This week’s TGIF considers some ways insolvency practitioners can make their lives easier by proactively using the courts to resolve uncertainty – such as liquidators seeking appointment as receivers of trust property as in the recent Federal Court decision of Freeman; In the matter of Blue Oasis Holdings Pty Ltd [2018] FCA 822.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Liquidators were appointed to the corporate trustee of a family trust.
This week’s TGIF considers a priority contest which turned on the construction of section 62 of the PPSA and the reference to a grantor obtaining possession.
What happened?
Bill’s Motorcycles (Bill’s) carried on a business as a motorcycle dealer selling and servicing Kawasaki motorcycles.
This week’s TGIF considers the decision of EH 2015 Pty Ltd (in liq) v Caratti (No 3) [2017] WASC 210 which concerned the rights of a liquidator to funds paid into court as security by a company which subsequently became insolvent.
What happened?
On 20 January 2016, a liquidator was appointed to a trustee company pursuant to an order of the Federal Court.
This week’s TGIF considers a decision of the Victorian Supreme Court which examined the merits of appointing special purpose liquidators in circumstances where a creditor was only willing to fund investigations if the appointment was made.
What happened?
In May and June 2016, two registered education and training organisations (together, the RTOs) were placed into liquidation.
This week’s TGIF considers Britax Childcare Pty Ltd, in the matter of Infa Products Pty Ltd v Infa Products Pty Ltd (Administrators Appointed) [2016] FCA 848 which considers setting aside a DOCA and the administrator’s casting vote.
FACTS OF THIS CASE
After complex litigation with Britax, Infa Products lost the case and as a direct consequence, appointed administrators.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Rahan Constructions Pty Ltd (Rahan) was contracted to undertake commercial construction and other works in about April 2012. On or about this date, Rahan entered into a credit account with Asset Flooring Pty Ltd (Asset Flooring). Rahan’s obligations under this credit account were personally guaranteed by the respondent, Mr North.
On 30 July 2013, Rahan was wound up by order of the court and Asset Flooring sought to enforce the guarantee for the outstanding balance owing under the credit account.
This week’s TGIF considers a decision in which the court appointed an additional liquidator to conduct further investigations alongside the incumbent liquidators in a creditors’ voluntary winding up.
WHAT HAPPENED?
On 18 July 2014, liquidators were appointed to Ambient Advertising Pty Ltd (Ambient) pursuant to the resolution of creditors under section 439C(c) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).
The recent Supreme Court of NSW decision In the matter of Anglican Development Fund Diocese of Bathurst Board (recs and mgrs apptd) [2015] NSWSC 6, confirms that a board of directors’ residual powers in receivership include consenting to judgment in favour of a creditor.
BACKGROUND
In the decision of Saker, in the matter of Great Southern Limited[2014] FCA 771, the Federal Court of Australia held that statutory obligations, not trust obligations, require receivers and liquidators to hold and apply funds for the benefit of employees pursuant to s 561 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).
FACTS
It goes without saying that it is important for an insolvency practitioner to be independent and to be seen to be independent when accepting an appointment or continuing to act in an existing appointment. The recent Federal Court decision of ASIC v Franklin [2014] FCA 68 provides some welcome guidance on what this means in practice and also on the contents of a declaration of independence, relevant relationships and indemnities (commonly known as a “DIRRI”).
FACTS