May 2020

How Debtors in Saudi Arabia Can Manage Insolvency Risk Post-Covid-19

IN THIS ISSUE:

Introduction

Who Is Subject to The Bankruptcy Law?

When is a Person "Insolvent" in The Kingdom?

What Are The Options Available to an Insolvent Entity?

Directors' Duties

Can't a Distressed Debtor Just Wind Itself Up Voluntarily?

Statutory Obligations When a Company Becomes or Approaches Insolvency

Role of the Bankruptcy Commission

Role of Bankruptcy Officers

Options When a Company Is Insolvent

GOVERNANCE & SECURITIES LAW FOCUS

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MAY 2020/LATIN AMERICA

Below is a summary of the main developments in US, EU, and UK corporate governance and securities law since our last update in February 2020.

Financial regulatory developments are available here.

IN THIS ISSUE

One of the landmark protections enacted by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act on March 27 was the Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP. Under the program, small businesses (e.g., those with fewer than 500 employees) — and certain other businesses in specific industries — are eligible to receive loans that will be fully forgiven if utilized under the terms of the program, including applying at least 75% of the funds received from the loans to payment of payroll expenses.

One of the landmark protections enacted by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). Under the PPP, small businesses (businesses with fewer than 500 employees) are eligible to receive loans that will be fully forgiven if utilized under the terms of the Program, including applying at least 75% of the loans to payroll. The loans may also be used for payment of interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The PPP loans are capped at $10 million for each small business.

3 Questions Every Company Should Ask Now

Economic stimulus packages, like the CARES Act, will provide some financial relief for Americans reeling from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. Unfortunately, unscrupulous fraudsters will manipulate these financial lifelines and the instability that has taken hold of so many households. This means government investigators across all jurisdictions will be on high alert and more active than ever.

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19 or Coronavirus) has had and will continue to have wide-ranging implications for businesses, governments and institutions across markets and industries. Shearman & Sterling (Shearman) has created a dedicated resource hub containing information on the potential impact this pandemic may have on businesses, and what businesses can do to prepare and succeed in this rapidly evolving space going forward. The sections that follow cover select key topics that may be of particular interest at the time of writing.

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has led certain infrastructure businesses to face significant disruptions to operations and revenues, giving rise in many instances to breaches or potential breaches of finance documentation. This article considers at high-level issues to be mindful of when undertaking waiver processes to address such breaches.

Potential Waivers

Financial Covenants

Debtors in bankruptcy, including hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, left out under the CARES Act PPP

As outlined in our client publication of March 27, 2020 (Update for Borrowers and Lenders in Germany), by a new law effective since March 27, 2020 (the “German Covid-19 Insolvency Law Amendment”), the obligation of the management of a legal person pursuant to section 15a of the German Insolvency Act (“German InsO”) has been suspended until September 30, 2020 if certain conditions are met.

On 28 March 2020, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) announced key measures to protect companies and businesses facing major funding and operational difficulties in the current COVID-19 pandemic.^[1] The measures will involve the Government bringing forward legislation at the earliest opportunity to amend current U.K. insolvency law to give firms extra time and space to weather the current storm while ensuring that creditors can get the best return possible in the circumstances.