What are the principal forms of security in the British Virgin Islands in respect of movable and immovable property?
What is the effect on secured creditors of the commencement of an insolvency procedure?
To what extent do courts assist overseas appointees (through recognition) and in what circumstances?
Are there any limitations typically imposed in respect of recognition of an overseas appointee?
What are the principal insolvency procedures for companies in the British Virgin Islands?
Are any of the procedures available on a provisional basis?
What requirements should be satisfied for the procedures to be pursued?
Background
The British Virgin Islands (BVI) instigated entry restrictions for all visitors in mid-March and is currently operating a full lockdown system for all residents, apart from essential workers.
Financial services firms are working remotely and there has been no interruption to business continuity for the sector.
On November 1, 2019, certain amendments to the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA) and the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) will come into force and have potentially far-reaching implications on the way in which restructuring and liquidation proceedings under those statutes are conducted.
As described in further detail below, the amendments:
On August 29, 2019, the Alberta Court of Appeal released its decision in Canada v. Canada North Group Inc. The majority – Justice P. Rowbotham and Justice F.
On February 12, 2019, the Court of Appeal of Alberta (Court) released its long-anticipated decision in Northern Sunrise County v. Virginia Hills Oil Corp. (Virginia Hills).
On January 31, 2019, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) released its decision in Orphan Well Association, et. al. v. Grant Thornton Limited, et. al. – a case commonly known as Redwater.
The adoption of new international guidelines on cross-border insolvency matters by the BVI courts has been welcomed by Ogier insolvency law specialist Nicholas Brookes.
The Judicial Insolvency Network guidelines – drafted in 2016 by ten insolvency judges from international jurisdictions, including a BVI Commercial Court Judge – aim to create co-operation and communication between courts on cross-jurisdiction proceedings, and to minimise the time and expense involved in litigation.
On April 24, 2017, in Orphan Well Association v.Grant Thornton Limited, the Alberta Court of Appeal (Court) upheld Chief Justice N.