This week’s TGIF considers the decision in Aardwolf Industries LLC v Riad Tayeh [2020] NSWSC 299, in which the Supreme Court of New South Wales refused an application for leave to sue court-appointed liquidators for damages for negligence and misleading and deceptive conduct.

Background

This week’s TGIF considers the decision in Strawbridge (Administrator), in the matter of CBCH Group Pty Ltd (Administrators Appointed) (No 2) [2020] FCA 472 where the Federal Court made orders absolving the administrators of retailer Colette from personal liability for rent for a two week period, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This week’s TGIF examines the recent changes to Australia’s insolvency regime, the potential implications for business and considerations for creditors in light of the impact from COVID-19.

The Australian Government has now passed theCoronavirus Economic Response Package Omnibus Bill 2020. The bill was fast-tracked through both houses of parliament with bipartisan support on 23 March 2020 and makes significant changes to Australia’s insolvency regime over the next six months.

What happened?

Does the owner bear the risk in case of bankruptcy?

Due to the tense situation in the hotel industry, various lessees are currently approaching their lessors asking for deferral or abatement of rent payments for the period ahead. There are many suggestions for possible compromises - but the insolvency law situation must always be taken into account in order not to create any risks for tenants or lessors. The comments in this article apply equally to hotel usufructuary leases.

Currently discussed compromises

This week’s TGIF considers the Coronavirus Economic Response Package Omnibus Act 2020, which was passed in response to the economic impact of the coronavirus. Amongst other things, the Act makes significant changes to creditor’s statutory demands and insolvent trading laws.

The Act

Aussetzung der Insolvenzantragspflicht, Lockerung der Zahlungsverbote, Einschränkung der Insolvenzanfechtung, Ausschluss der Kündigung von Miet- und Pachtverhältnissen sowie Verbraucherdarlehensverträgen, Moratorium zu Gunsten von Verbrauchern und Kleinstunternehmen betreffend wesentlicher Dauerschuldverhältnisse, weitere Regelungen

Gesetz zur Abmilderung der Folgen der COVID-19 Pandemie

Eigentümerrisiko im Insolvenzfall?

Aufgrund der angespannten Situation in der Hotelbranche treten aktuell diverse Mieter an ihre Vermieter heran und bitten um Stundung oder Erlass der Mietzahlungen für die kommende Zeit. Die Vorschläge für mögliche Kompromisse sind vielfältig – dabei ist aber immer auch die insolvenzrechtliche Situation zu beachten, um hier keine Risiken für Mieter oder Vermieter zu schaffen. Die Ausführungen dieses Beitrags gelten gleichermaßen auch für Hotelpachtverträge.

Aktuell diskutierte Kompromisse

This week’s TGIF considers a recent application to the Federal Court by liquidators of the WDS Group for a pooling order.

What happened?

This case concerned the WDS Group of companies.

WDS Limited (WDS) was a publicly listed company on the ASX with 11 wholly owned subsidiaries (together, the WDS Group).

As the social and economic disruption caused by coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to rapidly evolve, the boards of Australian companies are facing solvency related issues. These issues extend to the solvency of suppliers and customers, and the potential consequences of the appointment of a voluntary administrator.