Throughout 2016 a series of judgments were delivered that gave conflicting guidance to practitioners about what they should consider when accepting a voluntary administration appointment.
As part of the National Innovation and Science Agenda, Treasury has released an Exposure Draft Treasury Laws Amendment (2017 Enterprise Incentives No.2) Bill 2017 which seeks to amend the Corporations Act 2001 (Corporations Act) to implement 2 key changes which are designed to promote a culture of entrepreneurship and
On 28 March 2017, the Australian Federal Government (Government) released draft legislation in relation to two major reforms intended to encourage turnaround, restructuring and business rescue.
The draft legislation introduces a safe harbour for directors from liability for insolvent trading, and stays the operation of ipso facto clauses where a company enters into administration or proposes a scheme of arrangement.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This week’s TGIF considers the case of In the matter ofCNL Transport Pty Ltd (in liq) [2017] NSWSC 291, where the New South Wales Supreme Court terminated a liquidation where the company was solvent and its debts had been paid.
Background
A company was wound up by the Court on 27 February 2017 following its failure to comply with a creditor’s statutory demand. The statutory demand had been issued by an insurer in respect of unpaid workers’ compensation insurance premiums.
The Australian government has released draft legislation which proposes significant legislative change to insolvency laws in Australia. One of the changes proposed, is that directors will not be liable for insolvent trading in certain circumstances where the company is undertaking a restructure.
Under the proposed safe harbour reform, directors will not be liable for debts incurred whilst the company is insolvent if they can show that:
On 28 March 2017, the Australian Government announced its proposals to reform the law relating to insolvent trading, and the right to terminate contracts based on insolvency ('ipso facto clauses').
New Law to Encourage Informal Restructuring
On 28 March 2017, the Federal Government released its long awaited draft legislation that is designed to encourage restructuring of distressed businesses.
The proposed legislation is open for consultation with the finalised legislation expected to come into effect on 1 January 2018. There are two proposed changes:
This case provides some useful guidance on some key aspects of oppression claims, and also illustrates that courts will be reluctant to wind up solvent companies, even where the parties are in deadlock and oppression has been established, in this case preferring to make buy out orders at a price to be determined.
The High Court of Australia recently dismissed an application brought by former Queensland Nickel Pty Ltd (QN) directors Mr Clive Palmer and Mr Ian Ferguson for a declaration that section 596A of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) is constitutionally invalid.
On 17 March, in Hambleton v Finn [2017] QDC 61, McGill SC DCJ of the District Court of Queensland applied the section 553C(1) setoff under the Corporations Act 2001 to a liquidator’s insolvent trading claim against a director.
His Honour followed the earlier decision of the District Court of Queensland in Morton v Rexel Electrical Supplies Pty Ltd. In that case, the set-off provision was applied where the liquidator was seeking the recovery of unfair preference payments.