The High Court in London has decided that a scheme of arrangement under the UK Companies Act 2006 cannot be used by the administration of Lehman Brothers International (Europe) (LBIE) to facilitate the return of client assets to LBIE clients.

To avoid an asset reverting to a bankrupt after the end of his period of bankruptcy, the asset must be realised. An assignment of a beneficial interest for a future price does not amount to a realisation.

The Treasury has published the Financial Markets and Insolvency (Settlement Finality) (Amendment) Regulations 2009, which will come into force on 1 October 2009. They will amend the Financial Markets and Insolvency (Settlement Finality) Regulations 1999, following changes in insolvency law.  

InDornoch Ltd & Ors v Westminster International & Ors [2009] EWHC 1782 (Admiralty) Mr Justice Tomlinson held that the sale by Westminster International (Westminster) of the wreck of a vessel, the Fariway for the sum of 1000 Euros to a related company was a transaction at an undervalue under s423 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (which, in basic terms, provides that certain disposals made to connected persons for a value less than a fair value may be set aside by the court).

In the current climate, both landlords and tenants could be forgiven for wondering what would happen if the other became a victim of the recession. For both parties, a rent deposit deed can provide some comfort. Such a deed would mean the landlord has immediate access to cold hard cash if the tenant fails to pay the rent, while a struggling tenant may get valuable breathing space before the landlord turns to other remedies.  

The ready availability of credit over the first seven years of the past decade fuelled a massive, property-led consumer boom. Although perhaps a long time coming, the restriction in the continuing availability of such credit since mid 2007 has resulted in a serious recession. The scale of the problems will take time to unwind but given the continuing restrictions on credit, consumers are spending less, especially on high-value discretionary items.  

Treasury has amended the Financial Markets and Insolvency (Settlement Finality)(Amendment) Regulations 2009 to make the Regulations reflect changes to insolvency and company law that followed the original regulations. The changes take effect on 1 October 2009.

The draft Legislative Reform (Insolvency) (Miscellaneous Provisions) Order 2009 has now been published detailing the proposed changes to the Insolvency Act 1986. The aim of the changes is to reduce costs and the administrative burden on users of the legislation and subsequently benefi t the creditors of insolvent companies and individuals through more fl exible procedures and increased dividends.  

5,055 compulsory company liquidations in Q2 2009, but administrations fall 21% on previous quarter

The Investment Banking Insolvency Panel of the FMLC has responded to Treasury’s consultation on developing effective resolution arrangements for investment banks. The response is wide-ranging and looks at clarity, transparency and access before setting out views on client assets and insolvency processes.