Everlyte Ltd and Registrar of Personal Property Securities [2020] AATA 2584 (30 July 2020) K Parker, Member

PERSONAL PROPERTY SECURITIES REGISTER (PPSR) – Applicant registered security interest in collateral (helicopter) – helicopter stolen and sold to other party – other party on-sold helicopter to third party and applied to register financing change statement to end applicant’s interest – meaning of “security interest” – decision affirmed

Ford (Administrator), in the matter of The PAS Group Ltd (Administrators Appointed) v Scentre Management Ltd [2020] FCA 1023

Factual background

Caron and Seidlitz v Jahani and McInerney in their capacity as liquidators of Courtenay House Pty Ltd (in liq) and Courtenay House Capital Trading Group Pty Ltd (in liq) (No 2) [2020] NSWCA 117

Summary

The Coronavirus Economic Response Package Omnibus Act 2020 (Cth) (Omnibus Act) amended the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Act) and the Corporations Regulations 2001 (Cth) (Regulations) with effect from 25 March 2020 to create a “safety net” for Australian businesses facing COVID-19 related financial distress.

The recent decision of the Federal Court in Strawbridge, in the matter ofVirgin Australia Holdings Ltd (administrators appointed) [2020] FCA 571 provides an example of the Court granting flexibility to administrators performing their functions through the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, qualifying businesses may seek up to $10 million under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for funding payroll and business expenses. The US Small Business Administration (SBA) guarantees the loans, and the full principal amount of the loans and any accrued interest may qualify for loan forgiveness. For many businesses, PPP loans have served as a lifeline during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or the “CARES Act.”The legislation includes a historic $2 trillion aid package intended to stabilize the U.S. economy and provide disaster relief aid to American citizens and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergency aid package, which is by far the largest in American history, contains many provisions focused on providing relief. Among these are certain temporary amendments to Title 11 of the United States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”).

INTRODUCTION

In times of unprecedented market uncertainty, assessing financial exposure to your counterparties is essential. Volatility in the commodities markets and a public health crisis create the perfect storm for financial distress for companies in nearly every industry. Risk is inherent in business and that risk is heightened when you are dealing with a company in financial distress. Managing these risks begins with knowing your counterparties and understanding your legal position with respect to those counterparties.

Countries across the world are actively taking measures to stem the spread of COVID-19 by encouraging and, in some cases, forcing social distancing. One of the most common measures employed so far is the closing of non-essential stores, bars and restaurants for several weeks, if not longer. Several large retailers, such as JCPenney, Ross Stores, Kirkland’s Inc., Marshalls and TJ Maxx, have announced store closings for two weeks in efforts to help stop the spread of COVID-19.