The Land and Conveyancing Law Reform (Amendment) Bill 2019 (the “Bill”) proposes to broaden the factors that the courts can consider in refusing orders for possession sought by lenders.

The Bill has its roots in the Keeping People in their Homes Bill, 2018, introduced by Kevin “Boxer” Moran T.D., as a private member’s bill. However, the Bill does not go as far as Mr Moran’s bill and, for instance, does not require disclosure of the price paid by a purchaser of the loan.

Background

Companies in Financial Difficulties Duties and Liabilities of Directors under Irish Law

Matheson Directors' Guidance Series

Companies in Financial Difficulties Duties and Liabilities of Directors under Irish Law

Fergus Bolster and Emma Doherty 10 October 2018

www.matheson.com

Companies in Financial Difficulties Duties and Liabilities of Directors under Irish Law

Introduction

This document summarises the principal duties and potential liabilities of directors under Irish law where a company is in financial difficulty.

In the matter of Mouldpro International Limited (In Liquidation) and in the matter of The Companies Acts 1963 – 2005 the Court of Appeal reduced the fees of the liquidator in respect of three of the four periods of the six-year liquidation of Mouldpro International Limited ("Mouldpro"), finding that the hours claimed for were "neither reasonable nor necessary".

Coast Stores, the occasional wear retailer and high street stallworth has gone into administration in the UK.

Coast’s sister brand Karen Millen had partially rescued the company, buying its department store concessions arm, website, safe guarding up to 600 jobs. However, as part of a pre pack administration deal, it will not be maintaining Coasts overseas stores or its UK high-street stores.

On 29 October 2018, HM Treasury published a consultation paper on a breathing space scheme and a statutory debt repayment plan, which were both part of the government’s 2017 manifesto commitments.

SPV Osus Ltd v. HSBC Institutional Trust Services (Ireland) Limited & Ors [2018] IESC 44

Introduction

Provider Beware! Bankruptcy Payment Order May Be Required to Pay a Bankrupt's Pension to Official Assignee

Welcome to day 3 of our '12 Days of Christmas' series. Today we look back on the effect of bankruptcy on a personal pension policy.

Overall 2018 has produced a number of positive judgments from the perspective of lenders and insolvency practitioners.

In particular, the courts delivered many useful judgments disposing of numerous challenges to the enforceability of loans and security and, also, restricting abuse of the courts’ processes.

Contemptuous McKenzie Friends

In a recent judgement, the Supreme Court has upheld a High Court order for costs against a director of a number of companies (theCompanies) which were involved in proceedings with First Active plc (First Active), despite the fact that the director was not a party to the proceedings.

The Court took the view that the director (Mr Cunningham), who also owned or controlled the Companies, had funded the proceedings and should be held accountable for the costs.

Background to the order for costs