In brief

The UK High Court has considered and granted permission for a so called “credit bid” in an application by the Special Administrators of Sova Capital Ltd (in special administration) for a substantial portfolio of illiquid Russian securities. The transaction structure, involving the transfer of securities in exchange for the release of a £233m claim against the estate, is unprecedented in the UK where ‘credit bidding’ has no technical recognition.

In brief

In Japan, any out-of-court workout requires the unanimous consent of all creditors to a restructuring plan. On 4 October 2022, the Japanese government announced that it is considering introducing new out-of-court workout rules. Under the proposed new rules, a restructuring plan will be binding if a majority vote of creditors and confirmation of the court is obtained. Such a majority rule is a common feature amongst schemes of arrangement in many other countries.

In more detail

The latest battle between the Corbin & King Group, owner of a number of restaurants including the Wolseley, and its lender provides important clarity on when a moratorium should be terminated by its monitors.

Astaldi, the Italian multinational construction company, filed on Friday (28 September) for concordato in bianco. This is an in-court restructuring proceeding under the Italian Bankruptcy Law, which imposes a standstill period for up to six months. Astaldi’s reference to certain provisions in the Bankruptcy Law indicates that it intends to use the standstill period to prepare for a concordato preventivo filing.