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Corporate minds do not all think alike: The Supreme Court affirms a purposive approach to the corporate attribution doctrine

Two recent Supreme Court of Canada decisions demonstrate that the corporate attribution doctrine is not a one-size-fits-all approach.

Canada, Company & Commercial, Insolvency & Restructuring, Litigation, McCarthy Tétrault LLP, Supreme Court of Canada
There’s Something About (Hail) Mary: Appeals of Sale Processes and Pre-Receivership Sale Agreements

Court approval of a sale process in receivership or Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (“BIA”) proposal proceedings is generally a procedural order and objectors do not have an appeal as of right; they must seek leave and meet a high test in order obtain it. However, in Peakhill Capital Inc. v.

Canada, Ontario, Insolvency & Restructuring, Litigation, McCarthy Tétrault LLP
In re Purdue Pharma L.P.: Second Circuit Reverses S.D.N.Y and Holds Bankruptcy Court Has Subject Matter Jurisdiction and Statutory Authority to Approve Sackler Family Releases

On May 30, 2023, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (the “Second Circuit” or the “Court”) rendered a much anticipated opinion (the “Opinion”),1 reversing the order of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (the “District Court”) that the Bankruptcy Code does not permit non-consensual third-party releases of direct claims and affirming the order of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (the

USA, Company & Commercial, Insolvency & Restructuring, Litigation, Vinson & Elkins LLP, Supreme Court of the United States, Second Circuit, United States bankruptcy court, US District Court for the Southern District of New York
In re Boy Scouts of America and Delaware BSA, LLC: Delaware District Court Affirms Bankruptcy Court’s Approval of Third-Party Releases, in Conflict with Southern District of New York District Court in Purdue

On March 28, 2023, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (the “District Court”) rendered an opinion (the “Opinion”)1 affirming the confirmation order of Laurie S.

USA, Delaware, Company & Commercial, Insolvency & Restructuring, Litigation, Vinson & Elkins LLP, United States bankruptcy court, US District Court for District of Delaware
Second Circuit Determines Agent’s Mistaken Payment of Principal to Lenders Does Not Invoke “Discharge-For-Value” Exception to Restitution

On September 8, 2022, a three-judge panel in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (the “Second Circuit”) reversed the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (the “District Court”) when it determined that lenders of a syndicated loan facility to Revlon, Inc.

USA, New York, Banking, Insolvency & Restructuring, Litigation, Vinson & Elkins LLP, Second Circuit, United States bankruptcy court, US District Court for the Southern District of New York
Sequana: “Momentous” Judgment by Supreme Court on the Creditor Duty

What is the so-called "creditor duty"?

This is the duty, introduced into English common law by the leading case of West Mercia Safetywear v Dodd1 in 1988, of company directors to consider, or act in accordance with, the interests of the company's creditors when the company becomes insolvent, or when it approaches, or is at real risk of insolvency.

Background

United Kingdom, Company & Commercial, Insolvency & Restructuring, Litigation, Dechert LLP, Insolvency
Another Delaware Bankruptcy Court Approves Third-Party Releases and Opt-Out Mechanisms Amidst Disagreements with Other Circuits

On July 29, 2022, Laurie S.

USA, Delaware, Company & Commercial, Insolvency & Restructuring, Litigation, Vinson & Elkins LLP, Bankruptcy, United States bankruptcy court, Third Circuit, US District Court for the Southern District of New York
Houst Limited Restructuring Plan: High Court Sanctions SME Restructuring Plan to Cram Down HMRC

On 22 July 2022, the English High Court sanctioned Houst Limited’s (“Houst” or the “Company”) restructuring plan (the “Restructuring Plan”), which significantly, is the first time a Restructuring Plan has been used to cram down HM Revenue & Customs (“HMRC”) as preferential creditor.1

Background

USA, Insolvency & Restructuring, Tax, Trade & Customs, Dechert LLP, Coronavirus, HM Revenue and Customs (UK)
In re Mallinckrodt PLC.: Delaware Bankruptcy Court Approves Non-Consensual Third-Party Releases in Contrast to Purdue and Ascena

On February 3, 2022, as part of a series of recent decisions addressing third-party releases, Bankruptcy Judge John T.

USA, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Insolvency & Restructuring, Litigation, Vinson & Elkins LLP
Smile Telecoms Restructuring Plan: Court grants convening application excluding “out of the money” creditor and shareholder classes from voting on the plan

On 12 January 2022, the English High Court granted Smile Telecoms Holdings Limited’s (“Smile” or the “Company”) application to convene a single meeting of plan creditors (the super senior creditors) to vote on the Company’s proposed restructuring plan (the “Restructuring Plan”). It is the first plan to use section 901C(4) of the Companies Act 2006 (“CA 2006”) to exclude other classes of creditors and shareholders from voting on the Restructuring Plan on the basis that they have no genuine economic interest in the Company. 

Background 

United Kingdom, Company & Commercial, Insolvency & Restructuring, Telecoms, Dechert LLP