Just because a liquidator asserts you have received an unfair preference, does not necessarily mean you have or that there are no potential defences available to you.
Venezuela’s initiative is unlikely to set the stage for a restructuring of international obligations in the face of US sanctions.
Key Points:
• US sanctions will prohibit US persons from engaging in a restructuring of Venezuela and PdVSA debts that includes the issuance of “new” long term debt.
• Creditors should expect that enforcement action will follow a default. The outcomes of that enforcement action will affect all stakeholders, whether or not they participate.
Restructuring Announcement
Ruling overturns New York decision rejecting market-based approach.
Key Points:
• Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit requires courts to consider efficient market interest rate, if available, for purposes of chapter 11 “cramdown.”
• Second Circuit decision overturns lower court ruling that used “formula approach” to determine appropriate chapter 11 cramdown interest rate.
Cross-border debtors gain another tool to use against dissident creditors seeking to disrupt foreign restructuring proceedings.
Introduction
It is common for commercial contracts to contain ipso facto clauses, which allow a party to terminate or modify the terms of the contract where the other party experiences an insolvency event. A concern addressed by the Government is that these clauses can prevent a financially distressed company from turning their situation around.
Ultra court clarifies the requirements for classifying a creditor as “unimpaired” under a plan of reorganization.
Key Points:
• Texas bankruptcy court splits from Third Circuit in finding that a creditor must receive everything it is entitled to under non-bankruptcy law in order for the creditor to be “unimpaired.”
• The decision does not require that unsecured creditors receive post-petition interest but provides that they will be “impaired” if they do not
The High Court’s recent decision in Ramsay Health Care Australia Pty Ltd v Compton [2017] HCA 28 has confirmed a bankruptcy court can exercise a discretion to go behind the judgment debt where sufficient reason is shown for questioning whether there is a debt due to the petitioning creditor.
In the recent decision of Lane (Trustee), in the matter of Lee (Bankrupt) v Deputy Commissioner of Taxation [2017] FCA 953, Cooper Grace Ward acted for the trustee in bankruptcy, who sought directions from the Court regarding the administration of a trading trust where the bankrupt was the trustee.
Facts
Restructuring: Rollovers, Small business restructure rollovers and small business CGT concessions
July 2017
Linda Tapiolas Partner
T 61 7 3231 2562 M 0437 200 334
Level 21, 400 George Street Brisbane 4000 Australia
GPO Box 834, Brisbane 4001 www.cgw.com.au
Section 477(2B) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) provides that a liquidator must not enter into any sort of agreement that may last longer than three months without first obtaining approval of the Court, of the committee of inspection or by a resolution of the creditors.
Typically, a litigation funding agreement will be caught by this section because it will last more than three months.
The reference to ‘enter into an agreement’ could also catch a novation, and potentially a variation, to an agreement.