In a recent decision, the Swiss Federal Supreme Court has clarified equitable subordination risks in connection with shareholder loans. The key takeaways are as follows:

In addition to amendments to the Debt Enforcement and Bankruptcy Act (DEBA) and the Criminal Code (SCC), the Federal Act on Combating Abusive Bankruptcy also brings important changes to the Code of Obligations (CO) and the Commercial Register Ordinance (CRO). The new Act aims at increasing the hurdles for a company to release its debts to the detriment of its creditors. The amendments to the law and ordinances are expected to enter into force in January 2024. 

Background

Das Bundesgesetz über die Bekämpfung des missbräuchlichen Konkurses bringt neben Anpassungen im Schuldbetreibungs- und Konkursgesetz (SchKG) sowie dem Strafgesetzbuch (StGB) auch wichtige Änderungen im Obligationenrecht (OR) und in der Handelsregisterverordnung (HRegV). Dadurch sollen die Hürden für die Befreiung von Schulden zum Nachteil der Gläubiger künftig erhöht werden. Die Gesetzes- und Verordnungsänderungen werden voraussichtlich im Januar 2024 in Kraft treten.

Ausgangslage

À côté des adaptations à la Loi fédérale sur la poursuite pour dettes et faillite (LP) et au Code pénal (CP), la Loi fédérale sur la lutte contre l'usage abusif de la faillite entraîne d'importantes modifications du Code des obligations (CO) et de l'Ordonnance sur le registre du commerce (ORC). Elle vise ainsi à augmenter les obstacles à la libération des dettes au préjudice des créanciers. Les modifications de la loi et des ordonnances devraient entrer en vigueur en janvier 2024.

Situation actuelle

This briefing note explains the distinction between the concepts of dividends and distributions before setting out the main steps involved in paying out dividends and distributions under The Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 as amended (the “Companies Law”).

This briefing note provides an overview of some of the commercial reasons for and the technical legal requirements of a company wishing to acquire its own shares (also referred to as “share buy-backs”).

Le 16 avril 2020, le Conseil fédéral avait adopté l'Ordonnance COVID-19 insolvabilité. L'un de ses principaux objectifs était de diminuer la pression subie par les organes d'administration des entreprises suisses quant à leur obligation d'aviser le juge d'un surendettement (« dépôt du bilan »). L'allègement visait principalement les situations de surendettement causées par les effets négatifs de la pandémie de COVID-19 sur les liquidités, le bénéfice et les perspectives de continuité d'exploitation.

On 16 April 2020, the Swiss Federal Council enacted the COVID-19 Insolvency Ordinance. One of its main goals was to relieve pressure on executive bodies of Swiss entities to request the opening of insolvency proceedings. Relief was targeted at overindebtedness situations caused by negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on liquidity, earnings and going-concern prospects. Further, the Swiss Federal Council put in place a special COVID-19 moratorium which was designed for SMEs. On 14 October 2020, the Swiss Federal Council decided not to extend such measures beyond 19 October 2020.

The Supreme Court in Sevilleja v Marex Financial Ltd [2020] UKSC 31 has brought much needed clarity to the legal basis and scope of the so-called ‘reflective loss’ principle. The effect of the decision is a ‘bright line’ rule that bars claims by shareholders for loss in value of their shares arising as a consequence of the company having suffered loss, in respect of which the company has a cause of action against the same wrong-doer.

In a decision of 5 May 2020, a district court in the Canton of Zurich approved the transfer of business units of a debtor in a so-called pre-pack transaction simultaneously with the grant of a provisional debt restructuring moratorium. "Pre-pack" transactions in which a sale of debtor's assets are prepared prior to, but in view of, subsequent composition proceedings are still relatively rare in Switzerland. The most recent judgement sets out clearly the relevant requirements and provides a helpful guideline for future transactions.