No duty of care owed for negligent bank reference to undisclosed principal

The Supreme Court has held that a bank which negligently provided a favourable credit reference for one of its customers did not owe a duty of care to an undisclosed principal who acted on that reference.

There has been a series of high profile tenant company voluntary arrangements (CVAs), particularly in the retail and casual dining sectors. Many landlords have been hit by closure of underperforming stores, and by rent cuts on those remaining open. Here we outline ten points for landlords on what CVAs are, how they are entered into and what landlords can do to protect themselves.

What is a CVA?

A CVA is a statutory process, supervised by an insolvency practitioner. It allows a company in financial difficulty to:

Samuels Jewelers, Inc., a jewelry retailer headquartered in Austin, Texas, with over 100 stores in 22 states, has filed a petition for relief under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Case No. 11818).

Noon Mediterranean, Inc. (f/k/a Verts Mediterranean Grill), has filed a petition for relief under chapter 11 in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Case No. 18-11814).

J&M Sales Inc., along with nine subsidiaries and affiliates, has filed a petition for relief under Chapter 11 in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Lead Case No. 18-11801). The Debtors, based in Gardena, California, are a discount retailer of brand name apparel and household items, with 344 stores and over 9,800 employees nationwide.

RM Holdco LLC (dba Real Mex Restaurants), along with five subsidiaries and affiliates, has filed a petition for relief under Chapter 11 in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Lead Case No. 18-11795).

Brookstone Holdings Corp., along with nine subsidiaries and affiliates, has filed a petition for relief under Chapter 11 in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Lead Case No. 18-11780). Headquartered in Merrimack, New Hampshire, Brookstone is a well-known developer and retailer of wellness, entertainment and travel products.

In our update this month we take a look at some of the recent cases that will be of interest to those involved in insolvency litigation. These include:

Heritage Home Group LLC, along with four subsidiaries and affiliates, has filed a petition for relief under Chapter 11 in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Lead Case No. 18-11736).

The NORDAM Group, Inc., along with four affiliates and subsidiaries, has filed a petition for relief under Chapter 11 in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Lead Case No. 18-11699). NORDAM, based in Tulsa, OK, is a manufacturer of aerospace components and provider of aerospace maintenance, repair and overhaul services.