The Australian Federal Government has announced significant insolvency law reforms that will affect small businesses with liabilities of less than $1 million. The reforms are expected to commence on 1 January 2021 and will introduce, among other measures, a new debt restructuring process and liquidation pathway for small businesses which the Government intends to be simpler, more flexible and more efficient than existing processes.
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We update our earlier client alert with a version including additional details that are available.
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On 24 September 2020, the Treasurer announced that the Australian Government would introduce new legislation to give effect to:
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The Treasurer has today announced two new corporate insolvency regimes:
- a new "debtor in possession" restructuring plan process; and
- a new simplified liquidation process,
due to commence from 1 January 2021 and available to companies with liabilities of less than A$1m.
Restructuring Plan Process
The new restructuring plan process involves:
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Baker McKenzie recently acted for the Foreign Representatives of Thai Airways International Public Company (Thai Airways), in successfully obtaining orders recognising the business organisation proceeding commenced by Thai Airways in Thailand as a foreign main proceeding pursuant to article 17 of the UNCITRAL Model Law on Cross‑Border Insolvency (the Model Law) which is incorporated into Australian law by the Cross‑Border Insolvency Act 2008 (Cth) (the Act).
The Australian Federal Government has announced the temporary amendments to insolvency and corporations laws will be extended until 31 December 2020 in light of the continuing challenges of COVID-19.
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Introduction
The concept of winding up does not exclusively apply to insolvent companies. Solvent companies can also be wound up, on the initiation of the company’s directors and shareholders (for example, as part of a corporate reconstruction or to close down non-operating or redundant entities).
An overview of the two key procedures to effect the dissolution of a solvent Australian company, being Members’ Voluntary Liquidation and Deregistration, is set out below.
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Even with the fiscal stimulus and other measures taken by the Federal and State governments in Australia, corporate insolvencies are likely to increase in coming months.
Under Australia's insolvency regimes, a distressed company may be subject to voluntary administration, creditor's voluntary winding up or court ordered winding up (collectively, an external administration). Each of these processes raises different issues for the commencement and continuation of court and arbitration proceedings.
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In our previous alert we discussed how Justice Markovic in the Federal Court of Australia had granted the administrators of retailer Colette Group relief from personal liability for rent in respect of 93 stores.