On April 1, 2012 Drydocks World LLC (DDW) and its subsidiary Drydocks World — Dubai LLC (DDW Dubai), a Dubai- and Asia-based ship building and repair company that is wholly owned by Dubai World, became the first company to commence a reorganization proceeding in the Special Tribunal¹ (the Tribunal) created by Dubai Decree No. 57 for 2009 (Decree 57) and avail itself of Decree 57’s integrated legal framework.

Fifth Circuit finds that make-whole premiums should be considered unmatured interest subject to disallowance under Section 502(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code to the extent designed to compensate for future interest payments.

Overview

Venezuela’s initiative is unlikely to set the stage for a restructuring of international obligations in the face of US sanctions.

Key Points:

• US sanctions will prohibit US persons from engaging in a restructuring of Venezuela and PdVSA debts that includes the issuance of “new” long term debt.

• Creditors should expect that enforcement action will follow a default. The outcomes of that enforcement action will affect all stakeholders, whether or not they participate.

Restructuring Announcement

Ruling overturns New York decision rejecting market-based approach.

Key Points:

• Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit requires courts to consider efficient market interest rate, if available, for purposes of chapter 11 “cramdown.”

• Second Circuit decision overturns lower court ruling that used “formula approach” to determine appropriate chapter 11 cramdown interest rate.

Second Circuit’s reversal of controversial restructuring decision may boost confidence among distressed bond issuers.

3V Capital Master Fund LTD. v. Official Comm. of Unsecured Creditors of TOUSA, Inc. (In re TOUSA, Inc.), 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 14019 (S.D. Fla. Feb. 11, 2011).

Recently, several courts have added to the growing body of decisions construing intercreditor agreements in bankruptcy cases.

Bankruptcy Court reinforces importance of parties’ intent in determining the nature of overriding royalty interests under state law.

To successfully reorganize in Chapter 11, a bankrupt company may need to retain key employees who understand the company’s business and who can design and implement the company’s reorganization plan. Retaining and properly incentivizing these employees during a Chapter 11 case can be challenging for a number of reasons.

Recently, several courts have added to the growing body of decisions construing intercreditor agreements in bankruptcy cases.