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Validation orders under s127 Insolvency Act 1986 will only be made:

  • in special circumstances
  • where a particular transaction is one that is in the interests of the creditors as a whole; and
  • the circumstances warrant the overriding of the pari passu principle

The Facts

Key Points

  • Interpretation of EU case law on protection of pension payments on employer insolvency not “entirely free from doubt”

The Facts

The claimant (C) was a member of the T&N defined benefit pension scheme from 1971 to 1998. In 2006, the scheme entered a PPF assessment period and C calculated that his pension under the PPF would, as a result of caps and limitations on indexation, be roughly 67% less than what he had previously expected.

Key Points

  • Trustees in bankruptcy entitled to more than return of shares wrongfully transferred by bankrupt
  • Trustees also entitled to recover loss in the value of shares
  • Appropriate basis of valuation was fair value (not market value)

The Facts

Key points

  • Court does not have jurisdiction to direct detailed assessment of fees agreed by administrators on application of liquidator
  • Administrators can agree solicitors’ fees for work carried out during the administration after they cease holding office
  • The court has no inherent jurisdiction to direct a detailed assessment

The facts

Key points

  • Automatic stays on proceedings are imposed by Article 20 of the UNCITRAL Model Law (and mirrored in s.130(2) IA 1986)
  • The case reinforces the principle that automatic stays are designed to avoid the unnecessary expenditure of assets otherwise available for distribution amongst creditors

The facts

The Facts

A owned two properties, one of which had been divided into two separately rateable properties for council tax purposes. R presented a bankruptcy petition against A based on a purported debt of £14,097.59 owed by A in respect of unpaid council tax for which it had obtained liability orders from the Magistrates Court.

Key Points

  • Court held notice to scheme creditors (here two weeks) was not sufficient in light of complexity of scheme
  • Court also highlighted deficiencies in supporting documentation

The Facts

Key points

Rights under s23, s24 and s31 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 (the “Act”) can only be pursued by the spouses themselves. Consequently, any ongoing action brought pursuant to those sections of the Act does not vest in the trustee in bankruptcy on appointment.

The facts

Key points

  • Principles applying to exercise of liquidators’ powers are the same as those prior to legislative changes
  • Views of creditors influenced by personal considerations to be disregarded
  • The overriding requirement is for liquidators to exercise their professional judgment in the best interests of creditors

The facts

Key points

  • Without notice applications for recognition orders carry the obligation of full and frank disclosure to the English court in relation to the effect such orders may have on third parties.
  • Failure to provide full and frank disclosure may have cost consequences.

The facts