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All bankruptcy practitioners know that a debtor may choose which contracts to assume and which contracts to reject.  But may a debtor reject contracts that are part of an overall, integrated transaction?  In a recent bankruptcy decision, the court found the answer to be no, at least if the parties are careful in drafting their contracts.

The acquirer attempted to contractually transfer employees to a so-called "transitional company" (Transfergesellschaft) for a few hours only. The employees involved had previously signed five different employment offers presented by the acquirer, some of them limited, some unlimited in time. The acquirer subsequently accepted one of the offers, which was a fixed term contract.

Austria has implemented radical changes to its insolvency law and introduced a new restructuring proceeding with self-administration (Sanierungsverfahren mit Eigenverwaltung) in its newly adopted Insolvency Code (Insolvenzordnung, or "IO").[1] One of the main features of the new type of insolvency proceeding is that the insolvent company (the "Debtor") largely remains in control of its business, but under the supervision of a restructuring administrator.

Step-by-Step Guide to the New Austrian Self-Administration Proceeding