The High Court has released its judgment in Re Halifax NZ Limited (In liq) [2021] NZHC 113, involving a unique contemporaneous sitting of the High Court of New Zealand and Federal Court of Australia.

Introduction

This week’s TGIF considers David Djordjevich v Richard Trygve Rohrt in his capacity as liquidator of ACN 091 518 302 Pty Ltd (in liq) ACN 091 518 302 [2021] VSC 178, a Victorian Supreme Court decision that focuses on the circumstances in which a court will order an inquiry into the conduct of a liquidator and the interests that such an inquiry is intended to serve.

Key takeaways

The recovery of preference payments is a key weapon in a liquidator’s arsenal and, since the introduction of safe harbour reforms in 2017 and the COVID-related suspension of insolvent trading liability (which narrow the scope for recovery from directors), are an increasingly important and prominent part of recovery work undertaken by liquidators.

Despite ruling in favour of the peak indebtedness rule’s existence only 12 months prior, on Monday, the Federal Court reversed its decision in Badenoch Integrated Logging Pty Ltd to revoke the rule’s operation in Australia.

Background

The liquidators of Gunns, a major forestry enterprise, commenced proceedings for an unfair preference claim under section 588FA of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) against Badenoch Integrated Logging Pty Ltd, a haulage and timber harvesting contractor.

This week’s TGIF considers the most recent case involving Gunns Limited where the Full Federal Court confirmed that the ‘peak indebtedness’ rule has been abolished in a partial win for Gunns creditor.

Key takeaways

Introduction

The pavlova, women’s right to vote, the flat white, the Rugby World Cup… New Zealand has a storied history of beating Australia to the punch. However, Aussie liquidators might not be so keen to throw their trans-Tasman cousins a friendly ‘chur!’ as their ability to pursue unfair preference claims continues to be eroded following the recent Full Court decision in Badenoch.

Before embarking on any litigation, or continuing any litigation that is on foot at the time of the liquidator's appointment, a liquidator should carefully weigh up the benefits and risks of pursuing a particular course of action.

A liquidator can be exposed personally in litigation. We discuss the risks to a liquidator associated with litigation by examining some recent cases where liquidators have been ordered to pay costs personally. We provide guidance on ways to mitigate this risk.

Balancing risk – weighing up competing priorities

introduction

A further element of the announcement made on 3 May 2021 by the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer of Australia was in relation to the possible reform of the law relating to the “safe harbour” for Directors, protecting them from liability for insolvent trading. The announcement foreshadowed a “review whether the insolvent trading safe harbour provisions, which were introduced in 2017 and designed to promote a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation by providing breathing space for distressed businesses, remain fit for purpose.”

2017 safe harbour provisions