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What is Changing in the Pensions Insolvency World? Introducing the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020

The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 is far-reaching with its implications extending to pension schemes. Pension scheme employers and trustees should ensure that they are familiar with the provisions of the Act, and the potential impact that they could have on schemes, employers and savers.

Introduction

The Act received royal assent on Thursday 25 June. The Act passed through Parliament very quickly, so that its provisions can be used by companies experiencing financial difficulty as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Act contains:

United Kingdom, Employee Benefits & Pensions, Insolvency & Restructuring, Litigation, Mayer Brown, Corporate governance, Coronavirus, Pension Protection Fund
The UK Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (“CIGA”) from a Pensions Perspective

On 25 June 2020, the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill (the “Bill”) received Royal Assent and on 26 June 2020 CIGA came into force. The restructuring team in Mayer Brown’s London office has previously commented on the different elements of the Bill in a series of blog posts and podcasts.

United Kingdom, Employee Benefits & Pensions, Insolvency & Restructuring, Mayer Brown, Coronavirus, Pension Protection Fund
FERC Clarifies Its Concurrent Jurisdiction with Regard to Bankruptcy Filings That Seek to Reject Power Purchase Agreements

On January 25, 2019, the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC” or “Commission”) issued an order clarifying its position with regard to bankruptcy filings that seek to reject Commission-jurisdictional wholesale power purchase agreements. In response to a petition for a declaratory order and complaint filed by NextEra Energy, Inc. and NextEra Energy Partners, L.P.

USA, New York, Ohio, Energy & Natural Resources, Insolvency & Restructuring, Litigation, Mayer Brown, Power purchase agreement, FERC, Federal Power Act 1920 (USA), US District Court for the Southern District of New York, US District Court for Northern District of Ohio
Into the Void (Again): PG&E Intends to Enter Bankruptcy Proceedings - Possible Consequences for Renewable PPAs

After months of speculation, it is now official : PG&E (both the parent, PG&E Corporation, and its subsidiary, Pacific Gas & Electric Company), having faced extraordinary challenges relating to catastrophic wildfires in 2017 and 2018, has announced that a voluntary bankruptcy filing “is appropriate, necessary and in the best interests of all stakeholders, including wildfire claimants, PG&E’s other creditors and shareholders, and is ultimately the only viable option to restore PG&E’s financial stability to fund ongoing operations and provide safe service to customers.” As

USA, California, Energy & Natural Resources, Insolvency & Restructuring, Litigation, Mayer Brown, Renewable energy, Power purchase agreement, FERC, California Public Utilities Commission, Title 11 of the US Code, Federal Power Act 1920 (USA)
Pension protection fund changes following Olympic Airlines case

The regulatory amendments drawn up by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions following the outcome in Trustees of Olympic Airlines SA Pension & Life Assurance Scheme v Olympic Airlines SA have been drafted narrowly and may end up  protecting no one other than the beneficiaries of the Olympic Airlines pension scheme. 

The issue

United Kingdom, Employee Benefits & Pensions, Insolvency & Restructuring, Litigation, Mayer Brown, Department for Work and Pensions (UK), Pension Protection Fund
Pension Protection Fund changes following Olympic Airlines case

The regulatory amendments drawn up by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions following the outcome in Trustees of Olympic Airlines SA Pension &Life Assurance Scheme v Olympic Airlines SA have been drafted narrowly and may end up protecting no one other than the beneficiaries of the Olympic Airlines pension scheme.

The issue

European Union, Greece, United Kingdom, Aviation, Employee Benefits & Pensions, Insolvency & Restructuring, Litigation, Mayer Brown, Department for Work and Pensions (UK), Pension Protection Fund, Pensions Act 2004 (UK)