Welcome to the October 2022 edition of the HFW Commodities bulletin.
In this extended edition, a number of our partners from across the globe have taken time to reflect on the profound impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on the commodities sector. It includes contributions from our offices in Australia, Geneva, London and Singapore, with articles on energy and food security, sanctions, insolvency, regulation, the energy transition and force majeure.
On the back page, you will find details of the latest news and where you can meet the team next.
Part 1: Preventative composition as a restructuring tool
As commercial companies in the UAE grapple with increasing inflation and interest rates, constraints to supply chains and labour market challenges, it seems inevitable that the number experiencing financial distress will rise.
Naumets (Trustee), Dorokhov (Bankrupt) v Dorokhov [2022] FCA 748 In the matter of Hydrodec Group Plc [2021] NSWSC 755
Boris Becker has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison in relation to the four criminal charges he was convicted of under the Insolvency Act 1986.
On 8 April 2022, following a trial at Southwark Crown Court, former tennis player Boris Becker was convicted of four counts against the Insolvency Act 1986 (the IA 1986). Mr Becker was subsequently sentenced to two and a half years in prison on 29 April 2022.
The Bankruptcy
The latest edition of our bulletin, edited by our colleagues in Australia.
Welcome to the first edition of our Commodities bulletin for 2022.
Voyager Aviation Holdings, LLC (Voyager) is a privately held aircraft owner and lessor with approximately $2 billion in assets. Voyager is headquartered in Dublin and has offices in Stamford, Connecticut.
Earlier this year, A&L Goodbody LLP advised Voyager on the successful restructuring of its senior note obligations.1 The restructuring was implemented by way of a US exchange offer that simultaneously solicited support for both a "plan B" Irish scheme of arrangement and a "plan C" prepack US Chapter 11.
In a recent judgment, the English Court of Appeal gives guidance on when a non-party costs order will be made against directors or shareholders of an insolvent company engaged in litigation. The judgment will be of interest to all involved in insolvency based litigation.
A snap shot of the courts’ jurisdiction to make costs orders against non-parties
The recent interim decision of the Federal of Australia in Michele Bottiglieri Armatore SPA, Michele Bottigliere Armatore S.P.A [2021] FCA 795 highlights the Australian courts' willingness to recognise cross-border insolvencies in the context of foreshadowed arrests of vessels entering Australian waters.
Bulletins
Welcome to the second edition of our relaunched Commodities bulletin.
It is a privilege to introduce the bulletin from Singapore, with memories of contributing to our previous Commodities bulletin as a junior lawyer in London. Our global team has grown a lot since then, most recently with the addition of Peter Zaman and Dan Perera in Singapore and Matthew Cox in London, two of whom have contributed articles this month.
An interview with Mark Byers, Partner and Head of Strategic Relationships, Grant Thornton
What insolvency trends were you seeing before the pandemic?