The Football League has recently finalised some important changes to its insolvency policy which were approved at an AGM over the summer. These changes could have significant implications for clubs, funders, investors and potential rescuers.

Background – the Football Creditor Rule

The Football Creditor Rule

The approach of the Football League to insolvency has drawn a lot of attention in the press over recent years. Particular attention has been paid to the “Football Creditor Rule”.

The director at the heart of the Carrington Wire pension fund deficit saga has been disqualified for a period of 12 years.

Background

This month in Sharma v Top Brands Ltd [2015] EWCA Civ 1140 the Court of Appeal has again been asked to grapple with the question of when the illegality defence is available to defendants to actions brought by an insolvent company where the losses claimed are arguably tainted by the company's own fraudulent actions. In this instance the question for the court was whether the defence was available to a former liquidator of a company seeking to defend a claim brought against her for breach of duty under section 212 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (IA 1986).

Key Point

There is no assumption under English law that, where a company appeals against a winding-up order, it should give security for costs.

The Facts

Key Points

• Receivers only owe a duty of care to those parties who hold an interest in the equity of redemption.
• Upon the making of a bankruptcy order, the bankrupt ceases to participate in any such interest and the equity of redemption vests in the trustee in bankruptcy.

The Facts

Key Points

• An administrator may be able appeal an order restoring a company following dissolution
• The court has jurisdiction to backdate a winding up order made following restoration to the date of dissolution
• The court must exercise its discretion to do so with extreme caution

The Facts

Client Connection Limited (“Company”) was placed into administration and Ms Sharma (“A”) was appointed as administrator. Following a pre-pack sale of the business of the Company, A moved the Company to dissolution.

Pre-Packs

Will you be ready for the March 2016 contingent asset submission deadline? Following the publication of the PPF’s draft levy determination for the 2016/17 levy year, we look at what questions you should be asking now to ensure you are prepared for the deadline.

In Re Fivestar Properties Ltd, the High Court has decided that a dissolved company which is subsequently restored to the register could have its freehold property re-vested in it, even though the property had passed to the Crown bona vacantia and the Crown had subsequently disclaimed it.

An order recognising South Korean insolvency proceedings involving a shipping company, which had the effect of staying the commencement of actions against the company, was varied so that parties who had contracted with a Korean ship operator could pursue claims against it in London arbitration¹.

Background