The High Court has recently brought welcome clarity to how pensions are dealt with in the event of a bankruptcy, in the case of Lehane –v- Wealth Options and Brian O'Neill.
While the recent Brexit trade deal contains various provisions for the conduct of trade in the post-Brexit era, it does not provide clarification for new cross-border insolvency proceedings involving the United Kingdom.
However, the Withdrawal Agreement which came into force on 1 February 2020 and established the terms of the UK's withdrawal from the European Union, does provide some comfort for insolvency practitioners, but only where insolvency proceedings were opened prior to the end of the Brexit transition period.
With the possibility of a no-deal Brexit looming large, the implications for Irish insolvency practitioners is something we will all have to consider. The insolvency landscape will most likely look very different when we all return to the office after Christmas. This is a discussion on some of the possible implications for Irish and UK insolvency practitioners post-Brexit.
Current Regime
Many small businesses are structured as pass-through entities for federal income tax purposes.[1] Well known examples include partnerships, limited liability companies, and corporations that elect “S Corporation” status under 26 U.S.C. Section 1362.[2]
The Data Protection Commission ("the DPC") has issued useful guidelines for receivers in the context of data protection.
Once a receiver is appointed, they will have access to borrowers' personal data such as the address of the property put into receivership and certain details concerning the borrowers.
The main points of the DPC's guidance are as follows:
We will soon enter a phase of the Covid19 era when more and more companies will be forced to apply for protection from their creditors under the Examinership provisions of the Companies Act, 2014. Security as always will be a key consideration for the stakeholders in this restructuring process. Fixed and floating charges are almost always well protected but what about personal or corporate guarantees?
The legislation
The legislation is very specific regarding guarantees.
Two recent bankruptcy court cases remind counsel of the great importance of knowing the proclivities of the presiding panel of judges who will hear your client’s case. Experienced practitioners know the law and the best advocates also know the assigned judges. Both cases discussed below illustrate the importance, at least in bankruptcy practice, of arguing the law in a fashion that addresses the court’s sense of what is fair and proper under the case’s unique circumstances.
Voluntary Retirement Plan Contributions Are Required for Maintenance or Support?
The Federal Reserve recently announced that it’s Municipal Liquidity Facility (MLF) is taking applications from eligible issuers and will soon purchase notes at the following interest rates.
This is part of our Commercial Real Estate Finance COVID-19 Impact Series, which is aimed at providing informed and real-time guidance tailored to various sectors of commercial real estate owners. In the context of recent bankruptcy filings by national shopping center tenants, this article examines the interplay between a tenant bankruptcy and a landlord’s obligations under its loan documents.
The next article in our Commercial Real Estate Finance COVID-19 Impact Series looks at landlord/tenant issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic through the lens of our Bankruptcy and Restructuring Practice Group, providing informed and real-time guidance tailored to various sectors of commercial real estate owners. In the context of recent bankruptcy filings by national shopping center tenants, this article highlights key areas for consideration when a tenant files bankruptcy and what steps landlords can take to be proactive in these circumstances.