If a debt arises from a contract that contains an exclusive jurisdiction clause (EJC) in favour of a foreign court, how will the Hong Kong court deal with a bankruptcy petition based on that debt? A highly anticipated judgment from Hong Kong’s highest court suggests that the bankruptcy petition will likely be dismissed, and that the foreign EJC will be given effect. But, as we will discuss below, the Court seems to leave other possibilities open, depending on the facts in a particular case.
Introduction
This Guide explains the procedure for administration order proceedings in respect of Guernsey companies.
Administration orders
The purpose of administration orders
This Update provides an overview the recent changes to Guernsey's insolvency regime affecting voluntary liquidations.
Introduction
The Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 (Insolvency) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020, which amends the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 (the Companies Law) came into force on 1 January 2023. It is supported by the first set of Insolvency Rules (the Rules) which came into force on the same date.
This Update provides an overview of the key changes concerning voluntary liquidations.
Amendments to Guernsey's corporate insolvency legislation give liquidators more investigative powers and permit liquidators and administrators to set aside transactions at undervalue.
One of the most powerful investigative weapons in any liquidator's armoury is the ability to compel the production from third parties of information and documents regarding the affairs of the company. Until recently, the precise scope of the liquidator's ability to seek production of such information or documents in Guernsey has been uncertain, relying on ill-defined common law powers.
The Royal Court in Guernsey will soon be able to wind up foreign companies.
Recent changes to Guernsey's insolvency regime will mean that, for the first time, foreign companies can be compulsorily wound up in Guernsey.
Long-awaited amendments to Guernsey's corporate insolvency legislation will come into force on 1 January 2023.
Introduced by the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 (Insolvency) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020, the provisions are aimed at further improving and updating Guernsey's corporate insolvency regime. The amendments stem from a wide-ranging consultation finalised in 2017 and represent the most significant development of Guernsey's insolvency law since 2008.
The amendments introduce a number of key changes to the law:
Liquidation
A recent Hong Kong Court of Appeal decision examined a creditor’s right to commence bankruptcy/insolvency proceedings where the petition debt arises from an agreement containing an exclusive jurisdiction clause in favour of a foreign court: Guy Kwok-Hung Lam v Tor Asia Credit Master Fund LP [2022] HKCA 1297.
Introduction
This Guide explains the procedure for administration order proceedings in respect of Guernsey companies.
Administration orders
The purpose of administration orders
The provisions for Guernsey companies to be placed into administration are set out in Part XXI of the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 (the Law).
Introduction
This Guide explains the procedure for liquidation proceedings in Guernsey, which are separated into two types: (i) voluntary liquidation and (ii) compulsory liquidation.
Liquidation proceedings
Voluntary liquidation
The provisions for the voluntarily winding up a company under Guernsey law are set out in Part XXII of the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 (the Law).
Commencement
Historically, the Hong Kong courts have generally recognised foreign insolvency proceedings commenced in the jurisdiction in which the company is incorporated. This may no longer be the case in Hong Kong following the recent decision of Provisional Liquidator of Global Brands Group Holding Ltd v Computershare Hong Kong Trustees Ltd [2022] HKCFI 1789 (Global Brands).