On 11 August 2017, a new Act was adopted amalgamating the existing Belgian insolvency legislation into one insolvency code (the "Insolvency Code"). The Insolvency Code will apply to any insolvency proceeding opened on or after 1 May 2018.
The vast majority of the changes resulting from the Insolvency Code are technical in nature. And the most publicised proposal, the introduction of a "silent" or "pre-pack" bankruptcy, was abandoned at the last minute.
Key points
Key Points
- Directors cannot file a notice of intention to appoint (NoI) without a ‘settled intention’ to appoint an administrator
- NoIs cannot be used where there is no qualifying floating charge holder (QFCH)
- The judgment has implications for validity of appointments where requirements not met
The Facts
The Belgian Act of 11 July 2013 on security over movables (the “Security over Movables Act”) will modernise Belgium’s legislation in respect of security over movables. Most notably, the Security over Movables Act is expected to have a particularly beneficial effect on borrowing base/asset-based lending in Belgium.
Under the current legislation, the creation of a possessory pledge (vuistpand/gage avec dépossession) is subject to various restrictions. For example:
Key Points
- Claims against Kaupthing could not be pursued in the English courts
- No implied restriction on jurisdictional effect under the Winding-up Directive
- Position analogous to Judgments Regulation and Insolvency Regulation
The Facts
Key Points
Key Points
- COMI of Jersey companies held to be in England and Wales
- Argument of improper motive generally insignificant where purpose of administration can be achieved
The Facts
Key Points
- Costs incurred in preparing to comply with disclosure orders not payable by liquidators
- Protection for wasted costs should have been sought earlier in the proceedings
The Facts
Key Points
- Provisions of the Civil Procedure Rules apply to applications for an extension of time to apply for rescission of winding up order
- Any such extensions of time should be exceptional and for a very short period
The Facts
The Belgian Act of 11 July 2013 on security over movables (the Security over Movables Act) will modernise Belgium's legislation in respect of security over movables. On 7 November 2016, a draft bill has been published postponing the entry into effect of the Security over Movables Act until 1 January 2018 at the latest. In addition to the postponement, the draft bill also fine-tunes certain technical aspects of the Security over Movables Act to achieve maximum legal certainty and practical usefulness.