It is now a settled position that the prime objective of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (“IBCâ€) is resolution or revival of the Corporate Debtor; followed by maximising the value of the assets of the Corporate Debtor; and lastly to promote entrepreneurship and availability of credit. The proceedings under the IBC are not intended to substitute recovery proceedings.
The NCLAT has held that without initiating Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) against the principal borrower, financial creditor can initiate CIRP against the Corporate Guarantors.
It noted that as per IBC Section 5(8)(h), counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a guarantee comes within the meaning of a ‘financial debt’.
Virtual Currency: State of pandemonium continues
Recently, in K. Kishan v. Vijay Nirman Company Pvt. Ltd. [See endnote. 1] the Supreme Court had an occasion to decide whether the provisions of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (‘IBC’) can be invoked in respect of an Operational Debt where an Arbitral Award has been passed in favour of the Operational Creditor in respect of such Operational Debt, but, the objections against the said Arbitral Award are pending under Section 34 of the Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996 (‘A&C Act’).
Relying on Report of Insolvency Law Committee, Supreme Court of India has held that insertion of Section 238A in the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) is retrospective.
Setting aside the NCLAT Order, the court in its judgement dated 11-10-2018 held that Limitation Act, 1963 will apply to the applications made under Section 7 and/or Section 9 of the IBC on and from its commencement on 1-12-2016 till 6-6-2018 when the provisions of applicability of Limitation Act were incorporated.
Supreme Court ruling in ArcelorMittal case — An analysis
By Mitali Daryani
The Supreme Court on 4-10-2018 allowed yet another opportunity to mining major ArcelorMittal and Russia's VT B Capital-backed NuMetal to bid for Essar Steel provided they clear their Non-Performing Asset (NPA) dues in two weeks. The bench comprising Justice R. F. Nariman and Justice Indu Malhotra, has also taken this opportunity to interpret and clarify Section 29A of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. However, the Essar saga is far from over.
The IBC has undergone multiple amendments, since its inception in 2016. June saw another major amendment, which finally addressed a few issues which had plagued the Code and had resulted in litigation. The June amendment provided the much-needed relief to home buyers and placed them on par with financial creditors, eased the procedure for seeking an extension of time for competing the CIRP and allowed withdrawal of insolvency proceedings under certain conditions.
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India has invited suggestions on a draft chapter on Cross Border Insolvency (Proposed Amendment) proposed to be included within the framework of Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC) by a public notice dated 20-6-2018 (Notice).
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016 (‘Code’) aims for resolution of insolvency as opposed to liquidation. The law was framed with the intention to expedite and simplify the process of insolvency and bankruptcy proceedings in India ensuring fair negotiations between opposite parties and encouraging revival of the company by formulation of a resolution plan.
National Company Law Appellate Tribunal has held that ‘Moratorium’ under Section 14 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code will not only be applicable to the property of the ‘Corporate Debtor’ but also on its ‘Personal Guarantor’.
Brief Facts: