Key points
Care should be taken to ensure that finance documents clearly and specifically set out the intention of the parties.
Lenders should ensure that charges created in security documents are not invalidated or altered by provisions of other finance documents.
Facts
Investors may, for reasons outside of their control, find themselves with a financially distressed company in their portfolio and possibly in unfamiliar territory. Consequently, it is not just those investors who actively seek out opportunities within the distressed space who should be mindful of the implications of insolvency processes (most commonly administration which can often also be used as part of a wider restructuring).
Key Points
Insurers had no priority rights to collect premiums over the proceeds of a successful action they had insured, as a result of a drafting error.
The High Court affirmed the general rule that, where a party has contracted for an unsecured right only, the court will not elevate it to a secured status.
The Facts
Key Points
A binding contract by exchange of email did not arise where parties were simply exploring a potential deal.
Sale by auction is often appropriate where an asset is difficult to value.
Where no differential treatment of creditors, unfair harm requires that a decision does not withstand logical analysis.
The Facts
Key Points
There is a low threshold for the granting of an injunction to prevent the presentation of a winding up petition.
The challenge against the debt in the statutory demand must be in good faith and have sufficient substance.
The Facts
The Facts
A liquidator applied for permission to amend his claim for fraudulent trading. The claim against the respondents related to purported defrauding of HMRC for non-payment of VAT.
Key points
Once clear that an action is improperly constituted, it should not be allowed to proceed.
Those in control of a company have the duty to manage that company in accordance with its constitution.
The Facts
Key points
Failure to comply with sections 333 and 363 of the Insolvency Act constitutes contempt of court for which a committal order may be obtained.
A trustee in bankruptcy should not usually require permission to apply for a committal order.
Correct procedure for application confirmed by the court.
The facts
The Applicant granted two guarantees to a bank in 2006 and 2007 in respect of two facility letters. The bank assigned the Second Facility and the benefit of the First Guarantee to the Respondent. The amounts due under the Second Facility fell due for payment on 31 March 2008 and were only demanded for payment in 2015.
Key points
Information obtained by compulsion can be shared between officeholders of connected estates (parent/subsidiary)
There must, however, be a possibility that there will be a surplus in the subsidiary estate
The prospect must be real as opposed to fanciful
The facts