Part 1 of this two-part series explored potential legislative changes which could impact the Australian insolvency landscape in 2022 and beyond. Part 2 addresses the recent major developments in case law that have the potential to shape the insolvency landscape in Australia for many years to come.
This week’s TGIF considers Krejci, in the matter of Union Standard International Group Pty Limited (in liq) (No 7) [2022] FCA 890, in which the Federal Court gave liquidators approval to conduct extensive and expensive public examinations despite there being limited expected return to creditors, in part to try and uncover the truth behind $585 million that cannot be accounted for in the company’s dealings.
Key takeaways
In April 2022, the ATO began writing to batches of company directors in relation to unpaid liabilities informing them about the risk of their personal liability for unpaid company tax debts. If not actioned, directors are at risk of receiving a Director Penalty Notice (DPN).
These letters pre-DPN will continue to be sent to directors of companies if that company has not met its obligations for all or either of PAYG withholding tax, Superannuation Guarantee Charges (SGC) and GST. So far, approximately 80,000 of these letters have been sent out.
The Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) manages the application of bankruptcy and personal property securities laws in Australia. Key to this work is investigating alleged Bankruptcy Act 1966 and Personal Property Securities Act 2009 offences and where appropriate, referring cases for prosecution.
Applicable offences include:
In a recent decision of the Supreme Court of New South Wales (In the matter of C.V. Joint (Aust) Pty Ltd [2002] NSWSC 981), a provisional liquidator was appointed by the Court to a company primarily due to an ongoing dispute between the directors and shareholders. The case is a useful reminder of the relevant principles that apply when seeking to have a provisional liquidator appointed.
Key takeaways
Naumets (Trustee), Dorokhov (Bankrupt) v Dorokhov [2022] FCA 748 In the matter of Hydrodec Group Plc [2021] NSWSC 755
In Brooks, in the matter of Tease Hair & Spa Pty Ltd (in liquidation), the Federal Court made orders in favour of the Liquidator, pursuant to section 90-15 of Schedule 2 to the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Insolvency Practice Schedule (Corporations)) and section 47 of the Trustee Act 1989 (Tas) allowing the Liquidator to realise trust property for the benefit of creditors.
Background
This week’s TGIF considers the latest of two recent Federal Court decisions approving the compromise of debts owed to a company in liquidation, on the application of liquidators pursuant to section 477(2A) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and on confidential terms.
Key takeaways
This week’s TGIF considers a decision of Georges (Liquidator), in the Matter of SIRA Pty Ltd (In Liquidation) [2022] FCA 768, in which liquidators were granted leave to serve a summons for examination on a company based in Singapore.
Key takeaways
Since our last newsletter, Russia's war in Ukraine rumbles on, domestic inflation hits new highs and there are signs of an increase in activity in the insolvency market. Russians unlawful assault on Ukraine continues unabated, as we enter the European summer months, and the fourth month of the invasion. Besides the utter devastation inflicted on the people and infrastructure of Ukraine, the war is having a significant impact on both global food and oil prices.