The Bill introduces key changes to the Personal Insolvency Act 2012. These include a new provision allowing for an independent review by the Circuit Court, if creditors such as the mortgage lender refuse a borrower’s proposal for a Personal Insolvency Arrangement to deal with unsustainable debts which include a mortgage on the borrower’s home.

Insolvent companies often hold a large volume of personal data, such as customer lists or user data. Who is responsible for this information? Recently, the Irish High Court decided a case concerning the transfer of patient records from a private hospital in liquidation.

 Introductory remarks

The High Court recently determined the extent to which a secured creditor must comply strictly with the formalities set out in a security instrument when executing a Deed of Appointment of a receiver. The Court ruled that strict compliance is required and that, in this case, this had not occurred.

Background

In a recent challenge to the appointment of a Receiver, the High Court was asked to consider the validity of a Deed of Appointment and whether it complied with the bank’s own mortgage deed. The Court found that failing to comply with the format set down in the mortgage deed can have drastic consequences.

Details of the case

A number of recent High Court cases have highlighted the difficulties being faced by receivers in taking possession of agricultural lands. This is a critical issue for receivers who are being faced with mounting costs and delay as a result of the actions of uncooperative borrowers and / or their agents. The cases have highlighted the potential need for greater judicial resources and better and more vigorous case management.

Receivers appointed over agricultural lands are increasingly resorting to the High Court in order to: 

Introduction

The Supreme Court, in a judgment delivered today, in J.D. Brian Motors Limited, trading as Belgard Motors, (In Liquidation) (and related companies) allowed the appeal of the Official Liquidator, Tom Kavanagh of Deloitte, to set aside two declarations made by Ms Justice Finlay Geoghegan in the High Court in two separate judgments in 2011.

In the Matter of J.D Brian Limited (In Liquidation) T/A East Coast Print and Publicity, In the Matter of J.D. Brian Motors Limited (In Liquidation) T/A Belgard Motors and In the Matter of East Coast Car Parts Limited (In Liquidation) and In the Matter of the Companies Acts 1963 to 2009 (the Companies)

The Supreme Court has held that a floating charge, crystallised by notice, prior to the commencement of a winding up, ranks ahead of preferential creditors. However, the Court expressed the view that the relevant legislation needs to be amended to reverse the “undoubtedly unsatisfactory outcome”.

Background

The Supreme Court has recently confirmed that a debtor can be adjudicated a bankrupt in Ireland and be subject to the Irish bankruptcy regime notwithstanding that the debtor has already been adjudicated a bankrupt in another jurisdiction, in this case the US.

Background