In the final part of our predictions for 2021 for the UK insolvency market we look at pensions, the National Security and Investment Bill and cross border matters.

Following on from part 1 of our predictions for 2021 for the UK restructuring market part 2 looks at CVAs, directors duties and HMRC and insolvencies.

We had hoped to cover off everything in 2 parts, but 2021 looks to be a busy year so we will publish the final part of this series next week.

Company Voluntary Arrangements – the continued evolution of the CVA

The UK left the European Union (EU) on 31 January 2020 and the transition period in which EU rules continued to apply ended on 31 December 2020. As such, for insolvency proceedings opened in England after 31 December 2020, they will no longer benefit from automatic recognition in an EU member state.

Therefore, insolvency practitioners (IP) of a company with multijurisdictional operations or assets will be required to make an application in the relevant EU jurisdiction to have proceedings recognised in that jurisdiction.

The case of Re NMUL Realisations Limited (in administration) [2021] EWHC 94 (Ch) follows in the footsteps of the case of Re Tokenhouse VB Limited [2020] EWHC 3171 (Ch),where the Court considered whether a charge-holder’s failure to give notice of their intention to appoint administrators invalidates the appointment (see our previous blog here).

The Pensions Schemes Act received Royal Assent yesterday (11 February).

For those involved in restructuring it is important to be aware that the Act introduces new offences, carrying hefty fines and the possibility of imprisonment that apply to “any person”. Given the wide scope of the drafting the new offences could capture directors, insolvency practitioners, lenders and other professional advisors commonly involved in a restructuring whose only defence to such a claim is that they acted with “reasonable excuse” – a term not defined in the legislation.

The Australian government has taken swift action to enact new legislation that significantly changes the insolvency laws relevant to all business as a result of the ongoing developments related to COVID-19.

Introduction
Background to the case
The Company's case for appointing an examiner
The controversy
The decision
The implication for use of CVAs in England

At the start of 2020, we considered what changes the UK restructuring and insolvency market might expect to see during the year – however no one could sensibly have predicted the significant and far reaching impact of COVID-19.

In part 1 of our blog, we look back at 2020 and look forward to what the UK restructuring market can expect in 2021 considering the new Insolvency Laws, expected Rule changes, pre-pack sales and practice and procedural points.

Insolvency Laws – all change in 2020, what about 2021?

知的財産法：改正個人情報保護法に関する動き 競争法／独禁法①：公取委、フランチャイズ・ガイドライン改正案の公表 競争法／独禁法②：ドイツ競争法の重要な改正 エネルギー・インフラ：発電側基本料金制度に関する続報 労働法：「男性の育児休業取得促進策等について」の建議について 会社法：会社法施行規則及び会社計算規則の一部改正－定時株主総会におけるウェブ開示によるみなし提供制度の対象範囲の拡大特例－ 危機管理：日本監査役協会が「企業集団における不祥事防止を切り口とした監査体制強化の在り方」を公表 一般民事・債権管理：「事業者を支える融資・再生実務のあり方に関する研究会」による論点整理の公表（新たな担保権「事業成長担保権（仮称）」の提言） M&A：中小企業庁、産業競争力強化法等の一部を改正する等の法律案の概要を公表 ファイナンス・ディスクロージャー：経済産業省「事業報告等と有価証券報告書の一体的開示FAQ（制度編）」 税務：国税庁、「在宅勤務に係る費用負担等に関するFAQ（源泉所得税関係）」を公表 中国・アジア（中国）：「外国の法律及び措置の不当な域外適用の阻止に関する規則」の公布 新興国（UAE）：オンショアの外資規制緩和を含む会社法の改正 国際訴訟・仲裁：ICC、SIAC等の近時の動向

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