With the possibility of a no-deal Brexit looming large, the implications for Irish insolvency practitioners is something we will all have to consider. The insolvency landscape will most likely look very different when we all return to the office after Christmas. This is a discussion on some of the possible implications for Irish and UK insolvency practitioners post-Brexit.
Current Regime
Being a director is not just about managing and controlling a business; it also involves taking on certain legal duties and obligations. Directors get the benefit of limited liability, but directors' duties impose certain obligations to ensure they act in the best interest of the company, its employees, shareholders – and in certain circumstances, its creditors too.
Restructuring and insolvency issues are rarely out of the news at the moment, with a range of businesses seeking to adapt to the challenges of a post-COVID-19 world. You might have seen stories about struggling businesses going into administration or liquidation, or securing a company voluntary arrangement (CVA).
It's fair to say 2020 has been a particularly challenging year for businesses, across most sectors. The closing and re-opening of premises, adapting business set-ups and procedures, downturns in customer numbers – all of these things have created new financial pressures.
R3, the association of business recovery professionals, has produced a Standard Form Covid 19 CVA Proposal and accompanying Covid 19 Standard Conditions.
The Standard Form proposals are intended for use by SME companies, in each of the jurisdictions across UK that have been affected by Covid 19, to save time and cost and make CVAs more accessible to them.
'Chapter 11 bankruptcy', the US insolvency regime, often features in the UK headlines. When Lehman Brothers filed under Chapter 11 in 2008, it marked the start of the global financial crisis. Chapter 11 (which refers to part of the US Bankruptcy Code) is a restructuring tool designed to rescue companies. Its closest UK counterpart is Administration, under Schedule B1 to the Insolvency Act 1986.
The reactivation of wrongful trading rules at the end of last month marks the return of personal liability risk for directors of businesses that continue to trade while on the brink of insolvency.
Corporate Insolvency: Temporary Measures extended
On 29 September 2020, The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (Coronavirus) (Extension of the Relevant Period) Regulations 2020 ("the Regulations") will be laid before Parliament. It is expected that they will be passed without amendment.
The purpose of the Regulations is to extend certain of the temporary measures introduced by The Corporate Insolvency & Governance Act 2020 ("CIGA") to assist companies who are struggling to deal with the economic ramifications of lockdown.
Corporate Insolvency: Temporary Measures extended
From 30 September 2020, The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (Coronavirus) (Extension of the Relevant Period) Regulations 2020 ("the Regulations") are in force.
The purpose of the Regulations is to extend certain of the temporary measures introduced by The Corporate Insolvency & Governance Act 2020 ("CIGA") to assist companies who are struggling to deal with the economic ramifications of COVID-19.
We will soon enter a phase of the Covid19 era when more and more companies will be forced to apply for protection from their creditors under the Examinership provisions of the Companies Act, 2014. Security as always will be a key consideration for the stakeholders in this restructuring process. Fixed and floating charges are almost always well protected but what about personal or corporate guarantees?
The legislation
The legislation is very specific regarding guarantees.