In John Doyle Construction v Erith Contractors, the Court of Appeal has further considered the interrelation of insolvency and adjudication, providing guidance on the circumstances in which an adjudication award might be enforceable by a company in liquidation.

The key takeaways

Jurisdiction

Building on measures already introduced in the Coronavirus Act – such as the moratorium on lease termination for non-payment of rent until 30 June 2020 – the Government announced that further emergency measures will be introduced.

Statutory demands and winding up petitions issued to commercial tenants to be temporarily voided

The forthcoming Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill will include restrictions on the use of statutory demands and winding up petitions to recover sums owed by tenants.

Background
General rule
Latest judicial guidance
Summary

A recent decision in the TCC provides the latest judicial guidance on the ability of a company in liquidation to refer a dispute to adjudication.

Minding the Gap

JCAM Commercial Real Estate Property XV Limited -v- Davies Haulage Limited [2017] EWCA Civ 267

Summary

The Court of Appeal has closed an important loophole benefitting tenants that are considering options for insolvency.