This case considers the ability of the Court to ensure that similarly ranked creditors of a debtor are treated equally prior to the commencement of any insolvency procedure including a just and equitable winding up application.
Background
Mr Breifne O'Brien lives in Ireland. In 2008 and 2009 a number of creditors in that jurisdiction obtained judgments against him in the Irish High Court. The Irish Court injuncted Mr O'Brien from dealing with his assets within or without the jurisdiction below €20,000 million.
Ogier has successfully applied for the recognition by the Royal Court of Jersey of English fixed charge receivers. The decision of the Court in Re Estates and General Developments Limited1 is the first time that such an appointment has been recognised in Jersey.
IMMOVABLES
There are two principal insolvency procedures by which a lender can bring about the realisation of a property in Jersey, namely dégrèvement and désastre.
A debtor who fears that his property is going to be taken for his creditors either by way of a dégrèvement or by way of a désastre can apply to the Royal Court for a "Remise de Biens". A remise grants a debtor time to get his affairs in order and effect an orderly sale of all or some of his property thereby enabling him to retain that which he can afford.
Introduction
With the March quarter day fast approaching it is likely that there will be more businesses becoming insolvent. Some of those businesses will have an interest in Jersey property. For example as owners of Jersey property or holders of a lease of retail premises situated in the Island.
Case Summary
The case of Capita Trustees Ltd, RS, NS, The Trustees in Bankruptcy of RS - In the matter of the Dunlop Settlement [2013] JRC 029 concerns an application by Capita Trustees Limited (Capita) in its capacity as trustee of the Dunlop Settlement (the Trust) for approval to it entering into an agreement intended to settle various claims made against the Trust by creditors (the Agreement), the net effect of which would be to exhaust the assets of the Trust.
The Facts
It has been common practice in recent years for the English Courts to make administration orders in respect of Jersey companies with English situs assets, based upon letters of request from the Royal Court of Jersey issued pursuant to section 426 of the UK Insolvency Act 1986. However, a recent case in the English High Court has challenged the basis upon which these administration orders have historically been made.
Background
Introduction
There are two principal regimes for corporate insolvency in Jersey: désastre and winding-up. This Briefing seeks to highlight the major features of each and some of the differences between the two.
Désastre
The law of désastre arose out of the common law of Jersey, although since 1991 the common law has only applied to the extent that express provision is not made in the Bankruptcy (Désastre) (Jersey) Law 1990 (the "Désastre Law").
Who may commence the process?
A Jersey company or one of its creditors may wish the company to be placed into administration in England under Schedule B1 of the UK's Insolvency Act 1986 (the "Act").
On 28 March 2011 the Social Security Department issued guidance for Insolvency Practitioners on the Temporary Insolvency Scheme. The Temporary Insolvency Scheme was set up in 2009, in the wake of well-publicised insolvencies such as that of Woolworths Plc.
The guidance states: