of business, the Company will in certain situations guarantee to a consignor a minimum level of proceeds in connection with the sale at auction of that consignor’s equipment.

28. Contingencies (continued)

Guarantee contracts (continued)

At December 31, 2016 there was $3,813,000 of industrial assets guaranteed under contract, of which 100% is expected to be sold prior to the end of March 2017 (December 31, 2015: $25,267,000 of which 100% sold prior to the end of May 2016).

At December 31, 2016 there was $11,415,000 of agricultural assets guaranteed under contract, of which 100% is expected to be sold prior to the end of July 2017 (December 31, 2015: $30,509,000 of which 100% sold prior to the end of August 2016).

The outstanding guarantee amounts are undiscounted and before estimated proceeds from sale at auction.