The Court of Appeal has provided much needed clarification of the test for validating certain transactions by companies that are subject to a winding-up petition, pursuant to Section 99 of the Companies Law (2020 Revision).
The Cayman Islands Court of Appeal has provided much needed clarification of the test for validating certain transactions by companies that are subject to a winding up petition, pursuant to section 99 of the Companies Law (2020 Revision) (the "Companies Law").
The Legal Issue of Principle
Domestic Procedures
What are the principal insolvency procedures for companies in your jurisdiction? | Liquidation: voluntary and official. Cayman does not have an equivalent to the English concept of the company administration or to the Chapter 11 process in the United States. Schemes of Arrangement/“Soft Touch Liquidations” allow the company to enter into an agreement with its shareholders and/or creditors. |
Ruling overturns New York decision rejecting market-based approach.
Key Points:
• Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit requires courts to consider efficient market interest rate, if available, for purposes of chapter 11 “cramdown.”
• Second Circuit decision overturns lower court ruling that used “formula approach” to determine appropriate chapter 11 cramdown interest rate.
Ultra court clarifies the requirements for classifying a creditor as “unimpaired” under a plan of reorganization.
Key Points:
• Texas bankruptcy court splits from Third Circuit in finding that a creditor must receive everything it is entitled to under non-bankruptcy law in order for the creditor to be “unimpaired.”
• The decision does not require that unsecured creditors receive post-petition interest but provides that they will be “impaired” if they do not