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The Supreme Court of Canada confirms the Regulator’s enforcement powers over bankrupt licensees’ assets in Orphan Well Association v. Grant Thornton Ltd.

On January 31, 2019, the Supreme Court of Canada released its decision in Orphan Well Association v. Grant Thornton Ltd., popularly known as Redwater. In a 5-2 split decision, a majority of the Supreme Court allowed the appeal and held that the Alberta Energy Regulator’s (AER/Regulator) assertion of its statutory enforcement powers over an insolvent licensee’s assets does not create a conflict with the federal Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA) as to trigger the constitutional doctrine of federal paramountcy.

Canada, Energy & Natural Resources, Environment & Climate Change, Insolvency & Restructuring, Litigation, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Alberta Energy Regulator, Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act 1985 (Canada), Supreme Court of Canada
Insurers rush to check access, co-operation and assistance obligations, following Federal Court decision

In a significant decision for the insurance industry, the Federal Court of Australia has granted leave to shareholders to bring a direct action against a company’s insurers where the (insured) company was in liquidation. This is one of the earliest cases to make use of the new Civil Liability (Third Party Claims Against Insurers) Act 2017 (NSW) (Third Party Claim Act), and provides some useful guidance for the industry on how this new legislation will be applied.

The decision impacts plaintiff lawyers, policyholders and insurers alike. Importantly:

Australia, Insolvency & Restructuring, Insurance, Litigation, King & Wood Mallesons, Liquidation, Federal Court of Australia